Jesus was often accused of breaking the Sabbath according to the religious elite of His day. They saw Him performing various miracles like giving sight to the blind, healing a withered hand, and probably many other healings not mentioned in the Gospel accounts. This upset the religious elite because there were rules and/or laws that forbid or limited Jews to certain activities and to overextend yourself in this area was to disrespect God and disrespect their way of life.
There is a tendency to fall in line with traditions or the majority at the expense of doing what is morally right. We so often will remain silent or still when there is obligation to speak or move because that is what our Lord Jesus would do. Jesus didn’t care what the religious leaders or the majority had to say when it came to doing the right thing.
May we always be reminded of this truth when confronted with a situation to do good or to do evil, especially when doing good might get us into some hot water.
Pastor Jason Witt
Esther was a woman chosen to be the wife of the king. There was some trouble that threatened the life of the Jews and her uncle Mordecai brought it to her attention. “Don’t think you’ll be safe there where you’re at,” he said. Esther was in a tough position. She had the opportunity to change the fate of her people by going to the king, but if she said something the king did not like, it could result in her death. Mordecai reminds her, what if God allowed you to be in the position you are in for this very reason? What if the favor you found in the king’s eyes was for this very specific moment in time?
Whatever place we find ourselves in, we have the unique ability to bring light to the situation. Sure we might be made fun of and ridiculed. Maybe fired from a job that we have. But what if for this very reason you are where you are to make a change?
Take some time to think of how you can speak up. It could very well be the person listening and watching you gives their life to the Lord.
Joshua Navarro
Fear can be so crippling to our life’s journey. We must be aware of danger and we need to be wise in our approach to the dark circumstances that may come upon us, but being afraid is an empty option when the Lord offers a better way.
The significance of God promising to hold your right hand is important to consider. Throughout scripture, the right hand represents blessing, authority, and power. Though our innate abilities have considerable limitations when we find ourselves navigating the valleys of life, our Maker stands ready to help us and guide us. Realizing His loving strength in our lives begins when we reach out our hand to feel His grasp.
Do you need God’s help today? Me too. Call upon the Lord your God and let Him take your hand. He has something He wants to say to you.
Jeff Deal
If this message that Paul preached was given to him by a man, it would be a message that appealed to man’s nature and his flesh. Our flesh always wants some credit, we want to play some part in our salvation, but salvation through grace honors God and Him only. This message and Gospel came to Paul through direct revelation from Jesus Christ. God had grabbed ahold of Paul and made Himself known to him and it was the Lord who gave him a calling to preach salvation by grace to the Gentiles.
When we came to the Lord, salvation came to us in that same way, it came through revelation from God Himself. The truth of the Gospel and the leading of the Holy Spirit opened our eyes, allowing us to receive what Jesus had done for us. It was all God’s work.
So go out and share that same Gospel message, knowing that it is the only way of salvation to those who are lost.
Pastor Doug Hardin
Everybody wants to be content, but we want it to come through some divine revelation. We want to wake up one morning and, poof, we are content. Here we read that contentment is something that has to be learned.
One thing that God has been showing me throughout the last couple of months is to be content with the little things. Being thankful for toilet paper is not something I would have thought of a few months ago, but here I am thanking God for toilet paper. God has been showing me to be content with the little things like grocery stores, having dinner on the table, spending time face to face with the people I love. These times have been trying and frustrating, but it is in the midst of difficulty that we grow the most. Learning to be content with the little things is just one of the things that God has been teaching me in the midst of these past several months, what has He been teaching you?
For the King,
Pastor Daniel Batistelli
There’s a lot of division today and sadly, you don’t really have to look too far to see it. Chances are if there is a divide between you and someone else, you may not want to really go the extra mile for them.
There is a great divide between us and God because of sin. Sin is anything that we say, think, or do against God. God is perfect in every way imaginable. To approach Him, we have to be without sin. But, even when we were against God, He died for you. While you were against Him, He died for you. He died for the person you have a divide with. Because God’s love is so great, He bridged the divide between us and Him. He died for you at your worst so you could not only become better but be better through Jesus Christ. And best yet, you could be saved and have a relationship with God where there is no divide but communion with the One true God. Turn to Jesus. He knows you are literally to die for. And if you know Him, don’t allow a chasm to stop you from sharing and showing the love of Christ.
Resting in Him,
Pastor Sean Boehm
How many times have we said to our kids, “You need an attitude adjustment!” Attitude really is the key. We can neutralize dynamic events in our lives with the wrong attitude. Our perceptions or misconceptions, what we view as possible or impossible, and our prejudices or lack of them, make an awesome difference. Peter needed an attitude adjustment and God was helping him get one with the vision He gave of the unclean animals being lowered on a sheet. Peter still had the wrong attitude toward Gentiles and that could have strangled his ministry but God was helping him change that attitude toward ALL that were lost.
As Christians, we need to throw our preconceived notions out the window and let God direct us in ways we might not be used to but, if it’s His will, we can be used for the Kingdom in mighty ways.
Nothing common,
Pastor Gerard Deleeuw
Until the Lord saved me when I was 29, I was an atheist and I heard this verse a lot. However, since I didn’t believe in any kind of higher power, being called a fool for my beliefs didn’t really have any effect on me except maybe to anger me a bit.
It should be noted in the above verse that there is none who has done good. Romans 3:23 tells us, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It is not just the atheist who is a fool, but those who live lives as if there is no God. That might include people regularly attending church.
Notice this fool says “There is no God” in their heart. That includes many people not just the atheist who declares it verbally. Are you living your life as if there is no God? Don’t be foolish! Repent and turn to following Jesus.
Rescued by God’s love,
Pastor Ron Kitchell
It is important that we are always ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us (1 Peter 3:15). Here is our Proverbs verse, the writer tells us that to do so is an act of genuine affection, a kiss on the lips denoting true affection, friendship, and love. So Paul called Timothy to be ready to rightly divide the word of truth, to have an answer from God’s Word so he need not be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). In love for the lost and for your brothers and sisters, let’s make sure to prepare ourselves each day in His word so we might have answers that others need.
Seeking to have answers from the Lord,
Pastor Jack Abeelen
What Ben-Hadad asked was absolute surrender; and what Ahab gave was what was asked of him – absolute surrender.
Praise God! If our hearts are willing, there is no end to what God will do for us and through us. But you may say: “Oh, my desire is not strong enough.” God knows. Say: “My God, I am willing that You would make me willing.” As we read in Mark 9:24: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”
Remember, when you come with what you believe is absolute surrender, it will be imperfect. You may have doubts. But remember Mark 9:24, and with a trembling heart, say: “I do not feel the power; I do not feel the determination; I do not feel the assurance.”
Be certain that whatever measure of surrender you offer – if it is ALL you have – will be received. Do not be afraid to come just as you are, and in the midst of your trembling, the power of the Holy Spirit will work His work in you. And God will use your imperfect life to the glory of His Kingdom! Amen!
Pastor Del Casale
