Why Bother?

One Year Bible (April 27)

Judges 7:1-8:17

“Why Bother?”

The coffee drink that I most often order is what a friend of mine calls a “Why Bother”. It is sugar-free, has oat milk instead of real milk, and has only one shot of decaf. It is big on looks but low on any real power. In other words, “It has no kick in it!”

Many of us live life with that same lack of power that my beverage has! We look at the overwhelming darkness and feel overwhelmed by our lack of strength and power. We have very little “kick in us”. Our message today in the OT looks in-depth at Gideon’s most famous battle, “The Battle for Midian”.

As you may recall, Gideon was an overwhelmed leader who was very underconfident. At this point, Gideon is about as weak as my latte, and is a perfect blank slate for one of God’s finest moments…

God is now ready to deliver the Israelites from their mighty foe. Here are the battle plans:

1. “Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.” (7:3) So, 22,000 went home leaving 10,000 who were willing to fight. (I am kind of surprised that Gideon stayed, now that I think about it.)

2. God tells Gideon, “There are still too many.” So, he asked Gideon down to the water to divide “The Lappers” and “The Kneelers”. Only 300 lapped the water like a dog. They were the lucky winners who got a ticket to Hollywood or “HOLY WOULD!!!”, as the case may be!”

What they were about to see was going to be more incredible than anything they had ever seen! The rest are “on the bus, Gus”; they are going home!

Now, I don’t really “Do Math” but the people that do say that “God’s Step Down Plan” got them down to a 13/1 ratio: Midianites:13 and Israelites: 1. Now, those are not good stats for battle. God’s Step Down Plan continues to get them down to a 450/1 ratio. (You got that right, 450 Midianites per one unarmed Israelite!). Even a non-math person, such as myself, understands this word picture! I believe in math terminology they call it, “To the Higher Power”. )

1. Next, God gives Gideon “the plan” for battle. They are to go at midnight (in the dark with their 300 men). They will have no weapons. None. Zilch. Nada… And, oh, by the way, Gideon is still nervous so God tells him to sneak down to the Mideon camp and take his servant Purah with him.

2. Gideon overhears a Mideonite telling his companion about his dream. The companion replied, “Your dream can only mean one thing, ‘God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite victory over Midian and all its allies!’ (7:14)

When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, “he bowed in worship before the Lord”. (7:15)

Now, we get why God picked the reluctant, unconfident Gideon. He didn’t need “much of a leader”; Gideon’s little became “Much” and miraculous when he followed “God’s Step Down Plan”. Gideon “Stepped Down” and God “Stepped It UP”!

What weapons did they use to take down their enemy?

Well, they used “Trumpets & Torches” which are not earthy weapons but rather spiritual ones. The short summary is that “cracked pots, bright lights, and trumpets blaring scared the devil out of them”! Judges 7: 20 tells us that they shouted, “A Sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”

Notice, there was no earthly sword in their hands; it was only in the Lord’s hand. The enemy was so frightened at the midnight hour when they awoke from a deep slumber that “The Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords.”

“Why Bother” to pray, to worship, to carry our cracked pots with the light of the Spirit shining through? Well, it appears that our mighty God shines quite well out of a bunch of “cracked pots”.

“Why Bother”, indeed!

“For we have this treasure in EARTHEN VESSELS that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us.”--2 Cor. 4:7

What is God’s “Step Down Plan” for you, and how have you seen him “Step it Up”?

Clothed With Power (Part 2)

One Year Bible (April 26)

Luke 22:54-23:12

“Clothed With Power” (Part 2)

In today’s NT passage, we weep with the trials and torturing of Jesus, “The Undeniable Redeemer”. First, he was led to the High Priest’s home, then mocked and beaten. Next, he is turned over to Pilate, who finds no fault with him. So, he is passed off to stand before King Herod. Herod finds no fault with him and passes him back off to Pilate. It is a sham!

Perhaps, like me, you remember how he was silent before his accusers and would not answer their questions when they asked, “So, you claim to be the Son of God?” His response each time he is asked, “You say I am.”

What I have missed through the years is what Jesus actually did say and how powerful his words are in reply to the question about if he is the Messiah, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”

Wow! He does not dwell on what they do not believe, He centers on where his power comes from and where he will reign: “Seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”

Today, we have seen three leaders: 1) An Unconfident Rescuer, Gideon. 2) An Unlikely Rock, Peter, and 3) The Undeniable Redeemer, Jesus.

All were dwelling in their human bodies, but Jesus ALWAYS lived in the spirit of His Father. They were one. Even though he was one with his Father, he chose to serve his Father by day and to spend time with his Father at night in the desert alone.

We might wonder, “Why would the Son of God need to pray so much?” Peter slept through the prayer time and Gideon was busy testing the angel’s patience. Maybe, we should take a big hint from their struggles…

All were “Clothed in Power” that comes from their Father in Heaven, but Jesus lived in that power… ALWAYS!

Where does your power come from today?

“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of my Father upon you, but you are to stay in the city until you are Clothed with Power from On High.” (Luke 24:49)

Clothed With Power

One Year Bible (April 26)

Judges 6:1-40

“Clothed With Power"

Do you ever feel fear all the way to your bones? You know that your entire future is in jeopardy and you aren’t sure what to do or where to turn. Well, this is at the core of today’s stories. It is the story of two men who were “clothed with power” beyond their own human strength.

First, we meet Gideon, “The Reluctant Rescuer”. The angel of the Lord appears to him and says, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you”. Gideon replies, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about?” (Judges 6: 12Ff)

Gideon is the son of Joash, who actually owns the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole that God wants him to take down pronto! The drama begins to unfold with his father, Joash, actually standing up for his son and challenging the false priests who want to kill his son. Gideon appears to be a very unconfident leader as he puts God to the test THREE Times!

First, he brings a dinner to offer the Lord. Secondly, he brings a fleece that he wants the Lord to make wet with dew during the night. Thirdly, he now wants the fleece to be dry overnight while the ground around it is all wet. Now, mind you that Gideon is speaking to an angel of the Lord. Here is what Gideon says to the angel after his first test with the food that is swallowed up in fire on the rock, “Oh Sovereign Lord, I’m doomed! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!”

More importantly, look at the message that is said about Gideon, “Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power!” (Judges 6:34)

Secondly, we encounter Peter, “The Unlikely Rock” in our NT passage found in Luke 22:54-23:12. Peter was so bold swinging his sword around whacking off the high priest’s ear in the garden. Now Peter is actually denying His Lord three times as Jesus had predicted. Just one look from his Master as he passed through for trial by the High Priests brought Peter to bitter weeping. The rooster crows and the ultimate denial was done… it could not be taken back!

But, this story is far from over! Look what Jesus has said about Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift EACH OF YOU like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)

Peter seems pretty powerless at this point, but His Lord saw something much different in his future. Look what he says about him, “You are Peter (a piece of THE ROCK) and on this rock (The Messiah), I will build my church.” --I Cor. 3: 11.

Peter will be getting a new wardrobe very soon… Wait for it!

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been “Clothed with Power from on High.” Luke 24:49

By the way, did you catch the part about who Satan asked to "Sift like wheat"? "EACH OF YOU"... The ones who were called to serve the Lord and were on the front line. I am pretty sure that pertains to many of us today and we need prayers too...

What are you wearing today? Are we clothed with power from on high?

How can you relate to the “Reluctant Rescuer” and the “Unlikely Rock”?

A Judge and a Warrior

April 25, 2022

Here we meet Deborah... the only female judge we hear about in the Bible. But that's not all she was...she was also a prophetess who God spoke to, and she shared what God asked her to share.

Once again, the Israelites have found themselves in the midst of oppression. All because they made poor choices once again. (Will these people ever learn their lesson?)

God spoke to Judge Deborah (my mind keeps seeing Judge Judy) and told her to send the army to the Kishinev River where he would also lead that awful character...Commander Sisera, so that the Israelites could defeat Jabin's army. Barack, not really liking the sound of that, agreed to go only if she would go too.

With encouragement from Deborah, and assuredness that God would give them victory, Barak marched his armies to the Kishon River to take on that evil Sisera and his army.

During this battle Sisera escaped. (Isn't it just like an evil commander to run and hide?)

Jael, who we will from here on out refer to as the Warrior Woman, invited him to seek safety in her tent. When he asks for water, he was given milk. Did you ever wonder why?

Many times in my growing up years, I would hear about people drinking a glass of milk when they couldn't sleep. Me, not liking the taste of milk (unless it was filled with Hershey syrup) never tried this theory out. But apparently this idea has been around for much longer than we thought because here is our Warrior Woman giving this naughty commander a glass of milk.

Did she have a motive behind this? Was there a plan of action? Don't smart, brave women always have a plan of action? You bet!

Her plan was to lull this ruthless commander to sleep so she could put an end to his ruthlessness. (Permanently)

And that is what she did by driving a tent peg through his skull with a hammer. The thought makes me a little queesy and I am so glad God chose HER for this job instead of me!

But that is just the point. God chooses us...each of us...for his purpose. And while most of us are not called into battle like Deborah, or given the assignment of killing a wicked man like our Warrior Woman... we are all called to SOMETHING. We all have our own BATTLES in this life.

Are we fighting them bravely like Jael? Are we living in obedience like Deborah?

These two made a great team during that specific battle. Who is in your team, going to battle with you?

Two Swords

One Year Bible (April 25)

“Two Swords” Luke 22: 35-53

Why does Jesus instruct his disciples “Take your money and a traveler’s bag and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak, and buy one!”? (Luke 22: 36)

Shortly after this instruction they leave the upper room and go to the Mount of Olives. It is there that Jesus pleads with them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation”. Jesus is praying with such agony that “Sweat like drops of blood” flow from him and an angel comes to minister to him. (Luke 22: 43-44)

Jesus begs them again, “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation”, but now Judas approaches Jesus with a kiss, and the disciples jump into action. (Was this the temptation they were supposed to be praying about?)

“Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” One of them struck the high priest slashing off his right ear.” Jesus replies, “No more of this” and he heals the man who would take him captive. (Matthew 26 tells us that Jesus rebuked this man who was Peter.)

There is so much that is confusing about this night. Are we sleeping too or are we catching what is going on here? Is Jesus setting these guys up? They seem to have enough trouble on their own with getting into more, but now the Master told them, “Buy swords” and then “Put away swords” and then “Those that live by the sword die by the sword?” (Mt. 26: 52-53)

What in the world is going on here?

Yes, that is the exact question we need to ask because Jesus answers that exact question for them (and for us). When standing before Pilate, Jesus explains why his servants were not to fight. “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight…” (John 18: 36)

Then why were they to take the swords and be tempted to defend their Messiah? Are two swords “Enough” to defend a Messiah who does not want to be defended? Yet, Jesus says to his disciples that these swords were “Enough”.

What do we know of this King whose kingdom is “not of this world”?

Isaiah 53: 12, “For it is written: "He was numbered with the transgressors”.

Jesus didn’t set the disciples up. He set himself up to be accused of “Leading a violent rebellion”. The swords were needed for them to have any kind of evidence to give him a trial. He delivered himself into their hands. He gave himself… Prayerfully. Willingly. Knowingly. Painfully. Fully.

He was found innocent by Pilate, Herod, and then sent back to Pilate where the crowds pushed for his crucifixion. Jesus could have “delivered himself” at any time, but then he would not have “delivered us”.

So, back to the “Two Swords” …

Yes, Jesus CHOSE the “Two Swords”! It was ENOUGH to seal our destiny.

“This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.” (Matthew 8:17)

For Discussion: Do you ever struggle like the disciples did understanding God’s ways and then figure out that He had a plan all along even when you couldn’t see?

Here Comes the Judge

One Year Bible (April 24)

Judges 2:10-3:31, AM Reading/ OT

“Here Comes the Judge!”

Rarely do we ever read a eulogy like one recently posted on social media by a woman telling about her deceased husband. She describes everything crummy, no good, and beyond imagination about her “un-dearly” departed spouse. There is nothing much left for the imagination! People’s jaws dropped open; there has been a huge rise in TMJ ever since her post! Her “overshare” went far and wide and her chances of having a future suitor went from null to void!

Our culture loves all of the inside scuttlebutt. Over and over we have been told the inside, private, gory details concerning the death of famous celebrities. Take Elvis for example. I could go for a long, long time without knowing the scoop that he died on “His throne” and suffered from severe constipation. For some reason, certain magazines felt that we needed to know this tidbit of TMI. I prefer to focus on the “Blue Suede shoes” but today’s story is more like “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”.

Today’s Bible Story found in Judges 2-3 is also about a King who died while “on the throne” and it is overflowing with TMI. (Disclaimer, Reader Beware!) The King’s name is Eglon and he encountered the new judge of Israel, named Ehud.

Can you name a left-handed person in the Bible? If you read your passage today, you can! His name was… drumroll, please… Ehud-the-Stud! This dude has “superpowers”!

Ehud is not your stereotypical judge. This lefty is sporting a large double-edged dagger about a foot long which is strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. He is no ordinary “Man of the Cloth”. He is a left-handed packin’ priest! (3: 15Ff) He is bearing tribute money and a secret message for the evil King Eglon, who Ehud has taken the time to personally make a house call on.

Ehud, the lefty, goes to share a message with King Eglon, takes his left hand, and shoves his dagger from his right thigh into Eglon’s big belly! The passage tells us this and more…much more! “The handle disappeared beneath the king’s fat and the king’s bowels emptied!” (3:22)

After Judge Ehud’s dagger went “thud” he bolted out of that latrine running for the hills before the King’s men spied the mess left behind! The evil king “broke wind” and Ehud “ran like the wind”! Overshare???

I can still hear my mama’s voice in my head when I read this story out loud to my husband. (“Oh MYYYYYYYYYYYYY!” would be her exact words!) The visualization of this story is hard to shake and I am pretty sure that was exactly what God was going for… an unforgettable visual with an undeniable warning!

This story is an “Elvis-kind-of-moment” and enquiring minds will be enquiring about “The King”, (and I mean Eglon) for years to come, and that is the point!

Our story today ends by telling us that Judge Ehud “took out” 600 Philistines with an “ox goad’. He didn’t even need his hidden dagger. Good thing as he left that thing firmly lodged embedded in the Latrine King’s jelly belly! (I told you that Ehud was a stud!)

Do we think for a minute that the news and details of this “Unholy Encounter” did not spread far and wide among the people to remind them of a “Holy God”?

The people cried out to their God for rescue with a heart of repentance and their God came running to their rescue with a message for all the people to stop and ponder for years to come…

Here Comes the Judge!

“But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them.”-- Judges 3:9

Overshare???

“The Devil Made Me Do It”

The One Year Bible (April 23)

Judges 1:1-2:9, Luke 21: 29-22:13, Psalm 90-91:16

“The Devil Made Me Do It"

There was an old comedy routine done by Flip Wilson back in “the day” on The Ed Sullivan show. This comedy routine really took off and helped make Flip Wilson’s comedy career. It was hilarious and many still think of the devil as a joke, but is he? Really?

Today’s post is about “Two Tales of Temptation”. One tale is found in our NT story about Judas. The other tale is about the Israelites, who once again turn back to their idols. The definition of “Tale” can mean a fable or myth, but the definition that best fits these accounts is narrative, report, account, record, history, and epic saga. The story of Judas’ betrayal is definitely an “Epic Saga”. Even today no one wants to name their child Judas as he will forever be remembered for his tragic deed!

Today’s verse that really jumped off the page for me is found in Luke 21: 3-6. “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So, he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around”

First, it says it straight out, right here… “Satan entered Judas”. Secondly, Judas went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple Guard to betray Jesus. They didn’t come and seek him out; He initiated this evil betrayal! Thirdly, They were delighted and offered him money for the dirty deed and he agreed. Evil was born, sealed, signed, and delivered!

How in the world can someone betray the Son of God after being so close to him and seeing the signs and wonders, hearing the teachings, and beholding his great love? What would open Judas up to the enemy in a way that he would find a complete foothold in his life?

It is interesting that our OT passage today also deals with temptation (Judges 2:1-7). We see that an angel of the Lord went to speak with the people who were instructed to destroy the false idols and not cozy up with their immoral neighbors. They had disobeyed and were intermarrying and worshipping their idols. The angel informed them that because of their disobedience, God would not be delivering them and they would be in constant temptation due to their choices.

When the angel finished, the people “wept loudly”. The place called Bokim (where they were delivered this news) became known as the place which means “weeping”. They wept, but did they change?

Notice what the passage tells us about the people. When Joshua and the Israelites who had “Seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel” were gone, the next generation did not remember what they had seen, heard, or been admonished to do. They wept, but they did not remember or act upon the covenant.

Here is what struck me… Judas was “WITH” Jesus, but he wasn’t really “WITH” Jesus. Do you “SEE”?

The Israelites were “WITH” the angel, but they were not “WITH” the angel’s warning!

They had “SEEN all the great things the Lord had done for Israel” but they had not “SEEN” God!. They often wept, but they most often did NOT follow God’s covenant!

Our Old Testament and New Testament passages today remind us of the dangers of giving the enemy a foothold in our lives. This foothold put the Israelites in bondage, and it was the end of Judas. Judas’ sad story reminds us of that… God knew the blindness of this man even when he dipped his bread with him at the Lord’s Supper Table. He said, “Judas, go and do what you must do.”

Today’s reminder is a powerful one for us! Scripture reminds us that “No one can serve two Masters.” No one! Not the Israelites!! Not Judas, and not you or me!!! There is only one place of safety away from the enemy’s long arms…

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I will trust him, For he will rescue you from EVERY TRAP!” (Psalm 91:1)

“The Devil Made Me Do It”...It’s not a joke, but it is a wake-up call! Open our eyes that we might truly SEE and SEEK the “Shelter of the Most High God".

Where is our focus? Do we see? I would love to hear your thoughts about temptation and responses to today's readings. What verse jumped out at you today? Comments and questions are welcomed.

All She Could Give

Let's talk about the poor widow we find in Luke chapter 21 today. She is giving so little in the collection box compared to the others, but she is giving so much more of what she has then those who gave more. According to Jesus she had given more than any of them because she had given, not out of her surplus, but out of her poverty.

This reminds me of a time of my life when I found myself a single mother of four. I would write out all my bills every month and compare that to my income, and on paper it seems so discouraging. The numbers didn't add up and I always came up short. In looking for ways to cut back, there was a temptation a few times to scratch out that line item of tithing. But my heart just wouldn't let me, so I cut back a little in other ways. I continued to give my tithe each month. Amazingly, I always managed to get everything paid and even have a little left over for some fun.

To me this has always been a fine example of God honoring my heart and my desire to give, even when on paper it looks like I shouldn't. I have often felt like that poor woman with the two coins. But God blessed me through that time, and I have often used that part of my testimony to share with others who struggle with the importance of tithing.

Another thing to note is that this woman gave her two coins, basically all that she had, and that wasn't the end of her story. This tells us that she gave because of her devotion and faith. God wants us to give of our finances, but he also wants the rest of the "everything she has".

He wants our belief, our trust, our faith, our hope, our hearts, our minds in our souls, he wants all of us.

Are you willing to give it all to God today?

Stand Firm

One Year Bible (April 22)

Joshua 24: 1-33 & Luke 21: 1-28.

Difficult Concepts (Part I1)

“Stand Firm”

At the age of 110, Joshua faces the end of his life, and the children of Israel once again lose a strong leader. His last words to them over and over again were, “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly.” (Joshua 24: 14)

Joshua’s name means “Yahweh is salvation”. During the time that he led them, it seemed that nothing he ever did was enough. He actually delivered them from slavery and into the freedom of the promised land, but even being in the Promised Land was not enough to keep them from turning their backs on God and worshiping idols. Israel was God’s chosen people and the only people that God had made a covenant with. Joshua reminded them over and over again to be faithful to that covenant; God was their redeemer, savior, and deliverer from death!

Joshua in the OT was a lot like John the Baptist in the NT. He was a humble servant who always stood in the shadow of another. He humbly continued to point the chosen people to a holy, covenant-keeping God.

It was Joshua who was allowed to lead God’s people into the Promised Land. However, I wonder how Joshua felt following after the beloved Moses. It was Moses who they had followed all those years; I bet Joshua heard about him a lot! Then again, Joshua was there to see first-hand how God had loved Moses above all and personally spoken with him.

How did you feel about Moses being told by God that his time of leading was over because he lost his temper and whacked the rock TWO times… TOO HARD? I have been reminded since that reading that it was Moses and Elijah that joined Jesus on the mountain for Jesus’ transfiguration. It was there that they glowed with the glory of God and discussed Jesus' ascension from the earth.

Perhaps we thought that Moses got a “demotion” but he know where he would be. He was obviously with God, his father, and his greatest moment “to shine” was still ahead at the Transfiguration.

How did Joshua feel about leaving this world behind? I think that even in the OT they understood the concept of “being in Abraham’s Bossom”. They were the children of Abraham and they knew they would be reunited with their lineage and their God.

We can learn an interesting thing about death from King David in the OT. He lost his baby son due to his sin. He is in deep mourning and repentance until his son dies. Look at what he says afterward, “But now he has died why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12: 23) “I will go to him…”

I don’t know about you, but I would sure have liked them to spend less time telling about all of the tribes getting their different lands and more time giving us an interview with Joshua over all that he has seen and heard. How does he feel about being old and dying?

Yes, there are many questions that we would like to have answered about the life to come, suffering, and all of the “Why’s”.

However, I believe that God has given us everything that we need to know to put our trust in him through faith in Jesus Christ.

We can also learn a lot as we look at the faith of Moses, Joshua, David, and other great saints in the OT. They were all changed in the presence of a Holy God!

Joshua’s final thoughts that he shared with the Israelites can be summed up in Joshua 23:14, “Deep in Your Hearts You Know That Every Promise of the Lord Your God Has Come True.”

PS. Stand Firm!

How are you standing today in the trials?

Prospering the Gospel Instead of Ourselves

Once again, in today's scripture Luke 20:46, something struck me to be so like our current times.

"Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and live to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they live the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets."

Our "religious world" is full of pastors and teachers that have risen to high regard. They have television channels, write books (and sell those books in their church bookstores), and travel around the world, preaching and giving interviews.

And while none of that is bad in itself, what we typically see is that once the notoriety and fame come into play, they lose sight of the gospel according to the Word of God and it becomes "the gospel according to ____" (insert name)

They fly around in their fancy planes, live in their mansions, and rarely give according to their riches.

They start to teach what the people "want " to hear instead of the truth that they need to hear. People get fooled, give their money away, and never quite reach the true relationship with Christ.

The Prosperity Gospel is a real threat today. And we need to be thankful that there are still pastors in our world who are truly devoted to God and to advancing his kingdom, even through their own sacrifice.

None...no, not one...should esteem themselves higher than the Lord.

Enquiring Minds

One Year Bible (April 21) Joshua 22: 21-23:16; Luke 20: 27-47

Difficult Concepts (Part I) “Enquiring Minds”

Enquiring minds want to know! At the heart of my writing is a news reporter. I just want “the scoop”, don’t you?

We discussed the severe earthquakes and the passage found in Mt. 27: 51-54. This is an amazing passage.

Check out the order of events…

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” (51-53)

Notice that it tells us that the dead people came out into the Holy City after the resurrection. It also goes on to tell us that the centurion guarding Jesus said, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

What is also very interesting to me is that the chief priest and Pharisees seemed to get the situation a little bit better than the disciples. They said, “We remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise again. So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body, and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead.”

These ol’ boys believed something was going to happen! Perhaps, that is really why the disciples were hidden away. They wanted to blame them, but God had that all under control. They were “behind locked doors”.

Today’s reading in our One Year Bible is found in Luke 20: 27-47. It gives us a greater glimpse into the afterlife because the Sadducees believed that there was no resurrection from the dead. (That is why they were “Sad You See”!)

They posed questions to set up Jesus to kill him, and today’s biggie was, “What if a woman has had many husbands and they all have died? Who’s wife will she be in heaven?”

Jesus responds with this, “Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect, they will be LIKE angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.” -Luke 20: 34-36

Notice that Jesus does not say that we will BE angels when we die. Many people will tell you that their loved one has passed away and is an angel watching over them. Jesus points out that we will be “like angels”.

Enquiring minds want to know…I sure would love to spend a bit of time with the dead saints who walked through Jerusalem on that first Easter morning after Jesus’ resurrection. I would ask them a little bit more about all of that.

Did you guys come back to life after the first earthquake when Jesus died, and if so where have you been?

Did you wait and come out after the earthquake when the stone was rolled away? Speaking of that, where have you been, period?

Can you tell me about “Sheol”, “The Bossom of Abraham”, and “Paradise”? How is all of that connected, and how does it work?

Can you see us folks here on earth?

Those would just be my opening line of questions. I would save the hard ones for after lunch…

Notice that the Sadducees were not really posing questions to learn, however. They just wanted to trap him. Yet, we learn so much as we read Jesus’ answers to these questions.

What questions do you have from all of the passages that we have been reading? I would love to hear them.

Tomorrow we will talk about Joshua as he faces death. What wisdom can we learn from ”The Greats of the Faith” (Heb. 11) that have gone before us?

Difficult Concepts deepen our faith.

Enquiring Minds don’t just want to know; we desire to follow…

“Deep in Your Hearts, You Know That Every Promise of the Lord Your God Has Come True.” -- Joshua 23:14

Unfit Alters (April 20, 2022)

"But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and soul. (Joshua 22:5)

This command Joshua gave to the tribes returning east side of the Jordan River are the same commands we should be living by today.

Not much has changed... there is still evil and wickedness. People still spend their time worshiping anything and everything...but God.

What kind of alters are we building in our homes, with our free time, in our disobedience?

We are much like the treacherous person we read about today in Proverbs 13:15. If we don't turn our eyes back to Jesus, we are headed for destruction.

Destruction will not lead us to a place where we can stand Amazed & Silent before the throne of God.

Something to ponder...

Amazed & Silent (April 20, 2022)

Don’t you just love surfing social media platforms these days? There is a new rudeness, censorship, and an air of accusations. Before you know it, Fact Checker may just remove your image posted with a scripture or worse some folks end up in “Social Media Jail”. Unfortunately, this is a real place. You are out and “they” are in. Today’s passage is a lot like Fact Checkers gone wrong, very wrong!

The religious leaders were always planning questions and plots to trap him.

Trap #1: “By what authority are you doing all these things?” (Vs.20:2)

Trap #2: “Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (20: 22)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch in our OT reading for today, (or out on the pasture) the Israelites are still dividing up their land equally. (Man, this has taken a while.) The problem for them is the very same problem that we are going to deal with in our NT passage.

After everything they have been through, they still don’t know who is in authority and they still don’t believe they are to follow and give their allegiance to ONLY God in worship. An entire community is betraying the Lord and building another idol that will bring down judgment on the whole people. “If you rebel against the Lord today, he will be angry with all of us tomorrow.” (Joshua 21: 18)

So, when we see this group of religious leaders dealing with Jesus, we can see that they have come from a long lineage of “knuckleheads”. To be more precise in my language, they are used to asking tricky questions, demanding answers, and feeling “entitled”.

Jesus once again teaches them with a story or parable. He tells of a man who planted a vineyard and leased it to tenant farmers and moved to another country to live for several years. At the time of the harvest, the owner sent a servant back to collect his share of the crop from the grape harvest. The farmers attacked the servant and beat him up. This happened THREE times to THREE different servants. The owner then sent his heir to the estate, his son. They murdered him!

Here is what Jesus says, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” (Luke 20: 17)

Where does our allegiance belong? “Render to Caesar the taxes due to government, but our allegiance belongs to God!” Why? We are to “give to God what belongs to God”. They knew that Jesus' little parable was about them.

So, they failed to trap Jesus on that day, and it tells us that “they were amazed” and they… BECAME SILENT.!! Speechless!!!

Perhaps, today we can learn a lesson as well about what to do when we are demanding answers and feeling entitled. We want God to answer us but may forget that he is the master of the vineyard, and we are to be his obedient servants and should behave as his adopted children.

Amazed and Silent!

Our Faith Saves

In today's scripture, I would like to concentrate on Luke 19:44. Jesus is telling the unbelievers, those who scheme and try to devise plans to kill him, that he feels sorry for them because they have not understood all that he has been saying, nor do they know the way to find peace. He concludes with verse 44: "They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you."

He is letting them know that they will have these troubles because they did not believe that he is God. And that their enemies will never stop until they are destroyed.

The same holds true today. We have an enemy that is out to crush us into the ground (and straight down to hell). He will never stop coming after us when we choose to not acknowledge Jesus as our Savior.

Only when we live a life for Christ do we have the assurance that we can stand up to that enemy. It is not through our strength, but the strength of Jesus. It is not by our wisdom, but his.

Our faith saves us from the enemy...if only we recognize and believe.

All of Creation (April 19, 2022)

What does it mean that “The rocks will cry out” in Luke 19:40?

In the book of Luke, we have seen foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion, and Jesus even told the disciples that he will rise after three days. There has been parable after parable alluding to what is to come. However, they are still looking for an earthly king, and the Pharisees are looking to lynch this earthly king. Now, the time has finally come, and things are all imminently moving towards Jerusalem.

Jesus asks them to find a young donkey and bring it to him. The followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19: 38)

The Pharisees want Jesus to rebuke his followers for saying this, and Jesus replies, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (Luke 19: 40 NLT)

What did Jesus mean by this statement? Will the rocks be performing shortly?

Throughout Scripture, there are similar poetic passages that present inanimate objects praising God.

For example, in Psalm 114:6 the mountains leap. In Isaiah 55:12 the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Throughout Psalm 148, there are many examples of created things praising their Creator—the sun, moon, stars, heavens, water, sky, animals, and people.

The Psalms remind us over and over that everyone and everything was created according to God’s good pleasure. We were created to worship him!

On the occasion of the Triumphal entry, Jesus was letting them know in a subtle and not subtle way that the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah was finally here.

I love the song by Mercy Me called “All of Creation”.

Separated

Until the veil was torn

The moment that hope was born

And guilt was pardoned once and for all

Captivated

But no longer bound by chains

Left at an empty grave

The sinner and the sacred resolved

And all of creation sing with me now

Lift up your voice and lay your burden down.

And all of creation sing with me now.

Fill up the heavens and let his glory resound.

Many today would like to silence the praises of the people to the Lord, but make no mistake All of Creation is still singing…

Riches vs. Obedience (April 17, 2022)

My heart is sad for the rich man we find in today's scripture. He had lived a life of OBEDIENCE, thinking that would gain his entrance to heaven. When he was told that what is truly required is SACRIFICE, he was deeply troubled. Why? Because he knew in his heart he would not be able to sacrifice his riches, they were just too important to him.

What is too important in our lives? What is that ONE THING we hold on to, that we don't want to give up, even for eternal life with Christ?

Woe to those of us who choose our possessions over God possessing our hearts!

When we step out not only in obedience, but in sacrifice, verse 30 tells us that the rewards will be great and abundant.

May we live, not for the things of this world that we think we can't live without, but for Jesus and the hope of our eternity.

Verse 35 tells us that the disciples didn't understand what Jesus was telling them about his forthcoming troubles and resurrection.

When I think about that, I see how they could be confused. Remember...they were walking through this story as it unfolded. For us to believe is easier because we are hearing the story long after it occurred. We know the beginning, middle and end of the is particular story, whereas they did not.

I personally consider myself fortunate that the story, the life of Jesus, the unfolding of all his promises is mine and yours to hold in our hearts, to ponder and pray upon, and to give us security in our hopes for every tomorrow.

Mission Impossible (April 17, 2022)

“What is impossible for people is possible with God.”—Luke 18: 27

Our passage begins with a really big question, “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18: 18. The question is posed by a rich man who has kept the ten commandments.

Jesus replies to the man that there is one more thing he must do. He is to sell and leave ALL his possessions behind and come and follow Jesus. The man becomes very sad because he is very rich! Jesus gives us another hard teaching, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Those that hear this teaching ask another question, “Then who in the world can be saved?” Thus begins our “Mission Impossible” Story for today…

In yesterday’s, “Sabbath Unrest”, we looked at where the disciples were during this Holy Sabbath, the day after Jesus’ crucifixion. They were hiding behind closed doors.

Today’s One Year Bible reading explains why. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.”

But they DIDN’T UNDERSTAND ANY OF THIS!!!! The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.”

Ahhhhhh, got it! So, now we know where the disciples were and why they were there. They did not begin to understand, Not YET!! But then how many of us can begin to grasp the IMPOSSIBLE??

So, here is my next question, “Where was Jesus during the “Sabbath Unrest”. Ummmm, a silly question you may think? Duhhh, he was in the tomb!! Really??? I know his dead body was there, but what about his spirit?

Let me just say that I am not a Greek scholar or famous theologian. I am just a girl who loves Jesus and is a student of the word. If you use your Bible Gateway App to look up our passages it will give you all the cross-references that are related to the passages that we are reading. Just follow the breadcrumbs and see where it takes you…

First, Luke 23: 43 tells us what Jesus says about where he will be after he dies, “Truly I tell you, TODAY you will be with me in paradise.” Please, note he says, “Today”. Paradise, I wonder where that is located? Remember reading about the “bosom of Abraham”? Paul describes Paradise in 2 Cor. 12: 3-4. The Jews word for Paradise is “Pades” which means “park” or “garden”.

Secondly, we see that Jesus completed the work of salvation that God established him to accomplish and fulfilled ALL the prophecies in the OT that foretold this event. ALL!

Check out two passages that tell us about this completion of the gospel being available to ALL mankind. “For this reason, the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” I Peter 4:6.

Did you get that? The good news of Jesus’ death, completion of atonement, and payment for sins both past and future were preached to those who were DEAD!

Next, let’s check out Ephesians 4: 7-10. This passage begins by quoting OT prophecy. “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” This quote is from Psalm 68:18. The passage goes on to describe this “ascending” and “descending”. “Who does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.” Let’s go on and follow the breadcrumbs…

After Jesus resurrects, he first encounters Mary Magdalene. Look at what he says to her, “Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to … my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20: 11-17) Later on they can touch him, but not yet.

Remember that I told you that the end of the story was really going to be a doozy? Well, here we go!!!

Check out Matthew 27: 51-53. This passage tells us EXACTLY what happened after the time of Jesus’ death and even immediately after his resurrection. “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Why? This curtain represented the barrier between God and man. Jesus the great high priest’s death removed this barrier and paid the price for sin to take away God’s wrath.) “The earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came OUT OF THE TOMBS after Jesus’ resurrection and went in the holy city and appeared to many people.”

DOOZY ALERT! This is like the real Halloween on steroids! It was more like “HALLOWED WEEK”. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to LIFE! DEAD MEN WALKING!!!

Now, let me ask you this little question, “Have you ever in your life been to an Easter production and they started having people coming up out of graves walking down the aisle?” I have not, but I sure would like to know why we skip over this “little detail” that is HUGE!!!!

One more question that I would like to pose. How did these folks get the memo to come on back out of the grave without the good news being preached to them?

You see, in the OT their sins were only “rolled back” temporarily by the sacrifice of a perfect lamb, but now the PERFECT Lamb of God had given himself as a sacrifice to remove their sins as far as the east is from the west, and they were up WALKING and TALKING about it!!!!

Oh, to be a news reporter and interview them. Where have you been? What did Jesus tell you?

How long will you be on earth? I could go on and on with questions for them. However, it wasn’t really about them. They just answer the question that we started with today.

“Then who in the world can be saved?” (Luke 18)

Dead men are walking, the blind now have ‘eyes to see’. Those that are willing to leave “their riches and their plans” can come to God through complete faith in Jesus and be born again.

Happy “HALLOWED WEEK”! Mission Impossible becomes POSSIBLE! This is the message of EASTER!

“What is impossible for people is possible with God.”—Luke 18: 27

Earnest Prayer (April 16, 2022)

In Joshua 13:1, God told Joshua that he was growing old and there was still much work, much land to be conquered.

This made me stop and think...how did Joshua, who had worked and battled for the Lord for so many years, feel about the fact that his time was growing shorter and there was still so much to accomplish?

And does that same feeling resonate with us as the numbers of our age rise and we see so much that we hoped to accomplish still undone?

What about Jesus? He knew his days in earth were numbered ( and he didn't get nearly as many as Joshua). He knew how much work he had before him...how much preaching & teaching, how many miracles and blessings.

His ultimate goal was accomplished, to suffer and die for the sake of our sins, to offer us the hope and promise of eternity.

And on that Holy Saturday, when the disciples were left with nothing but their faith, were they praying in earnest? Were they praying like the tax collector, who poured it all out at the alter?

We too, should be praying like that tax collector. We should be praying in repentance and gratitude every day, grateful that while we still have time here, we still have an opportunity to serve Him. Our work is not done.

We should pray with confidence. The doubt of Thomas should not be evident in our hearts and minds.

And when our days seem as bleak to us as Holy Saturday was to those chosen few, let us remember that this is not the end of the story.

Sabbath Unrest April 16, 2022

April 16, 2022

There is Good Friday and there is Easter, but what do you call the day that lays in-between this huge chasm? That is what I would like to know. It doesn’t seem to have a name.

For us, the day is Saturday, which is known in the OT as the Sabbath. This was the day of rest to remember and honor the Lord their God.

There are weddings and funerals, but what do you call life that lays in between this chasm? There doesn’t seem to be a name for it either, but it often involves unexplainable grief and loss. No name seems to do this day justice. It is the day of ‘Sheol’ a place of waiting after death. (More on this tomorrow).

This is the day that has no name. It is the day between Jesus’ crucifixion and his triumphant resurrection. It is actually called “Holy Saturday” and it completes the Holy Week and ends the season of Lent. This day is marked by mourning and waiting. Somehow, I have spent my entire life never really noticing this day. It is just an “inbetweener”.

What did the disciples do on this day? Did they celebrate the Sabbath? Did they weep and cry when it seemed that all hope was lost? What were they thinking and feeling? Were they blaming themselves for being cowards and not standing up for Jesus? Did they put two and two together and get four? We know that Jesus had been telling them that he would “rise again”. Did they think they would see that in their lifetime? These are just a few of my thoughts on this day of “Sabbath Unrest”.

Today’s One Year Bible pointed me in a new direction as I ponder these thoughts about this day, Holy Saturday. In Luke 18: 1-17, Jesus tells the disciples a story that they were always to pray and never give up. (Luke 18:1) He tells them about an unjust judge and invites them to learn a powerful lesson.

There was a widow who begged for justice from this unjust judge. His sad response was, “I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy.” He granted her wish because she was wearing him out with her requests.

Jesus draws this little story to a close by asking them, “When the Son of Man (Jesus) returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8)

There was never an emotionally lower day for the disciples than the day after Jesus died. The fight was over and he was gone. The earth was covered with darkness. All their dreams and hopes crashed! Where were the disciples on this day?

Well, Mary went to the tomb early on the first day of the week after the Sabbath ended and found the Lord’s body missing and had an encounter with The Risen Lord. She ran to tell them the good news, “I have seen the Lord!”

Jesus also went to find them and to reveal himself as the resurrected Lord.

Where were they to be found? Well, they were “behind locked doors”. It was Mary Magdalene who ventured out to check on Jesus at the tomb, not them! Check out what happens next that tells us about their location.

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20: 19-20

While the disciples were “behind locked doors” on this Holy Saturday, where was Jesus? What was he doing? (Part 2 tomorrow)

What did they do in the season of their “Sabbath Unrest” as they faced their doubts about God their judge? Did they deem him unjust, or did they struggle with disappointment that Jesus was not all that they hoped he would be?

Jesus had left this little story with them for them to ponder. “When the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8)

This message has been left for us also. Will he find us having faith even in our darkest hour?

Yes, it is the Friday of death and loss, followed by a Sabbath Unrest that we call Holy Saturday… but "Sunday is a Comin’.

Tomorrow we will learn the rest of the story, and it will be a doozy!

(Definition of Doozy: "an extraordinary one of its kind".

Yep, that's the word, alright!!)

Sabbath Unrest followed by a Doozy. (Spoiler Alert)

“Always pray and never give up.” (Luke 18:1)

Thank you all for writing and joining in on the One Year Bible Challenge. I really enjoy your daily comments and sharing. Please, continue to join in.

What are your thoughts, questions, and insights?

Faithful With Little

There is a verse in today's readings that I encountered recently while driving down the road. It was a Friday afternoon after work, and I was tired and more than ready for the weekend. As I sat at the stoplight in the turn lane ready to head home, I heard someone knocking on my front passenger window. I jumped a bit as it was rather startling. I was surprised to see a boy knocking on my window in the middle of two other lanes of traffic.

My first thought was "Oh my gosh, I hope this kid doesn't get run over!" I rolled down my window a bit (not too far) and he said, "Mrs. Sempsrott?" I said, "Yes". While he stood in the middle of the road, he told me that he was my student during Covid Lock-up distance learning. I had never met him in person and his hair was bleached when I had him in zoom (in his tiny little box on my screen).

By God's amazing, strategic grace of opening doors, I have now encountered this same boy three different times. He has found me each time! have learned that he needed a teacher that believed in him. I have also learned that God had a lesson for me as well.

As I drove away, I heard the words to a scripture that I memorized in my youth. The Holy Spirit works like that..."Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much" (Luke 16:10a). That was the message that I was to ponder...

Reading our passage brought me back to this unique experience and caused me to contemplate the bigger picture about being "faithful in little and faithful with much". What does that mean to me and to you?

We read about "The Valley of Trouble" where Achan met his demise. He had experienced the Glory of God but then decided to keep some of that glory for himself. It was the valley after his mountain top experience. They had built a remembrance to God for delivering them through the Jordan River, but did he remember?

We see that in the very same chapter, the Israelites defeated their enemies after Achan's sin was purged from the camp. This time God's directions were very different than they were before: "This time you may keep the plunder and the livestock for yourselves." (8:2)

Don't you wish God would have said that before Achan's demise? The problem is that HE DIDN’T! However, that really wasn't the problem for Achan or for Ananias and Saphira in the N.T. story. Both disobeyed the Spirit of God and lied about it. There was no repentance and no honesty.

Our passage in Luke 16: 13 spells out the bottom line for our money, our time, our attitudes, and our life goals. "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money."

What is your "little" and what is your "much"? Sometimes we just want to do great things for God, and we are disappointed when it seems that we are struggling to just do the little things.

One year ago, at exactly this time of year, I was hanging on by a "scarlet thread". (See previous post.) During that season of life, our daughter had been hospitalized for 85 days within that year and we had experienced 54 ER/ Urgent Care visits. I was just trying my best day by day to hang in there to teach online. I felt my little "Covid lock-up students" needed me (not a sub) and I knew I needed them! I was often staying in a hospital and would teach from there with my headset on. So, much was going on around me. I prayed for strength each and every day! I finally left work under The Family Leave Act after spring break and did not return that school year. I never got to meet my students in person that year or say goodbye. It was tough, and there was no closure or completion.

Can you imagine my shock to meet this one little student in the middle of the road that day? Add to that, three more meetings at random places and times. Did I mention that my little student had experienced some major issues in the years before being in my class? He had certainly had his share of struggles.

One year later, God gave me a little glimpse of his message to me... I will never know why all of this happened. I often felt hopeless and helpless. The only power I had was like 'the widow's mite'. I just asked each day for the strength to be faithful and to get through one day at a time.

When we have little to nothing. He has much! When we have "much" we need to be reminded of who gave us all that we have, and who receives the glory due! It is like building those "stones of remembrance" that we have been reading about. We build them "lest we be tempted and forget".

I now have a rock of remembrance at the corner of La Brucherie and Main Street each time I pull up to that stoplight and look out over the two lanes to my right and glance at my passenger window.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Yes, God. Faithful in the little. Got it!

You are in charge of the much!

By Betty Predmore

This scripture speaks to me about something we all deal with in various ways to varying degrees... TEMPTATION!

Achan knew God's orders...to not keep anything valuable for himself. But can you just imagine standing there staring at all that silver and gold? Would you be tempted to keep just a little for yourself?

We deal with temptation every day. It is around every corner. It is in the people we spend time with, the things we eat, what we watch on television, how we spend our free time.

Sometimes, the temptations are SO STRONG! It is a real battle.

Apparently it was also a battle for the rich man's manager, who couldn't seem to do the "right thing" with his boss's money. Once caught, the temptation to "get even" was too much.

The second aspect I find is that for every temptation we give in to, there are CONSEQUENCES! An entire family stoned to death and burned...that is quite a significant consequence to one man's betrayal.

Our consequences might not be that drastic, but they are definitely there. Little things that occur because of our poor choices, our giving in to the temptations of the enemy. Some of those prices we pay are greater than others. Hopefully, we learn to stand strong in our temptations as we grow closer to the One who stood strong and battled through every temptation the enemy threw at him.

Oh...to be just like Jesus! May we never stop trying.