Perplexed And Wondering

Luke 24:1-12

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, and other women witnessed Jesus breathe His last breaths from the blood-stained cross. It’s rather unfortunate how Jesus’ disciples hid away from fear of the Jews, while a handful of loyal women stood by the side of the suffering Savior, until the end of His assignment. These same women also followed closely, as Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus carried the lifeless body of Jesus to a tomb, where they assumed His body would remain forever.

On multiple occasions, Jesus told those who followed Him the details of His Father’s plan, but for some reason, they could not grasp the simplicity of His words. Jesus’ message to His followers literally went in one ear, and out the other, in the same way many today disbelieve He’ll return a second time to gather the Saints. A few days after the two men placed the body of Jesus in a tomb, the same women who witnessed His death and burial, returned, bringing spices prepared for His body. Bringing spices to a tomb could be compared to bringing flowers to a grave in our day, as a sign of love and respect for the deceased. To their surprise, the women arrived at the tomb to see the stone that sealed the entrance rolled away. First of all, they should have been home with their family and friends during this time, waiting and anticipating the risen Savior’s arrival, but they believed He was still laying lifeless in the tomb.

After witnessing an empty tomb and wearing a perplexed look on their faces, the women were greeted by two angels, who reminded them of Jesus’ words. Then, they remembered, and their faith was restored. The women hurriedly sought out the disciples, to tell them the great news. Unfortunately, when they arrived and told the men what they experienced, the disciples didn’t believe their words, just as the women disbelieved before being reminded by the angels. How could the men who were closest to Jesus, not believe what He had told them plainly, and on multiple occasions?

Can you relate to the women and disciples in our lesson, who heard the Word, but failed to believe it? Are there moments in your life, when your feelings supercede the infallible and unadulterated Word of God, that speaks truth alone? How often do you take Scripture for what is says, without doubting; believing that what’s written, will come to pass? God’s Word is truth, and those who live by it will avoid harboring worry and doubt, concerning the things He promised. Build your faith and confidence in God, and stand firm knowing that His Word shall not return unto Him void, but it shall accomplish that which He please, and it shall prosper in the thing where He sends it.

Just For Me

Isaiah 53:3-11

Because Jesus loves me, He endured a moment of humiliation, such as none have ever experienced in the history of mankind. As I study the text of this lesson, I feel that trying to reiterate the message in my own words will do a disservice to what Jesus dealt with, during His final moments on the earth.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him…”

God was pleased to see Jesus suffer horribly?! When I see men suffer, it cuts deep to my heart, so how could the Father be pleased to see His only begotten Son endure unfathomable shame and pain? When God looked at Jesus, He saw you and I. God knew, there was nothing we could do to erase our sin debt and its inevitable consequences, so He initiated the plan He had prepared before man was placed in time, so that redemption could become available to all who would accept it.

Jesus endured persecution, because of you. He experienced pain like nothing anyone has ever felt, because of you. The Son laid down His life, and died because of you. Oftentimes we allow ourselves to submit to our feelings of sadness and depression, but God looks on us and sees a soul, striving to endure as Jesus did, in a world full of heartache, pain, and suffering. We are all special to God, and He was pleased to see His Son suffer, because He knew it would redeem us back unto Himself. He did it all, just for you.

“Words”

Luke 18

Jesus was a great teacher, during His time on the earth. Whenever He wanted to relay a message to someone, He would either speak in parables, or use plain speech. He never used tactics or manipulation to woo men with honeyed words, but spoke clear enough for them to understand His motives and intentions. The purpose of His teachings were to bring to light, the knowledge of His Father’s plan, and expose the darkness that roamed the earth, which had infiltrated the hearts of men. Also, Jesus proved that He cared more for men’s souls, rather than abusing His influence to gain wealth. Oftentimes, those who heard Jesus speak, would either be amazed by His words and desire more from Him, or offended by them and seek to kill Him. Either way, the Son of God came with a purpose, and every word He spoke was in direct relation to His Father’s plan.

Divine Connection

Acts 8:26-35

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). God cares for all men, whether they do evil, or good. In fact, one of God’s most amazing and unappreciated characteristics is, His patience. Oftentimes, men take for granted, the time God grants them in the earth, but soon that time will expire.

King Solomon helps us understand, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Prov. 15:3). God wants all men to submit themselves to His will and authority, so they can reap the best benefits of this life, and the next. Unfortunately, the world has become so corrupt to the point men, women, and children alike, are dying at unfathomable rates. Many pass away too soon, before they can even begin to enjoy the benefits that come with living a saved life. God the Father sees all, knows all, and desires that all come to Him, before their time is cut short. For this reason, the Spirit of God works through those who are attuned to His will, and joins them with others who diligently seek the truth of God’s Word. God is good, and His mercy endures forever, so all who have a strong desire to known Him, will indeed discover the depths of His unparalleled love, grace, and mercy.

Our text introduces a certain man; one who was of great authority, and served under queen Candace of the Ethiopians, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. While it may seem strange for an Ethiopian eunuch to seek worship in Jerusalem, tradition tells that king Solomon taught his religion to the queen of Sheba, who established it among her people. So it was only right for the man to travel to give honor to the God of the great king Solomon. As the man sat in his chariot, he struggled to understand the readings of the prophet Isaiah. It’s evident he had a desire for godliness, but couldn’t grasp its concepts. This was the perfect opportunity for God to connect a man seeking the truth, with another who understood and lived the truth.

During this time, persecution of the church had elevated to astounding rates (spearheaded by Saul, who had recently ordered the death of Stephen), yet the apostles and disciples of Christ continued to branch out to spread the Gospel to different lands. While watching the Ethiopian man from Heaven, struggling to understand the Word, God sent an angel to Philip, instructing him to get up, and go to Gaza. Not knowing the reason for the urgent request, Philip arose and did as he was instructed. When he arrived, the Spirit told Philip to join himself to the same chariot which the Ethiopian man sat upon. I’m certain God was smiling, as He observed the willing and obedient servant, approaching the chariot of someone seeking to know and abide by the truth. After Philip literally ran to meet the man, the Bible says, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” (vs. 35).

God knows what we have need of, and He always has someone in place, to assist in whatever way possible. The Ethiopian man may have left his estate with questions, but I’m certain he arrived back home with more than he expected. Trust God to help you find answers to questions you may have concerning His Word, or life in general. When you seek God with all your heart, He’ll always send someone to help you gain a better understanding of those hard things you are unable to grasp.

The Perfect Gift

Isaiah 52:13-53:3

During Christmas time, birthdays, or special events, gifts are given to show love and appreciation to those deserving of kindness and generosity. While the gift itself is the main thing, many take precious time to adorn the gift as beautifully as possible. Gift wrapping has become as popular in our society as the gift itself, and millions of dollars are spent annually, for gift bags, wrapping paper, and other decorations that beautify the package. When all is said and done, the beautiful arrangement is meaningless, except for the gift that’s placed inside.

As God looked upon the earth, and considered the ways of men, how they continued in their insolence and disobedience, He prepared a gift to send to the earth, so that mankind could be redeemed. Unlike men, who spend time trying to make the outer appearance of the gift look as attractive as possible, God sent Jesus to the earth with no form or comeliness, and no beauty that any should desire Him. Why would God not send His only begotten Son arrayed in beauty, splendor, and majesty? If Jesus had come to the earth with the face of an angel and the body of a god, I’m certain men and women (especially) would have flocked to hear Him without question, right? Jesus came to save men from sin, not partake in beauty contests. Even in his common state, the prophet Isaiah stated that men would despise and reject Jesus, and He would bear many sorrows, so I highly doubt giving the Savior good looks would keep Him in good standing with the scribes and Pharisees, after delivering His sharp and controversial message.

The gift God gave the world may not have been the most beautiful on the outside, but it’s value is higher than anything we place a price tag on. Salvation cannot be bought with money, or bargained by trade. Only through confession and belief, can the gift of God be obtained by men. This precious gift, that man despises even today, came at great cost. Most gifts given to others are usually purchased on Amazon, or from a store of choice, but the gift of salvation came from suffering, abuse, betrayal, denial, blood, pain, sorrow, tears, shame, rejection… sigh.

Do you appreciate the gift God gave you, in His Son? We don’t deserve God’s precious gift, yet He gave it to us regardless. Prove your love to the Father by living a life that mirrors Christ, and learn to appreciate the gift of salvation more and more each day.

Hide And Seek

1 Kings 19

There’s something about Heaven, or more specifically, the realm of the spirit, that I am unable to fathom. Throughout the Scriptures, there are many instances where a spiritual manifestation superceded natural law and order. For example, Jesus turned water into wine from grapes that never existed. How do you explain that in scientific terms? Another example took place when the angel of the Lord helped Peter escape from prison, without using a key to open the cell, nor any gadgets the Beagle Boys used in the Duck Tales cartoons. It’s evident, the spirit realm operates on an entirely different playing field than the natural, and for this reason, men should take heed to developing their understanding of God’s Word, so that they’ll be able to navigate through the earth the way God intended them to.

That brief introduction was intended to continue from where we left off on the previous lesson, as the prophet Elijah was running and hiding from queen Jezebel, who sought to take his life. For an entire day, Elijah had run as far as he could, then retired into a wilderness area, where he rested under a juniper tree. It’s apparent, Elijah was still shaken in faith from the threat of the queen, because he begin to request that God take his life, as he felt he was no better than his fathers before him. This was a very intense moment, because Elijah trusted in God, and His amazing power, but the fear of one woman turned the bold lion, into a cowardly chicken.

So, Elijah fell asleep in the wilderness, undoubtedly neglecting to care for his now weak and famished body, but God had not forgotten His servant, and sent an angel to minister unto him. The angel had prepared a meal for the prophet, then woke him up to eat. It would be super awesome to enjoy a meal prepared by an angel, don’t you agree? What’s even more amazing is, the second meal the angel prepared for Elijah gave him strength that lasted 40 days and nights. Wowzer! One angelic cuisine was packed with enough nutrients and essentials to give a man strength for over a month! I can only imagine what the benefits a full heavenly meal would provide. I tell ya, trying to understand the realm of the spirit gives me headaches sometimes, but I love it!

After his long journey, Elijah went into a cave, and lodged there, until the voice of the Lord was heard. God said, “Elijah, what are you doing in here?” (Ell’s translation). The prophet responded, “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” There’s no doubt the words Elijah spoke were truth, but God needed a moment to whip His servant back into spiritual shape. God then commanded Elijah to go and stand upon the mountain, to meet Him there. The mighty and matchless God made a grand entrance on the mountain, the likes of which Hollywood stars, athletes, or even famous wrestlers pale in comparison to. Before the Lord arrived, a great and strong wind passed through, literally tearing down the mountains, and breaking the rocks in pieces. After the winds had passed, an earthquake shook the very foundations of the land. If that wasn’t enough to get Elijah’s blood pumping, a great fire followed after the earthquake, and then the voice of the Lord began to speak. Again, God asked Elijah, “What are you doing here?”, and he delivered the same response. While Elijah ran to hide himself, God sought him out to reveal another plan he was to partake in.

In times when we are afraid to step out on faith, following a possible failure, God is always waiting to give us new strength to take on new tasks ahead. The work of the Christian is perpetual, and never ends, so rather than hide and cower over past failures, we should be mindful to take breaks, regain our strength, then step back onto the battlefield. God will always equip us with what we need to face every challenge ahead of us, despite how often we belittle ourselves.

From Faith To Fear

1 Kings 19

The great and honorable prophet Elijah had proven to be a reliable and effective conduit, by which God could work His glory and power through. Confronting a king of any stature, is never a wise action to take, but God was with Elijah, more notably when he opposed the king’s wicked beliefs, and obeyed as God commanded.

While doing the works of the Lord are indeed righteous, not everyone will hold your actions in a positive light. After hearing how Elijah had slain 450 prophets of Baal (who were in full support of the king and queen’s unrighteous rule), the cruel and brutal Jezebel sent a messenger to God’s prophet, warning him of his certain death. After performing many great wonders in the name of the Lord, one would assume that Elijah would simply laugh at the threat of a deceived and unrighteous woman, but the great and mighty prophet of the most high God, ran for his life! I have full understanding that a threat on your life should never be taken lightly (especially these days), but Elijah was not too far removed from making it rain, and slaying 450 men, by himself! What was it about Jezebel, that caused the once bold prophet to cower in fear? While king Ahab was known to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, Jezebel was responsible for spearheading many of those situations. She promoted and funded Baal worship, eliminated many of God’s representatives in Israel, then set her mind to rid the world of the prophet Elijah.

While it’s true, the mind and body require rest and nourishment, especially after a great spiritual experience, I’m certain God would have protected Elijah, had he stood his ground against the evil queen, but due to his overwhelming fear of Jezebel, the prophet Elijah ran from Jezreel, and eventually settled at Mount Horeb. While there, he talked with God…

Make It Rain

1 Kings 18

Many days had passed from the time God sent the prophet Elijah to confront the evil king Ahab, until He was ready to reveal His omnipotence to the nation that had turned against Him. During these times, a severe famine overtook Samaria, but the king and those he ruled were still unconvinced of the sovereignty of the true and living God. After an eventful three years of miraculous signs and provision, God spoke to the prophet Elijah, and instructed him to return to the king with another important message. The Lord said to Elijah, “Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” Could you imagine not having rain for three years? Without rainfall on the earth, there would be catastrophic damage all over the world. But, God allows things to happen so others can witness for themselves, all power belongs to Him, and He alone is deserving of worship, honor, and glory. Unfortunately, men are too consumed in their own beliefs, that they totally disregard the obvious workings of the living God, in favor of their futile idolatry.

As you read further into chapter 18, you’ll discover the very unique and elaborate plan God commanded Elijah to follow, which revealed the falsehoods and foolishness of Baal worship, and brought to light the mighty power of the God of Heaven and earth. 450 prophets who worshiped Baal were left without an answer from their “god of rain and plenty”, yet they witnessed the power of the true God with their own eyes.

Nothing compares to the power of the almighty God. Men and women are drawn away daily into deception, and allow falsehoods to overtake their sensibility, but every idol worshipped by men, has no power to do anything, except distract them from the truth. Have you pledged your allegiance to serve weak and powerless idols, or are you aligned with the God who created all things?

Powerless Groves

1 Kings 16:29-18:4

For 22 years, Ahab, the son of Omri, reigned over Israel. Many kings had ruled God’s chosen people before this time; some feared God, but many did not. Of all those who reigned over Israel up to this point, none provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger more than king Ahab. Ahab did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who sat on the throne before him. This is really saying something, because the wicked kings who came before Ahab were known for committing corruptible and heinous acts in the sight of the Lord. How would you feel knowing someone who was deemed by the Bible, the most wicked king ever? Not only was Ahab building a reputation for harboring pure evil, but he joined himself to the most wicked woman of his time as well. Jezebel came from the city of Tyre, and was known to be a committed worshiper of Baal also. From their union, came forth only evil and wickedness. To make matters worse, king Ahab thought it necessary to build an altar for Baal, in the house already established for Baal worship. While God allowed the evil king to sit on the throne, He was preparing a man to bring Ahab’s darkness to light. According to His perfect timing, God sent the prophet Elijah to warn king Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” (17:1b). Telling the king there would be no rain or dew until he says so, was like a literal slap in the face of their god. Baal worshippers believed he was the god of rain and harvest, so when the prophet Elijah graced the king’s presence with such a warning, this no doubt brought shock and worry to the heart of the evil man. Elijah was brave in confronting the king, and delivering the message of the Lord, but this was only the beginning of the story…

Spring Cleaning!

2 Kings 22:14-23:30

Throughout the year, many who own homes or rent apartments, usually accumulate excessive amounts of clothing, tools and equipment, and most notably, dirt and grime. For this reason, “Spring Cleaning” was coined to represent a time when conducting a thorough cleaning of the home, or place of living should, take place. Usually, moms take charge of going through every area of the home, in an effort to get rid of things that have little to no value, then go to work on those areas until they are clean enough to her liking. Children are usually involved in this process, but not to the same extent as mothers.

Keeping things stored that add no value to your living situation, only take up space for things that actually can add value. In most cases of spring cleaning, junk is thrown out, and messy places are renewed to reveal their intended freshness. While living the Christian life, it’s easy to get attached to things that aren’t healthy for our souls, if we aren’t careful. For instance, if you check the hearts of the average believer, I’m almost certain you’ll find one or two items in their “inner man”, that are unhealthy for their spiritual development. Just as mom’s designate times to thoroughly clean their homes, the children of God should do the same to keep their hearts and minds clean, and unspotted from the world. It’s important to take moments during the day to examine whether the things in your life are adding to your growth in godliness, or if they represent something contrary to holy living.

Our text gives a great example of how the process of purifying our souls should be conducted. In the previous lesson, king Josiah heard the word of God for the first time, then was immediately convicted, and sought to make things right. This young man not only intended to turn the hearts of the people toward righteous living, but he literally cleaned out EVERYTHING that brought dishonor to the name of the Lord. Below is a brief list of some of the things Josiah was provoked to put into action:

-burned all vessels that were made for baal
-put down the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to baal, the sun, and to the moon, planets, and hosts of heaven
-burned all the wooden images in the house of the Lord, until they were like powder
-broke down the houses of the sodomites near the house of the Lord, where women wove decorations for the graven images
-defiled all high places where the priests burned incense
-removed horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, then burned the chariots of the sun with fire
-beat down and brake all altars made by the evil kings of Judah
-defiled all the abominations built by king Solomon -broke in pieces all the graven images, and filled their places with the bones of men

To what extent do you go, to keep your heart clean before the Lord?