Morning Minutes

We do not know the time of the appointed events of the Day of the Lord and the Second Coming of Christ. It is not for us to “know the times or the seasons” (Acts. 1:7). Watchfulness means that there are dangers which lurk in the shadows of our earthly pilgrimage. There is the danger of becoming intoxicated with the spirit of the age. We need to eat, drink, and sleep truth in order to see things as they really are. God-honoring decisions and ordering our priorities don’t come about by emotional magic. If you are an ardent student of the Bible and obey Christ’s commands, the values of this world won’t seduce you. There is the danger of becoming complacent and careless in the seasons of life. In your youth you can live as if there is no tomorrow. In the winter of life, retirement, trips to the doctor, the funerals of long-time friends, and before you know it you attend your own funeral. Where will you be one-minute after you die? “Lord, give me the grace to stay alert to the deceptions that pull me away from loving you.

Few truths of the Bible are scorned and mocked like the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Tons of sentiment and celebration are lavished on the birth of Jesus Christ. Its importance is understood by Christians. Brace your thoughts with the fact that Christ’s return to this earth will be signaled by a display of divine power in the heavens. Creation has tottered under the load of sin’s curse and longs for its renewal when the last Adam will arrive to a world wrapped up in its vain pursuits. Christ’s coming will be in a blaze of glory. Take hope, dear Christian. We have abundant encouragement to live hopefully. The believer’s pain and suffering is the waiting room for a redeemed body in a redeemed creation. “The sum of all a believer’s sad yesterdays is as nothing to him when he remembers the glory which is to be at the Lord’s return” (Maurice Roberts).
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Reflections:
Identify some of the ways you are preparing to meet Jesus when He comes the second time.
What would history be like without the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Why do you think human beings are wired for good stories with good endings?

No, it’s not the latest conspiracy theory. Before Jesus comes again Satan will use deception in his attempt to build his kingdom on earth. God’s people will experience intense increased persecution. Jesus revealed the sign that will herald the soon approach of His second coming and kingdom on earth. When this will be we don’t know. There was a complete destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 A.D. But there is another even greater catastrophe coming. It’s not usual for Scripture to reveal a near-at-hand event to anticipate a far-off event. The coming abomination of desolation happens when the altar in the Temple is abominated (repugnant to God) and the people desolated (Temple is fled vacant). The Antichrist will set up an image of himself in the temple during the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4). This will trigger a time of suffering unparalleled in human history. All human-developed civilizational institutions will descend into chaos and destruction. How then should we live? Don’t be drawn into the denial that ethnic Israel has no future, that international peace is attainable, or that human government or the United Nations is our best hope. “Lord, give me the wisdom and courage to make my life count for you.”
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Reflections:
Are there any current events (news, etc.) that confuse your thinking about the future?
What are some of the lies being perpetuated in the media about the world to come?

We should not be surprised that there is a high cost for following Jesus Christ. It is to be as sheep in the midst of wolves. Persecution takes us to the very heart of what it means to be “in Christ.” His is a call to come and die (Mk. 8:35, “Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.”). Persecution is the experience of pain and suffering for no other reason than because we are Christians. Identity with Christ invites the hostility of the world. It hates Christ and would kill Him again if it had the chance. Persecution will come from both religion and human government. The message of the cross is offensive to the natural heart of man. However, persecution is the opportunity to experience the empowering of the Holy Spirit. He gives boldness and the wisdom to say what is necessary. Do not be afraid to speak up for the message of the risen Christ. Do not be surprised. persecution can come from one’s own family (Matt.10:34-38). The light of the gospel makes the unbeliever uncomfortable because the nonChristian loves darkness rather than light. You may very well have already heard the words; “are you implying that I am not going to heaven when I die?”
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Reflections:
What are some of the ways living and speaking for Christ may affect you?
What is your response to charges that Christians are intolerant and judgmental?

A Biblical interpretation principle: All the promises of the Bible are not to us, but all the promises are for us. The moral and spiritual condition of our nation should be a grief to all Christians. A covenant promise to Israel, as a theocracy, is frequently used as a call to “revival” in America. The truth of the promise is for Israel when under the discipline of God (blessings and curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28) to humble themselves – seek God’s face in contrition and dependence on Him. Seek God in soul-searching prayer. And to repent (turn from their wicked ways). We in a non-theocratic nation are right to apply this promise. First to the church of Jesus Christ. Secondly, pray that unbelievers will turn from unbelief to faith in Christ. Thirdly, for all citizens to honor God’s moral law. Prayer is not enough. What God expects is enough.
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Reflections:
What are some of the dangers in misusing the text of 2 Chronicles 7:14?
What are some of the responsibilities of Christians in facing the rebellion of a nation against God?

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. It entails, as a kingdom citizen, seeking to bring the offending and offended in a strife to be at-one-again. True peace has to deal with the reality of sin. It flows from the death of Christ on the cross being nurtured by God’s righteous standards and truth. Being a peacemaker is not easy. It takes honesty (“there is an elephant in the room”), courage (danger of placing oneself between two angry people), and determination (a peacemaker has to be a fighter for what is right). The Sermon on the Mount was not given as a way of salvation for the lost. It is a way of life for those who are followers of Jesus Christ. It is not a political manifesto. Beware of those who teach that the SM is the way to become a Christian. It is not appeasement, ignoring evil, emotional detachment from problems, not walking away from a conflict, and is not pacifism (moral retreat). Never forget. We are peacemakers as we spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Reflections:
Am I committed to pursue peace in all my relationships?
Is there a situation in which I could be a mediator?

Movie audiences have an insatiable desire to see what Jesus may have looked like. But the truth is the real Jesus is a portrait who must hang on the wall of our mind. White hair. That tends to come with end of life in human appearance. With Jesus it tells us of eternal pre-existence, ruler and judge, the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9). There has never been a time when the Son of God has not existed. In His essence He is forever deity. In His incarnation and glorification He is now eternally the God-Man. Sin is an offense to Jesus. We are to marvel at the purity and nobility of His thoughts. His eyes tell us of His penetrating scrutiny and fierce judgment. Are we awed and humbled that He knows the motivations of our heart? He knows the secret deeds of our lives. We can’t fool Jesus. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
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Reflections:
How should the gaze of Jesus impact my thought life?
What will be the outcome of the first time you meet Jesus at the day of judgment?

Attempts to paint the likeness of Jesus Christ are inevitably disappointing. It’s not that the disciples of Jesus did not see the resurrected Savior. John did. But the vision of the glorified Son of God in Revelation 1:13-16 was over-powering. It had been sixty years since John had seen Jesus. “He fell at Jesus’ feet as a dead man.” John and the churches received an appearance of Christ that by divine design emphasized His nature not a physical description, “a portrait no artist could paint” (C.H. Spurgeon). His clothing speaks of His majesty, greatness like a priest in the Old Testament. The golden sash tells us of the work He has to do. The robe of His office reminds us of His ongoing work of intercession for believers (Heb. 7:25). Jesus is no passive observer of this world. Do you have burdens and griefs? Jesus is already praying for you. We are not alone in our pilgrim journey to see Him face to face.
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Reflections:
Have you thanked Jesus lately for His mercies and trustworthiness?
How should Jesus’ intercession for you affect your approach to problems?

You say, “how can a church be alive but dead?” The sobering thought is that a Christian and a church can succumb to self-deception by losing touch with spiritual reality. Have I personally become void of real vitality and genuine faithfulness? Erwin Lutzer in his book, We Will Not Be Silenced, calls the church in America to wake up to the danger of “submitting to culture’s most enticing temptations and justifying this in the name of compassion, love, and cultural relevance. We are willingly being deceived.” In Sardis there was a famous cemetery only seven miles from the city. A fitting symbol of the spiritual condition of the Sardian church. There are powerful forces of evil that threaten not only the sustainability of our nation but also the church of Jesus Christ. Culture’s sexual revolution is demanding bowed knees to its worldview. A wedge is being driven between the authority of the Scriptures and the Christian. The preference “for a doctrine of desire, a theology in keeping with fleshly appetites” is taking its toll. The overcoming power is “developing a love for Christ that is greater than our love of sin” (Lutzer). Repentance of the key word. A radical turn is what is called for. Is that my need in this hour?
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Reflections:
What television and cable programs/movies am I most drawn to?
Are there certain moral/ethical issues that I tend to avoid lest I offend people?

The truth is told in jest. So goes the saying. Those who nailed Jesus to that cruel cross could not and would not understand God’s ways in this sinfully broken world. There He was, the Savior of the world, hanging in execution style between two criminals. And the human response was sarcasm and ridicule. Ridiculed for His weakness and His messianic claims. The verbal abuse was sharp, bitter, and mean. Jesus suffered brazen, cold, and calculated rejection. He was despised as a prophet, mocked as a priest, and humiliated as king. Disappointment in Jesus was boiling over with utter contempt. That’s the way of this world until now. “The King of Israel” does not measure up to the standards of the sin-blinded. “Maybe He was a martyr, a point of religious interest a few days before the ‘final four’ and the Augusta National. Come on, Jesus, give us a miracle. Knock one out of the park. Use your power and we will believe, maybe.” Jesus was dying for our sins. That’s what He was doing. The taunting of angry, vengeful crucifiers was endured by Jesus so that we might experience the forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God. Is He the one in whom you have placed your faith? Our eternal outcome hangs in the balances.
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“Of all that shouting multitude I feel that I am one; And in that din of voices rude I recognize my own. Around the cross the throng I see, Mocking the Sufferer’s groan; Yet still my voice it seems to be, As if I mocked alone.” Horatious Bonar (1808-1889), “The Crucified King”

There are those times in life when it seems as if God is hiding Himself. It is like walking in darkness and having no light. Maybe you are in one of those difficult times now. Isaiah has been speaking of the Servant of the Lord (50:4-9). The humiliation of the Servant (Jesus Christ) is prominent. Then in verse 10 the pronoun is switched from “Me”(v.10) to “you.” Jesus had those dark days. Havner says, “God trusts some of His children with a walk in the dark. They may even so leave this world. But He will raise them all in the morning.” The faithful may pass through the darkness of affliction and death, but beyond is the celestial city. Don’t despair when explanations are given. Let Satan laugh and tell us our faith is a fraud (Havner). But hold on to God. Let the glory of His presence break through. Keep on trusting Him. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
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Reflections:
Can you think of extended Job-like suffering in your own life? Did it draw you nearer to God?
How did Jesus obey the Father through the dark shadows of His crucifixion and death?

In case you missed it, yesterday was Palm Sunday. It is the traditional celebration of Jesus riding into Jerusalem with great fanfare six days before His crucifixion on Friday. Only Luke records Jesus’ lament as He drew near to the city. “Jesus knows that the excitement of the crowds does not correspond to genuine spiritual perception of His messianic mission” (The Reformation Study Bible). The crowds were not the only ones who got Jesus wrong. False religion abounds with blind spiritual eyes: ‘’Jesus was a creation of God, the spirit-brother of Lucifer, the husband of Mary and Martha, an avatar, the prophet of Islam.” This is only a short list. Jesus knew exactly who He was and the why of His incarnation. The sight of Jerusalem brought home to Jesus with sudden force the tragedy which hung over it. The crowds and the religious leaders would, in a few days, be calling for Jesus’ execution. Also, in forty years the desire and clamor for a purely political messiah would see the siege of Jerusalem and its destruction in 70 A.D. The truth is the crown rights of God’s Servant had to be purchased by Jesus through the suffering of His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
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Reflections:
How does the thirst for political power in our day collide with the true identity of Jesus Christ?
Why is the true understanding of Jesus and power found most often in weakness?

For some time now we have been following the biblical truth about change. As the seasons change so does life in mortal bodies, the seasons of life, and the world around us. No greater example than the person of Jesus Christ shows us how to live with and through change. He experienced radical changes in HIs incarnation, change in His glory, in His dwelling, in His position, and in His form (Phil. 2:4-11). The display of humility in Jesus’ is the model for us. Is my life, as His follower, one of growing through any and all changes? Change is the opportunity to display the perfections of God and establish a light source in this world (Col. 3:1-3). The servant’s heart is the way to respond to our aging process, the losses we experience, the pain and suffering we endure, and the grief that can weigh us down. Jesus came not to be served but to serve. If we are going to handle change in a way that counts for all eternity, we need to know how to sacrifice and serve for the pleasure of God.
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Reflections:
What has been one of the hardest changes in life’s circumstances that you have had to endure?
Can you think of a Christian who has been a good example in dealing with hardships? What did you see in them?

What’s eating at you right now? Worried about the future? Physical ailments pulling you down? Disappointments about certain relationships? We need to have our thinking conditioned by the purpose of God for us which is being transformed into the image of Christ. Are you preparing yourself for changes in the days ahead by experiencing personal change now. Preparation for change is made in a seed planting way. Our life in our sixties and seventies will be the result of seeds of truth planted in the past. Soul searching prepares us for life stretching. Life stretching prepares us for heaven. Are you working through some challenging issues right now? Were you prepared? One day we will stand before Christ and the changes asked of us now will be over.
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Reflections:
What progress are you making with that besetting sin that keeps barking at you? Anxiety? Discontent? How have the physical changes in your life altered your relationships?

Henny Penny is a classic folk tale about a chicken who believes the sky is falling after an acorn hits her head. Changes in our lives are not best handled by ignorance of God’s revelation, the Bible. Are you resolved that change is the opportunity to know God in a faith-building way? How so? Our response to change requires ever-growing biblical wisdom. Some changes are good. Some are not. Cultural changes have to be observed and evaluated carefully (e.g., styles in clothing, music, movies, value judgments). Christians in the 1960s often resisted racial integration, hair styles, music, and new translations of the Bible with the same degree of conviction. We are living now in the midst of a moral, sexual revolution. This impacts how youth are to be taught God’s rules, how to vote, and what to call evil, evil and good, good. Bible wisdom is not merely the acquisition of knowledge. Before you know it we can be changed by what a vocal minority says or by propaganda in the social media, politicians, celebrities, so-called experts, and even religious people. Things did not end so well for Henny Penny.
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Reflections:
What convictions about moral matters changed for you in recent years? What has convinced you?
What are some practical steps you can take in developing God honoring ethical convictions?

The tide of time comes in no matter what we do. Our mortal bodies tell us our days are numbered. God has designed change to remind us of the transitional nature of life (Rom. 8:18-23). The aging process keeps us in touch with the reality that this is not the way things are supposed to be (Eccle. 11:7-8). Don’t miss the best way to invest your life. God alone makes “the wasting away of the outer man” an experience of HIs enabling power to cope with our physical weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). The best way to live while dying is to enjoy life as a gift from God because we will attend our own funeral (Eccle. 11:7-8). Until then live with a declaration of war against the idols of the heart. What might be some of those things that seek to seduce you away from obedience to your Creator? If you consider yourself as yet “young” make your youth count for God (Eccle. 12:1-7). The changes that aging brings can be met gracefully or grudgingly. It’s up to you.
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Reflections:
Write down some of the ways that your present physical limitations can bring you nearer to God
On a scale of one to ten do you think and live hopefully?

Consider the changes that Abraham faced. He was leaving a familiar environment for an unknown new home. There would be dangers and risks. He would live in tents. He was responsible for his wife. Change is the opportunity to know God in new faith-building ways. All change belongs to the believer (1 Cor. 3:22; Rom. 8:28). The circumstances of life are in the hands of a loving, trustworthy, sovereign God. Yet God expects the believer to interpret life by the Scriptures not by the ebb and flow of circumstances and emotions. If finding out that you have just been laid off from your job and on the way to the hospital to see your wife, who has just had cancer surgery, and the timing chain on your car breaks, this does not mean that God doesn’t love you and/or is punishing you, or is telling you to buy a new car. Changes that occur in life, whether good or evil, can have a beneficial role in our journey through life. If you are looking for a role model, consider Abraham. He was willing to live in a tent as an alien with a world and life view at odds with the pagan Canaanites. He lived life looking toward the heavenly Jerusalem.
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Reflections:
Are there words or actions in your life that express a refusal to do what God says? Keep count of the times you complain in a day.

We must remember that changes in life are composed of the actual change itself, the transition, and the outcome. Israel was faced with a change from having been a relatively peaceful people to becoming a nation of warriors and warfare. The opposition was formidable. Israel was later told not to fear the mighty Assyrian army (Isa. 10:24). Change can stir up our fears and worries about the future. Will I have a job? Will I fail? Fear is self-protection and does not advance love for God and others. If allowed, fear can make us content with disobedience and mediocrity. For example, a business loss can bring about significant change. There are debts that have to be paid, a way of life comes to an end, plans for the future have to be altered (travel, retirement). A kind of paralysis can hinder bold steps that need to be taken. Has something changed in your life which presents a range of “what-ifs?” Looking for exits and a non-demanding lifestyle, running from hard decisions, is not the way God wants His spiritual warriors to live. He is sufficient for all our changes in life.
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Reflections:
Has something changed in your life which has caused you to withdraw and become self-protective?
Are there some habits that cater to a least resistance mentality that have crept into your life?

Grief is a God designed means for responding to a loss. However, prolonged and disordered grief can become an obstacle to God’s purposes for change in our lives. The loss of a loved one or a dear friend will happen. Possibly Samuel was troubled by the purposes of God in Saul’s death. There is a time to grieve. But grief can be embraced too long and be allowed to blur one’s vision for the future. Unwise and emotionally charged decisions can be made. Conflicted relationships can create special difficulties in the grief process. Withdrawal from social contacts, forgetting about the needs of others, and failure to do things that need to be done are not good outcomes in the change process. This is not to say that grief can be resolved by “closure.” The reality is that closure is a myth. Going on with life God’s way is not the same as closure.
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Reflections:
Has a loss in your past made you a better person? What have you learned from it?
Have any questionable or sinful patterns become a part of your experiences with grief?

Change is a part of life, but it can be mismanaged. We can long for the past with harmful results. Remembering “the good old days” when going through tough times can lead to grumbling against God. It happened to Israel in the early days of deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Israel longed to be back in Egypt and better eating days. We can choose to remember only certain aspects of the past, while ignoring the spiritual realities of the present. Such a disposition can obscure the opportunities to serve God in times of testing. Think of the change that occurs when a loss takes place like the empty nest. Children leave home to pursue their adult life. Poor health and medication can alter the hopeful expectations of retirement years. Remembering the good old days can become an affliction of old age by allowing nostalgia to cloud our thinking. A complaining attitude and withdrawing from others is a recipe for a miserable existence. Self deception is fed by romanticizing the past. The make-believe world of “home entertainment” can shrivel the soul. Thank God for the true blessings of the past, but don’t let them blot out what God wants to do in your life now.
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Reflections:
What tends to occupy your thoughts during the morning hours?
Think of ways you can serve others in the next week.

A young married couple have their first child. A man retires from his decades long job. Diagnosed dementia presents its challenger to an older couple. The winds of change are a part of living. Jesus told Peter that though he did not understand why He, Jesus, was washing Peter’s feet an explanation would come later. This touches why momentary inexplicable circumstances baffle us. In his book, Transitions, William Bridges says, “To become something else you have to stop being what you are now. . . It isn’t the changes that do you in, it’s the transitions.” Having a newborn in your life is a sweet change, but it does begin to make unforeseen demands upon a father and a mother. Are you on the edge of a “how-will-I-handle-this” situation? It is as Vance Havner has said, “Some chapters are to be experienced now and understanding hereafter.” Some changes may be in the dark, others in the daylight. Don’t let the winds of change blow you off course in the pursuit of knowing God.
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Reflections:
What are some of the changes taking place in your life? What thoughts tend to trouble you most about confusing times in your life?

On March 2 Jews around the world celebrated the festival of Purim. It honors the delivery of Jews of Persia (now Iran) from an evil plot to destroy them (WBE). “Pur” in the Hebrew means lot. Lots had been drawn to fix a day for the massacre of the Jews. How ironic it is that the present regime in Iran is committed to the elimination of the state of Israel. The book of Esther recounts the story of how God worked in His providence through queen Esther (a Jew) who was willing to lay her life down on behalf of her people. God worked by His hand of providence for the protection of Israel from annihilation. It is alarming how many in our day are voicing anti-Semitic hatred of the Jews. God has a future for ethnic Israel. Sadly, there are Christians who think God is through with the Jew. There will be a glorious conversion of ethnic Israel at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Rom. 11:26). There are those who engage in identity theft in claiming that the Church is the new Israel. Satan wants to eliminate the Jews to block the fulfillment of the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenant (Ezekiel 16:60; Jer. 31:31-34). Are you praying for the Jews? Do you know any by name? They need to see and know the love of God in the servants of Christ. He is their promised Messiah.
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Reflections:
How does Romans 1:16 fit into your church life? What are some of the evidences of anti-Semitism you have heard or seen?

Wars have been a part of earthly reality since Adam and Eve declared war on God at the bidding of Satan. There is the invisible war waged by men and Satan against each other and against God. History is filled with wars of nation against nation, all a part of the plight of a sinfully fallen world. Jesus foretold an outbreak of wars preceding His second coming (Matt. 24:6). The war in Iran is not a part that, as if yet, but is a sobering reminder of the conflict between good and evil. It is in this moral reality that God appointed human government to reward good and punish evil (Rom. 13:3-5). When a nation goes to war it is necessary to determine if it a just war. This is necessary if justice is to be pursued. “Victor Davis Hanson reminds us that war or military strength has helped bring an end to chattel slavery in America, Nazism, Fascism and Soviet Communism” (“An Introduction to Biblical Ethics” McQuilkin and Copan). A half century of state sponsored terrorism has brought Iran to accountability for its war against other nations, notably America and Israel. As Christians we are responsible to support our government as it seeks “to punish those who do evil’ (1 Pet. 2:14) and be “a terror” to evil conduct (Rom. 13:3). Many of us are persuaded that our nation has a moral obligation to defend itself and uphold its obligation to serve the good of its citizens.
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Reflections:
Pray for the Christian community in Iran, the churches and pastors. Think upon the persecution endured when living in a nation ruled by evil tyrants.

Wars have been a part of earthly reality since Adam and Eve declared war on God at the bidding of Satan. There is the invisible war waged by men and Satan against each other and against God. History is filled with wars of nation against nation, all a part of the plight of a sinfully fallen world. Jesus foretold an outbreak of wars preceding His second coming (Matt. 24:6). The war in Iran is not a part of that, as of yet, but is a sobering reminder of the conflict between good and evil. It is in this moral reality that God appointed human government to reward good and punish evil (Rom. 13:3-5). When a nation goes to war it is necessary to determine if it is a just war. This is necessary if justice is to be pursued. “Victor Davis Hanson reminds us that war or military strength has helped bring an end to chattel slavery in America, Nazism, Fascism and Soviet Communism” (An Introduction to Biblical Ethics, McQuilkin and Copan). A half century of state sponsored terrorism has brought Iran to accountability for its war against other nations, notably America and Israel. As Christians we are responsible to support our government as it seeks “to punish those who do evil’ (1 Pet. 2:14) and be “a terror” to evil conduct (Rom. 13:3). Many of us are persuaded that our nation has a moral obligation to defend itself and uphold its obligation to serve the good of its citizens.
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Reflections:
Pray for the Christian community in Iran, the churches and pastors. Think upon the persecution endured when living in a nation ruled by evil tyrants.

The athlete must keep his eye fixed on the goal towards which he is pressing. Believers in Jesus Christ are called to focus on Jesus. He ran his race and serves as the object of our faith. Jesus has blazed the trail for us and completed the course triumphantly. He trusted the Father each step He took. The work of atonement for our sins was finished. We are not running to accomplish our atonement. Jesus alone accomplished our redemption in His death, resurrection, and exaltation. He went ahead of us to show how to live in a way that pleases the Father. It’s not too much to ask that a picture of Christ, as it were, should hang in the room of our mind. Runners in the faith-lane have to deal with obstacles, other people, oneself, the mocking of the unbelieving world. What is in front of you? Are you discouraged? Finish strong, dear believer, finish strong.
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Reflections:
What are you doing to improve your endurance through the hard places of life?
Is your trust in other people? In your abilities or achievements? In your church? In possessions? In diet, exercise, and medical care?

Progress is a good word if it indicates progression in the right direction. As Christians we have a mandate to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We are warned, however, to “lay aside sin which clings so easily.” Unbelief in the face of trials is a trap. It’s like quick-sand deceiving us to make the wrong decisions. It was unbelief that kept an entire generation in Israel out of the Promised Land. Is there a sinful pattern that is especially alluring to you? Keep your feet free. Every sin we commit develops in us a taste for more sinning. It will sap our strength and make us weary in the race. Our culture is saturated with enticements to immorality. Living for material satisfaction can trip us up. An unwillingness to discipline ourselves for godliness can entangle us in wasted time and energy. Self-centered thinking can knock us out of the grace-lane. Is there something that is appealing to you that will keep you from progress in pursuing the joy of a God-glorifying finish in the race?
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Reflections:
What are your characteristic fantasies, either pleasurable or fearful? Daydreams? What do your night dreams revolve around? (“X-ray Questions”, David Powlison)

The Christian life is a long distance run, not a sprint. The writer of Hebrews wants his readers, Hebrew Christians, to draw encouragement from those who have finished the race of having lived a life that honors God. Healthy self-examination can determine how we will cross the finish line. God has marked out for each of us our own race course. For some, more hills, more flat stretches, turns, heat, cold, obstacles to overcome. Post this on the wall of your mind. We must put aside anything that hinders our progress. As one observer has put it, “A hindrance is something, otherwise good, that weighs you down spiritually.” It could be a habit, a friendship, an aspiration, a hobby, a place, a pleasure, entertainment, a house, a boat, sports. “A good athlete does not choose between the good and the bad; he chooses between the better and the best” (Warren Wiersbe). Self-discipline is required for godliness and running with endurance over the long haul. Is there something that is holding you down in the pursuit of knowing God better?
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Reflections:
Is scrolling through some of your favorite web sites eating up too much time? Who are your role models? What kind of person do you think you ought to be or want to be?

How deeply have you thought about the New Covenant? Its significance has been observed countless times in church services. Many refer to it as the Communion service. Jeremiah the prophet made the God-given proclamation during one of the darkest times in Israel’s history. The Babylonian army had breached the walls of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Solomon’s Temple was desecrated and destroyed. Thousands of Israelites were being marched off in shackles to Babylon. God’s severe discipline for generations of rebellion against His holy purposes for the witness nation came crashing down. The New Covenant was to replace the Old Covenant of the Mosaic Law promised to a redeemed Israel when her Messiah would come to rule and reign on earth. God was not going to destroy Israel. There was hope. The coming substitutionary atoning death (Isaiah 53) would be the occasion for “all Israel to be saved”(Rom. 11:26). Not only that, but the church of Jesus Christ would experience the offer of forgiveness of sin. Dear reader, have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ for a change of heart and fellowship with God? The secret to knowing God is to be born again and experience the joy of knowing Him. “Thank you God for the forgiveness of sin found in Jesus Christ.”
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Reflections:
What can you do to better prepare yourself for your next Communion service? How does your reading and study of the Bible and your personal prayer life affect your love for Christ and obedience to Him?

What was the main purpose of the story of Job’s excruciating experience of suffering? The apostle James tells us “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. . . .you have seen the purpose of the Lord. . . .” Vance Havner captures the thought succinctly, “The main purpose of God was not to explain Job’s suffering or suffering in general. Job got through to illumination, which is better than explanation.” “Outcome” is the critical word. John Calvin had a handle on it, “afflictions ought ever to be estimated by their end.” That we might come to know God better and that does not play out ultimately until “the end” at which time when the blessings are poured out when we are in Christ’s presence. That brings us to Havner again, “Do not pine away in your adversity, seeking explanation or restoration of your former prosperity. Seek to know God and thenceforth enjoy Him forever, whatever happens to your belongings and your boils.”
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“Let us see what Job foreshadowed, now fulfilled in the sufferings, faith, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and heavenly reign of Jesus Christ. Let us expect to suffer with him if we will ultimately reign with him, for by grace we will.” Christopher Ash, Job, The Wisdom of the Cross.

The love that God produces in a life is tethered to His eternal character. As it is seen in those who belong to Christ it is unsurpassed in its lasting value. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose not to delight in the sins of others or in myself. Be wary of those who want to violate God’s moral law in the name of personal freedom. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to delight in those things which please God. Do I demand truth-telling of myself and keep the promises that I make? Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to joyfully endure the hardships of life. Do I run from problems and difficult people? Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to act on those things that God has said are true. Am I willing to take the necessary risks that come with doing what is right? Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to be confident about the future. Do I take the failure of someone else as final? Do I keep on working toward the good of others for God’s sake? Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose not to stop loving. “Lord, keep me from living with my bags packed.” Am I committed to stay on the offensive with my love?
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Reflections:
In what measurable ways am I seeking the good of others? Are my expressions of love like those of Christ?

All that is called love is not true love. Love is not merely an emotion, nor is its source found in human beings. God is love. That is the measure of what our love should be like. Continuing with the bouquet of flowering love. Love does not act unbecomingly. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to treat others with respect. What ever happened to manners and courtesy? How indifferent am I to the effect that my behavior has on others? Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose not to place self about service. Do I know what it is to sacrifice my rights for the good of others? Love thinks more of responsibilities than rights. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to absorb irritations and offenses out of concern for others. Do I have a temper problem? Short fuses don’t make for the warmth of a fireside chat. “Love is not touchy” (Phillips paraphrase). Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to let God keep the moral scoreboard of life. Do I keep a private file of personal grievances? What relationships have I left smoldering on the embers of an unforgiving spirit?
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Reflections: What are some ways I can show love to others on this day? Do I thank God for the love that has been shown me by others?

Beautiful flowers are all over the place in grocery stores making their contribution to the celebration of love. No harm there. But we had better not overlook the truth that true love is truth in full bloom. Love was the solution to the problems of the Corinthian congregation. Here’s offering a bouquet of love for everyday, not just on Valentine’s Day. Love is patient. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to persist creatively when put in difficult relational situations. It turns lemon-like situations into lemon-aide. Love is kind. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to reach out to others in order to make their lives richer. Love walks on the legs of helpfulness to those who need it. Love is not jealous. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to refuse resentment because someone else has something we don’t. Is my spouse’s attention to others a threat to me? Love does not brag. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose to avoid self-promotion. Am I trying to create an image that is contrary to reality? Love is not arrogant. Love’s beauty is displayed when we choose not to indulge in power grabs. Do I attempt to use people to achieve my goals? Not a complete bouquet, but enough for now. “Lord, give me the grace to love better, like you love.”
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Reflections:
Should I not take the time to reflect on how Jesus demonstrated love in relationships while on earth?

One of the purposes of government, according to our Constitution, is to insure peace and safety for its citizens (Rom. 13:4). “This would imply, for example, that the United States should control all immigration processes so that the country gives priority to accepting those people who will most likely make a positive contribution to US society” (Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible). How can we as Christians contribute to “the general welfare of the nation in which we live? We want immigrants who respect and obey the laws of the land. Illegal entry into our nation is not a good start. To make matters even worse those illegal immigrants who bring their crimes with them and disrespect our laws are destabilizing the very foundation on which a well ordered society rests. Followers of Christ should support law enforcement officers, local and national, in restraining the forces of evil (Rom. 13:3). And finally, we must honor all immigrants who make the sacrifices necessary for citizenship and who give evidence that they will make a positive contribution to our national life. We who are believers in Christ are called to be points of light for the gospel in our nation.
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Reflections:
Are there things our local community can do to improve assimilation into our customs and culture?
What are the benefits of controlled immigration?

The Old Testament distinguishes between the legal immigrant (Heb. word, ger) and the illegal immigrant (Heb. words, foreigner, nekhar and zar). “Illegal immigrants should not expect these same privileges from the state whose laws they disregard by virtue of their undocumented status” (James Hoffmeier, The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible). Legal immigrants are to be treated fairly and justly (Lev. 19:33). They should not be oppressed (Ex. 23:9). The sojourner (legal alien) is to be shown love. The motivational power of sympathy is invoked, i.e. remember what it was like in Egypt, Deut. 10:19). These standards of conduct do not condone unkind treatment of those who are illegal. We may rightfully conclude that “it is legally and morally acceptable for government to deal with those in the country illegally according to the nation’s legal provisions. The Christian insists, however, that they be dealt with in a humane manner” (Hoffmeier). The New Testament guidance regarding immigrants is that government should seek the good of its citizens (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14). “The immigration policies of a nation should be designed to bring benefit to that specific nation” (Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible). Truth-infused love and compassion should set the Christian’s moral compass.
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Reflections:
What are some ways we can help immigrants to assimilate and integrate into our society?

Most of us in America share at least one thing in common. We are descendants of immigrants. Try to imagine what it was like for our ancestors to have left another country to start a new life, bringing their customs and culture into a new world. Yet immigration is ever with us. From all over the world they come wanting what America has to offer. However, the current political atmosphere is charged with the conflict of legal and illegal immigrant status. Ancient Israel, God’s witness nation, attracted those who wished to be fellow participants in the blessings promised to Abraham. The word “sojourner” (“stranger” in some translations) is understood to mean “a person who entered Israel and followed legal procedures to obtain recognized standing as a resident alien” (James Hoffmeier, The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible). At the very outset of our understanding of the “theology of immigration” we should be aware not only of our obligations to immigrants, but of our status as pilgrims, “aliens” whose true citizenship is in heaven (1 Pet. 1:1). We are temporary residents wherever we live. We should be humbled and thankful for our citizenship in America, and above all what it means to be immigrants looking for our dwelling in the new heavens and the new earth.
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Reflections:
How should my “alien” status as a Christian impact my outlook on what it means to be an immigrant? Why is legal status as an immigrant important to living in a new country?

“What it means to follow Christ in Cameroon.” Christians in this west African nation pay the price for belonging to Christ. . . Christians living along the Nigerian border have repeated, brutal attacks by Boko Haram. In these villages 50 to 80 miles from the border, men, women and children are attacked simply for being known as Christians (The Voice of the Martyrs). This kind of persecution has not come to believers in America, but it may. This last beatitude (repeated twice) challenges contemporary errors in the Church: That Christianity delivers from suffering, that God loves His children too much to be abused and suffer, that it is God’s will for us to live well and free of pain, that suffering is always for sin, that suffering is a sign of God’s anger, that suffering can separate us from Christ. Are we prepared for the trials of rejection and social hostility because of our beliefs in Christ? H Reflection: Am I able to live joyfully when I am ostracized because I am a Christian? Do I pray regularly for my brothers and sisters in Christ who live as persecuted minorities in other countries?

“Radical Islamists and radical secularists are fighting side by side, brought together by a common enemy” (Erwin Lutzer, We Will Not be Silenced). Who is that common enemy? The church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The recent willingness and plan to storm into a church worship service in Minneapolis, Minnesota is an ill wind blowing. Christians should expect persecution. It comes because we are identified with Christ. It is our message, the preaching of Jesus Christ, that Satan has His sights set on destroying Bible Christianity. Jesus told His disciples that those who are persecuted for His sake are to be envied (“blessed”). The force of our Constitution and the laws derived from it should be brought against the evils erupting in our nation. But that does not guarantee insulation against the cultural Marxists marching through our institutions. How solid is your loyalty to Jesus Christ and His gospel? H Reflection: To what extent do your beliefs draw the antagonism of society? What are those beliefs that are currently angering non-Christians?

The Christian’s new identity in Christ faces us with what seems like a paradox (a seeming contradiction). On the one hand Paul says “you have died” (Col. 3:3). Then he says “Put to death.” We have to become in practice what we are in principle. The imperative is “do it now!” “Do it resolutely!” The killing of sin is the getting rid of sin in one’s life. It is the constant battle against the magnetic pull of disobedience to God. Don’t let the eye wander. Refuse the clink-bait on your phone or TV remote when it opens the door to thinking and emotions which yield bad results. “The goal of mortification (killing sin) is to weaken the habits of sin so that we do make the right choices” (Jerry Bridges). Interestingly, the first four vices (3:5) have to do with sexual sins. Are there some temptations you to which you need to say NO? With men it often is chasing “eye candy.” With women it can be romantic fantasy. “Lord, I need a stronger spiritual immune system. Help me. I need to say no to what is wrong. I need to say yes to what is right.” H Reflection: What are your plans for entertainment this week? What makes you tick? What lights up your world? What are the mental weeds you need to pull up to make you a better person?

Biblical Christianity must not only be defended it must be demonstrated. Think of it this way. Do you see yourself as the virtual presence of Christ wherever you are? Heaven on earth is possible is possible in a measured sense when you have been identified with Christ in His resurrection. This is not “make believe” stuff. Sin can no longer condemn the believer. The power structure of sin has been broken (Gal. 6:14), and we have a new power source. Then comes the finishing touch. Heaven on earth is possible when you have hope, a time of vindication. The believer has a life source unknown to those who do not know Christ. When Christ returns the source of the believers’ life will become apparent to all. The verdict of eternity will reverse the verdicts of time. Now do you not see. The plight of unbelievers is that will know that they based their lives on sand, not on the stone of the sufficiency of Christ.
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Reflection: Do you see yourself shuffling along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with things right in front of you? How can this be changed? What’s wrong with the statement, “being so heavenly minded, one is of no earthly good?”