Vernell

Windsor

Have you ever looked down on others? Have you ever been a “religious snob” or “holier than thou?” Or for whatever reason, you thought you were better than, or superior to, other people? These questions require honest answers.

But truth sets us free! Consider the prophet Jonah, who let his own feelings and opinions land him in the belly of a large fish. Do not judge Jonah harshly. Many people have done what he did. I looked down on others, not realizing it was a defense mechanism. I did not see people through the eyes of the Lord, but rather, through my own wounded soul. Compassion for others was simply not there. I thank God for His mercy and grace to deliver me from brokenness.

The book of Jonah illustrates the distinctions between man and God. Consider Jonah’s deeply felt conviction to not go to Nineveh—which was his disobedience to God with dire consequences. He spent three nights in the belly of a large fish. And he received divine revelation in that fish and emerged with new perspectives.

The heartbeat of the Father is compassion. He is the sovereign God who loves beyond comprehension. We were created in His image and likeness. So, how could Jonah, a prophet, choose to disobey God? I plan to talk with him about that when I step into eternity. 

The people of Nineveh committed atrocities against their enemies, including Israel—and Jonah despised them and had no compassion toward them. So, he chose his own way, through disobedience, seeming to say, “I have been there, done that, got the T-shirt.” But the Lord rescued Jonah, and Jonah complied when God spoke the second time.

We all must make the decision to obey God whether we understand the “why” or not. The privilege of hearing God’s voice is reason enough to obey Him. He commanded Jonah:

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. (Jonah 1:2-3 ESV)

Jonah’s message was short, compelling, and had an astonishing result. Consider:

Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. (Jonah 3:4-6) 

Did you catch the part where the people called for a fast, and the king joined them? The yoke-destroying anointing of God is real. When we allow God to use us, lives are saved, souls are won, and the kingdom is advanced. So, the next time you want to run away from fulfilling an assignment, remember Jonah.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. (Jonah 3:10)

May we always have the heart and fortitude to obey the voice of God. May He grace us with His perspective and His heart for the nations! 

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

When was the last time you watched lightning bolts race across a darkened sky? Was it terrifying yet amazing at the same time? Did the noise remind you of fireworks from big Fourth of July celebrations? 

Power has enticed all of us at some point in time. I recall being a youngster and enthralled by superheroes like Mighty Mouse and even fairy godmothers. We would use our shirts for capes and find sticks suitable for wands! It seems funny now, but our active imaginations came alive. 

The Bible is filled with superheroes who did exploits in the name of the Lord. Consider Sampson from the book of Judges 14-16, or King David and his mighty men (1 Chronicles 11). Our ultimate example of a superhero, of course, is Jesus, the miracle-working, God-Man. 

First Corinthians 4 distinguishes between those who talk a good game and real power. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?” (1 Corinthians 4:18-21 ESV)

As children, we recited to one another, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The lies we believed! Words are powerful. The Apostle Paul gave the Corinthians a choice between hard or soft correction. Personally, I would choose the “spirit of gentleness” without hesitation. 

Paul had demonstrated the power of God’s words before the Corinthians. He fathered them in the faith and was prepared to bring correction to them. He wrote, “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.” (1 Corinthians 4:15-16)

This chapter is filled with “lightning bolts” that penetrate the soul as words of deep wisdom. We communicate our faith through not only words, but power. This power of the Gospel (the message of the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ) has been changing lives for centuries. As believers in Christ, we get to speak these words of truth. Every time someone comes to Christ, the power of God manifests and draws them into the Kingdom of God. Miracles are the Word of God in action. We speak in faith, believing the Word, and thus allow the power of God to manifest. Our relationship with the Lord brings us into direct connection with the power of God, Holy Spirit! Armed with this wisdom, we, too, demonstrate God’s power through the anointing of His Holy Spirit.

I challenge us to demonstrate the power of God. Let us dare to share the Gospel, lay hands on the sick or cast out devils. We have the power in Christ!

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced

Home economics classes nearly broke me. Reading, writing, and arithmetic I could do, but cut out a pattern to make an outfit...to wear? Umm, not my wheelhouse! Stop laughing, please. I survived the cream puffs and baked Alaska...but clothing garments? That went too far! I was in over my head—stretched beyond my comfort zone.

Do you realize that even the early church experienced growing pains? I know; we have all heard that horrible and deceptive voice that told us, “You are the only one going through anything like this!” Spoiler alert: the enemy lied!

Acts 6 gives a beautiful account of growing pains and offers a viable solution that is still practiced in many churches today. Consider this:

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (Acts 6:1-3 ESV)

Have you ever noticed that people are the same no matter when or where they lived? From cover to cover, the Bible is about real people with real problems. The church grew faster than anyone could have imagined. That was a great problem, right? The disciples devised a plan to offset the problem of neglect and experienced tremendous results. Look what happened when they all came together and followed the plan:

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)

The widows received daily care and the preaching of the Gospel continued to bring multiplication of the church. The apostles were able to continue their devotion to prayer and the Word. The plan worked. Glory to God!

While my home economics class may pale compared to the early church, it was just as problematic. The tedious, time-consuming assignment required more than I thought I could do. We had to pin the pattern on the fabric, cut out the pattern, sew it together, and put in a zipper. Threading the sewing machine was the final straw! I cried out for help and my dad came to my rescue. He helped me make a satisfactory garment, and I really was proud of it. My dad was also able to help my mom with her sewing projects. What a blessing!  

The next time you have a problem to resolve, trust that the Lord will come through for you too. He is still bringing provision and multiplication.

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Have you noticed that in the church, people pray in different ways? Does it matter if you pray standing up, kneeling, or sitting in a chair? Should you end every prayer “in Jesus’ name,” raise your hands, fold your hands, or perhaps face toward the East? Or pray in your understanding or in tongues? Is prayer really this complicated?

The short answer is no. Prayer is not a complicated ritual but a time of communion and fellowship with the Lord. The Bible is filled with excellent examples of individuals and communities praying:

• Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:9-13 (affectionately called the Lord’s Prayer)
• Paul’s prayer for spiritual wisdom for the believers in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:15-23)
• Hannah’s fervent prayer for a son in the temple one day when the high priest thought she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:9-18)
• Many utterances of prayer in the Psalms (like Psalm 23:1-6 and Psalm 91:1-16)
• An account of the church praying for the Apostle Peter when he was in prison and an angel of the Lord miraculously freed him (Acts 12:5-17)

Oh, the power of prayer!

I remember calling out the name of Jesus (okay, I probably screamed it) during a car accident. I did not ask questions or wonder what to do or say, my plea for Him was a one-word prayer! Time seemed to stand still.

On another occasion, I was in the home of a terminally ill person who asked for prayer. I gently, softly entered that sacred space of worship with him and his wife. There were no formulas to follow, only an offering of love to pour out before the Lord.

Jesus often modeled the relevancy of prayer. He would separate from everyone to be alone with His Father.

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12 ESV)

The same Spirit that met Jesus on that mountain is available to meet us!

And just as important, in His time of deep distress and trouble in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus cried out in prayer to His Father (Mark 14:32-39), (Matthew 26:36-44); and again from the cross (Luke 23:34-46).

We can cry out to the Lord, whether happy or sad. He desires to hear from us and can handle whatever is in our hearts to convey to Him and however it comes out. All the great leaders in the Bible prayed. Moses, Joshua, King David, Deborah, and the prophets of old. Today, you and I get to join with them!

In this season, commit to pray. Set aside time to meet with the Lord. Put it on your calendar if that helps. Be faithful to the time you choose. The one sure thing I know is that the Lord will be waiting for you there!

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Did your parents ever instruct you not to talk to strangers or not to eat food at anyone else’s home? Or maybe you can remember countless warnings of “Do not…” As children, we had no earthly idea what the big deal was, but we knew enough to obey!

As parents tasked with training up our children, we too, offered the same instructions: “Do not!" When my daughter was a child, she reached up and put her hand on a hot stove. I still cringe thinking about it because she was really in pain.

Deuteronomy 13-15 is filled with wise prohibitions. We may not comprehend the “why” of the instructions, but life tends to fare better when we give heed to them. Just as our parents loved and set boundaries for us, so did the Lord. Our Heavenly Father provided practical wisdom that would secure our future. He did not want us hurt.

Who but our Heavenly Father would care enough to warn us about things like stranger danger, prophets, dreamers, or even family members who would lure us away from Him and into sin? No one was excluded from His watchful eye: not kings, prophets, dreamers, spouses, siblings, parents, or friends. No one!

"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:1-4 ESV)

The chapter progresses to include family and community members as potential culprits. The Lord is no respecter of persons. Serving other gods posed a grave danger for everyone. Over time, it could lead to extinction (as seen in the Northern Kingdom). The Lord had to protect and preserve the future.

This is the way it was for me with my daughter. My heart was to preserve her as healthy and whole for her future. That red-hot stove proved a great temptation which she did not resist and suffered the consequences.

Our Heavenly Father’s heart, filled with love, necessitates that He set rules in place to protect us. His goal is not to keep us from enjoying life but to keep us safe.

Let us pray. Father, help us trust and obey You even when we do not understand or are in pain. Let us always remember that You love us deeply and more than we may ever know. May we always delight to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

I have a fond memory of my former pastor explaining who the Sadducees were in the Bible. He said, “They were sad, you see, because they believed there was no resurrection.” I immediately began to laugh at the play on words. It made so much sense. 

The Sadducees asked Jesus what they must have thought was a credible question. They were, after all, part of the Jewish religious fabric of their day. They were questioning Jesus about the marriage status of a remarried widow in the hereafter. 

My heart has always been full of love and admiration for Jesus as He always responded genuinely so that people knew where they stood with Him. That day, Jesus gave the Sadducees a lesson about heaven (after a bit of chastening of course). He said in Matthew 22:29:

“You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (ESV).

Ouch!

Jesus proceeded to close their knowledge gap about the resurrection and the absence of marriages in heaven. Their query had no validity. Jesus concluded the discussion, in verses 31 and 32, by bringing clear revelation about what they had believed to be true:

“Have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”

Drop the mic!

I would love to have seen the look on their faces. In fact, the crowd was “astonished at his teaching” (v. 33). Jesus was a master at revealing truth about God, especially from the Hebrew Scriptures. The Pharisees, another religious sect, then decided to test Him. One of those Pharisees asked Jesus about the great commandment in the Law (v. 36). I suspect this test was an easy one for Jesus to answer. 

And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (vv. 37-39).

These two commandments were the foundation of “all the Law and the Prophets” (v. 40). The power and authority of His words must have had a deep impact upon everyone present, as they do today. 

Then Jesus asked them a test question in Matthew 22:42:

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to Him, "The son of David." 

Jesus must have anticipated how they would respond and quickly followed up with two questions that they could not answer. The final question was, “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” (v. 45). Again, the astonishment that must have been on their faces! Verse 46 speaks volumes about the exchange:

And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. 

The Pharisees did not pass the test. 

The Bible is full of treasures for us. The Holy Spirit, our Helper (John 14:16-17), teaches us the truth that appears hidden in plain sight. Jesus had a way with words that all can appreciate. I, for one, could sit at His feet just like Mary did (Luke 10:39)!

Let us pray: Holy Spirit, open our understanding that we may know You better. Allow our hearts to receive truth from the Word of God. Stir up a passion in our hearts for You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen! 

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Have you ever coached or played a team sport? Or perhaps you planned a major event such as a conference or wedding. Every detail required practice or planning. Some of us are better at these things than others. Did you ever consider that our God is the Master Strategist? The Bible records major events of history—and even records the future that’s been methodically planned.

Whenever I read Exodus 14, I get the same sense of awe I had the first time. Our God positioned all the key participants while they were completely oblivious to what was coming next. Every detail had been planned; every scenario had been covered. How great is our God!

In team sports, the coach works to prepare his team for all the possibilities. I remember being on a local swim team. Our coach made sure we swam lap after lap in preparation for the competitions. He tested us to determine our strengths and weaknesses.

Our God knows all about us. He knew Moses and the Israelites as well as Pharaoh and the Egyptians. More importantly, He had a plan that no one could have imagined. He had prepared for this historical moment.

Predictably, Israel feared for their lives when they saw the fast-approaching Egyptian army. Moses gave sage advice:

Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.” (Exodus 14:13 ESV)

God had already prepared Moses for this day through his execution of the 10 plagues while in Egypt. Those were like practice sessions for the big day.

May I be honest? At my first swim meet, I was terrified. It was amazing that I swam at all. I made a big splash when I dove into the pool. Once in the water, I swam, just like I had been practicing. God is good! And in case you really want to know, I did not win the race (shocker).

Moses had a staff in his hand. He carried the same staff that turned into a snake-eating snake. God did not ask Moses to do anything he could not do. Moses stretched out his rod over the water. Afterward, the angel of God shifted his position and went behind the people as a buffer before the Egyptians. Moses’ obedience set up the miraculous events that followed.

Pharaoh thought he had the victory but Exodus 14:28 tells us that not one of them remained. And in verse 29, we learn:

“But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”

Do you need a miracle today? What do you have in your hand? Listen for and obey God’s instruction, and you just might see a miracle too!

Let us pray: Lord, take us by the hand and lead us to our Promised Land, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Have you seen any good action movies lately? Or perhaps you are into Sci-fi? Either genre has the tendency to keep you on the edge of your chair in anticipation. Sometimes, your heart may begin to race. These days, even children’s movies are loaded with subliminal messages and amazing graphics.

Growing up, we would all gather in my parents’ room to watch TV. It was a fun time together. We laughed and cried and had wholesome fun (although I really liked those gladiator movies). That same fun can be found in one very interesting place, the Bible!

The Book of Revelation is just as exciting! It is the Word of God, inspired by His Holy Spirit. Revelation 20 shares a prophecy that appears as Sci-Fi as they come. Consider this:

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while” Revelation 20:1-3 ESV.

The scene in Revelation 20 sounds like it is from a PG-13 movie. It sets the stage for a sequel, too. I can only imagine watching movies with the Lord. Did you ask a multitude of questions that drove your parents crazy? What might this angel from heaven look like? Is he an archangel like Michael or Gabriel? Why don’t we know his name? Why hasn’t he chained the devil already?! How much longer do we have to wait for his arrival? Does Jesus come back first? Why is the devil chained and then released? These may not be very “scholarly” questions, but surely, I am not the only one asking them. Let us keep it real: the scene described in Rev 20 is going to happen. The devil will be chained and thrown into the abyss for a season. Will we get to witness it? Are we ready to reign with Jesus?

This chapter brings great hope. I may not have all the answers, but I do see a better day coming for those who hold fast their confession of faith and wait on the Lord. This may seem strange, but the book of Revelation is a wonderful reminder that we are not only the people of God, but we are His family. Our Father, in Heaven, loves us as His very own because we are His very own. His nature is our nature. He not only holds the future, but He is our future! That is the absolute Good News of the Gospel!

Let’s pray: Lord, help our unbelief. Open our hearts to receive all You have in Your heart for us, in Jesus’s name, Amen.

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.