Month: January 2026

The people were bringing their babies to Jesus…but all the disciples saw was a distraction from His real work. However, what really aroused Jesus’ ire was the disciple’s harsh and cutting remarks of disapproval to the parents. Especially since He had used the term “little children” to describe the very disciples coming into the Kingdom,(Matthew 11:26-27) and had used a child as an example when they had asked Him who was the greatest in the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 18:1-4) So again, Jesus firmly reminded the disciples that the Gospel Message was all about coming to Him with nothing…in order to receive everything. And that the Kingdom of God was bestowed by God’s grace… not by human achievement.

In the 40th Chapter of Isaiah, the prophet is confronting God’s people for being blinded by their idols and not being able to see God anymore. He implores them to “Look up” and see God and not at their guilty pleasures. When we say Yes to Him, God will start using His holy sledgehammer to demolish anything that as Paul describes in Galatians 5:19-20 are the obvious acts of the sinful nature. Which to even a brand new baby Christian would be apparent and condemned. But Paul goes on to add sins that we could easily justify, rationalize, or just plain choose to ignore. These are called unrestrained indulgences of pleasure seeking, but they’re still idols that are standing in the way between God and us and trust me, He will not relent until they’re smashed to smithereens.

Throughout the Bible we learn about the Sovereignty of God. Amos 9:3-4 tells us that God is sovereign over all creation. Which means He is the supreme Authority and absolute Ruler over everything created…and that nothing in the universe escapes His notice or unfolds outside His Divine purpose and Will. So even though we may not know what the future holds…God does. And we can then have confident hope of His lovingkindness…knowing that He rules over all things for our good and His glory. So today, if the unknown looms large in front of you…take heart and rejoice…for God’s in control and already working on your behalf.

The Apostle Paul used his own sufferings and defeats as opportunities to display Christ’s character to others. He wanted to show us that with each adversity comes the decision to either become bitter or better. Life’s not fair, and when we’re passed over for a promotion, betrayed by a friend, or abandoned by a loved one, our first reaction is usually hostility, irritation, and feelings of failure. But it’s in those very adversities that we can exhibit Christ’s life in our moral flesh… as we determine to display Jesus to others in the very midst of the hardship. Psalm 91:15 tells us that God is with us in the middle of troubles and will deliver and honor us…but only if we choose to obey and put aside all bitterness, rage, and anger. (Ephesians 4:31)

As we look at the familiar story of Mary and Martha…it was laudable of Martha’s desire to extend hospitality to Jesus…but her distraction came from a place of misplaced priorities. Distraction is never harmless, that’s because if the enemy can’t destroy your faith, he’ll distract your attention from Jesus…trying to fill your mind with noise, busyness, and worry. But we also need to remember that distractions aren’t usually bad things…the enemy is too smart for that. Instead, he’ll preoccupy your mind with the worries of the world, draw you away with all your volunteer work, and entice you with harmless/mindless entertainment. And soon you’ll find yourself questioning how you could have wandered so far from God. The Apostle Paul warns us of this ploy of the enemy in I Corinthians 7:35…which sadly often leads us to a divided heart and devotion to the Lord. So just remember, distraction is never harmless.

God had brought Ezekiel by the spirit to the Valley of Dry Bones in order to reassure the exiles that His promises remained secure. After being away from their homeland for so long, they felt like God had forgotten them. So when God asked Ezekiel if the dry bones could live again…He was pledging specific and immediate hope to the exiles who were longing to be restored to their own country. And when this vast army rose to their feet, it was God reassuring His people that though they felt like all hope was gone, He would surely bring them back to the land of Israel. For in the end, this become God’s testimony to His power and rule…His ability to restore life and hope even in the most desolate circumstances…and His abiding promise of restoration and revival for His people.

In the New Testament we read of Jesus and His disciples sailing across the Sea of Galilee when a sudden and violent wind storm hit the boat nearly swamping it. The disciples panicked and reacted to the imminent danger… thinking they were all going to die. It was then that they woke a sleeping Jesus and accused Him of not caring about them. Jesus stood up, spoke peace into the storm, and then taught the disciples about relying on God first, not as a last resort. In Isaiah 26:3-4 we see that it’s the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds even in the midst of great trials. And this is so true, but we first need to find God’s Presence in the middle of the storm in order for Him to give us the peace and stability to see it through…whether He suddenly calms the storm in our life… or just hushes the storm within us.

As the Scottish Evangelist and Teacher, Oswald Chambers, once wrote, “Shut out your worries and stand before God with one thing only in your heart: My utmost for His highest.” This not only became the title of his best-selling devotional, but was his lifelong ministry to others. So how do we go about giving our best for His glory? It starts first by realizing that our battles are won or lost in the secret places of our will, followed by the renouncing of those hidden things… for that’s where we either become an apathetic and lazy Christian, or someone on fire for the Lord. And this takes discipline…however the discipline of Jesus never is easy, in fact it’s “gloriously difficult” as he wrote…but it’s those very imposing difficulties that stir us to overcome. Finally, Oswald Chambers, urged us to hold on to, and be ever focused on God’s heavenly vision for our life. That’s because it’s so very easy to lose His vision by our simple lack of spiritual growth and disobedience.

The occasion for the Book of Joel was about a multi-year locust plague that had descended upon Judah…one without parallel in the country’s history. Consequently, the basic economy was ruined due to the vast agricultural devastation. The prophet Joel believed the disaster was God’s judgment…and used a pointed metaphor of withered plants laid waste to symbolize the spiritual and moral decay of the people. He reminded them that they couldn’t take peace and prosperity for granted…for there was a day of judgment coming for the whole world, in which mankind would have to make an account before God. All the while warning them that there were consequences to their sin, unrepentance, and blatant rejection of God. Joel saw this judgment not only as a stern warning, but as the simple joy of the Lord being cruelly snatched away…with hopelessness thrust in its place.

Rarely does God anoint someone in front of a great assembly like Solomon was. (I Chronicles 29:22) Most times our Divine calling comes in the middle of our daily routine with no fanfare and certainly no large crowds. When Elijah anointed his successor, Elisha, the young man was out in the field plowing… minding his own business. (I Kings 19:16-21) But God had a much higher work for him to do, and so Elisha was separated, consecrated, and empowered right there in the middle of the field with no one else around except for him and Elijah. When God calls and sets apart someone, He doesn’t need an audience’s approval…and He certainly doesn’t need us getting all puffed up with self-pride for something we’ve had absolutely nothing to do with. That’s because our anointing is for service to others, as we joyfully bear witness to the saving grace of God…not for vanity purposes.