Daily Bible Devotionals

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh." Jude 20-23 (NKJV)

How do we build ourselves up in the faith? It’s much the same way bodybuilders increase muscle mass: little by little. Let’s say a fitness trainer wants you to lift 300 lbs. Maybe that’s easy for some of you, but for most of us, it’s downright impossible! So, how do we reach our goal?  

The fitness trainer assesses your strength and pushes your limits a little. Whenever you reach that goal, the trainer increases the limit…eventually challenging you to lift all 300lbs. If you can’t meet your goal, the trainer is right there to “spot” you, literally lifting the weight off you.    

Seldom does God demand a new believer to perform at the highest possible faith level. We mostly start with simple beliefs. Maybe we walk an aisle or pray a prayer, but it’s hardly a Herculean leap of faith in the beginning. We do the basics: prayer, Bible study, and Godly community. Pretty soon, God calls us to do something we don’t think we can accomplish…but we meet the challenge through His power.

Our faith doesn’t grow until the object of our faith is reached. Once we’ve reached our goal, perhaps we can rest a bit. At the very least, we say, “Thank you, Lord!” Eventually (and sometimes immediately), He steps up the challenge…and off we go again. That’s how faith grows. God doesn’t just “Poof!” bestow faith. We build faith upon faith. Of course, He’s always there to “spot” us.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB)

We should grow stronger and wiser enough to become trainers ourselves. Because Jesus has mercifully “spotted” us when we doubted, we have learned to show mercy to others who doubt. Because He has valiantly “Saved” us from God’s wrath (and continues to rescue us from various scenarios), we accept the call to “snatch others from the fire.”  Some challenges will seem impossible, but we must trust God because He always chooses rightly. Our faith to move forward is emboldened when we remember His past faithfulness.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.” 3 John 2 (HCSB)

It’s a natural inclination to value our physical needs above spiritual ones. We often have a higher opinion of God when we’re successful. We generally say, “God is good, because I have everything I need.”  Ironically, we call on God less when we are successful.

When times are difficult, we generally have a lower opinion of God. We ask, “Lord, why are You allowing these troubles?”  Strangely, though, it’s during hard times that we call on God the most because we’re most aware of our helplessness.

Here’s what Jesus says our priorities should be:

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NASB)

The bottom line is that a paradigm shift is for many of us. We must move beyond the concept of God, which views Him as a “genie” whom we order to provide things we want. Instead, we must acknowledge Him as Lord and recognize the un-surpassingly abundant value of His grace towards us…something He has already done for us. If we had proper value for what He has done for us, we would be more likely to ask what we could do for Him!  

Our relationship with God is lost whenever earthly prosperity (or the lack thereof) is more important than spiritual prosperity. God’s top priority is for His purposes to be accomplished. While He doesn’t need us to establish His agenda, He chooses to give us limited participation in the process.  

As a general rule, the acquisition of earthly abundance is not an adequate means to establish our long-term faithfulness. Conversely, our enduring hardship and experience of God’s faithfulness through adversity draw us closer to Him. It is only after we recognize the frailness of our humanity that we best perceive our dependence on Him, as well as the abundance of His great love and provision towards us.

What if our EARTHLY prosperity & health were proportional to our SPIRITUAL prosperity and health? What if they were dependent on each other? How would you fare? Suppose someone followed us around, taking notes. What if, after a month, he had to write you a “blessing”? Would he hope you would prosper “as your soul prospers,” or would he hope your soul could catch up with your physical and Worldly prosperity?

I pray that as you grow in Messiah Jesus, your health and earthly success will match your spiritual awakening.

“We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the One who is born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true One. We are in the true One – that is in His Son Messiah Jesus. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:18-21 (HCSB)

The Biblical ideas of “sinning” are not as clear-cut as one might think. Obviously, followers of the Messiah, Jesus, sin. Otherwise, Jesus would not have needed to teach His disciples to pray:

“And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”  Matthew 6:12 (NKJV)

Also, earlier in 1 John, the apostle exhorted:

“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Messiah Jesus the Righteous One.”  1 John 2:1 (HCSB)

So, what does John mean when he says, “Everyone born of God does not sin”? He is referring to the Jewish concept of “sinning willfully.”  More than simply sinning on purpose, “sinning willfully” means approaching the Lord without an atoning sacrifice.

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the World.”  1 John 2:2 (HCSB)

When it comes to approaching the Lord, the follower of Jesus never sins “willfully.”  Although they may sin of their free will, they never approach the Lord without atonement. That is how John can exhort believers in Jesus (like ourselves) who sin, yet later make the statement that believers do not sin. Of course, we sin, but we can stand before the Lord boldly because our sin has been atoned for. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

This is also part of why John is going to such great lengths to make sure people know that a true believer would never abuse God’s grace long term. Instead, true believers live to obey the Lord’s commands out of thankfulness for having their sins atoned for.

Finally, John ends his letter by eluding to the Tri-unity of God. He uses the Hebrew understanding that God is “ONE” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) to describe the Messiah, God the Father, and the One who “has given us understanding,” which is the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus sends to all believers at the moment they believe.

Any other concept of God is a lie of the “evil one,” and thus idolatry. We must stay away from any teaching that denies (or adds to) these attributes of God.

“And this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love.”  2 John 6 (HCSB)

Funny, this devotional will be longer than the whole book of 2nd John!

As a young believer, I really wanted to honor the Lord in all I did. But I was unwilling to submit to the Lord when it came to dating relationships. My attitude problem brought me great trouble! I used to get so uncomfortable sitting through sermons on love & dating. I knew what the Bible said concerning the subject, but I continued to disobey God’s Word. I simply didn’t want to submit. I had my idea of what love was, and I wasn’t willing to accept God’s definition.

Steely Dan once sang, “The things that pass for knowledge, I can’t understand.”  I would say the same about love. Much of what passes for “love” in our society…even among professing followers of Jesus…is just plain fleshly lust & desire. To be blunt, pre-marital sex is not love. For believers, it is the opposite. It communicates this idea: “I know it offends God, and I know it makes you a partner in that offense, but I don’t care.”  

I remember a close friend sitting down and trying to discuss my sin issues, helping to lead me in the way of righteousness, so to speak. I knew he was right, but something deep inside kept telling me, “You’re in love! Listen to your heart because nobody understands you like me!”  Let’s just say it wasn’t God’s voice.

God created sex, and we are sexual creatures. But that doesn’t mean our carnal drives should override God’s Word. True love is not an overwhelming feeling or emotion that lifts us and carries us away from honoring the Lord. True love is just the opposite. It is walking according to His commandments, surrendering our desires, and making our flesh submit to His purposes.

“Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (HCSB)

Just as Jesus loved us, we are commanded to love others. True love says, “I will honor the Lord by upholding the honor & reputation of my Lord, my church, my partner, and myself.”

“Walking in love” means walking according to God’s commands. What’s more, confronting a sin issue and convincing a brother (or sister) to turn back to the Lord is not being judgmental. It is love in action. And it may just save a fellow believer from a load of trouble and shame.

“Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the World does not know us is that it didn’t know Him.” 1 John 3:1 (HCSB)

I recently saw a documentary on “Children of the Rich & Famous.” To me, the kid who stood out most was Paris Hilton. It’s not because she’s a pop singer, a fashion model, or a reality TV diva. It’s because I used to live in hotel rooms, touring around the globe in a rock band.

When a band is just starting out, nobody pays them any money! They usually drive a rusty van and sleep on strangers’ floors and in run-down hotels. Glamorous, huh?

I remember one concert promoter early in my career. He put us up in a Hilton hotel. It was incredible! The carpet didn’t smell like stale beer, and the sheets didn’t have stains. There wasn’t the “38-caliber” 2 am wake-up call we had become accustomed to.   For me, Hilton meant Heaven!

Enter Paris. What upset me so much was that she had diminished the Hilton name to “Motel 6” status.

How well do God’s children represent the name they have inherited? I often think about that question, usually whenever I have to make a decision that involves me choosing to be a servant or be served! What about you? Have you entered a saving relationship with Jesus? How have you represented and honored the new name the Lord has given you?

The third commandment says: “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain.” Many followers of Jesus believe this commandment tells us not to use God’s name as a curse word. While it is never a good idea to flippantly say the Lord’s name, the 3rd commandment is actually telling us a whole other thing.

The 3rd commandment carries the idea that we should not “receive” the Lord’s name in vain. That is, don’t receive His Name (as a bride receives a groom’s name) and then act like you’re still married to the World.

I am glad I experienced “Hilton,” the hotel before I learned of “Hilton,” the heiress. Let’s pray she comes to know Jesus in a saving way soon. The apostle John says the World does not know us because it does not know God. Let’s do our best to live at a level of Biblical integrity, with hopes that the World chooses to know God because they know us...not despite knowing us.

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the World. This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Messiah Jesus has come in the flesh is from God.” 1 John 4:1-2 (HCSB)

A few years back, I worked for a church in Chicago. When the church renovated its offices, I often took the train downtown and worked from a coffee shop. At lunchtime, I would walk across the street to the Chicago Art Institute.

One of my favorite sections of the museum was the modern art exhibit. As a kid, I remember seeing some of those paintings in textbooks and wondering what kindergartener painted them! Abstract art can seem boring in books, but it can be quite compelling in person.

God’s Spirit, alive in a person, has an even more riveting effect! Reading the accounts of the apostles often seems black & white and clinical. One can feel detached from the page. But when you are confronted with an actual Spirit-filled believer, faith in the Messiah takes on a whole new dimension!    

Many profess to know the secrets of God. Many call themselves “experts and teachers,” even amassing large followings. They may be highly educated and have instant answers to criticism. Some of them become extremely wealthy from their “ministries.” Yet, none of that external evidence guarantees the person is speaking on behalf of God on any particular issue. This scenario was true even among the early Messianic (Christian) community, so John felt compelled to address it.

To not be led astray by false teaching, how can we test the spirits? First off, we should know the Bible. God would never contradict His Word, nor would His spokesmen. I teach the Bible linearly (chapter-by-chapter) instead of topically because I want people to understand the Bible as an entire narrative…how it all fits together. I personally seek to have a comprehensive knowledge of God’s Word so that when a person says, “I have heard from the Lord!” I respond, “Show me in the Bible where God would agree with you.” I never rely on a “gut feeling.”

There are many “spirits” or “suggestions” offering spiritual direction. Many of them cozy up nicely with a person’s belief in Jesus. The best counterfeits are those that look like the real thing. In the end, the source of all spiritual direction is either the Lord or Satan. How must we discern the truth amid such mixed messages? We cannot assume to know God’s unrevealed will for our lives unless we pursue His revealed will, the Bible.  

Think of it this way: A sign of sickness is a “Gut feeling.” Only the Bible brings true healing.

“If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10 (HCSB)

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”  Blaise Paschal 1623-1662

What is sin? As a child, I learned that “sin” is an archery term, meaning “to miss the mark.”  I believe everyone knows they sin because everyone feels empty or incomplete to some extent. We all feel as if we have fallen short of “some” standard.

The pertinent question is not, “Do you sin?” meaning, “Do you feel incomplete?” Instead, “Do you believe the standard you fall short of is God’s standard, as written in the Bible?”

Missionary martyr Jim Elliot expanded Blaise Paschal’s statement by saying, “The soul is a vacuum that longs to be filled. It cares not with which it fills itself, as long as it is full.”  He was describing the scenario where a person could visit a church and be filled & satisfied with the things of God, only to leave that place and (shortly after that) satisfy the flesh with the things of the World. When our standard for righteousness is “how we feel,” we simply live for whatever satisfies the flesh. When our standard is God’s Word, we live to deny the flesh to honor God.

Many believe that if they deny the Bible as God’s standard, they don’t have to compare themselves to it, fill themselves with it, or conduct themselves by it. Those foolish people say, “I have not sinned against the Bible because I don’t believe its claims to authority.”  

They deceive themselves because the Bible doesn’t need man’s approval to be right. It simply IS right. But mankind needs the Bible to live rightly unto God. Where else will we learn of His standard, our sins, and Jesus’ gift of forgiveness & cleansing of unrighteousness?

To say, “We don’t have any sin,” makes God a liar, who gave Messiah Jesus to pay the penalty for our “missing the mark” and complete what is lacking. It makes Jesus a fool, suffering needlessly. And it means we are condemned, without atonement, wandering this earth trying to fill our “God-shaped vacuums” with “World shaped” stuff.

“The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.”  2 Peter 3:9-10 (HCSB)

I often say there are two things about God that baffle a fool:  1) How long He takes to act and 2) How quickly He arrives.

Concerning Jesus’ return, everything in God’s plan is unfolding right on time. The clarion call of the “Jesus movement” of the 1970s was, “People get ready; Jesus is coming.”  Now, decades later, Jesus still hasn’t returned to redeem His Bride, the Church. As a result, many are laughing at those “Jesus freaks” today. “Where is Jesus?” they taunt. Well, Jesus has delayed His coming because of His desire for all to repent. He is patient, but His patience has a limit.

In the days of Noah, there was plenty of time for the scoffers to inquire about what Noah was doing, building this giant thing called an “ark.”  Surely, they laughed at him as he diligently and faithfully (seemingly nonsensically) followed God’s instruction. They had every opportunity to repent, even as word about Noah’s labors spread. But when the rain-turned-floodwater rose, the time for their repentance had expired. Likewise, turning to Jesus, which seems so convenient today, will be impossible on the Day of the Lord when Messiah returns to judge the unfaithful.

Concerning His quick arrival, there is the story of the three demons standing before Satan. Satan asks, “What will we tell these humans that will send them to Hell?”

One Demon says, “I’ll tell them there is no God.”

Satan answers, “No, they’ll look at creation and figure out it had to come from somewhere.”

The second Demon says, “I’ll tell them there is no judgment.”

“No,” answers the Devil. “There’s too much evil in the world for them to think it will all go unpunished.”

The third Demon smiles, “I’ll tell them they’ve got time, and they can follow Jesus tomorrow.”

“Yes,” answers Satan. “They’ll believe that!”  

Many have said they’ll believe in Jesus “tomorrow,” only to die today. I’m not trying to scare anyone unnecessarily. If you are an unbeliever, I hope you are necessarily scared! Necessary because there is no other name by which men MUST be saved. (Acts 4:12)  The Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation” for a reason. Joshua told the Israelites, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.”  Today is the only day you’re sure of.

A wise man knows Jesus is coming, and he is prepared. Are you? Spread the word. People get ready…

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and the way of truth will be blasphemed because of them.”  2 Peter 2:1-2 (HCSB)

My main concern for you is that you know, obey, and share the truth of God. You know I have asked nothing of you other than you seek the Lord without abandon.

Many of you are in that season of weighing the Bible’s values against those of the World. In a sense, that process never changes, but between 18 and 30 yrs. of age, there is a strong desire to determine whether you will adopt your parents’ values or create your own value system.  

To make that valuation, we naturally use our personal experience to filter the truth. That is, in our natural human state, how we feel determines what is real: Perception is reality.   Anyone who’s ever been through a relationship break-up knows you can’t always trust your feelings. Life needs more of a solid foundation for truth than simply feeling good. We need the Word of God.

I hope you never trade your Christian experience for a Worldly one, but I’m aware it happens. Most of us can see a blatant heresy from far away. For example, you’re probably not toying with choosing between Christianity and Ritual Satanism. But that doesn’t mean Satan isn’t trying to keep you from rightly following God.

For instance, one of the most divisive environments for young believers could be a Christian college campus. That’s right. The Devil loves to present himself as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I read a recent statistic that the faculties of 3/4 of America’s Christian colleges cannot even agree that the Bible is the infallible truth, holding absolute authority. This should not surprise you because heresy within the Church at large is an issue that even the apostles dealt with.  

The most effective heresy is the one that looks closest to the truth. It is the one that de-motivates you to pray because it says everything has already been planned, for instance. It says you cannot fully trust the Bible because sinful men wrote it. It tells you not to share your faith because it will make potential converts uncomfortable.

Several years ago, I committed my life to reading God’s Word, walking in His ways, and sharing His truth. I have found it is the only trustworthy foundation, the value against which the World will be judged. Keep reading the Bible and asking the Lord to reveal His truth to you so that you won’t be fooled by false teachers. See for yourself what the Lord reveals to those who completely give themselves to Him.

“Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you have. I consider it right, as long as I am in this bodily tent, to wake you up with a reminder, knowing that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord, Jesus Christ [the Messiah] has also shown me. And I will also make every effort that you may be able to recall these things at any time after my departure.” 2 Peter 1:12-15 (HCSB)

Several years ago, an evangelical philosophy began to spread throughout the “Christian” music and entertainment community. Based primarily on the ideas of a book called “Roaring Lambs,” many artists in the business became preoccupied with the notion that people weren’t becoming followers of Jesus because there weren’t enough Christian “stars” in the secular entertainment industry. A quasi-movement arose in response to the perceived “need” to raise prominent Christian artists to influence the World with their art and star power.  

I find nothing wrong with evangelism or doing ministry in secular venues…but attached to the philosophy mentioned above was the negative sentiment that Christian artists who didn’t adopt this approach, whose music was primarily designed to disciple and encourage believers in Jesus, were “selling out.” The term used was “preaching to the choir.” In response, many artists decided to forsake the Church (as a marketplace) and rush to the general market, where all the “lost” people are perceived to be dwelling.  

Being a follower of Jesus and a member of the music business community, I became keenly interested in this movement. I have observed that the secular siege has more to do with marketing music than winning souls. Christian music, TV, radio, and retail combined reach less than 15% of people who attend churches. Preaching to the choir? On its best day, the Christian music industry has not yet reached 85% of the “choir”! Surely, there are lost and discouraged people in that 85% of congregation attendees who need to be reminded of the truth and hope of God’s Word.

Many of my colleagues felt they were on the cusp of an awakening and that the secular initiative would be the fulcrum from which a colossal revival would be leveraged. A few even obtained general market success. But for the most part, the Church-at-large is still waiting to receive the wave of “converts” these stars and their music have produced. The lack of “revival” (through the mainstream efforts) is because the closer we get to the World…with the intent of selling them a product…the more the World demands, we diminish our message. Quite literally, They won’t buy it.  

Friends, the World will not be won from a stage. “The revival will not be televised,” to paraphrase the ’70s protest song. God wants laypeople to win souls. By the way, that’s YOU. More than a rock star persona, we need a generation of well-versed believers who can do the work of an evangelist and remain present in the lives of those whom they lead to faith: Discipleship. This was precisely the Apostle Peter’s point. One doesn’t become well-versed and disciplined without repetition and support from a Godly community.

“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.”  1 Peter 5:8-9 (CSB)

Israel was at a stalemate in its war against the Philistines. A giant Philistine named Goliath was taunting Israel to send a man to settle the conflict, mono-a-mono. A worship-leading shepherd boy named David, who was not even old enough to be in the army, found himself standing before King Saul. Saul considered letting the whole war come down to a match-up between a giant and a kid. Can you imagine their conversation? (1 Samuel 17)

David: “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by the giant; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!”

Saul: “You can’t go fight this Philistine. You’re just a youth and he is an experienced warrior!”

David: “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down and rescued the lamb from its mouth.”

David got the job…and he killed the Giant. But David did not defeat the Philistine army. The Bible says that David’s victory encouraged the Israelite army so much that THEY took courage and routed the Philistines!

The Devil roars and intimidates like a lion or a giant, perhaps.

“Because GREATER is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4b (KJV)  

Take courage and faithfully resist the Devil. He will flee from you because your faith is backed by the promise, power, and presence of God!

The real question is: would you rather be a “David” or just another “Israelite soldier?”  Those who choose to be “Davids” are willing to take on the enemy, whatever form he takes (lion, bear, giant), to rescue God’s oppressed “Lambs.”  “Davids” endure suffering and take on giants, knowing that one man’s personal victory can encourage an army to win a war!  

Of course, like David, Peter knew a lot about the importance of shepherding, watching the Lord’s flock, and defending them against that “lion,” the Devil. (John 21:15-17)

“…Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’” John 21:17b (NKJV)

“Therefore, since Christ [Messiah] suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve – because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin – in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.” 1 Peter 4:1-3 (HCSB)

Let’s admit it: we are selfish. We live in an “i” culture, complete with “iTunes,” “iMovie,” “iChat”…. “iYaiYai”! Those are all useful programs on my Mac computer, but they are also icons that remind me of our self-centered society. Burger King advertises, “Have it your way.” We have all seen “YouTube,” “Myspace,” and the list goes on. Corporate America has our number, and they are targeting our selfish nature to sell us products.

I don’t blame these vendors and manufacturers for my selfishness. They are just responding to market research that identifies the personality and buying traits of the average consumer. What I should do is blame myself for being the “average consumer”!

By convincing us the world should revolve around us, advertisers condition us to consume without accountability. Have you ever seen a car commercial that said, “This is the most elegant automobile, but remember…you have a mortgage to think about?”  Merchants don’t care about our personal well-being. They just want us to buy their wares. They’re feeding our egos, and we are devouring every morsel they serve.  

What happens if we resist the trends? We may become out of style or out of step with the culture, but I bet we’d also be out of debt! America has more credit card debt per household than any country in the world. Statistically, you are at least $2000 in the hole right now. Why? We simply won’t say “NO!” to our flesh.

Peter tells us there has already been enough time spent feeding the flesh, “doing the will of pagans.” It is time that we resolve ourselves, by the power of God’s Spirit, to starve the flesh, making it meek (submissive) to the Lord’s will. Of course, there will be pain, and the flesh will howl! But let us spend our remaining time on earth denying the flesh, obeying the Word of the Lord, and sharing the liberty freely offered through faith in Messiah Jesus.

“Coming to Him, a living stone – rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God – you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer sacrifices acceptable to God through [Messiah] Jesus Christ. For it is contained in Scripture:  Look! I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame!”  1 Peter 2:4-6 (HCSB)

The first thing that happens in home construction is a clearing of the land. Next, a foundation is laid. Then, carpenters raise walls and trussing. After that, electrical is wired, then drywall, flooring and roofing, and paint…

On the day the lot is cleared, nobody but the architect and the contractor know the plans. The workers might get a glimpse of the blueprints, but they could hardly fathom all the details. They simply follow orders, laboring at the direction of the contractor. As the construction progresses, onlookers guess what the structure will be used for. Will it be a home, business, or, perhaps, a church?

Speaking to the Jews in the Diaspora, Peter connects with their longing to be accepted by God and worship Him properly. But Peter distinguishes between the earthly temple in Jerusalem, made of cut stones, and God’s temple of the New Covenant, built with human stones. When Peter wrote this first letter between 60 and 64AD, nobody would have guessed the Romans would destroy the Jerusalem temple in 6 to 10 years. It has never been rebuilt.

In contrast, the Temple of Messiah (The greater community of Messiah) cannot be destroyed. It is not made of earthen stones sitting on a strategic piece of property. It is made of human stones, and it extends beyond the earth into eternity. Speaking of His bodily crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus said,

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19 (NKJV)

Now, there’s a warranty we can count on!  

With Jesus as the cornerstone, this “spiritual house” is unrecognizable to those who are perishing. The architect is God, and its contractor is the Holy Spirit. We are called to be both “stones” and “laborers.”  No man has seen all of God’s plans in full detail. But God has revealed enough of His plan to keep us busy! We know enough to exhort all mankind: believe in Jesus, worship Him, and never be put to shame!

“Peter, an apostle of [Messiah] Jesus Christ: To the temporary residents dispersed in  Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ [Messiah]. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”  1 Peter 1:1-2 (HCSB)

Peter’s introduction is similar to that of James’. He begins his letter to the dispersed Jews. But Peter adds that their situation was only “temporary.”

Driven from the land and persecuted for generations, the dispersed Jews felt forsaken by the Lord. They first needed to be reminded that they were still “chosen, according to the foreknowledge of God.” They needed to understand that God still loved them, and He had a purpose for their lives, both personally and for the Jewish community altogether.  

That is what we all need to hear. Before we were even born, God knew we were sinners yet chose to love us.

“In that while we were still sinners, Christ [Messiah] died for us.”  Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

The next thing these Jews needed to hear was that they were “set apart for obedience” by God’s Spirit. God’s purpose for us is that we enter into a saving relationship with Him, which affects us to the point that we live to honor and obey Him.  God offers the same challenge to people of all nationalities, calling us to “bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Luke 3:8

The Diaspora (Dispersion) was part of God’s rebuke towards Israel for not following Him as He had prescribed. Peter tells his Hebrew brothers that the Lord had not forsaken them altogether. It is a message to us as well. No matter how far you have fallen, God has one message for you: “Follow Me!”  Jesus’ blood has provided atonement for the sins of all who would repent and receive salvation. More than temporary situational forgiveness, Messiah’s atonement covers ALL sin: past, present, and future.

Here, in the introduction to Peter’s letter, we have the whole gospel. 1) God is Tri-unity (Father, Spirit, Messiah). 2) God knew our sin yet chose to love us. 3) By the power of His Spirit, we have been set apart to obey Him.  4) We are guaranteed God’s approval, not because of our righteousness, but because the object of our faith is the infinite worth of Messiah’s atoning blood, shed for the remission of our sinfulness.

“My brothers, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his life from death and cover a multitude of sins.”  James 5:19-20 (HCSB)

Before expounding on the last sentence of James’ letter, I think we should refresh our memories of its beginning.

“James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion.”

This letter is, first and foremost, a Jewish letter. More than simply “Jewish,” it was directed to a specific group of Jews: Messianic (Christian) Jews living outside Israel. These Jews had been scattered abroad for several generations, and their newfound acceptance of Jesus as Messiah did not reflect the norm in Jerusalem.  

Part of the reason the apostles like Paul began planting congregations outside of Roman-controlled Israel was that the Jews abroad were more likely to assess the gospel, apart from the politics of Jerusalem. James’s letter was one of the first distributed 17 years after Jesus’s resurrection. James’ audience would have been more apt to weigh his words against Scripture than they would in later epistles simply because non-Messianic Jewish opposition had yet to saturate the dispersed Jewish culture worldwide.

Speaking to the “Dispersion,” James was not trying to make his readers “Christians,” as we understand the Church today. At the time of James’ letter, believing that Jesus was Messiah was considered a sect of Judaism by non-Messianic Jews and Romans alike. Of course, to Messianic Jews, believing in Jesus was considered the fulfillment of all they and their forefathers, the patriarchs, had longed for. That is, in Jesus, the Jew is completed in his search for restoration and communion with the Lord. Jewish believers today often refer to themselves not as “Christians” but as “Completed Jews” because Messiah Jesus completes what was lacking in the Law with respect to Israel’s salvation.

James encouraged his Jewish brothers to be good JEWS by submitting to the Lordship of Messiah Jesus. That is not to say that Gentiles were excluded or that Jewish believers are more special than Gentile believers. It’s just that Gentiles were not the primary people group targeted by James’ letter. Jesus, speaking to His disciples (all Jews), said, “I am THE Way” (John 14:6), not, “I’m setting up another way.” Judaism had strayed from God’s original design, and Jesus was restoring it to the way it should always have been. It was the Apostles’ articulated belief, through the revelation of God’s Spirit, that faith in Jesus constituted salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. Apart from Him, there is no salvation.

Jesus had ONE goal: Glorify the Father by atoning for the sin of the world. The primary goal of James’ letter was to exhort the local Jewish believers and persuade the dispersed non-believing Jewish people to turn from their sin to a saving relationship with Jesus. Furthermore, James challenged all believers, Jew or Gentile, to do the same.

“What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.”  James 4:1-3 (HCSB)

I have heard the arguments of those who propose we must change the “Image” of the Church-at-large, to keep up with the times. I have sat in the planning meetings of large ministries and heard many creative approaches, all designed to win people by aligning ministry with secular standards. All these efforts perceive that the battle over souls is one of marketing, finesse, and fashion. Here’s a sample argument:  

“We’ve got to compel people without offending them, so we must create a non-threatening environment. If we come off preachy, we’ll turn people off with our message, so let’s focus more on topics and art and lay off rigid Bible teaching.”    

To this end, a ministry environment emerges that puts forth God’s Word as a “Resource” instead of “The Source.”  Concerning this approach to evangelism and discipleship, I ask, “How do we want people to respond, given we reached them with this approach?”

The response: “We hope they would respond by fully devoting their lives to Jesus, reading the Bible, praying, living in community with other believers, and passionately sharing their faith.”

If that is what we want people to become, then that’s how we must lead them. That’s who we should be, what we should model—speed of the leader, speed of the team.

The problem with mankind is internal. You cannot win internal battles by employing the tactics of external warfare. People may be entertained and impressed by a production, but it ministers primarily to the flesh. It may impress at the moment, but it doesn’t “change” someone long-term.  

Furthermore, an over-fed flesh is a malnourished soul. It conditions the congregant to judge spiritual matters by how they feel, as opposed to being led by God’s Spirit to find joy in being uncomfortable for the sake of the Gospel.   Eventually, someone else will devise a more clever approach, and all your sheep will follow a newer, hipper shepherd.  

Only the Gospel reaches souls because only that has the power to reach us within. When the internal is ministered to, our desires and motivations change. A transformed heart asks and receives from the Lord because it has become molded to His revealed will by the power of His Spirit as we search His Word.

“Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.”  James 3:13-16 (HCSB)

I have been in the music business all my adult life, singing songs about Jesus. While many great songs of praise come out of Nashville, Tennessee’s “Christian” music industry, it also has its share of ENVY and SELF-AMBITION. Those two negative attributes are fueled by money, notoriety, and an over-anxious need for God’s acceptance. They pretty much define all human competition. A friend once said, “When you take God’s business and mix it with the music business, you get monkey business!”

While self-ambition is somewhat self-explanatory, what is envy? Envy is pride wounded in competition. Think about it. When have you been envious? Has it not been when you felt someone else was succeeding despite your efforts?

The classic Biblical case of envy (while there are many) is Cain and Abel. Two brothers make offerings to the Lord.  Cain’s offering is from the field, and Abel’s is from the animals. The Lord looked more favorably upon Abel’s offering for reasons we won’t get into now. The point is that Cain’s reaction was bitter envy, which, left unchecked, led Cain to murder his brother. Think about it: At that time, Cain slaughtered 1/4th of the world’s population!

In business, especially business that deals with the ministry, this happens all the time—envy, not murder. Hundreds of artists write songs to the Lord and record them for distribution in the marketplace. When one record becomes more successful than another, envy creeps in. Competition can be healthy, but unchecked competition incubates envy.

Here’s another saying: If it were that easy to grab, there wouldn’t be any left. Given the rules of economics, supply, and demand, very few artists can succeed in the competitive market. It is lonely at the top, and often, it is vicious. After the “big grab,” most artists are left feeling underpaid, underappreciated, and, sadly, they often feel rejected by God.

Who among you is wise? Reject the tendency to be envious and self-ambitious. Find your identity in the Lord. Rest in His plan and provision, and show your works as one who has already received God’s blessing of abundant and eternal life through Messiah Jesus.

“Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s Word to you.  As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ [the Messiah] is the same yesterday, today and forever.”  Hebrews 13:7-8 (HCSB)

Reading today’s chapter, I am reminded of King David, whom the Lord called “…a man after God’s own heart.”  (1 Samuel 13:14)  

When I was young, the story of David confused me.  Sure, killing the Philistine was impressive.  David’s integrity in battle, sparing the life of evil King Saul, and his humility when the ark returned were all great stories of faith.  But his acts of adultery and murder were obvious no-no’s of the 10 Commandments.  So, exactly what is “a man after God’s own heart,” and what does that mean to us?

First, we know for certain that all people sin.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23 (NKJV)

“There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10 (NKJV)  

It has been said that the Church-at-large’s biggest obstacle is that it must recruit from the human race.  People sin.  That is why we need a Savior.

Although our goal and direction should be to honor the Lord, even followers of Jesus sin.  If we didn’t sin, how could Satan accuse us?  If there were no accusation, why would Jesus need to intercede for us?

“Who is the one who condemns?  Christ [Messiah] Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.” Romans 8:34 (HCSB)

So, what of our leaders?  Are they human?  Yes.  So, they sin?  Of course!  Just as in the case of David, we must carefully observe our leaders.  We must respect them because they have spoken God’s Word to us.  We must observe the outcome of their lives, and although no man is perfect, we must imitate their FAITH and not their sin.

We teach children to follow David’s faithful deeds and steer clear of his faithless ones.

While faithful men are the reflection of God’s glory, only Jesus was the embodiment of it.  We follow leaders in as much as they follow Messiah.

“For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all.”  James 2:10 (HCSB)

I am an artist. Being an artist is a “condition” that should be covered by insurance. When a group of pastors gets together, it’s called a “conference.”  When artists get together, it’s called a “support group.”  As an artist, I get stuck in the conceptual realm of thought and depend on others to handle my details.

Periodically, my wife will ask me to help her by writing a list of chores for me. Usually, she’ll say, “There’s a lot here, but PLEASE MAKE SURE you do #’s 1, 2, 3…”  Those items are the PRIORITY items. If I don’t complete the list but cover the priorities, she’s usually happy.

While not everyone is an artist, if we’re honest, we must admit we’ve all had the “priority list” approach to God’s Law. None of us has completely followed God, so the natural assumption is that God won’t hold anyone accountable for falling a little short.

We try to avoid the BIG sins: murder, stealing, and adultery (although our culture seems to be growing more tolerant of adultery). But when it comes to lying, coveting, or observing the Sabbath, we figure God doesn’t care as much. We say, “If I do the PRIORITIES on the list, God will be happy.”  Guess what? God’s standard is perfection.  

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is Perfect” Matthew 5:48 (HCSB)

The Ten Commandments are not a prioritized list. They are God’s directive, His character, and standard articulated to mankind. He itemized the Commandments so that we can comprehend facets of His Holiness. By commanding that we keep the entire Law, God is commanding us to keep His character. Anything short of the complete Law is unacceptable because it humiliates God’s character.

You may say, “Well then, NOBODY can please God through the Law!”  I agree, and so does Scripture. That is precisely James’ point, as he was writing to the Jewish believers dispersed worldwide. James laid out the impossibility of men being justified before God strictly on the merit of their good deeds.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

The only way to keep the entire Law is through a saving relationship with Messiah. Jesus took upon Himself the judgment that our sin deserves. He atoned for our sin. He fulfilled the Commandments on our behalf. Furthermore, He offers that atonement to us (lawbreakers) free of charge if we turn from our sin and receive His salvation.

“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but healed instead.”  Hebrews 12:11-13 (HCSB)

“This is crazy!  This is crazy!” I told my son one wintry morning a few years ago.  We were driving to meet up with some friends to go surfing.…the temperature outside was 38 degrees!  It was the January meeting of the Harvest Surf Fellowship, and I had agreed to lead the music and teach the Bible study.  In short, I HAD to go!

While I had to be there as a leader, I didn’t have to get into the water.  At least, that’s what I kept telling myself as we passed the gate at San Onofre State Beach.  The cold was almost unbearable, and the waves were pitifully small.  In the summers, Surf Fellowship can draw well over 100 people.  In the winter, only the hard-core crazies show up!  Seven of us huddled together and worshipped the Lord.  It was more for warmth than brotherhood.

Finally, I was done with the Bible study.  It was the moment of truth.  Was I going to be a surfer or not?  

Against all common sense, I stretched on my wetsuit, booties, and hood.  I unstrapped my 10’ board off the top of my car and headed out for (what turned out to be) my most fun day of surfing ever!  It took a little discipline to prepare my songs and Bible study.  It took a little discipline to wake up early.  It took a little discipline to drive to the beach and teach the lesson.  It took sheer courage to get into the water, but it was all worth it.

Paddling out on the ocean with my fellow Christian brothers and catching a few waves was awesome.  The pleasure was worth the discipline!  The Lord even cleared away the clouds to give us the warmth of the sun.  

Nobody likes spiritual discipline either, but we find joy in the end.  Reading your Bible every day may not seem like the most exciting way to grow your faith.  Some days, it may seem tedious or even torturous.  But give it time.  You are sowing the seeds of righteousness and readiness.  It takes a while for seeds to show any signs of growth, but you are growing.  We are depositing Scripture into the banks of our hearts and minds so that we can always be ready to give a reason for the hope within us. (1 Peter 3:15)

Keep reading and be patient.  Allow the seeds of God’s Word to take root and sprout shoots.  It won’t be long before you can enjoy the fruit of faithfulness.

“These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.  Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.  If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had opportunity to return.  But they now desire a better place – a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16 (HCSB)

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets…all these people were considered righteous by God because of their faith.  Faith, in and of itself, is not sufficient to save a person.  God’s standard is that people be perfectly righteous.  The system of salvation, which allows our faith to be counted as righteousness, is itself a gift from God.  That is His Grace towards mankind.  Faith of only human value is considered righteousness.  That is because the value of our faith is not in its origin (us) but rather in its object (Jesus).  If I pull the trigger on a pistol, faithfully believing a bullet will be fired, it is not my faith that has hit the target but the bullet propelled by the object of my faith, the loaded pistol.  

“For by grace you have been saved through faith – and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

These heroes of the Bible are generally known for the great things they accomplished.  It is easy to assume they earned their salvation through good works.  Every Jewish parent would want their children to succeed in the manner of these patriarchs and tsadiks (righteous men).  But each of these spiritual giants was also human and fell short of God’s standard.  The Bible tells us so.

The writer of Hebrews is drawing attention away from the accomplishments of these people and focusing on the root of their success: Faith.  He didn’t say, “Seek to build an ark, or have a child in your old age, or slay a giant Philistine,” etc.  He is challenging us to employ the FAITH that led these patriarchs to accomplish such feats.  The Holy Spirit, working through their faithfully surrendered lives, was the source of their strength.  Whenever those so-called “spiritual giants” departed from the path of faithfulness, they ceased to live victoriously.  Perhaps King David is the best example.  

God is not ashamed to be called “the God” of those who faithfully respond to His call.  Though we may be ashamed of some of our decisions, thoughts, or behaviors, God honors faithfulness.  Most of these “heroes of the faith” committed extremely faithless acts: adultery, murder, drunkenness, and cowardice…yet God recognized their faith as righteousness.

As the patriarchs did not know when Messiah would come, we are unaware of when He will come again.  Those whose hope is Messiah see God’s kingdom from a distance.  We greet it by living faithfully and waiting for God to unfold His plan in His timing.

“Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him.  For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Hebrews 10:11-13 (HCSB)

Let’s revisit a point I briefly raised back in the Hebrews 6 devotional.  It is the notion that Israel’s deliverance into Canaan is symbolic of our fleshly deliverance through Jesus.  Just as Israel was commanded to drive out the land’s inhabitants, so are we commanded to drive out the former “inhabitants,” i.e., our old sinful patterns.  The “land symbolism” becomes clearer when we consider that Adam was created when God breathed into a handful of earthly dust.  We are, in a sense, God-breathed land.

Again, the former inhabitants of our “land” (our flesh) were the inward motivations of our “sin nature,” made evident by our sinful ways.  Sin always leads to self-destruction because it is always self-serving.  That is why it is urgent that we drive out those inhabitants by the power of God’s Spirit.  That is also why Jesus was unlike anything anyone had ever seen.  He was above all, yet chose to save us through serving instead of mandating we live up to an impossible standard.

Now, when Jesus offered Himself to atone for sin, His work was completed.  Sin was atoned for.  He does not need to get up and re-offer His sacrifice.  As evidence of God’s satisfaction for Jesus’ atonement, the Bible says Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father right now.

When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord and receive His atonement, we are “delivered.”  Just as Israel was delivered into Canaan by God’s grace yet was commanded to drive out its enemies (the former inhabitants), we, too, must drive out the former inhabitants of our flesh once we have been delivered.

Now, if Jesus is sitting next to God, waiting for His enemies to be put under His footstool, who will do that work?  The Holy Spirit will accomplish this through the surrendered lives of believers.

Everyone has a “former inhabitant” (or several), which they are battling.  It has been given to us to drive out the old self, combining the strength we have with the desire and power of God’s Spirit.

Take courage, and submit to the Spirit’s leading!  Allow Him to manifest Himself in power in your life, driving out your former “sin self.”  What is impossible for us is easily doable with God.  There is no panic in Heaven.  Jesus is not worried about whether His enemies will be placed under His footstool.  He is only waiting.  Therefore, we should be confident in God’s Word, Jesus’ atonement, and the Spirit’s power to overcome.

“And just as it is appointed for people to die once – and after this, judgment – so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”  Hebrews 9:27-28 (HCSB)

The concept of reincarnation is attractive to people who are discontented with this life – which is to say, it is appealing to most people!  And understandably so.  It satisfies deep romantic needs to suppose that one might have been something or someone important in a past life.  Moreover, it builds upon the non-Biblical notion that only the soul is pure, and the body is unclean, inferior, and unworthy of being immortal.

The first half of today’s passage refutes the idea of reincarnation, which is found in most Eastern religions and incorporated into a number of recent Western imitations.  Reincarnation is based on the notion that, although the body is mortal, the soul is not.  So that after one’s body dies, the soul that was in it migrates (perhaps after an interval of time) to another body or organism.  But God has so organized the universe that human beings die once, not “many times.”  

Obviously, if God has appointed mankind to die once, it is impossible to be reincarnated.  You may say, “But what about people who were clinically dead, yet were revived by some medical procedure?  Didn’t they die twice?”  In short, no.  What modern medicine calls “impossibly dead” (that is, to be beyond recovery) is in no way limiting to God.  The only time we are “inches from death” is when we’re actually “inches from death.”  All other times, we just think we’re “inches from death.”  Plus, when those people are revived, they’re never revived to another body, butterfly, or whatever.

The second half of today’s passage deals with Jesus’ first and second comings.  His first coming was in relation to Isaiah 53: The suffering servant Who would atone for sin.  Being fully God yet fully man, He too (as a man) was appointed to die only once.  Good for us that He was blameless before the Lord (for He was the Lord, Himself) because once was all it took to atone for our sin!

By His sinless perfection (in that while He knew no sin Himself, He became the sin offering for us), Jesus rose from the grave so that He could appear a second time.  This “second coming” fulfills prophecies such as Isaiah 2:2-5 and 9:6-7, which say that Messiah will bring peace to the world and deliver His people Israel from oppression.

However, speaking of “Israel,” since “not everyone who is descended from Israel are Israel” Romans 9:6, only those who eagerly await Jesus’ return can have assurance they will be delivered in His second coming.

“For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one.  But finding fault with His people, He says: Look, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah – not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by their hands to lead them out of the land of Egypt.’”  Hebrews 8:7-9a (HCSB)

I have been in the record business my entire adult life.  A few years ago, I began making arrangements for my 16th commercially released music project.  The terms of my first recording agreement outlined that (if the company wished) I was obligated to record six albums.  Well, they DID wish, and I ended up recording eight projects for them.  I was blessed.

Most artists record one or two successful projects, but typically, their music sours in the marketplace by album #3.  Every artist dreads that phone call from the record executive when they are politely “dropped” from the label.

It has been said that a record deal is like borrowing money from your grandmother.  If your record is a flop, “granny” won’t make you pay her back.  But she’ll also probably never loan you money again!  Very few record companies would endure long-term market failure just because they loved the artist and wanted them to grow and succeed on a personal level.  After all, it’s not “show friends;” it’s “show BUSINESS.”

In music industry terms, God is the world’s most benevolent A&R guy!  (Artist & Repertoire)      

A covenant is a contract, and there are MANY covenants in the Bible.  Here’s a short list:  Edenic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Covenant with Lot, Caananic, Davidic, National, Personal, and, of course, the NEW Covenant.

If God were a record company, and mankind’s existence was based on market performance, we’d have all been dropped from the label long ago!!  But all those covenants, taken as a whole, paint a compelling picture of a Holy God’s desire to have a personal relationship with His human creation.  

Let’s praise the Lord that our redemption through His “New Covenant” is not based on our performance/faultlessness but on Jesus.  There is indemnity/security in our salvation because Jesus Himself is the guarantor.