Matthew 23:25-26

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean." In my opinion, this passage is the epitome of the human dilemma in relation to the sin of man and his consequential separation from God. It is one of the most recognizable quotes of Scripture known within the Christian church, yet it undoubtedly haunts the spiritual walk of each and every follower of Jesus. For me, this verse has recently become a cornerstone in my personal relationship with Christ and perhaps the greatest warning of Scripture that I adhere to today. Of course, the metaphor Jesus is using with the cup and plate are symbolic of the state of our hearts, minds and spirits. The outside of the cup could be better defined as our mask, the object most used to cloak who we really are underneath. As is custom with Jesus though, He always goes after the heart and uses this imagery to make a profound point that we cannot continue to knowingly live in a state of sin yet present ourselves publicly as "worthy of the lamb who was slain" (Revelation 5:12). It is not consistent with the proclamations of Scripture and it certainly is not what the apostle Paul meant when he said, "Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness" (Romans 6:13). We must be willing to address the state of our flesh if we are bold enough to proclaim that we have been "washed in the blood of the lamb" (Revelation 7:14) and willing to accept the consequences of our actions if we truly believe the absolute truth of Scripture and are willing to apply it in our private lives. One of the things I love most about Jesus is that when he drives home a point, He does so on more than one occasion in order to emphasize its importance from God's perspective. The gospel of Matthew records such an instance. Here, Jesus addresses this conflict of inward versus outward purity once again. "And he called the people to him and said to them, 'Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person... Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander'" (Matthew 15:10-11,17-19). Do you notice the list at the end of that passage? It is a compilation of sinful actions AND thoughts. Therefore, we are not exempt from breaking God's law if we do not act on our thoughts. It is clear that Christ is not just concerned with outward manifestations, but more importantly the root of the problem that begins within the spiritual battlefield of the mind, infiltrating the heart, and taking captive the soul. He clearly stated his point within the following passages: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire" (Matthew 5:21-22). "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28). "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, 'Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King'" (Matthew 5:33-35). "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, 'Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you'" (Matthew 5:38-42). You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you'" (Matthew 5:43-44). Based upon these direct teachings from Jesus Christ, there is no room for doubt that the inward workings of our flesh are absolutely the sins we must address in order to live for righteousness unto our God and Father. But how do we accomplish this? 1 Peter 2:24 answers this question plainly: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." How simple a truth from God, yet emphatically convicting! The whole solution is fairly simple in logic yet astronomical in spiritual scale and measure. Nonetheless, we must be willing to die to ourselves in order to experience a true and God-honoring personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A friend and counselor pointed out that absolute truth to me two weeks ago in a counseling session, and frankly it shook me to the core. You see, for years I was under the influence that a habitual sin addiction I had long suffered from was contained and compartmentalized from the rest of my life. Which meant in order to obtain true victory over that particular sin, I simply needed to put parameters in place that safeguarded against it, therefore containing the sin and destroying it. But the problem never stopped and ironically it morphed into a greater sin that spiraled me down into the pit of hell itself and almost killed me and those I love most. I have come to understand the reason why now through the storm of personal injury against God and others. Love of self that equates to love of sin is the method that Satan uses most effectively to destroy our relationship with God and others. Left untreated, it will corrupt your thoughts and actions far beyond the scope and scale of any particular habitual sin you are most bent against, this I know firsthand. It will bind itself to fabric of your being and manifest itself within a myriad of greater issues, typically pride and selfishness. Meaning the road to restoration begins with the spiritual discipline of humility, brokenness over sin and genuine repentance to God and all those you have sinned against. I have learned the hard way that not addressing the root issue of sin in my life (love of self) is truly the leading cause of death for all of us and the ultimate point of Jesus' admonition in Matthew 23:25-26. No doubt you can feasibly continue to focus solely on trying to solve the outward sin issues in your life but if you do not address the inward self, you are merely inviting Satan and his demons a first class ticket into your life. The danger and warning are admonished in Scripture: "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation" (Matthew 12:43-45). Rest assured though that God is in control and will never allow us to face a trial alone. For if we trust in Him and allow his Holy Spirit access to our hearts and minds through fervent prayer and time spent studying God's Word for the purpose of Biblical application, He will transform us from the inside out as He is doing to me and will make us stronger than ever before, because we are choosing to build our foundation of faith upon Him and that rock cannot be shaken. "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:24-27).

Matthew 23:23-24

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!" I love how God reveals a passage of Scripture that previously you skimmed over but suddenly are taken back by, as if you never read it before. This is one of those passages for me because Jesus is addressing a number of issues by taking a concept that practically all Christians are aware of (tithing), but adding a dimension that transcends our preconceived notions. Leviticus 27:30 begins our understanding of what Scripture defines on this topic: "Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord." Here, God is directly addressing the discipline of giving back to Himself a portion of the monetary blessings He has bestowed on us, specifically the first fruits of our labor (Deuteronomy 26:1-4). This is critical for it provides the earthly provision needed to support the ministry of the local church, as it did for the priests and Levites of the nation of Israel. Scripture also defines within the Old Testament that the minimum value of a tithe is a tenth (Leviticus 27:32), although one should not feel limited to give by that amount. For as the apostle Paul exhorts, "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (1 Corinthians 9:6-7). The issue of tithing is truly paramount to the Christian faith. For if we think about it, God grants us incredible grace and mercy by providing for all our needs, of which we should not worry or stress about in the slightest. Jesus specifically addressed this point in Matthew 6:27. "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" The beauty of Christ's message though is the cause and effect principle of trusting God's promises and our obedience of applying those truths in our lives according to His will. "Therefore do not be anxious saying, 'What shall we eat?' or ' What shall we drink' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:31-33). Tithing is simply a measure of our obedience (and indirectly our attitude as well) that God's sufficiency is greater than all we could desire. By applying the principle of tithing in our lives, we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and he consequently blesses that obedience beyond measure. What then is the critical point that Jesus is making in Matthew 23:23-24? Tithing is indeed an important work in the life of a Christian and cannot be ignored nor neglected. Rather, Jesus is addressing a heart issue that supersedes an observance of a religious law. He is not abolishing the necessity of tithing, but rather elevating the importance of all righteous living with the principle issue of tithing. In other words, consistency of Biblical application was the scribes and Pharisees greatest flaw and one we have willingly inherited into our spiritual lives. James 1:22 states this plainly: "But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." If we choose to focus on various parts of Scripture while neglecting the importance of Scripture as a whole, we fall victim to Jesus' admonition to the scribes and Pharisees. No verse of God's Word is devalued by another verse, for "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). I love the context of Matthew 23:23-24 because it drives a stake directly into the condition of our hearts. The issue of tithing is simply a Scriptural law Jesus uses to make a finer point, but also a concept that can be broadened in context to expand our understanding. For if we as Christians begin to offer our lives (not just our monetary possessions) to God as a tithe offering, remembering that we are submitting unto Him our first-fruits (which can include our time, our resources, our attention, our services, our thoughts and our attitudes), we will begin to comprehend how Jesus speaks intimately to each one of us His solemn convictions. It is as if He is saying, "You obediently apply My Word (i.e. tithe) on specific issues that are passionate to your heart down to the finest detail, but you fail to recognize that you are consciously neglecting the entire truth of My Word that has the power to free you from the chains of Pharisaism." For example, Deuteronomy 15:7-11 is a perfect illustration of Christ's point: "If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’" One should not only give a tenth of their monetary possessions to the church as a tithe offering, but should also meet the needs of others as God wills it and provides "blessing" opportunities (emphasizing Christ's point of neglecting the weightier matters of the law). Note though that helping others in need should not supersede or replace our tithe obligations, lest we diminish God's Word against itself. Both are equally important and must be applied in our daily lives. In a deep study of a highly sensitive "religious" issue, we cannot allow our hearts and minds to be weighed down by frustration and hopelessness because we continually fall short of the mark. God promises infinite and immeasurable blessings for those who do His will and will meet us if we humble ourselves and submit to His authority and instruction. Look no further that Malachi 3:6-12 for a immeasurable promise of God's incredible grace and mercy for those who trust in Him and fulfill His commands: "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts." God challenges us directly to put him to the test and see for ourselves if He is not faithful. The question is simple and undoubtedly convicting though. Will you and I tithe all that we are and all that we have according to His Word and allow His Holy Spirit to shower down blessings of righteousness that are more valuable in the sight of God than gold and precious jewels? He does not promise earthly riches for our trust and obedience, but rather "a peace of God which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). The decision is ultimately ours on how we choose to obey His commands, but Christ's warning cannot be ignored: "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many" (Matthew 7:13). Choose your path wisely!

Matthew 23:16-22

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it." Are you someone who can be trusted? Are your words and actions written in pencil or ink? Do you feel the need to make a hard sales pitch in order to make people believe in what you say, or do you receive the benefit of the doubt because your high countenance precedes your actions? These are a few simplistic, metaphorical ways of describing the point that Jesus is making to the scribes and pharisees. Vows, oaths and promises are not bound by the objects they are made upon so as to leave room for annulment. Rather, they are bound by God because one cannot make a pledge upon anything that is not the creation of God Almighty. At first glance, this passage of Matthew could be easily glossed over. It seems like Jesus could more easily say, "Take what you say seriously and be accountable for it." But I believe Jesus is driving a stake directly into the heart of the matter because the issue of trust is absolutely foundational in all aspects of life. Consider Isaiah 26:4 which states, "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." I love this verse because it not only answers the question of who we should trust, but why. For greater context, Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary defines a "rock" as figuratively a defense; means of safety; protection; strength; asylum; a firm or immovable foundation. Therefore we are safe to assume that when we add Webster's definition of "everlasting" (i.e. eternal; existing or continuing without end; immortal), we begin to realize that we can rely upon the Lord God unconditionally and without hesitation for He is the ultimate foundation to build our lives upon (2 Timothy 2:19). It is amazing to research how the term everlasting is used in Scripture. For instance, the Lord God made everlasting covenants with His people (Genesis 9:16, 17:7-8, 48:4; 2 Samuel 23:5; 1 Chronicles 16:17; Psalm 105:10; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 32:40, 50:5; Ezekiel 16:59-60, 37:26), He brought people and nations to everlasting ruin and shame (Psalm 9:6, 78:66), He sits upon the throne of an everlasting kingdom (Psalm 145:13; Daniel 4:3), and His name through Jesus Christ is referred to as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). These are simply not terms to describe one who cannot be depended upon. They are names that reveal who God is, what He is capable of as our Sovereign creator, and why He can be depended upon throughout eternity. The point I am trying to make is that God can be trusted because not only does His love endure forever, but He is an everlasting rock. So if you feel compelled to be a man/woman that is trustworthy and who can be entrusted with great possession or responsibility, how do you fare as an everlasting rock? Would those in your sphere of influence perceive you as a means of safety, protection and strength without end, trustworthy of the vows, oaths and promises you make? This is a loaded question because from a discussion of trust comes the need to examine the virtue of character, which again draws us back to the nature of God himself. "For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us" (Hebrews 6:16-18). I pray that you are beginning to understand as I am that our model of character, out of which comes our ability to be trusted, is found completely in the Lord God. It seems logical (and assumingly understood), but now we have a greater construct and perspective to work with when we begin to understand the nature and character of God, knowing what it means to put off our Pharisaical tendencies and die to Christ. We must be willing to experience the glory of being found trustworthy but also the persecution for it as well. For as the Apostle Paul states, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (Romans 5:3-4). Therefore we must understand that the sanctifying process of being made righteous comes through persecution. Jesus encourages us: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10), but he also warns us: "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). In other words, there is great blessing for being a man/woman of character and trustworthiness but also an inevitable weight of persecution that comes with it. Be encouraged though! For if we unconditionally love as unto Christ in the face of persecution, we bear witness to the world that we are His disciples (John 13:35) and worthy of being trusted. All that being said, we must return to the object of Christ's intention in Matthew 23:16-22 that our oaths should be made only unto God, for we must choose this day whom we will serve (Joshua 24:15). The application for that practice is found simply in Matthew 5:33-37..."Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one."

Matthew 23:15

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves." This passage is extremely intriguing to me because it directly addresses the topic of "Pharisaism" that I am extremely passionate about. In many instances, Pharisaism is virtually interchangeable with and more commonly referred to in our culture as "religion." I believe Pharisaism is perhaps the greatest detriment to Christianity and has caused those outside the church to repeatedly turn their backs on considering a personal relationship with Jesus. Why, you might ask? Because in and of itself, Pharisaism is simply cancer that left untreated becomes a breeding ground for hypocrisy and self-righteousness. In order to gain a proper context for what Jesus is targeting in Matthew 23:15 we must first understand that Jesus is admonishing Pharisaism, not Judaism. Second, we must seek wisdom concerning two key terms, "Pharisaism" and "proselyte". Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary (perhaps the greatest American dictionary available in print) defines Pharisaism as "the notions, doctrines and conduct of the Pharisees, as a sect. Rigid observance of external forms of religion without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion." Moreover, Webster defines a proselyte as "a new convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system or party. Thus a Gentile converted to Judaism is a proselyte; a pagan converted to Christianity is a proselyte." These definitions assist in clarifying the context of Jesus' statement. Now I believe the key to both these definitions is the phrase, "external forms of religion." When we cross-reference Matthew 23:15 with Mark 7:15: "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him," we begin to understand that Jesus is addressing the importance of truth, of which He is the essence of (John 14:1), and we are to specifically adhere to without the aid of external and additional man-made rules, regulations, policies and/or requirements. For when we adopt man-made religion as absolute truth (even in good conscious), we are defiled from within as Jesus warns, and that is most dangerous because it affects those around us and their understanding and comprehension of how a Christian applies the absolute truth of the Bible in his/her life. Man-made religion packaged and sold as Biblical understanding is misleading and bluntly stated, complete Pharisaism. Jesus always seeks reconciliation of the heart to God, for it is what we hold inside our hearts that makes us unclean. Therefore, if we take upon religious practices, assumptions and expectations that are above and beyond the Word of God and adopt them with sinful attitudes and self-righteous piety, we fall victim to the warnings Jesus heeds. The scribes and pharisees took great pride in the law of Moses and strictly held firm to the finest detail of the law. Where they fell short in Christ's judgment was their additional "law requirements" that not only held proselytes back from gaining access to God (Matthew 23:13-14) but rather drove them into religion rather than a personal relationship with God. Religion became the funnel in which they filtered their thoughts and actions in regard to themselves and others, and inevitably what brought the judgment of God through Jesus Christ upon them. For "the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son" (John 5:22). To state this more plainly, I will defer to my favorite Bible teacher, James MacDonald. In a sermon entitled, "Freedom from Religion," Pastor James states the following: "It is absolutely essential for my own growth in Godliness that I don't judge or negatively assess someone else's personal conviction in regard to something that is not explicitly stated in Scripture. And when I do judge others in regard to something that is not explicitly stated in Scripture, that is the essence of being a Pharisee, that is the essence of being a religious person; judging other people by a man-made set of rules." I cannot fathom a more convicting statement for mankind and specifically myself because I am a habitual sinner and Pharisee and honestly ashamed to admit it. God help us to begin filtering our lives solely through the absolute truth of Scripture that we may be set free from the weight of religion and Pharisaism! It is a chronic problem and the cancerous trail it leaves behind drives a wedge further between ourselves and those around us who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are hindered from accepting His grace by faith due to the hypocritical example we provide as self-proclaimed Christians. The Pharisaism we are selling is stifling the work of God because we have traded faith for religion. Spiritual conviction that leads to repentance and God's forgiveness has been culturally replaced by self-justification and a self-righteous, unwillingness to be broken (Proverbs 28:14). Jesus warns us emphatically: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:3-5). We must be honest with ourselves and admit we have adopted man-made religion in every facet of our lives. It benefits nothing if we cannot be real with the reflection in the mirror. For if we hold firm to our religion rather than walking in the absolute truth of Scripture, we will be judged not only according to God's standard but the false standard of religion that we hold so dear to (i.e. our cancerous definition of righteousness.) That is the danger of Pharisaism and we are wise to denounce our false doctrines and walk in humble righteousness through Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

Matthew 23:13-14

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation." After laying a firm foundation in Matthew 23:1-12 on the conduct of the Jewish leaders, Jesus now begins one of His most direct admonitions in all of Scripture. Now begins the "seven woes to the scribes and pharisees" that in contrast parallels the Beatitudes, commonly referred to as the most popular section of "The Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5:1-12). Matthew 23:13 begins a complete shift of focus in Christ's teaching. The audience has now changed and Jesus has transitioned from addressing His disciples and followers on the conduct of the scribes and pharisees and their subsequent response to submitting and obeying religious authority, to a piercing judgment specifically aimed at the ones who would inevitably crucify Him for his teachings rather than embrace Him as Messiah. In studying this particular passage, it is interesting that Jesus is not vindictive, spiteful nor angry, but rather judicial. He is exercising His authority as Messiah with compassionate condemnations for their conduct under the Law of Moses. Keep in mind He is not allowing His supreme knowledge of what the Jewish leaders will do to Him cloud His actions. His emotions are in check and He uses the law to convict them in their wicked ways, all the while knowing that this religious group will demand and execute His crucifixion in the days to come. For a moment, consider the context of Isaiah's prophesy with Christ's actions in this passage of Matthew's Gospel: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Could you or I ever imagine to respond in truth and love to our executioners if we were unjustly condemned for a crime we never committed, knowing full well the hour and torturous method of our impending death and opening not our mouths in defense? I know that in my flesh I could not. But I am reassured because God's Word reminds me that He is in full control: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Jesus begins Matthew 23:13 by addressing the scribes and pharisees as "hypocrites." The 1599 Geneva Study Bible comments that "Christ, when he reproves any man sharply, uses this word to show us that there is nothing more detestable than hypocrisy and falsehood in religion." The scribes and pharisees used the law as a tool to shut others out in order to maintain religious control as "the" righteous authority and mask the covetousness within their hearts that Jesus exposes in verse 14. Note too the issue here is not that the law is flawed but that the Jewish leaders were using the law to drive people away from the kingdom of Heaven rather than toward it. Jesus stated very clearly, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). Therefore, His focus is completely on application of the law, for the truth is what sets us free (John 8:32) and will bridge the eternal gap between man and God. The 1599 Geneva Study Bible provides outstanding insight on verse 14 as well: "It is a common thing among hypocrites to abuse the pretence of zeal when in reality they are exercising covetousness and extortion. Literally, 'under a colour of long praying'; and the word 'and' signifies a double wickedness in them: the one, that they devoured widows goods: the other that they did it under a pretence of godliness." Therefore, when we step back and gain perspective on Matthew 23:14, it should not surprise us the incredible sins the Jewish leaders of His day were committing under the banner of religious authority and why Jesus judges their actions according to the very law they are presumed experts in. So how do we apply this warning that Jesus addressed to the scribes and pharisees and now sets before us? For me, the study note phrase "under a pretense of godliness" is a perfect starting point because it convicts so severely and addresses the sin Jesus is targeting. I know it is rather easy for me to preach the Word of God to others on how they should live and apply it to their lives, but incredibly difficult and humbling to live it out in my life under both public scrutiny with man and private judgment before God Almighty. I know I fall victim to this pattern daily and share in the apostle Paul's frustrations: "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (Romans 7:15). As with Paul though, I hold firm in faith and embrace the wisdom that the Holy Spirit spoke through him as he wrestled with this spiritual dilemma: "For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin" (Romans 7:22-25). May this absolute truth encourage you as well and bring us all to a greater understanding of God's amazing grace!

Matthew 23:8-12

"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." The singularity of the deity of Jesus Christ is perhaps the most radical and highly controversial topic in all religion. Christianity makes no apology for this stance, and that in and of itself is enough to rub culture the wrong way. We live in a day where political correctness is expected and tolerance for other religions or worldviews is preached from every angle. Unfortunately, Jesus Christ left no room for debate: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Therefore, neither should we leave room for debate. Why then is it so important for Christians to hold firm to the singularity of the deity of Christ as the only path to God? Thankfully, Jesus directly addressed this issue when he said, "Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33). Those who profess to be Christian must realize the weight of this passage and what he/she risks by not standing up for the absolute truth of Scripture. God simply does not take this issue lightly and He expects that we will hold firm to the first commandment He gave Moses (Exodus 20:1-6), of which Jesus is the fulfillment that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). It is quite interesting that the issue of hierarchy is directly addressed with Jesus twice in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke by the disciples. The first occasion comes after the Transfiguration on the mountaintop by Jesus, Elijah and Moses in the presence of Peter, James and John, and the second occasion during the Last Supper meal just prior to Christ's death and crucifixion. In both instances, the disciples mistook the word "greatness" for accomplishment and/or status while Jesus sought a deeper meaning that would not only transform their perspective but also their ministerial purpose in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Specifically in Matthew 18:3, Jesus told his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." This statement echoes the statement made in Matthew 23:11-12 that in order to be in eternal communion with Jesus Christ, an attitude of service and humility must burst forth from the seams of our character and countenance, leaving no doubt that the grace we freely received for our salvation took root within our hearts and bore much fruit. The Expositor's Commentary perhaps articulates the meaning of this passage best: "The child is held up as an ideal, not of innocence, purity, or faith, but of humility and unconcern for social status. Jesus advocates humility of mind (v.4), not childishness of thought." Imagine the possibilities that would flourish in our lives if we chose to filter our minds through the spiritual colander of humility, washing away all unrighteousness and iniquity that enslaves us and leaving behind only the God honoring qualities that produce the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). However, due to a lack of understanding the disciples again press this question of "who is the greatest" upon Jesus in His final hours at the Last Supper (Luke 22:24-30). The context of this verse is striking in Luke's Gospel. Here, within hours of His unconditional sacrifice and death upon a cross for the sins of mankind, Jesus took bread and wine and divided it among his disciples, symbolizing His broken body and shed blood. In essence, He pulled back the veil of Heaven and allowed His most trusted friends a glimpse of God's sovereignty. How incredibly amazing! And yet, all the disciples could think about was their own hierarchical standing in the kingdom of heaven, proving they had completely lost perspective. This convicts me to the core I must admit, for how often I look past the absolute truth of God's Word set before me to fix my eyes upon the selfish longings of my heart. I repeatedly put off the blessings of Heaven that merely require a humble heart and mind and rather indulge in sinful attitudes that not only cloud my thinking but rob me of the righteousness I desperately desire in obedience to Him that paid the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. I confess that I fall victim to the warning of Proverbs 26:11: "Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly." But I pray that God will give me the strength to put off the selfishness that comes so naturally to me and draw near to the cleansing truth of His Word spoken through the prophet Hosea that I may be sanctified through humility and repentance. "Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up" (Hosea 6:1).

Matthew 23:1-7

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others." For the past week, I have been drawn specifically to Matthew 23:23 but have not been able to really write about all that God is placing on my heart. The main reason is that while I have tried to "force" an exposition of verse 23, I found it impossible to do so without first gaining proper perspective from Christ himself as He began teaching on "seven woes" directed specifically at the scribes and pharisees of His day. So in order to accurately expound upon the verse that called me to this poignant chapter of Scripture, I feel it is important to take chapter 23 piece by piece and not quench the Spirit's fire (1 Thessalonians 5:19) by rushing through all He has in store for me to learn. According to the ESV Study Bible, "The scribes were the professional interpretive experts on the Torah itself, while the Pharisees were experts in theological matters that the Torah raised." Therefore, the scribes and pharisees represented the immense knowledge and complete authority concerning the law of Moses. No one possessed greater knowledge of God's Word, but as Jesus points out, they lacked the supreme understanding to implement the law into their own lives. Their spoken words were a testament to truth, but their inability to practice what they preached was perhaps their greatest downfall in the eyes of God. Now it is evident that the scribes and pharisees were attentive to adhering to the law. They prided themselves upon it. However, when it came to others observing the law, they turned a blind eye and did not lend a helping hand to their brothers. Perhaps they would have been better served had they applied Ecclesiastes 4:10: "For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" Rather than helping others follow God's law, the scribes and pharisees increased the burden of others by requiring them to adhere to the extra-Biblical traditions of the rabbis. Praise God that Jesus addressed this issue when he encouraged His followers with the following: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Verses 5-7 of Matthew 23 are certainly the convicting verses that apply not only to the scribes and pharisees, but mankind throughout history. We often fall prey to performing works that will not only portray us in a favorable light but also distance ourselves based upon our spiritual walk with Christ in contrast to those around us. We long for recognition whether it be with others and/or with God for the investment we make to live according to the principles of God's Word. But we must realize that the condition of our hearts is the true litmus test of our faith. Do we serve only ourselves or the kingdom of God which includes those who test our patience and frustrate our senses? The apostle Paul addressed this heart condition directly: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). In other words, if the visual evidence of your faith is how you flaunt your piety before God so as to gain favor for the deeds you have done, you are missing the boat. Repent of your sin and humble yourself before the Lord, "for toward the scorners He is scornful, but to the humble He gives favor" (Proverbs 3:34).

1 Timothy 4:12 (Devotion)

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

You are never too young to be used by God. That was the instruction the apostle Paul gave to his #1 gun, Timothy, as he was charged to lead the church in Ephesus. And that is the reminder we all need to be cognizant of not only in how we minister, but how we allow others to minister to us. Based on the apprentice-type role Timothy held under Paul one would assume he was in his early twenties, but various commentaries calculate Timothy's age around thirty years old at the time of this letter, which is surprising compared to what many of us would have assumed. It is true that wisdom typically comes with age for Job 12:12 affirms, "Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days." However, it is imperative additional Scripture verses be considered when evaluating the correlation between age and wisdom. For example, Solomon was anointed king approximately at the age of twenty. And when given the opportunity to receive any gift God graciously agreed to bestow upon him, Solomon chose understanding (1 Kings 3:5-9). His youthful age was not a detriment to his decision-making capability, and he was subsequently blessed as a result. The greater emphasis Paul makes to Timothy centers around how he lives out his faith as pastor. Timothy's conduct is paramount to ensuring others do not look down upon him in a condescending way and leverage his age against him. The same is true for us. We are called to not only hear the Word of God but actively apply and implement it in our daily actions so as not to deceive ourselves (James 1:22). Therefore, age is not the primary focus of attention in Paul's instruction but the quality of his leadership by example. It is not surprising that the initial focus of Paul's attention is speech, for as the book of James warns, "The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God" (James 3:6,9). Therefore, we must guard the words which flow out from our mouths just as Jesus instructed His disciples. "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person" (Matthew 15:11). In addition, we must choose our words carefully so we might encourage and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) rather than tear one's character and countenance down.

It is imperative to note that speech derives from the heart and that the purity Paul is instructing Timothy to exude comes from a heart which longs for righteousness. We do not want to fall into the same trap the prophet Isaiah warns about. "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me" (Isaiah 29:13). Therefore, we must ensure our motivations align with God's will, for only He is sovereign and can do all things according to His perfect plan. We must also allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out (Matthew 23:25-26) so our words and actions are pure and holy. They derive from the central location of our spirit (our heart) and therefore communication love, faith and purity if indeed we are born-again and sanctified in the image of Christ. This has been God's design from the beginning for Scripture reminds us, "Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright" (Proverbs 20:11). Consequently, Scripture exhorts God as our ultimate source of wisdom and understanding. "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds" (Psalm 36:5). Moreover, God provides the definition for what love truly is in 1 John 4:7-21 and then calls us to be examples of love to our world by adhering to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). In other words, if we do not believe by faith that Jesus died for our sins we will never know how to love, for love is from God and is God. And if we do not know how to love others through the love of Christ, our motives will impure, directly affecting our speech and actions. Therefore, what is the prescription for such an ailment? James 2:17 teaches, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead," meaning our obedient display of works reflect an inward decision and commitment to righteousness by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, in order to make the greatest impact for the kingdom of God, we must live out our faith by humbling ourselves and allowing our lives in Christ to speak for themselves. Age is not the issue to worry about as Paul reminds us. Rather, how we live our lives for Christ truly is. "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 12:35).

Proverbs 31:30

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." I am blessed beyond measure. For reasons unbeknownst to me, God took it upon himself to grace me with the most extraordinary wife I could have ever dreamed of. I certainly do not deserve the gift of all she is because I fall painstakingly short of being all that God calls me to be as her husband. Nonetheless, he chose her for me and vice versa…and what a journey it has been for the time I have known her! When I first met my wife, Amber, I was struck immediately by four dominant characteristics: 1. Her Beauty; 2. Her Sweetness; 3. Her Sense of Humor; and 4. Her Honesty. In retrospect though, I am continually amazed about what most people admire the most about her, which undoubtedly is her faith in Jesus Christ. When I first met her, we discussed our mutual Christian faith. But as time progressed and we began getting to know one another better, all the things I loved about her became a distant second to her unshakeable faith and un-apologetic belief in the Word of God. God knew I needed a strong woman to share my life with, but I had no idea that He would use her more than anything or anyone else to sharpen my faith, hold me accountable, and mold me into the man of God that I am today (Proverbs 27:17). The issue of faith is paramount to the success of a marriage because love must be at the center. Scripture clarifies this point in 1 John 4:7: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." This is crucial to understanding the role of God in marriage because in order to love your spouse, you must have the love of Christ within you. Otherwise, how would you know what self-sacrificing love is? God calls a man and woman (Genesis 2:24) in marriage to love like he loves. And the only way we can learn how to do that is to fill our minds with the wisdom of God’s Word and more importantly apply that understanding into every facet of our lives. That is the essence of Godliness highlighted in Proverbs 31:30 that the Bible considers greater that any other skill, talent or attribute a woman has. In a world filled with and consumed by outer beauty and adornment, the Bible defines in 1 Peter 3:4 what God expects out of his daughters: “But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” I am so thankful that God’s will for my life included Amber because as time passes, I cannot remember life without her and more importantly, through her example I experience the person of Jesus Christ on a daily basis.

Joel 2:25

"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten."

There are extraordinary promises of God in Scripture which speak directly to the heart and soul. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) is arguably the most familiar example of such a promise. But perhaps one of the best verses in all of Scripture that speaks specifically to the restoration of a sinful person, made clean by God’s amazing grace and mercy, is found in the Old Testament: Joel 2:25. The context in which this verse is written comes in the midst of God bringing forth judgment in the form of a drought and locust infestation against Judah. According to The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: “The people had taken God and his blessings for granted. Faith had degenerated into an empty formalism and their lives into moral decadence. To Joel, the locust plague was a warning of a greater judgment that was coming unless the people repented and returned to fellowship with God. If they did, God would pardon them and restore the health of the land.”

How true of our lives today! We are a people who consistently and (if we are truly being honest with ourselves) un-apologetically take for granted the blessings and grace of God by choosing our sinful nature over God. I believe for the most part, those who have accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation do not intentionally conspire to sin against Him, but we are lulled to sleep by living a monotonous and mundane level of spiritual vigor which leaves us feeling incomplete and distant from God. Quality time with God through Bible study and prayer is often replaced with extracurricular activities, work responsibilities, etc. In other words, God has simply been squeezed out of our daily lives because a relationship with Him is often viewed as convicting and/or condemning rather than rewarding and fulfilling. We have believed the lie rather than killed the serpent! Why then should we be surprised by the lack of joy we feel in our soul based on the health of our spiritual relationship with Him? The true beauty of Joel 2:25 is that God was (and still is) merciful toward His people when we repent and turn back to Him. No doubt we, like Judah, do not deserve His grace based on how we respond to Him through our thoughts, words and actions. However, to those who willingly return to Him with broken and repentant hearts (Luke 15:17-21), He is willing and able to restore His eternal joy and blessings that once were traded for the pleasures of this world (Genesis 25:29-34).

When I reflect upon Joel 2:25, I am burdened with immense regret for the blessings I traded over the years by indulging in sin (particularly, pride and lust). Whether major or minor, I was and still am a habitual sinner in that I do not have my armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) securely fastened and prepared for battle at all times. Honestly, we all are habitual sinners because we commit sin against God every day of our lives in one way or another and continue to make those same mistakes. The real question is whether we have repented of our sins and more importantly, are actively pursuing God’s wisdom by eliminating those sins and temptations from our lives. God has promised to restore the years that locust has eaten, but we must do our part by choosing to accept His unmerited grace and mercy. It all comes down to a choice. Praise God He is merciful beyond measure and we have the power to accept this promise He has given, being made whole again through Jesus Christ!

2 Timothy 4:2-5

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." What an encouragement from the Word of God! When we stand up for God's truth and hold accountable false teachers and their doctrine, we are fulfilling the ministry He calls us to. I can personally attest that this act of faith is perhaps one of the hardest to apply because often it comes with some of the most ruthless persecution fathomable, both inside and outside the church walls. Therefore, it is encouraging that we are instructed to "endure suffering" for the sake of truth despite what the popular opinion of culture teaches. I have often believed that Christians are their own greatest asset to spreading the Good News of Christ and consequently their own worst enemy. Ultimately, we are held accountable to the very faith we publicly profess. If our doctrine is not pure and Biblically sound, it will collapse on all we have foolishly built our lives upon. I have learned the hard way that the only absolute truth available to mankind is Scripture (i.e. the Word of God, the Bible). For if we do not hold firm to the sound doctrine of the Word, we not only fool ourselves but those around us that our morals, values and belief systems are based on feelings, emotions and/or opinions rather than absolute truth. Without question, I am grieved the most these days by how many ministry and pastoral leaders are not willing to stand up for the truth of God's Word and more importantly apply what the Scriptures instruct. They are so focused on their own personal agendas that they water down the Gospel to suit their needs and justify their actions with half-truths that simply mask the selfishness and pride that has enveloped their spirits like cancer. Moreover, the audacity of many of these leaders to proclaim they are "one" in spirit with the living God while justifying their thoughts and actions without the exegetical truth of Scripture is perhaps the greatest sign of pride and arrogance the church has ever seen. I have unfortunately experienced firsthand pastors that refute the sound doctrine of God's Word when held accountable and consequently suffered immediate persecution for holding them Biblically accountable. The tragic fact is they surround themselves with people who are willing to support their ungodly passions and insulate themselves from true Biblical accountability. Consequently their hearts and minds never receive truth spoken in love. Rather than embracing direct messages from God that He is communicating to them, they unleash all their fury and anger by persecuting the messenger God has called. They choose to mask their personal agendas publicly, but underneath the surface their true identity resides in full display to Jesus Christ--and He will not idly turn his face from their sin and unrighteousness! For Jesus said, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). On the flip side, the pandemic is just as dangerous as 2 Timothy warns. Not only will false teachers surround themselves with those who will justify their sin, but ordinary men and women will seek false teachers that will accept and justify their sinful passions in return. You need not look any further than the church down the street for proof of this truth! For example, the Lutheran Church just voted in favor (69%) of allowing practicing homosexuals to lead in ministry positions within the church. Not only is one of the most serious sins Scripture will ever address rampant in society, but now it is being welcomed and escorted in with open arms of acceptance and justification within a protestant denomination. Standing up for the truth is never easy. But if we never put our faith to the test and see if we are who we profess to be as Christians, we will never know the infinite blessings of God that come with being persecuted for Christ. The mark of Biblical persecution is learning to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and willing to stand boldly and not apologize for the absolute truth of Scripture, regardless of the persecution that may come. For Jesus stated clearly, "Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33).

Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." It has taken 31 years to teach me a valuable lesson: the Word of God is living and active! For longer than I care to admit, I have been going through life under my perceived knowledge and understanding of God's Word rather than through an exegetical study of what God actually says. Only recently have I realized how malnourished I have been in regards to a living and active relationship with Jesus Christ through His Word. It can be embarrassing to admit how shallow your life has become at times in regards to truly knowing what the Bible says, but I firmly believe that is part of God's plan. Without proper perspective, you will never appreciate the fact that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). How amazing is that truth! That regardless of what trials you face, God works all things for good (or in other words, His glory) according to His purpose. But proper perspective only comes when you fulfill the second half of God's wisdom equation. Simply experiencing trials is not enough. Imputing the Word of God into that experience is the key to unveiling God's wisdom and understanding. I now feel like Paul on the Damascus road, experiencing the reality of meeting his Creator face to face. And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight (Acts 9:18). I cannot begin to describe the incredible feeling of allowing God's Word to penetrate my heart on a regular basis and the perspective on all aspects of life that I am now gaining because I embraced completely the absolute truth of Hebrews 4:12. For the difference between someone who is experiencing a life-changing personal relationship with Jesus Christ and one that is going through the motions is simply defined by his/her perspective of the Bible. For it is NOT merely a historical reference book, applicable only in the day it was written. It IS alive, active and timeless! God audibly speaks to us through His Word. It is so simple, yet we completely miss that foundational truth and wonder why we feel so distant in our faith journey with God. He is willing to reveal Himself to us if we would take time to not only read His Word, but read it with proper perspective that it is as true today as yesterday and will endure forever because it is absolute. How reassuring! There IS something concrete this side of heaven that we can trust as tried and true for all generations. My prayer is that this revelation will drive me further into the Scriptures where I may see my Saviour face to face and truly know Him.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

I am continually amazed by the God I serve. How intricate His plans, how perfect His will! To know the plan he has for me and that I am made perfect through His Son, Jesus Christ, is overwhelming. I am continually gripped by the awesome nature of who He is, that someone so insignificant as me would be a priority to Him. It defies human logic that I have such substantial value to my Creator, but that is why He is who He is!

When I reflect upon His will for my life it is evident that I am on a journey and one that I am not meant to travel alone. God has taken all that I was, all that I am, and all I am meant to be, and used His divine wisdom to give me a perfect partner to share this journey with. It is hard to imagine life without Amber for she has been the greatest companion God could ever give me. She challenges me, holds me accountable, and encourages me to never become content with who I am. She is the perfect completion of God's plan in my life, for without her unconditional love and forgiveness, I would not know fully what it means to be the man God has called me to be. I am who I am because she has loved me with an everlasting love found only through Jesus Christ and I cannot imagine my life without her by my side...past, present or future. My prayer is that over the course of time, God would return me to the days of my youth where with childlike faith, I trusted him completely. For as my life continues to be unveiled over the course of time, I am simply blessed beyond measure to share this experience with Jesus Christ. For without his grace, I would not be saved; and without his mercy, I would be crushed by the weight of my failures.