Sea Shore

 Sea Shore

May 31, 2025

Matthew 4:18-19

The First Disciples

18Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 13:1-2

1 Thatday Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

The sea figured prominently in Jesus’ ministry. In Matthew 4 we see where He called his first disciples while walking by the Sea of Galilee. And in the other verse, we see where He preached to a large crowd on the sea shore. Then, of course, there is the story about crossing the sea when a fierce storm blew up. “Peace, be still…” seems an appropriate expression while sitting by the sea. The waves today don’t need to be rebuked, just watched and admired, which brings a peace of its own.

Walking by the sea and sitting on the shore brings a peace and a sense of he presence of God. The vastness of the ocean brings a sense of your won smallness and the greatness of God. He created all that the eye can see, and many things that the eye cannot see. He is a great God. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praises, is how the Psalmist put it, and I agree!  So wherever you find yourself today, look at nature and get a sense of the greatness and majesty of the Lord.

Rest

 Rest

May 30, 2025

Matthew 11:28-29

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentleand humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

Mark 6:31-32

31 And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.

Yesterday we took a tongue in cheek look at vacations. But today let us look more seriously at rest. Even when you are doing the Lord’s work, the pressure and stress of constant activity can get to you. Even Jesus and His disciples needed to get away for awhile to rest from their labors. In Mark it ways that so many people were crowding around them, seeking to hear Jesus’ teaching and receive healing, that they were exhausted. The went away on a boat to get away from it all and rest awhile. So there is a Biblical example for taking a vacation, taking a break from all the activity and just resting.

The passage in Matthew is a bit more spiritual. There Jesus is teaching about resting from sin. The evil and sin around you can weight on your soul, but when you come to Jesus and He forgives you, you can rest easy. Your soul feels lighter when relieved of the weight of sin and shame. So another important aspect of resting in the Lord is to take His yoke upon you, Listen to His guidance, enter into the gentle and humble ways of His heart and you will find rest for your souls.

  

Vacation

 Vacation

May 29, 2025

Vaca-t-ion- from the Latin vaca, cow, T for Taurus the bull, and ion is a charged particle. So vacation is coming for us like a charging bull! At least it looks like that. So far we have had lightening, thunder, rain and road construction. But at least we’re safe.  But what about rest? Isn’t vacationing supposed to be about rest?

The writer of Hebrews talks about rest.

Hebrews 4:8-12

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the peopleof God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

He promises a Sabbath rest for the people of God, but he also says that we must diligently enter that rest, so that doesn’t sound much like a vacation! He goes on to say that the answer is in the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, so the answer lies there if we can perceive it.

Anyway, we are off to pursue whatever “vacation” means in this day and age. Hopefully, that will include good times with the family, making good memories, with the faint hope that there will be a little rest involved! So school’s out, you have a little time off of work, so enjoy vacation time, but remember to keep the Word of God included to judge the thoughts and intentions of your heart.

All the Days of My Life

 All the Days of My Life 

May 27, 2025

Psalms 27:4-6 (NASB95) 

4 One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. 5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of Histent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. 6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Psalms 27:13-14 (NASB95) 

13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD;Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

On this day, seventy six years ago, in a small town in Illinois, Mother Brillhart delivered a baby boy. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, but my prayer is still the same as King David in Psalm 27: “That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life”. I’ve gone a lot of places and done a lot of things in these 76 years, but one thing remains the same, it is a joy to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in his presence. There are many times that “I would have despaired, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” None of us know the numer of our days and Proverbs 27 warns us not to boast:

Proverbs 27:1 (NASB95) Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

So wait for the Lord, be strong and have courage, and sing praises the the Lord. That’s all that really matters.

Truth and Deception

 Truth and Deception

May 25, 2025

Matthew 24:4-5

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads ^g4105 you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead ^g4105 many.

Matthew 24:24-26

24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead ^g4105 , if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.

2 Timothy 3:13-14

13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving ^g4105 and being deceived ^g4105. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

1 John 2:26-27

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive^g4105 you. 27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

Revelation 13:13-14

13 He (the beast) performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives^g4105 those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.

John 18:38

38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth^g0225?”

And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.

John 14:6

6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth ^g0225, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

g4105. πλανάω planaō ; from 4106; to cause to wander, to wander:--

deceive(3), deceived(9), deceives(3), deceiving(2), go astray(1), gone astray(3), leads...astray(2)

g0225. ἀλήθεια alētheia ; from 227; truth:--

We live in a day when truth is a scarce commodity. The public discourse is full of fake news, miss-information, dis-information and other types of propaganda. So how do we know the truth? Even Pontious Pilot, as corrupt a ruler as he was, had enough wisdom to ask the questions “What is truth?” But then, we don’t know if he wanted a serious answer or was just trying to deflect blame for what he was about to do to Jesus. Our modern day leaders are no different, all proclaiming to want to know the truth, but few who actually tell the truth. So where is our guidepost to show us the truth?

There are many, even in the church, who voted for Obama, thinking he was the answer to racial inequality and injustice. But Obama is not out savior.

There are others in the church who voted for Trump, thinking he was the answer to fighting the great evil of the great reset and the NWO. But Trump is not out savior.

Jesus taught that in the last days, evil men would come to deceive many, even in the church. They might even perform great signs and miracles, but if they don’t proclaim the truth, they are not of God but of the evil one. So how do we discern who is good and who is evil?

First of all, you can not rely only on what people say. Deceivers come to deceive and so tell lies. They can be very convincing and popular, but even if they work wonders, they are liars.

Second of all, you can not look at the amazing things that they do. Even if they perform signs and miracles, if they don’t represent Jesus, they are from the evil one.

In the scriptures, we see that the answer is found in the scriptures. In Timothy we are encourages to “continue in the things you have learned”, and in John we are told to rely on the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the things we have learned to distinguish truth from falsehood. It is not easy to tell the difference in many cases. Politicians and celebrities in particular are trained in the fine art of appearing trustworthy. It is said that President Clinton once said, “Sincerity is the thing. When you can fake sincerity, you can fake anything.” And certainly “Slick Willie” was an expert in telling the smooth lie. So you can’t rely solely  on the things that they say or the way that they say it, but you need to look deeper at the ideas that they represent. Does their message line up with scripture? Do they lift up the name of Jesus? Does the Holy Spirit bear witness that the things they are telling represent the truth? And most of all, are the fruits of their teachings good or evil? Many of the ideas proclaimed by the popular politicians sound good; equity, diversity, inclusion anti-discrimination, etc., but when put into practice they can produce great suffering, so you know that they are not true. By their fruits you shall know them.

You also can’t rely on labels. As Paul said, there are Jews who say they are Jews, but who are not. That applies to christians as well. Just saying so doesn’t make it so. It takes discernment to tell the difference, but their fruit will tell the truth even when their words do not.

So, we live in perilous days, but Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, so press into Him and compare every thought to the truth of the scriptures. If someone doesn’t agree that “Jesus is the way and the truth”, then their words should be suspect. So look for those who proclaim Jesus, who depend on prayer and who follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Follow those who follow Him, all others will lead you astray.

Bible Translations

 Translations

May 22, 2025

Last night, we had a discussion about Bible translations. One comment was about the difference in the translation of Romans 8:1 in some modern translations. Note the following from NASB, NKJV and NET.

Romans 8:1-5 NASB

1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likenessof sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:1-5  KJV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that itwas weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:1-5 - The NET Bible

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set youfree from the law of sin and death. ^a 3 For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit havetheir outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.

The translation notes in the footnotes to the NET Bible explain the differences.

1 a tc The earliest and best witnesses of the Alexandrian and Western texts, as well as a few others (א* B D* F G 6 1506 1739 1881 pc co), have noadditional words for v. 1. Later scribes (A D1 Ψ 81 365 629 pc vg) added the words μὴ κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦσιν (me kata sarka peripatousin , "who do not walk according to the flesh"), while even later ones (2 א2 D2 33vid Ï) added ἀλλὰ κατὰ πνεῦμα (alla kata pneuma , "but [who do walk] according to the Spirit"). Both the external evidence and the internal evidence are compelling for the shortest reading. The scribes were evidently motivated to add such qualifications (interpolated from v. 4) to insulate Paul's gospel from charges that it was characterized too much by grace. The KJV follows the longest reading found in Ï.

Thus the complaint that the newer translations omit important ideas from the scripture doesn’t hold up here as it was the KJV and NkJV that incorporated the later additions to the Greek text. The ideas in the phrase is included in verse 4 in all of the newer translations; “who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Anyway, there is a good explanation of the differences in translations, and the essential thought is not lost, it was just copied to verse 1 in the KJV.

Bottom line is that it is always a good idea to study a verse in multiple translations as different translators capture a slightly different sense of the meaning in English. Any translation is subject to interpretation since Greek and English words and ideas do not always match one-to-one. By studying different translations and the footnotes you can get a better idea of what the original writer meant. That, and relying on the Holy Spirit to give you Insight into the meaning of scripture for you. After all, any translation is just words on a page until the Holy Spirit breaths life into it and makes it real in your own heart. The Greeks would say that the written, logos word becomes a rhema word, a living word. May the Holy Spirit bless you and inspire you as you study the Word and give you insight into how to live today.

Faith, Hope, Love and Peace with God

 Faith, Peace, Hope, Love

May20, 2025

Romans 5:1-5 - Results of Justification

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in ourtribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Most are familiar with the faith, hope and love verse in first Corinthians 13, but we also find faith, hope and love in Romans 5, but with the addition of peace with God. The discourse in Romans 5 systematically lays out the doctrine of justification by faith, and includes peace with God, hope that does not disappoint and the love of God. Thus he explains here how justification by faith is not just about salvation, as wonderful as that is, but is also about living at peace with God, having hope and experiencing the tremendous love of God, in everyday life now. There is great benefit from faith in life today, as well as eternal life in the here after. He goes on to expound on the love of Jesus, who died for us while we were yet sinners, but it is enough for now to consider how we are able to have peace with God and hope that does not disappoint not disappoint because of the love of God and our faith in Jesus. Jesus loves you and you can have peace with God and hope if you have faith.

Justification by Faith

 Justified by Faith

May 19, 2025

Romans 3:21-26 - Justification by Faith

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of theglory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul digs into a great mystery, justification by faith. It cut across the grain of Jewish theology which said that obedience to the law, Torah, was the be all and end all of the life of faith. Paul goes to great lengths to explain that the concept of grace was included in the Old Testament scriptures, even through the Scribes and Pharisees of that day didn’t teach that. Their teaching was that righteousness was only obtained by rigorous obedience to the hundreds of laws and proscriptions laid out in the Torah, plus the multitude of additional regulations that the rabbis had added over the years. They laid an impossible burden on the people. Paul is teaching a theology that liberates people form this burden. Jesus paid the price for disobedience to the law and having faith in Jesus allows the grace of God to work salvation and justification in the believer's life.  This is a great mystery and the working of this grace has been studies and debated over the years. This was notably a point of contention between Luther and the Catholic Church of his day. It is important to understand this,  but it is more important to believe if and live a life of faith, relying on the grace of God. It is a mystery, but the Lord gave us His Holy Spirit to guide us, so that we may know Him and His ways. So have faith in God and live by faith, and may the grace of God be with you today.

Security

 Security

May 18, 2025

Proverbs 18:10-11 (NASB95) 

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. 11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wallin his own imagination.

Where do you find your security? The wise man who wrote Proverbs compared two methods of seeking security. The first man is righteous and relies on the name of the Lord as his stronghold.  His safety and security comes solely from depending on the Lord. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life”, is the way that the psalmist put it. 

The second man is one who looks to his own riches for security. This is the way of the world and seems like a sound strategy to most. But in the end, this kind of security is only “like a high wall in his own imagination.” Riches come and riches go,  but the Name of the Lord endures forever. 

There is a lot to be concerned about with the world situation today. We can worry about the economic outcome of the current administration’s strategy, or we can look to the Lord as our strong tower. Wall Street can generate or destroy fortunes in an instant, but riches stored in heaven are eternal. So run into that stronghold, call upon the name of the Lord, and you will be safe.

Gray Hair

 Gray Hair

May 16, 2025

Proverbs 16:31 (NASB95) A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 20:29 (NASB95) The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair.

Psalms 37:25-26 (NASB95) 25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread. 26 All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing.

I’ve got a birthday coming up which leads to contemplation about old age. It seems that the older you get, the faster the years go by. My theory is that humans gauge time proportionally. Going from 1 to 2 is a whole lifetime, but going from 75 to 76 is just a small proportion. Anyway, time passes and we all eventually get old, Lord willing. As the proverbs say, getting old is a blessing and the gray hairs are a testament to the trials and triumphs of your long life. Sometimes we tend to complain about the aches and pains that come with growing old and we forget the Blessings. As the psalmist says, growing old gives you a testimony of what God has done for you over many years. To look back and see God’s protection and provision is a Blessing that you can pass on to the younger generation. The wisdom that comes with the gray hair is the ability to remember what God has done and to know what He will do. So we may not have the glory of the strength of the young man, but we have the honor of a gray head and the privilege to testify to the young the faithfulness of God. His mercies endure forever and His faithfulness never ends,