Category: truth

Who Speaks For Your God?

2 Kings 5-6       

Psalm 65            

2 Corinthians 4

-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

The records of scripture we are reading today include the story of Naaman and his leprosy.  This record is familiar to many, but never loses relevance for us as we read.  The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword and is able to separate the physical world we live in from the spiritual truth that surrounds this world.  

What is important to you?  Then what is important to God?

2 Kings 5:1-8(NLT) The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 2 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 5 “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” 8 But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”

A prophet is one who speaks for God.  He or she speaks out the truths that God shows them to say to the people in that moment of time and place.  These truths are seldom predictions of the future, which is the popular viewpoint of many.  But rather most of prophecy is speaking the firmly established truths of the Word of God applied at the right place, right time.  

There are also many people that think that there are no more prophets today.  This is a reaction I think to the claims of religions such as Mormonism or Islam, for example, that base their authority on the speaking of a self-proclaimed prophet.  It is easier to just say that there are no prophets today after the 1st century of the church then to see that there were many false prophets then and many false prophets now.  

It is not for the prophet’s own power or position that words of knowledge and wisdom are given to the prophet, but for the building up of the body of Christ.  The words spoken by representatives of God in a true relationship with our Father God will be the words that are rightly spoken.  This will be in a way that builds confidence in God and Christ, not tearing people down from condemnation. There may be a firm correction given by the prophet to the people but it will build up, not tear down.

Proverbs 25:11(NKJV) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

2 Kings 5 :9-15(NLT) So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” 11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! 15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. 

The words of a true prophet are established to be true and faithful to our God.  God gives us the words of truth and when we speak on His behalf to the powers of this world God will give those words the power to do His good and intent.  We are not responsible for the content of God’s Word, but we are responsible for the telling of it to others.  God’s message, our speech.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2(NLT) Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

What are the truths that God has given you to speak and reveal to others?

When you speak for God are you fulfilling the ministry of a prophet? (Hmmm…)

2 Corinthians 4:5-7(NLT) You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Whose power are you empowered with today?  

What is the light (knowledge) that you can shine into the darkness of this world?

Why did God choose you?

Our message is not about ourselves but about the God who has saved us.  What is the purpose of the saving grace of God for your life if not to serve Him and speak for Him?  It isn’t religious rules and statues that God calls us to speak but the message of that saving grace of God which you have received. 

2 Corinthians 4:13-18(NLT) But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory…..18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever

Fix your eyes upon Jesus, look full into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim….

Reflect On Questions above in bold font.

Prayer

Father God, we pray to You today to empower our lives with Your Word and wisdom.  The power that we have is from You alone, and we can only speak truth with Your words.  Give us the confidence to speak for You, and Your love to see others as You do.  Thank you in the name of Jesus Christ for all Your care and help in our time of need.  

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The Cost of Ignoring Truth

1 Kings 21–22

Psalm 63

2 Corinthians 1

-devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

1 Kings ends with two powerful reminders:

God sees injustice.
And truth does not change simply because people refuse to listen to it.

Chapter 21 tells the heartbreaking story of Naboth’s vineyard.

King Ahab wanted Naboth’s land, but Naboth refused to sell it because it was part of his family inheritance under God’s law. Ahab responded like a spoiled child — sulking, pouting, and lying in bed angry because he could not have what he wanted.

Then Jezebel stepped in.

She arranged false accusations, manipulated the legal system, and had Naboth executed so Ahab could seize the vineyard.

It is one of the clearest examples in Scripture of powerful people abusing authority for personal gain.

And God saw every bit of it.

Elijah confronted Ahab with devastating words of judgment. Yet something remarkable happened afterward: Ahab humbled himself temporarily, and God delayed part of the judgment.

Even here we see God’s mercy mixed with justice.

But chapter 22 may be even more sobering.

Ahab wanted reassurance before going into battle. So hundreds of prophets told him exactly what he wanted to hear:

“Go, for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

Only one prophet, Micaiah, told the truth.

And everybody hated him for it.

Ahab openly admitted:

“I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.”

That sentence reveals something deeply dangerous about human nature.

Many people do not actually want truth.
They want reassurance.
Validation.
Comfort.
Approval.

They want spiritual voices that confirm their desires rather than challenge their hearts.

False prophets often become popular because they remove the discomfort of repentance.

Micaiah stood alone and spoke the truth anyway.

And he was imprisoned for it.

Ahab ignored the warning, disguised himself in battle to avoid danger, and still died exactly as God had foretold. A random arrow struck him between the armor plates.

No disguise could hide him from God.
No political power could override truth.
No amount of denial could change reality.

That is one of the major themes running throughout 1 Kings:

Human leaders repeatedly fail.
Human wisdom repeatedly collapses.
Human kingdoms repeatedly drift toward corruption.

But God remains faithful.

And despite all the darkness in these chapters, Scripture continues pointing forward to a better future — a righteous King who will judge perfectly, defend the innocent, and establish true justice forever.

Unlike Ahab, that coming King will not abuse power.
Unlike false prophets, He will speak truth completely.
Unlike earthly kingdoms, His reign will not end in corruption and death.

That is where the story of Scripture is heading.

Toward resurrection.
Toward restoration.
Toward the Kingdom of God.

Three Things to Remember
  1. God sees injustice.

Naboth’s murder was not hidden from the LORD.

  1. Truth is often unpopular.

Micaiah was hated precisely because he spoke honestly.

  1. Human kingdoms fail, but God’s Kingdom will endure.

Ahab’s reign ended in death, but God’s promises continued forward.

The end of 1 Kings leaves us with an important question:

When truth confronts us, will we humble ourselves before God…

Or only listen to voices that tell us what we already want to hear?

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you do with truth that contradicts what you want to hear? Give some examples.
  2. Where do you see injustice? How might God want you to respond?

Prayer

Dear God – Thank you for your faithfulness! Give me a discerning heart that knows truth and stands strong against lies and injustice. Thank you for your love and guidance today and your Coming Kingdom where truth and righteousness will reign forever.

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When God Speaks Through the Fire

1 Kings 17-18

Psalm 62

1 Corinthians 15

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

The spiritual darkness in Israel had deepened dramatically.

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel aggressively promoted Baal worship, persecuted God’s prophets, and led the nation further from the LORD. Baal was supposedly the god of storms, rain, and fertility. So when drought struck the land at Elijah’s word, it was not random.

It was a direct challenge.

1 Kings chapters 17–18 introduce Elijah suddenly and powerfully. He appears almost out of nowhere and boldly announces that there will be no rain except at his word.

Then God begins teaching lessons through unlikely places.

He feeds Elijah through ravens.
He sustains a poor widow during famine.
He raises the widow’s son back to life.

Again and again, God demonstrates that He is not limited by human weakness, economic hardship, or impossible situations.

One of the most beautiful parts of these chapters is the widow’s story.

She believed she was preparing her final meal before death. Yet when she trusted God’s word through Elijah, the flour and oil did not run out.

Sometimes God asks people to trust Him when circumstances appear hopeless.

Not because He enjoys watching people struggle, but because dependence often reveals where our faith truly rests.

Then comes Mount Carmel.

It is one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture.

Elijah stands alone against hundreds of prophets of Baal and asks the people a piercing question:

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him…”

That question still echoes today.

Many people want spiritual neutrality.
A little truth.
A little compromise.
A little worship of God mixed with whatever else the culture values most.

But divided loyalty never leads to peace.

The prophets of Baal cried out desperately all day, yet nothing happened. No fire. No voice. No answer.

Then Elijah prayed simply and confidently.

And fire fell from heaven.

The moment was not merely about spectacle. It was about truth.

The people needed to know that the LORD alone was truly God.

Our modern world may not bow before carved idols named Baal, but idols still exist. People still worship power, pleasure, politics, money, fame, comfort, and self. Human hearts naturally attach ultimate value to something.

And whatever sits in God’s place becomes an idol.

Yet there is another important truth in these chapters: God is patient.

For years Israel drifted. For years God sent warnings. Even on Mount Carmel, Elijah’s challenge was ultimately an invitation for the people to return.

That invitation still exists today.

The God revealed in Scripture is not merely looking for outward religion or emotional moments. He desires wholehearted faithfulness and trust.

And ultimately, Elijah’s victory points forward to an even greater future day when God will fully remove false worship, injustice, and spiritual darkness from the earth.

One day His Kingdom will come completely, and truth will no longer compete with deception.

Three Things to Remember
  1. God often works through impossible situations.

The widow’s empty jars became a testimony of God’s provision.

  1. Divided loyalty leads nowhere.

Elijah challenged the people to stop wavering between God and idols.

  1. Truth will ultimately prevail.

The fire on Mount Carmel revealed who truly held power.

The people on Mount Carmel wanted visible proof before committing themselves.

But the deeper issue was never lack of evidence.

It was the condition of the heart.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did God work in and through Elijah’s life? In what ways would you like to be more like Elijah? (check out James 5:17 for some inspiration)
  2. Where have you seen God work through impossible situations?
  3. Consider your worship of God. Do you ever waver between two opinions or dilute full faithfulness? Could it ever be said of you that you displayed “A little worship of God mixed with whatever else the culture values most”? Are there any changes that need to be made?

    Prayer

    Dear God – I praise You for being a God of power, truth and patience. Thank you for all the times You have provided just what I needed exactly when I needed it. There is NO God but YOU. Give me an undivided heart that trusts and looks to You in all things, at all times. Help me to boldly proclaim You and Your way, Your Son Jesus and Your Coming Kingdom.

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    When Truth Becomes Inconvenient

    *1 Kings 13-14

    Psalm 61

    1 Corinthians 13

    -Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

    These chapters are strange, tragic, and deeply sobering.

    1 Kings chapter 13 introduces an unnamed “man of God” sent to confront King Jeroboam. Jeroboam had established false worship in the northern kingdom, creating golden calves and counterfeit religious practices to keep people politically loyal to him.

    God sent a prophet to warn him.

    And at first, the prophet stood courageously.

    He delivered God’s message directly to the king. When Jeroboam stretched out his hand against him, the king’s hand shriveled instantly until the prophet prayed for his healing. It should have been a moment of repentance.

    But Jeroboam’s heart remained unchanged.

    Then comes one of the most heartbreaking twists in the story.

    God had specifically commanded the prophet not to eat or drink in that place and not to return the same way he came. But an older prophet lied to him, claiming an angel had given new instructions. The younger prophet listened to the false message instead of obeying the clear word God had already spoken.

    And it cost him his life.

    It is a difficult story, but its lesson is painfully relevant.

    Not every spiritual voice is trustworthy simply because it sounds religious.

    People can speak confidently and still be wrong.
    People can claim spiritual authority and still deceive others.
    Even sincere believers can drift if they stop carefully testing what they hear against what God has already revealed.

    That is why truth matters.

    Not harshness.
    Not arrogance.
    Not winning arguments.

    But truth.

    The world often pressures believers to reshape God’s commands into something more convenient, popular, or culturally acceptable. Jeroboam did exactly that. He created a religion that was politically useful and easier for people to embrace.

    And many people gladly followed it.

    Counterfeit worship is often attractive because it asks less of us.

    But convenient religion cannot save us.

    Chapter 14 continues the tragedy. Jeroboam’s household faced judgment because he continually led the nation into sin. Yet even in the middle of judgment, Scripture notes something remarkable about Jeroboam’s sick child:

    “In him there is found something pleasing to the LORD…”

    Even in dark times, God notices sincere hearts.

    That truth still matters today.

    Our culture is filled with competing voices claiming to represent truth. Some are loud. Some are persuasive. Some are comforting. But faithfulness requires more than emotional reactions or popular opinion.

    It requires humble obedience to God.

    And ultimately, these chapters remind us why humanity desperately needs a better King than Jeroboam, Solomon, or any other flawed ruler. Human leaders repeatedly fail. Human religion repeatedly drifts.

    But God’s future King will lead with perfect truth and righteousness.

    One day false worship, deception, and divided hearts will finally end when God’s Kingdom fully comes and the earth is restored under His rule.

    Three Things to Remember
    1. Not every spiritual voice speaks truth.

    The prophet was deceived when he ignored God’s clear instruction.

    1. Convenient religion is spiritually dangerous.

    Jeroboam created worship that was politically useful but spiritually corrupt.

    1. God still notices sincere hearts.

    Even in a corrupt generation, God recognized what was good in Jeroboam’s child.

    Faithfulness is not always easy.

    Sometimes obeying God means standing against culture, pressure, convenience, or even respected voices around us.

    But truth does not become false simply because it is unpopular.

    And error does not become true simply because it is persuasive.

    Reflection Questions

    1. How can you tell if you are listening to lies or to the truth from God? How can you tell if you are speaking lies or the truth from God?
    2. When were you led astray by listening to someone who was not speaking the truth? What happened?
    3. What can you think of today that may be politically useful but spiritually corrupt?

    Prayer

    Dear God, You are giver of all truth. Help me to discern what is truth coming from You and what is not. Teach me what is Your voice and what is deception. May I not fall for what is convenient or popular but strive to always please You with authentic, sincere love, worship and truth. Please give me Lord, a true, undivided, faithful heart loving and serving You the only true God and Your Son Jesus, til his glorious return.

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    Afraid of the Truth

    1 Samuel 1-2Psalm 45Acts 24

    -Devotion by Kristy Cisneros (SC)

    Verses 24 and 25 in today’s reading in Acts immediately captured my attention, 

    “Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.  As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (NIV). 

    My takeaway from these verses is that Felix must have recognized the gospel message as the truth, but didn’t want to act on it. Instead, he wanted to pretend like he had never heard it. Reading these verses immediately brought to mind Hebrews 10:31:  “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (NIV) Earlier in chapter 10 of Hebrews in verse 26 and 27, we read of the fate of those who know the truth but don’t allow it to change them, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” To be confronted with the truth and then deliberately choose to ignore it doesn’t make us immune from God’s judgment. Hebrews 10:39: “ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (NIV) May we have a bold faith like Paul rather than one that shrinks back like Felix’s. 

    Reflection Questions

    1. Why might Felix have been afraid of the truth he heard from Paul – about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come? Even with fear, what might have been a better response than his, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you”?
    2. Is there truth that you are too afraid to face? How do you respond to that fear? Even with fear, what might be a better response?
    3. Are there some things God might want us to be fearful of? If so, what and why, for what purpose? Are there some things God does not want us to be fearful of? If so, what and why, for what purpose?

    Prayer

    Dear God, You are the mighty and wise Creator of heaven and earth and all truth. I pray that You show me what is true – about You, Your Son, Your Word, myself, this world and the one to come. I desire a deeper and deeper faith in You that is bold in believing, sharing and acting upon Your truth. Guide me today in seeing and making the most of every opportunity you set before me, as a Paul and not a Felix. In the name of Your Son, who came and will come again, I pray.

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    Who is Our God?

    Deuteronomy 17-18 

    Psalm 28 

    Mark 12

    – Devotion by Pastor Haroon Yacoob Masihi

    From Tom Siderius from Church of God Blanchard, Michigan – Pastor Masihi is the chairman of the Unitarian Mission of Pakistan and is very active and vigorous in his teaching of One God truth and Unitarian belief there.  I have been privileged to help with teaching there via zoom as has Jon Welch, Jerry Wierwille,  and others from  COG churches.  I asked him for a sermon that he has given there in Urdu which could be adapted to a Seek Grow Love devotion for us to read.  I have edited it for structure but the content is his.  Please read with him and pray for their mission there and the fellowship that we can have with them.

    Hello brothers and sisters,  very important topic of who our God is. For hundreds of years the teaching of the Trinity that God is three persons in one: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; has been seen as a core belief within Christianity.

    Yet this teaching has been assumed to be taught in the scriptures, not directly taught. What does God’s word show about Himself? Is the teaching of the trinity true? Who is the God of the Bible? I hope to answer these questions today.

    Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, “I, Yahweh, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone,” — Isaiah 44:24

    Whoever God is, he is the only God. There are not multiples. There is only one and He has revealed Himself by a name, this name is Yahweh, and He alone is God.

    And God furthermore said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name from generation to generation. Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I indeed care about you and what has been done to you in Egypt.— Exodus 3:15-16

    When God revealed Himself to Moses, He identified Himself to be the God that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob believed in. These men were the ancestors of the Israelites. The God of the Bible is the same as their God.

    “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as phylacteries between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”— Deuteronomy 6:4-9

    This passage is at the core of the Jewish faith. In a world where many people have said there are many gods, Yahweh God revealed himself to all of Israel as the one true God. This is the one God that they taught their children and who is the creator of us all.

    “And when one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, he recognized that He had answered them well and asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’”— Mark 12:28-30

    Jesus, who is a Jew, held to the same God as his ancestors. He said this is the most important commandment of all to love this one and only true God. This is the God of Jesus. The Trinity teaches that Jesus is God or a part of God, yet Jesus acknowledges he has a God.

    “Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.”— John 4:21-23

    There have been claims that Jesus came to reveal and teach the God of the Trinity. That Israel did not fully understand God. But is that true? Jesus here acknowledges that the Jews knew God, and that their God was the true God. Israel did not believe in a trinity. They understood who God was because he had revealed Himself to them.

    “For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”— 1 Corinthians 8:5-6

    Paul confirms his belief in one God, also called the Father. He believes in this one God and in the one Lord, Jesus. If this God of the Trinity was revealed by Jesus then why does Paul not acknowledge that? Paul acknowledges the one true God and the son that God sent, Jesus.

    “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”— Ephesians 4:4-6 

    There is only one faith and this faith is in this one God, the Father. There is no mention of three beings of a trinity God. Only the Father, He alone is God.

    Jesus also confirms this is his God and the only true one.

    “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” — John 17:3

    Jesus says our salvation is dependent on knowing the true God, and to also know His Messiah, Jesus. Jesus does not put himself as that true God, but that we have to believe in his God.

    “Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” — John 20:17

    Our God and Father is Jesus’s God and Father. There was not a revealing of a new God or a new understanding of that God. But the same God that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob believed in is the same God that our Lord Jesus believes in and serves.

    “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out from it anymore. And I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.” — Revelation 3:12 

    Here, Jesus is now in heaven at the right hand of God. And he still speaks of his God. Again, the teaching of the Trinity is not revealed, but only the one God, the same God of Jesus.

    This is the God that Jesus pleased when he was a child

    And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. — Luke 2:52

    This is the God that brought about Jesus through His power upon Mary at the right time according to Gods plan.

    The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.— Luke 1:35

    But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. — Galatians 4:4-5

    God brought about Jesus and it was the same God that Jesus worshipped. God did not come down or become man, He chose a man with a very special job.

    “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” — Acts 2:22-24

    Often it is questioned then, who is Jesus? If he is not God or a part of God, then who is he? Peter shows who he is. He is a man chosen by God. God gave great power to and a very special role to this man, Jesus. It was not God who came down to do this mission, but a man like you and me who was chosen for this mission.

    “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He determined, having furnished proof to all by raising Him from the dead.”— Acts 17:30-31

    God is using this man and showed everyone by raising him from the dead. This was not God who died, because God cannot die, or God who raised himself, but a man who was raised by God to eternal life. And it is this man who is in heaven with our God and his God.

    “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the witness for this proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” — 1 Timothy 2:3-7

    There is only one true God. Jesus is a man who mediates between us and this one true God. Jesus could not meditate between God and men if he himself was God. He represented God to us, and represents us to God.

    So what does God’s word show about Himself? Is the teaching of the trinity true?

    God has revealed Himself in His word as the only true God. He has given us His name as Yahweh, the God that Abraham and all Israel believed in. The God from the beginning is the same God Jesus worships.

    The god of the trinity is not revealed in scripture. The trinity is a teaching that does not hear the words of our savior Jesus who has shown the only true God. So let us all praise and worship the one true God and Father of us all, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Whether you are hearing these thoughts for the first time, or you have spent your whole life believing them, or somewhere in the middle – what makes sense to you today about these verses from Scripture? What do you currently have questions about?
    2. What do you love about Jehovah God? What does He reveal about Himself in Scripture?
    3. What do you love about the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Messiah? What do we learn about him in Scripture?

    Prayer:

    My heartfelt prayer is that Jehovah God will reveal His truth to all Christians. And that all Christians will know the one God Jehovah the Heavenly Father and the Son of the Father, Jesus Christ. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

    Blessings, Your brother in Christ, a servant, Pastor Haroon Yaqoob Masihi

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    Feeling Forsaken

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    The Anointed One: The Son of Man

    Exodus 17-18

    Psalm 2

    Matthew 16

    Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

    In our Exodus reading this morning, we see once again that after a string of miracles and rescues, the Israelites are grumbling; to the point that Moses tells God he’s worried about them stoning him (17:4).  God miraculously provides yet again for their provision, and then miraculously provides for their safety and security (17:11-13).  Then, some of the in-laws decide to stop by for a visit (18).

    Moses’ father-in-law Jethro comes to visit and sees an overwhelmed Moses, struggling from sunup to sundown daily taking care of the (very demanding) people he was leading.  Keep in mind, this was not a small group, this was likely millions of people (Ex 12:37-38 “600,000 men, not counting the little ones (or women), and a foreign multitude also”) all clamoring for his attention at once.  Can you even imagine the chaos? Jethro gives Moses some VERY good advice (18: 17-23) that applies to us today as well: organize and prioritize if you want to get results, delegate if you have to.  I think we too many times take on more than we can reasonably accomplish, and don’t have a good plan to do it, and just end up getting frustrated and upset.  Many times we just give up because we feel overwhelmed.  But couldn’t we take Jethro’s advice, and plan better?  If we organize ourselves, and approach our problems systematically, they become less overwhelming.  This applies to every aspect of our lives: work, social, spiritual.  We could actually have written the entire devotional on just this bit alone, but there are some other VERY important scriptures in today’s reading.

    Moving on to our second portion of scripture today (Ps 2), we see some absolutely critical theological points that need to be highlighted (in your bible) and remembered .  Do you remember what “Christ” or “Messiah” means?  It ‘s a title, and means (literally) “The Anointed”.  It represented a man who was chosen and anointed by God (usually through his agent, or “shaliah”…see Jan 27 devotional) to be his king, it’s all throughout the Old Testament, check and see.  The  Hebrew “Messiah” (or “Christos” in greek) means simply “the anointed one” and the term came to be one of prophetic expectation waiting for God to send his king to rule the earth (See 2nd Samuel 7 for the details of the prophecy, we’ll get deeper into that one in a later devotional).    The New Testament continuously states that Jesus of Nazareth was this man anointed by God to be His king on earth by reiterating it over and over when describing him as “Jesus Christ”.  That’s not his last name ya’ll, that’s a title (I’m Southern, I’m allowed to say “ya’ll”, it’s culturally appropriate).  Most of the gospels directly state that the purpose for their writing was to show that Jesus was that Messiah, and that he had come, in their thesis statements.

    In Psalm 2:2 it says “The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh and against his Anointed, saying…” (LSB Translation).  We see clearly here that there are 2 individuals that the kings and rulers are taking a stand against.  This does not match up with what some mainstream orthodoxy teachings relate, but this is stated explicitly and repeatedly in scripture and we know from Jesus that “scripture cannot be broken”.  This is one of the many reasons why it is so absolutely critical to study for yourself, and not rely on people to tell you what you should believe.  Men are just human, and can fail, but scripture cannot be broken(John 10:35), so read it for yourself (and show your work).  Be a good Berean, and test everything that you hear against the scriptures.  Our God is a God of truth and not deception, so if something you are hearing from men confuses you, study scriptures!  If you can read Deut 6:4 and Mark 12:29-34 and not be fiercely monotheistic, like the ancient Jews, then you have learned mental gymnastics worthy of an olympic level athlete…but why change it?  Man was made simple, his complex problems are of his own devising (Ecc 7:29).

    Ps 2: 11-12 states “Serve Yahweh with fear and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way…”(LSB), another clear delineation between our creator and our king.  It is terrible and sad that we have confused this simple message through the centuries, whenever possible I suggest we should with love, patience, and respect suggest the simpler reading to our brothers and sisters who have reached a different, more “complex”, understanding.  In instances that opportunities present themselves for you to do this, may I humbly suggest that “love” is far more important for you to convey than truth.  The truth will come in time, if presented deeply with love, according to God’s will.

    To wrap this up in a nice tidy bow, we can then turn over to Matt 16, where one of the clearest statements of Jesus identity is made by his guy, Peter.  First let me pose you this question, what is a son of man?  I would respectfully answer this with the very common sensical answer of “a man”. What if you capitalized that, and said a Son of Man?  Well, I’d have to say, still a man: although this does have prophetic overtones (See Daniel 7, and note again the clear delineation between God and his anointed).  Did you know that in addition to God using his name (YHVH) almost 7000 times in the Old Testament, Jesus is referred to as the “son of man” (add capitilization however you like, the NT translators did…)  81 times, and 80 of those times were by Jesus himself in the gospels.  A “son of man” was how Jesus self-identified.  It’s pretty important to remember that.

    In a conversation about identity, Jesus asks Peter who people were saying that he was (Matt 16: 13-14). To further clarify who he was, Jesus asked Peter “but who do you say that I am?”.  Peter replies, “You are the Christ, the son of the Living God.”  Remember that Christ and Messiah mean the same thing, anointed one.  I would like to point out the obvious at this point and say that God has no need to anoint himself.  By his statement Peter is clearly stating “You are the one that was anointed by God, and the son of the Living God”.  This is in a direct fulfillment of the prophecy in 2 Sam: 7 wherein the Messiah MUST BE: 1-the son of David (a human descendant of King David), 2-the son of God, 3-the king who will rule forever.  Note Jesus response to this answer in v17: “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (LSB).  If Peter was mistaken about Jesus’ identity as the Christ, this would have been an excellent opportunity for Jesus to correct him don’t you think?  Just some things to think about, may God bless you as you study his word.

    REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

    1. What can you change in your approach, like Jethro suggested to Moses, to more effectively govern your own life? Your own work? Your own spirituality?
    2. When Jesus says that scripture cannot be broken, he is referring to the scripture they had at the time, the Old Testament.  How often do you take time to “stand by the ancient ways” and read the Old Testament deeply? Why?
    3. Do you check everything the pastor tells you from the pulpit against scripture?  Why, or why not?  Now think of the same question, but instead of your pastor insert “anyone”, and instead of the pulpit insert “youtube”, “social media”, or “friends”.  Is your answer different?  Why, or why not?
    4. Who do you say that Jesus is?  Is it different than Peter, and if so, why?

    PRAYER:

    Lord God Most High, please open my eyes so that I can see clearly.  Please open my ears so that I can hear clearly.  Circumcise my heart, so that I can walk humbly before you.  Thank you for sending your son with your words to teach and redeem us all, please help us to listen and to obey.   Forgive us our pride, and grant us humility and understanding.  Thank you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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    Knock and It Will be Opened to You

    Genesis 33-34

    Proverbs 17

    *Matthew 7

    Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)


    Matthew 7:7-12(NKJV) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

    It is so humbling to read the words of Jesus and see how he so quickly and precisely condenses the issues of life into a perfect understanding for us. Here in Matthew 7 Jesus tells many truths that illustrate God’s true desire for mankind and gives us the hope that is evident in the statements and wisdom he teaches. 

    Ask, Knock, Seek. All these actions come from a believing heart which hears the Word and desires to have the wisdom that God gives to us when we seek Him. The life of Jesus is the way that we can see the true heart of God in Jesus’ actions and speech. Marcia Railton recently taught us in the lessons on Matthew 5 that it is not by following the rules we are made wise and righteous, but by changing our hearts to be like our Father God who loves us. Our minds and hearts need to become changed from our human nature and sin and grow into the attitude and actions of being Christ-like. We must earnestly desire and pursue the truth of God’s Word for our lives in order for them to be changed into what God would have us be. 

    Jesus appeals to our human understanding by asking us a question:  Which of you that is a father to children would not be true to their desire for food. Jesus asks, “when the son asks for bread would you give him a stone?”  Their bread was baked in a sort of furnace that had great flat stones for the bread loaves to set on and bake. After an extended period of use the stones in their ovens would look exactly like the loaves of bread being baked on them. Jesus is challenging us to be honest and true in how we deal with people by not giving wisdom or judgement to them which is false or counterfeit. 

    The next question is “what father when asked for fish would give his son a snake?”  There were fish that came from the sea of Galilee and other waters that looked like a snake, long and slender. But they were good to eat and nutritious. The counterfeit action here would be to give the child a snake which could be dangerous and certainly not what should be given to them. Luke expands this teaching with “when asked for an egg would give the child a scorpion?”  Here again the counterfeit is the scorpion which when drawn tight together looks like a hen’s egg cooked and ready to eat. But the counterfeit egg is dangerous and even deadly.

    Then Jesus asks the question  if we have at least this honesty and integrity with our own children to bless them how much more our God and Father in heaven desires to bless us and give us His care and love? I think this a fitting example of a rhetorical question as it causes us to examine the motives and desires of our hearts. We can live good lives by the rules, I haven’t stolen today, I haven’t murdered today, I haven’t committed adultery today. But the day is early as I write this so how can I be sure I will follow every rule making myself righteous in God’s sight? What great reward does He have for me today for being good and doing all the rules? 

    Then we are convicted by just doing what our human nature would probably consider good, giving the real fish, bread, and egg to those that ask. But how much more does God require of us to become like Jesus with his heart of compassion and true love for those we meet and interact with.

    Look at Proverbs 17:3 for more wisdom on these questions.

    Proverbs 17:3(NKJV) The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
    But the LORD tests the hearts.

    Yahweh God our Father is most concerned with our hearts and the test is what is really there. True wisdom comes from above and the words and life of Jesus give us such convicting records of how we are t0 believe and live.

    Reflection Questions

    1. What good gifts have you received from God?
    2. Truthfully consider, what does God see in your heart today? What is He pleased to see? What doo you wish He did not see?
    3. What do you want others to do to you? How can you do, or give, that to others?

    PRAYER:


    Father God today we pray that You change our hearts from the hearts of stone we have to hearts filled with Your love and compassion. We seek you today and ask for Your help in all of life. We knock on the door of understanding and ask for You to give it to us. Father refine our hearts and motives so that we become like Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray this today.

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    A New Bible Reading Plan for the New Year!

    Our SeekGrowLove Bible reading plan for 2026 will cover the entire Bible in a year with 3 readings each day: Old Testament, Psalm/Proverbs and New Testament. We will read two gospels at the start of the year and two at the end. Proverbs will be read both in January and again in December. Most of the Psalm and Gospel chapters will be read at least twice, on consecutive days. Re-reading is a great practice to help us soak in the truths of God’s word.

    Visit SeekGrowLove.com to subscribe and receive daily emails with devotions following the Bible reading plan. We thank the 44 people we heard from in 2025 who shared the daily Scriptures with us in order to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness. We look forward to more in the year ahead. God bless you all as together we Seek, Grow, and Love!

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