Category: Building a Faith-filled Life

Fight Song

OLD TESTAMENT: Nehemiah 4 & 5

POETRY: Psalm 147

NEW TESTAMENT: John 19:17-27

I never grow tired of hearing my children belt out uplifting lyrics from the back of our van! I especially appreciate the passion in their voices reverberating throughout the vehicle every time we play Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” :

This is my fight song

Take back my life song

Prove I’m alright song

My power’s turned on

Starting right now I’ll be strong

I’ll play my fight song

And I don’t really care if nobody else believes

‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me

While I’m encouraged by the song’s positivity, I can’t help but think of how little fight I feel I have left in me some days. I doubt I’m the only one who is burdened under anxiety, societal pressures, responsibilities at work and home, fear of the future, difficult decisions, sickness and death of loved ones, mysterious health issues, spiritual warfare, and a plethora of other emotional and physical plagues. I often feel like I just. can’t. do. it. The fight requires too much of me sometimes, and there is little motivation or strength left with which to fight. Can you relate? 

Nehemiah’s construction team could relate! Sanballat and Tobiah were relentlessly hurling insults, threats, and discouragement at the builders. Not only was there oppression from outside their walls, but there was turmoil with them as well. The motley crew was trying to fix the wall – a monumental aspiration! – while also dealing with the other negative issues of daily life, which seemed to be compounding. And it was wearing on them. They already felt defeated, but the work was not yet complete. They were nearing the ends of their metaphorical ropes, anticipating the last symbolic straw that would break the camel’s back.

Nehemiah took action to provide defense for the workers, but most of all, he encouraged them to keep going! “… I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes… Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” (4:14, 20)

Not only did Nehemiah help resolve some of the immediate burdens of the people and foil the plans of their enemies, he also helped them remember the reason for their work so they could be filled with the mettle needed to recommence this noble work . 

Not long after I prayed for God to revive the fighter’s soul within me, a new-to-me song by Rend Collective called “Shackles” rang through my speaker on autoplay. I paused in awe when I heard the chorus: 

You’re my deliverer

My anthem through it all 

When my strength and my fight is gone

I know You will come through 

As I soaked in the life-giving lyrics, I was humbled by God’s gentle reminders of His provision. When my strength and my fight are gone, God will be my strength. He will fight for me (see Exodus 14:14). He will give us the strength and courage to do what he has called us to do. Remember your God; He will fight for you. 

These verses from our poetry reading apply to the Nehemiah story:

Psalm 147:2-3, 10-11: 

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

    He gathers the exiles of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted

    and binds up their wounds…

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,

    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

the Lord delights in those who fear him,

    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

-Rachel Cain

Reflections:

  • Think back on some of the dark times in your life. How was God faithful to encourage you and bring you through it? 
  • Keep a journal of ways God has answered prayers and provided in big and small ways so you can look back on it during times of doubt.
  • Watch this powerful music video and remember that God is carrying you through your darkest times. 
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Walls

OLD TESTAMENT: Nehemiah 1-3

POETRY: Psalm 147

NEW TESTAMENT: John 19:1-16

The Berlin Wall. 

The Wailing Wall. 

The Troy Wall (famous for the Trojan horse fiasco in Homer’s mythological “The Odyssey”)

The Wall of Jericho. 

The Great Wall of China. 

Seattle’s Gum Wall. 

These famous walls from history were built primarily to keep enemies out of the territory and protect the residents – with the exception of the touristy Gum Wall, of course. If you live in the USA or are in tune with any of our news, you have probably heard about our Wall, too. The Wall in recent American history refers to a literal wall that was planned to line the entirety of the USA’s southern border with Mexico, and it has been the topic of many a political rant from both political parties. 

Those of us who are far removed from the concept of once-prevalent city walls and who are not residing near country borders probably don’t comprehend the significance of a wall. Historically, though, city walls were gravely important to the safety of the residents, as they provided a barrier for defense against enemies. The state of the wall often reflected the state of the people who lived within it. In Nehemiah, we read about The Wall of Jerusalem being in shambles, and God’s people were quite broken as well. 

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the King of Persia, a very important position; the king quite literally trusted Nehemiah with his life! After Nehemiah received word that the walls of Jerusalem were in major disrepair, he committed himself to prayer; still, the sadness was evident on his face as he went to work. Though Nehemiah was fearful that being sad in the presence of the king could cost his head, King Artaxerxes took pity on Nehemiah and allowed him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. Not only did the king send Nehemiah with his blessing, but he provided Nehemiah with many provisions for the journey.

(Interestingly, the text mentions the queen being with the king when he noticed Nehemiah’s unusually melancholy demeanor. Many scholars believe that this queen is none other than Queen Esther! The book of Esther occurred before the book of Nehemiah; the stories are not in chronological order in our Bible. While God definitely used Esther to save his people in the biblical book bearing her name, she was probably also instrumental in allowing Nehemiah to rebuild the wall.)

I can’t help but think of how comfortable Nehemiah likely had been in his position. He worked in the palace, which allowed for a lifestyle much more posh than the vast majority of the people in the territory of Persia and definitely more comfortable than his relatives in the rubble of Jerusalem. And yet, he was willing to give up everything in order to meet a deep need for God’s people. I just can’t help but wonder if I – if we – would be inclined to do the same? We have an abundance of possessions and time-saving resources: I’ll be the first to admit that I love how my house heats itself on chilly winter days, Walmart grocery pickup is my favorite modern convenience, and Amazon next-day delivery has saved the day on many occasions. Lights, indoor plumbing, DoorDash – we have so much more even than Nehemiah had. Would I be willing to forgo it for a long period of time so I could instead take on a very difficult and dangerous task? 

And yet Nehemiah ventured into the unknown to lead the charge to repair the wall, knowing that he was forgoing so much comfort, yet unable to settle his soul until he completed the assignment to which God had called him. Nehemiah chose to leave everything so he could rebuild the wall, embracing the burden that God had placed on his heart for his people. He accepted the sins of his people and asked God’s forgiveness on behalf of everyone. Nehemiah stayed focused and kept in touch with God despite adversaries trying to distract him and spoil his plans. 

Nehemiah focused on the bigger picture – helping his people for years to come. Similarly, we too must have an eternal perspective. One day, there will be a New Jerusalem which will have a wall with 12 gates that will never be shut. Praise God for the hope of the Kingdom! 

Interesting connections from Nehemiah to the other readings: 

Psalm 147:2, 13 – “The LORD builds up Jerusalem… He has strengthened the bars of your gates.” 

In the John passage, the leaders have turned Jesus over to be crucified, which would lead to the fulfillment of Jesus’ words from John 2:19 in which he called himself the temple. (The temple was in Jerusalem). 

-Rachel Cain

Reflections:

*What burdens has God placed on your heart that might require you to figuratively or literally leave your comfort zone? 

*Are there any “walls” (boundaries) you need to put into place to protect your family or yourself? 

*Pray this prayer (attributed to Sir Francis Drake) to ask God to help to venture out of your comfort zone and be ready to do the work he has called you to do. 

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One King One Lord

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 13-14
POETRY: Psalm 146
NEW TESTAMENT: John 18:28-40

Zechariah 14:4-9 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. 5 You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.
6 On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, 7 yet there will be continuous day! Only the LORD knows how this could happen. There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light.
8 On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter.
9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD—his name alone will be worshiped.

Psalm 146:5-10(NLT) But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the LORD their God.
6 He made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.
7 He gives justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.
The LORD frees the prisoners.
8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down.
The LORD loves the godly.
9 The LORD protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
10 The LORD will reign forever.
He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations.
Praise the LORD!

John 18:33-37(NLT) Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him.
34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

The amount of prophecy and it’s meaning in these passages we read are amazing.  We don’t begin to have the space and time here to do them any justice.  The pictures of Jesus standing with the authority of the king and also the priest which intercedes for us is amazing.  The picture of the water going over the earth is life giving and symbolic of God’s love.  Jesus’ kingdom is one of worship of the God Yahweh and His love and light which comes to all the earth and it’s people.

Look also at the section of the Psalms from 146:7-9:

7 He gives justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.
The LORD frees the prisoners.
8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down.
The LORD loves the godly.
9 The LORD protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

Where else in the Word do we see these wonderful words of promise of life in Christ Jesus?

Luke 4:16-19(NKJV) So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

This is a quote from the scroll of Isaiah found in chapter 61 but also in chapter 49.  Please read these today if you have time. 

Our prayer today:  Father God we thank you for your love and mercy bringing us to this time and place.  Let the truth of your Word go out to all the earth today and always.  Give us the bread of our need this day to keep us strong.  Show us your paths of righteousness to give direction to all we do.  In the wonderful name of Jesus Christ we pray.

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions:

Who are the blind, the captives or the broken hearted of today?

How does our gospel change the equation for those we witness to?

What are the truths we need to tell the world?

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30 Pieces of Silver

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 11-12
POETRY: Psalm 146
NEW TESTAMENT: John 18:12-27

Zechariah 11:10-13(NLT) Then I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, showing that I had revoked the covenant I had made with all the nations. 11 That was the end of my covenant with them. The suffering flock was watching me, and they knew that the LORD was speaking through my actions.
12 And I said to them, “If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to.” So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
13 And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the LORD.

Zechariah 12:10(NLT) Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died.

Psalms 146:1-4 (NLT) Praise the LORD!
Let all that I am praise the LORD.
2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.
3 Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.
4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,
and all their plans die with them.

John 18:19-23(NLT) Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. 20 Jesus replied, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. 21 Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.”
22 Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?”

What an intense experience Jesus Christ has that we are reading this week.  The tears come to my eyes when I read what they do to him and what they say about him.  Jesus all through this ordeal keeps his eyes and heart steadfast on the truth of what God is planning to do.  God is the author of salvation, which is to make people whole or healed.  Jesus many times in his ministry corrects the Jews in their thinking about earthly kingdoms and power with what God really wants from people. 

Once again in this reading today we see two significant prophecies which are fulfilled in the passion of Christ.  Zechariah prophecies the payment of the thirty pieces of silver as the price for the life of Jesus.  Judas goes to the authorities and makes the arrangements to betray Jesus to them.  He demands that they pay him and they agree.  The price which is set is the thirty pieces of silver.  This price is the amount that would be paid for a slave.  The most precious Son of God who is without price has his life sold for the common price of a slave.  Judas then when things don’t go well comes back to the temple and throws the thirty pieces to floor.  The money is used to buy the potter’s field and used for a burial ground for poor people.

The other prophecy that we see in this section is that “we will look on him who is pierced” which foretells the spearing of Jesus at the end of the crucifixion.  

John 19:37(NKJV) And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

His bones are not broken, foretold in Psalms, but he is pierced with a spear and blood and water come out, which is an indicator of heart failure.  Jesus dies of a broken heart on the cross for you and for me.  What love God has to let Jesus who knew no sin be the sacrifice for us today. 

Christmas is coming soon and our thoughts in this season are on his birth.  But here we see greater evidence again of who he was, and what is accomplished on the cross.

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions:

What is the value of a man’s soul?

Who can we tell this good news gospel message to today?

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Jesus Christ Our King

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 9-10
POETRY: Psalm 145
NEW TESTAMENT: John 18:1-11

Zechariah 9:9-10(NLT) Rejoice, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.
10 I will remove the battle chariots from Israel
and the warhorses from Jerusalem.
I will destroy all the weapons used in battle,
and your king will bring peace to the nations.
His realm will stretch from sea to sea
and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 10:2(NLT)  Household gods give worthless advice,
fortune-tellers predict only lies,
and interpreters of dreams pronounce
falsehoods that give no comfort.
So my people are wandering like lost sheep;
they are attacked because they have no shepherd.

Psalms 145:8-13 (NLT) The LORD is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 The LORD is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 All of your works will thank you, LORD,
and your faithful followers will praise you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power.
12 They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.

John 18:4-9(NKJV) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”
And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

It is so amazing and uplifting to read the OT prophecies and then see those prophecies fulfilled in the NT record of the life of Christ.  The sections we are reading this morning have a “golden nugget” of God’s Word shown to us.  Zechariah says that our King will come to us riding a donkey’s colt.  This prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 21 as we read.

Matthew 21:1-5(NKJV) Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

Who is this king that is riding on a lowly donkey?  Kings and rulers of that time rode the tallest, strongest horses that the country could provide for them.  Why does God have Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a humble donkey and not a strong horse?  The following verses 9:10-10:12 are a prophetic description of the second coming of Christ and the establishment of the millennial kingdom here on earth.  The OT in many places show Christ’s first coming and his second coming as being one event and the Jews read it that way.  That is why the disciples ask Jesus in the first chapter of Acts this question.

Acts 1:6(NLT)  So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

Even after Christ’s resurrection and the time he spends instructing them on what is going to happen they still see the message of the kingdom through the lens of their OT understanding.  This would definitely include this passage from Zechariah.  God answers our questions about what is to occur in the future with the words from Acts 17:7  He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know”.  This truth is explained also in our reading from Psalms in verse 13 where the psalmist says “For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.”.  We see this same truth when Jesus answers the question from Pilate in John. 

John 18:36(NLT) Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”

From the Revised English Version Bible commentary:

“Actually, there are many Scriptures in the Old Testament that speak of the coming of Christ and God’s vengeance on the wicked as if they were going to happen at the same time (cp. Isa. 9:6-7; 11:1-9; 61:1-3; Mic. 5:2; Zech. 9:9-10; Mal. 3:1-3; 4:1-3). Those many Scriptures, along with the fact that there are no clear Scriptures that portray the two comings of Christ, are the reason that at the time of Christ people did not think that Christ would die (cp. Matt. 16:21-22; Luke 18:31-34; 24:19-21, 44-46; John 12:34; 20:9).”

We are able to see now that God planned a time between the two comings of Christ and we know that this is the wonderful church of God that we are a part of today.  The Bible calls this the revealing of the “mystery” or better translated as “sacred secret”.  This is revealed to the apostle Paul, and he tells us what God has revealed to him in Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:1-6(NKJV)  For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

Jesus Christ is king of our hearts today and coming king of all the earth in the future.  We are part of this body of Christ church which is the mystery revealed and is no longer hidden to us.  Our goals should be to live out the truth and grace of what we have received and to give this truth to others to draw them to our “sacred secret”.  Have a great day walking in God’s grace and power!

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions

What changes the apostles from their OT understanding to the NT revelation?

What is the gospel (good news) that we can reveal to others?

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Become One in Purpose

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 7-8
POETRY: Psalm 145
NEW TESTAMENT: John 17:20-26

Zechariah 8:14-17(NLT)  For this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 15 But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. 16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. 17 Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the LORD.”

Psalms 145:3-7(NLT)
3 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.
4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.

John 17:20-26(NLT)  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Father God we pray that we will be one in purpose with your Son just as he is one in purpose with You.  We are so in awe of your great love that you have loved us with.  Give us the knowledge and wisdom to tell your Word to the world and to help to reach those You have chosen.  We declare your faithfulness to our children, our friends and to all those with whom we have the opportunity to share.  In Jesus’ wonderful name we pray this day.

Our reading this day takes us through a strong admonition from God in Zechariah to walk in God’s truth with each other.  We need to deal honestly and truthfully with all, using the measure of truth that God has given us to judge and deal with all.  Our speaking the truth should bring peace to each situation.  This is many times very difficult to achieve.  Most people will see as a good verdict one that only gives them what they want.  God calls us to make peace which is to speak the truth – but in the love which we see as the standard for our conduct and thinking from our reading in John 17.  The Christ in us is our strength to speak the words which will give grace to the hearers and bring resolution to situations where we find ourselves.  Our witness is not to prove that we are right but to show the grace and love of God to people.  The goodness of God brings people to repentance and salvation.  Make our message one that is positive and uplifting giving grace to the hearers. 

Jesus Christ is one with the Father??  What does this mean??  Some trinitarians like to use these verses to demonstrate that Jesus is God the Son.  But then it says that he desires that we would be one with them also.  Does this make us part of the godhead?  We must read the Word of God as it is written.  The purpose of asking for us to become one with Christ and one with God is that we must become one in purpose with them.  God is the originator of salvation; Jesus Christ is the way that God brings salvation to us.  We are the way that others will hear and believe to come to righteousness also.  This is what it means to be one in purpose.  Other people are going to see Christ through our lives and speech.  When we see Christ, then we come to a larger understanding of who our Father God is.  God has revealed Himself through His Word but especially through the life of Christ.  It is God who is in Christ who is in you today.  This should give us confidence and power in this world to do good, especially to reconcile people back to the Heavenly Father. 

2 Corinthians 5:19-20(NLT) For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Have a great day walking and talking with your Father and His Son.  Hear the words of knowledge and wisdom He speaks in your ears to bring His message of hope alive for you and all you meet.  True peace is to bring back together that which is apart.

2 Timothy 1:9-10(NLT) For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions

How do we grow in our spiritual relationship with the Father and His Son?

Who can you minister peace to today?

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The Branch of the Lord

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 5-6
POETRY: Psalm 144
NEW TESTAMENT: John 17:6-19

Zechariah 6:12-13(NLT) Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the LORD. 13 Yes, he will build the Temple of the LORD. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’

Psalms 144:12-13 (NLT) May our sons flourish in their youth
like well-nurtured plants.
May our daughters be like graceful pillars,
carved to beautify a palace.
13 May our barns be filled
with crops of every kind.
May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands,
even tens of thousands,

John 17:13-21  (NLT)“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

This is a wonderful story that we are a part of in the church today.  We are called members of this wonderful church of the body of Christ where God has set us.  We are called out from the world for a purpose and God is building a holy temple for us to be part of where God will dwell.  To be called out from the world is the same as being made holy. When you build a structure out of stone the rocks must be cut or dressed to make them ready to be used in the construction of the structure.  Look at these verses from Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLT) So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

God has chosen you who were rocks with no shape and dressed you to become part of His holy temple.  We have been separated from the world and given a purpose to be part of this great plan.  We are carefully joined together making us part of each other as well as part of God’s dwelling place.  Yesterday we looked at a different figure of the “Branch” who is Jesus Christ.  This word would be better translated as “shoot” or “tree”.  Israel is called the olive tree of God in the OT.  Jesus is the new olive tree growing from the stump and roots of Jesse.

Jeremiah 11:16 16 I, the LORD, once called them a thriving olive tree, beautiful to see and full of good fruit.

This figure has the same meaning as the dressed stone from Ephesians.  Both of the figures of the dressed stone and the grafted branch give us insight into God’s matchless grace and love for mankind.  God is doing everything for His glory and the glory given to Christ Jesus His son.  We are His masterpiece in Christ, another figure of His love for us.  Live today as a wonderful child of God part of a present and future plan of deliverance for all heaven and earth.

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions:

Which figure of speech stands out the most in your mind?

How is God dressing (shaping) you for His service today?

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A Strong Green Olive Tree

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 3-4
POETRY: Psalm 144
NEW TESTAMENT: John 17:1-5

Zechariah 3:6-10 (NKJV) Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, 7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘If you will walk in My ways,
And if you will keep My command,
Then you shall also judge My house,
And likewise have charge of My courts;
I will give you places to walk
Among these who stand here.
8 ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest,
You and your companions who sit before you,
  For they are a wondrous sign;
For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.
9 For behold, the stone
That I have laid before Joshua:
Upon the stone are seven eyes.
Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’
Says the LORD of hosts,
‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts,
‘Everyone will invite his neighbor
Under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”

Psalms 144:3-4 (NKJV) O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them,
mere mortals that you should think about them?
4 For they are like a breath of air;
their days are like a passing shadow

John 17:1-5 ​(NKJV) After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

The greatest message of the kingdom that we need for ourselves, and that we also need to share with others is this wonderful news about Christ and his life and death.  When we read the Bible histories in both OT and NT we are brought to an understanding of who the Father is and what He desires for mankind.  We get this by opening our hearts to His message that He is sending to us.  The Bible is not an encyclopedia where we look up the answers to our questions alphabetically.  God wants us to have faith and trust in Him and He shows us who He is in all these interactions with people who believe.  Especially we see Him in the life of Christ.  Jesus fulfills the law of God by doing the things and saying the things which truly represent God’s love and grace.  We become involved in a lifetime study of trust and faith.  Every day we should see a larger and greater picture of this love God has for us. We also learn of our inability to earn our own salvation but are dependent on His grace.  As we grow, we should come to  appreciate more and more God’s wonderful plan for mankind. 

About 500 years before Christ is born Zechariah prophecies about a man who is called the “Branch”.  This word is better translated as “shoot” or tree.  The stump of the tree of Israel has been cut off and this tree is no longer what it was.  God in the OT compares Israel to a strong olive tree. 

Jeremiah 11:16(NKJV) The LORD called your name,
Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit.
With the noise of a great tumult
He has kindled fire on it,
And its branches are broken.

Jesus becomes a strong tree shoot that grows from the roots of this tree stump and becomes a new tree of life. In Romans 11 God tells us that we are branches from a wild olive tree grafted into this new tree of Christ.  “Romans 11:24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree”.  The words “wild olive” in the Greek is “Oleaster tree”.  If you have noticed in the Midwest we have a terrible plague of invasive Russian olive or autumn olive trees growing everywhere.  These are from the “oleaster” family of trees.  They are very invasive and have no particular value to anyone.  They have small red berries which the birds eat and spread everywhere, but which are very bitter and have no food value.  They look at first like an olive tree especially from a distance.  They have silvery gray leaves and a shape like an olive tree.  But when you get close you see that it is this tree which everyone wishes to get rid of with no value or fruit.  God takes us Gentiles who have no value and aren’t even the right genus of plants and grafts us onto the wonderful tree of Christ.  We become part of this tree of life which God has decided to make us.

 These are branches grafted onto the roots in the humanity of people (which is why it is called the stump of Jesse instead of the stump of David).  But this is a tree chosen and prospered by God and then made even more diverse with the addition of wild olive tree branches to the tree.  What a wonderful picture of the love God has for us.  When we see ourselves in God’s plan then we are trusting Him with our hearts.  This is the desire that God has for us to be in His wonderful family of faith and love. God is always faithful to keep His Word. We have received a wonderful life today and a future with Him.  Have a great day in fellowship with our big brother Jesus Christ and our Father Yahweh God.

Revelation 19:10 (NLT) Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions:

How do you see yourself in God’s plan?

What ministry does He have for you to do this day?

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God Shows Us His Love and Mercy

12/15/24

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 1-2

POETRY: Psalm 143

NEW TESTAMENT: John 16:17-33

Zechariah 1:16-17(NLT) “‘Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’ 17 “Say this also: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.’”

Psalms 143:7-11(NLT) Come quickly, LORD, and answer me,
for my depression deepens.
Don’t turn away from me,
or I will die.
8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD;
I run to you to hide me.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing.
11 For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

John 16:17-24 (NLT) Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” 19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

How many times do we think to ourselves “I wish I could ask Jesus about what he said in a passage?”. Here in John 16 Jesus sees that question in the hearts of his disciples without them even asking.  He then answers that question of their hearts. 

I was able to witness the birth of all four of our children who are now in their 30’s and 40’s.  I was a participant in the event, Lamaze called me a coach, but really the events were all focused on the effort it took my wife Sandy to birth the children.  Labor for her started many hours before the actual birth event.  The start of the contractions was usually strong but the effort and pain at the end when the child is birthed became almost overwhelming for her.  Thanks be to God that she is so tough and resilient that all were born without complications and were beautiful children when born.  The intensity of the birth process is still embedded in my mind forever.

Jesus tells the disciples about the events that are going to occur in the near future for all of them.  God has showed Christ by the Old Testament scriptures and by revelation what he will have to endure.  Jesus compares these events to the birth of a child, where the pain and effort are replaced in the end by the joy of the new child and her or his coming into the world.  My wife and I had great joy at the birth of the children when we were able to hold them in our arms and enjoy the blessing of the new child.

Jesus tells the disciples that in the future they will rejoice about the events of the cross.  Jesus sees and knows what’s coming for him, but they do not yet at this time understand.  But he is getting them ready for the future message of hope that will come from the resurrection and the ascension.  This leads to the day of Pentecost and the founding of the church of the body of Christ. 

Zechariah 1:16-17 (NLT)

Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’ 17 “Say this also: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.’”

As we read through Zechariah it will become clear to us that the visions he sees about the building and construction that God shows him are immediately fulfilled in the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. The books of Nehemiah and Ezra give us the history of this rebuilding.  But the really big picture is of the future building of the millennial kingdom and the city of Jerusalem by the Messiah.  As we read through Zechariah try to look at the immediate fulfilling of his prophecies, but more importantly look at how they fit together at the end of the Tribulation and the establishment of the Millennial kingdom.  The judgement of wrath which judges Israel and Judah are turned to the great blessings of all the promises to Israel fulfilled in the righteous kingdom.  Jesus Christ is the head of both government and religion in this future rulership.  Almost all prophecy has a near fulfillment and then a future truth of God’s promises.  As you read Zechariah and the words from Psalms and John this week look for the immediate fulfillment but more importantly see the message that God shows of the future.

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions:

What are the great anticipations of your heart for your life?

How does our hope in Christ grow as we live today but look forward to the fulfillment of prophecy?

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The Helper

OLD TESTAMENT: Haggai 1-2

POETRY: Psalm 143

NEW TESTAMENT: John 16:5-16

Jesus follows up his warnings of persecution in John 16 by promising his disciples a helper. Or, more specifically, the Helper. 

Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send it to you. And when it comes, it will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment. (John 16:7-8 REV)

To human beings who rely on our five senses to understand the world around us, it can be hard to make sense of this invisible power mysteriously referred to as the Helper. Jesus is vague in his description of the Helper—so vague that the disciples may have been picturing a cape-wearing, hammer-throwing, bad-guy-slaying superhero. 

Throughout the New Testament, in Jesus’ teachings and the following epistles, we get a clearer picture of what the Helper is. We most commonly refer to the Helper as the Holy Spirit. It is the power and presence of God active in the lives of believers.

Using scripture as our reference, let’s demystify what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life. (If you’ve committed to following Christ, this power is already inside you! If you haven’t yet, this power is available to you!) 

The Holy Spirit, through Jesus, dwells in us to be our helper. 

This helper is the spirit of truth, which the world is not able to receive, because it does not see it or know it. You know it, for it is present with you, and will be in you. (John 14:17 REV)

The Holy Spirit is received at conversion and is the seal of our salvation. 

In union with him you also, when you heard the message of truth—the good news of your salvation—and when you believed in him, were marked with a seal—the promised holy spirit. (Ephesians 1:13 REV)

The Holy Spirit guides us in truth & convicts us of our sin.

And when it comes, it will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment. (John 16:8 REV)

The Holy Spirit produces fruit to help us live set apart from the world. 

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 REV)

The Holy Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts to build up the church.

Now to each one the manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good. For to one is given through the spirit a message of wisdom, and to another a message of knowledge by means of the same spirit, to a different one trust by the same spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the one spirit, and to another energizings of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Now all these are energized by the one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as he purposes. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 REV)

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, which made you a vessel fitting of the Holy Spirit, God’s power lives in you. Whether you’ve realized this before or not, you wield a supernatural force—your very own super power, your helper.

-Mackenzie McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. When are you aware of the Spirit?
  2. What help have you received from the Spirit?
  3. How can you work closer with your Helper?
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