Author: kezha1

Jesus used that little phrase quite often, “You of little faith!” Here were His disciples, close friends that had spent years with Him, witnessing first hand incredible miracles, signs and wonders, but still doubted and didn’t trust Him. And so when an intense storm suddenly hit…they panicked. But this storm didn’t bother the Lord of all creation one bit…Jesus instead confronted & took authority over it and, “He stilled the storm to a whisper; and the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:29) Remember this the next time a unexpected storm comes into your life…where does your confidence, faith, and trust lie?

These verses at the end of Psalm 72 are a Doxology…a short Hymn of praise to God, and a reminder we can hold on to of His promises and faithfulness in hard times. It shows us we can praise Him while we pray…Extol His Name while we endure…Glorify Him while we grieve…Laud God’s goodness even while we lament…Magnify His character while we bear under misery…Adore Him for who He is while we tenaciously abide…and finally, worship while we wait.

Jesus tells us in Mark 10:18 that no one is good – except God alone. And the Old Testament prophet Zechariah lauded, “How great is God’s goodness.” (Zechariah 9:17) Which are all wonderful reminders in times we need a stronghold & refuge. For even when you’re not okay…God is still good. Even when your heart is broken…God is still there. Even when the whole world seems to be crashing down around you…God’s promises will never fail. That’s because God’s goodness doesn’t depend on your situation or the circumstances that you’re battling at the moment. Furthermore, God’s goodness has nothing to do with you or your predicament, but everything to do about grace & mercy…transcending all earthly things. So always remember this – God is still good…even when life is not.

Here Job is lamenting the futility and brevity of life. For ever since the Fall of Adam & Eve, mankind’s easy & peaceful existence has given way to frustration, turmoil, and commotion… our lifespan boundaries put into place & strictly enforced. Or as the Psalmist tells us, “Our days of existence are short and hard.” (Psalm 39:4) but we also know that God controls our destiny (Psalm 31:15) So we can then pray, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

The entire Book of Nahum denounces the Assyrian capital of Nineveh as the great enemy of God’s chosen people. It shows Nahum’s profound sense of justice while showcasing God’s power and universal dominion over all…while answering the questions God’s people had: “Why has God forsaken us? & Are God’s promises empty?” Nahum declared that God was indeed, “a refuge in times of trouble.” (Nahum 1:7)…which is a timeless message even today, and one we must not forget…for God remains totally in control even in the midst of suffering, persecution, and oppression.

And even today the devil’s mode of operation hasn’t changed…for why fix what has worked so well all this time? The Apostle Paul warned both Timothy & Titus about false teachers who ruined sound doctrine by questioning & quarreling about God’s Word. In I Timothy 6: 3-5 Paul cautions the young Timothy about taking the bait & falling into their trap of controversy, divisiveness, and contention. For as Paul points out to Titus, It’s only the pure Truth of the Gospel and the unadulterated Word of God that is capable of bringing the blessings and renewal that he speaks about in Titus 3:1-9.

The Apostle Paul was instructing the Church in Corinth in orderly worship by showing that God doesn’t just value order & peace…but rather these are part of His very character and being. (II Thessalonians 3:16) Paul encouraged that everything in Church be done in a fitting and proper manner…that the Service be organized, well-planned, respectful, well mannered, and polite. For disorder and confusion can only threaten the unity & peace of the Body. So when the Church comes together we are to build each other up with mutual edification, encouragement, and love… all in an orderly manner.

Everyone seems to be very opinionated nowadays…obstinately adhering to their personal opinions without first seeking Godly wisdom and insight. Charles Spurgeon wrote of this, “Do not ask God to confirm your opinion, but ask Him to make your opinion conform to His Truth.” Many a person will blurt out their opinion on something, whether they have any knowledge about it or not, refusing to first do a Biblical Truth litmus test. Or they will stubbornly push opinions they agree with on everyone that may be far from God’s Truth. Either way, as this Proverb tells us, their folly will be exposed & revealed in light of God’s wisdom & insight..

This Parable that Jesus taught is about the hidden Kingdom of heaven…its meaning obscured from most of the crowds that were gathered around Him. But for those who believed by faith that He was truly the Messiah, they discovered the priceless value and were gladly willing to sacrifice anything & everything in order to obtain it. We see this illustrated by Paul in Philippians 3:7-8 when he talks about counting everything he had and had done in the past as refuse, or as another translation says dung…flinging away in disgust whatever interfered with, “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Jesus’ going away was necessary for us to enjoy the permanent Presence of the Holy Spirit…the third person of the Trinity. Yes, a person, not some cosmic force, in order that we may have a relationship with Him. (II Corinthians 13:14) The Counselor comes to encourage, comfort, guide, teach, exhort, admonish, and reveal truth…while witnessing about Jesus and undertaking His office while Jesus is away from the world. But just as Jesus’ Presence convicted unbelievers (John 15:22-24), the Holy Spirit exposes & convicts mankind’s inexcusable guilt & world-view of selfishness, greed, lust, and violence…but specifically rebukes humanity of the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ.