Today’s reading is Acts 27:1-28:31.

When Paul met with the Jews in Rome, they said, “We desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against” (Acts 28:22). 

I have a tendency to think if someone speaks against what I’m doing, that I must be doing something wrong. I start trying to look around and figure out how to conduct myself so that no one can possibly say anything against me. But Paul’s story reminds me that is impossible. If I’m following God’s way, someone won’t like me. That is amazing to me because when I’m following God’s way I’m humble, serving, merciful, helpful, loving, etc. However, I have to come to grips with the fact that not everyone is going to like Jesus’ way for one reason or another.

I’m amazed at how many websites are set up to blast away at Christians and churches. I’m equally amazed that the authors of those sites actually seem to believe they are making a difference in the world. My first thought is to jump in and try to defend or explain so folks will understand and still like me and my fellow Christians. However, I’ve learned that is practically pointless. Those who are open to Jesus Christ are not influenced heavily by the attacks. Those who are not open to Jesus Christ are not influenced by my defenses. The fact is, no matter what I do, someone won’t like me. No matter what we do, someone won’t like us. 

We’ll never get everyone to like us, we might as well just try to get closer to God anyway.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 5:1-6:49.

In Luke 5:33-39, the Pharisees and scribes questioned why Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast like the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees. Jesus essentially responded, “Would you try to make wedding guests fast? That would be silly. Would you put a new piece of cloth on an old garment? Would you put new wine in old wineskins? Do those used to old wine want the new?”

There may be some deep meanings in these verses about old and new covenants. I’ve heard those sermons all my life, but I have trouble finding that in these responses. I think Jesus is making one point. Our religion is to be real, not ritual. The Pharisees fasted twice a week (Luke 18:12). What was the reason for their fasting? Was it mourning their own sinfulness? Was it begging God for mercy? Apparently not. It seems they fasted because they had decided they would really be spiritual if they fasted that often. So, rain or shine, joy or sad, they would fast. It was their checklist item to make them feel righteous. It was also their checklist item to make them appear righteous to others (see Jesus’ rebuke of them in Matthew 6:16-18). 

Is fasting a real part of life and submission to God? Sure it is. Jesus expected His followers to fast (again see His comments in Matthew 6:16-18). But fasting is about mourning, confession, struggle, and entreating God for some blessing. The thing with Jesus’ disciples was they were in the midst of the greatest blessing of their lives. The Messiah was with them, teaching them, helping them, blessing them. They were in the midst of joy, not mourning. They were growing with Jesus. They were being blessed. If they fasted then, it wouldn’t be out of a real response to God and His blessing in their lives. It would have been nothing more than a checklist ritual to mark off their to-do list.

How many of my spiritual activities are nothing more than checklist items. How many times do I do things because I need to mark them off my list instead of having a real response to God. James said, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise” (James 5:13). This is about real responses, not marking off the checklists of acts of worship. 

Why do I pray? Do I pray because I need to connect to God? Or do I pray simply because, I’m a Christian that’s what I’m supposed to do? Why do I sing? Do I sing because I’m cheerful in Christ? Or do I sing because I’m “at church” at that’s one of those “acts of worship”? Why do I read the Bible? Do I read it because I know it has the words of life and I want to connect with the God of life? Or do I read it simply because I run a blog that says I’m supposed to read two chapters every day?

Serving God is about being real. It is not about going through motions. It is about seeing God in my life and responding based on that. Sometimes it means mourning. Sometimes it means rejoicing. Sometimes it means praying. Sometimes it means singing. If I’m only going through motions, it isn’t doing me any good.

I’m glad for today’s reminder to get real with God.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Revelation 19:1-20:15.

Sadly, these two chapters are argued about and disagreed upon in many ways. I am decidedly amillennial. But no matter your view, the thing God wants us to see in these chapters is He wins. Glory and power belong to Him. Because of that, we ought to glorify Him and be on His side. God reigns and those who stay on His side will reign with Him.

The beast and the false prophet may think they have the upper hand, but they will be destroyed in the pit. Satan may think he is going to win with his mediocre copies of God’s things, but he will be bound and then ultimately damned. He can gather an unimaginable army, but all his power cannot remotely threaten God. 

GOD WINS!!!

I need to remember that today. Sometimes it seems the battle is just going to keep raging and there is no end. Sometimes it seems that every defense or offense is useless. The enemies of Christ keep pouring forth. Why keep fighting? 

I need to carry a banner to remind me why we keep up the fight. GOD WINS!!! 

Keep working, keep striving, keep fighting the fight of faith. GOD WINS!!! You want to be on His side.

***Question: How do you stay on God’s side every day?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Revelation 13:1-14:20.

Perhaps because of my Granddad’s recent death, I’m struck by Revelation 14:13. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’”

For God’s child, meeting death is not frightening as it seems to most. Death is not a mystery. It is a door into eternity with the God we’ve been glorifying in our lives. It is the opportunity to be able to fully accomplish what we’ve been desperately striving to do in this life. We will be taken to paradise and then on to heaven at the judgment. In those arenas, we will gather around the throne of God and glorify Him with our incorruptible bodies, our new voices, and our perfect unity. 

I also can’t help but notice it says then we’ll rest from our labors. That means it is not time to rest from my labor today. Today, while I still have breath, I need to labor for the Lord. A rest is coming. It will be a glorious rest. But to prepare for that rest I need to labor now.

Let’s get to work for the Lord today.

***Question: What do you do to labor for the Lord each day?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Revelation 9:1-10:11.

Revelation 9:5 jumped out at me today.

“They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them…”

That reminded me of God’s instruction to Satan about Job in Job 2:6, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

The difference between Job and the folks in Revelation is that Job hadn’t been living in sin before this, but by the time he was done with this temptation he repented of the sins he had committed (Job 42:6). The folks in Revelation didn’t repent no matter what discipline they saw, even after another trumpet was blown and plagues killed mankind.

“The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).

I can’t help but think of some of the devastating things that happen in our world. I’m not saying that tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes are the direct judgment of God (though they might be). However, there is no doubt that God allowed them to happen. These great displays ought to cause those who remain behind to repent and turn to God, seeking the life and salvation He offers. Sadly, it seems that most often these cause folks to become more entrenched in sin believing God must not be out there. That is really not logical. It is as if folks believe because God allowed something they don’t like, He must not exist. That is no evidence either way. The thing we need to see is that life is a vapor. Death is coming. It may come from cancer. It may come from a car wreck. It may come from a hurricane. It may simply come from old age. But it is coming. Repent now. Glorify God now. Turn from idolatry now. Do these things while there is still time for you to glorify God and draw close to Him. Remember what we learned yesterday. He is the one who holds salvation.

***Question: What forms of idolatry still plague the world today?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Revelation 5:1-6:17.

Yesterday, I saw that the Father was worthy of worship because of His creative power. Today, I see the Son. He is also worthy. The text says, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12). The text goes on to say, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13). Then the elders fell down and worshiped. In context, they were worshiping both of those they claimed to be worthy of honor and glory. They worshiped Father and Son. The Father is worthy of worship because of His creative power. The Son is worthy of worship because of His life giving work on the cross.

Revelation 5:9-10 says, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Jesus didn’t die to save the Jewish nation. He was sacrificed so people from all tribes and nations could be saved through Him. I’m thankful. That includes me. 

Today, I need to honor and glorify Jesus because of the life He has given me. I need to acknowledge Him. I need to thank Him. He is worthy.

***Question: What do you do to honor Jesus every day?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Revelation 3:1-4:11.

The very last sentence of today’s reading caught my attention.

The 24 elders around the throne cast down their golden crowns and worship God saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

Why is God worthy of glory, honor, and power? Because He created all things. He did not evolve all things. He did not set the plan in motion and the world naturally produced all things. He created all things. 

I am becoming increasingly convinced that a new battle is waging between the world and Christ’s people. It is an old battle, but it seems in the past few years to have reached a new intensity. Sadly, some want to characterize it as a battle between science and faith. That just isn’t true. It is a battle between two systems of faith. One is a faith that the universe is governed by random chances. The other is a faith that the universe is governed by an all-powerfully intelligent being. 

Regrettably, some who believe in the all-powerfully intelligent being are wanting to please both sides. They want to be seen as people who believe in God, but also people who believe in evolution. Richard Dawkins and I agree on one thing. You can’t have it both ways. If God guided what is here, then it didn’t get here by natural selection. If natural selection is the mechanism by which all of life is here, then it wasn’t God. You just can’t have both.

Revelation 4:11 demonstrates the importance for the Christian believing in God’s creative power. It is that belief that promotes worship. It is that belief that promotes submission. To the degree that we lose faith in God’s creative power and work and increase faith in the randomness of the universe, we’ll diminish our worship of God. 

After all, if God didn’t create all of this by His own power, of what worship is He worthy?

God is the creator. Everything is here because of God. Be amazed at His handiwork and how it is perfectly suited for you and me to exist and continue existing. Don’t give honor to the random chance of the universe. Honor God, casting down your crown. Worship Him.

***Question: How do you honor God on a daily basis?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is 1 John 2:1-3:24.

The antichrist is a big money maker today. No, I don’t mean the antichrist is someone alive today making lots of money. I mean writing a book, making a movie, preaching a series about the antichrist is making other people lots of money. However, the very sad part about this is folks are spending all this money to find out about the antichrist from fictional series like Left Behind, but they aren’t actually reading their Bibles to find out about antichrist.

The word “antichrist” is found only four times in the whole New Testament, two of which are in today’s reading: 1 John 2:18, 22. The other two are also found in John’s letters: 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7.

What I can’t help but notice is that the text said the antichrist was already there when John wrote his letter. Further, I can’t help but notice he didn’t really speak of a single antichrist. He spoke of many. Further, I can’t help but notice that he didn’t speak of the antichrist as a world ruler who unified the world and then led them to follow the devil. Antichrist is anyone who denies Jesus and God. 

John was actually dealing with the Gnostic heresy that claimed the flesh was bad so God hadn’t come in the flesh. They denied Jesus was the Savior or they denied that He actually died. In any event, John says “antichrist” is not a world leader but anyone who denies Jesus in one way or another.

The “so what” of the matter is we need to get rid of the sensationalism surrounding “antichrist” and start realizing antichrist could be anyone of us who decides to deny Jesus in some way. That is true even if we are still religious. The Gnostics were still religious. They were simply wrong. 

***Question: What do you do to stay pro-Christ?

Keep the faith and keep reading?

ELC

Today’s reading is John 11:1-12:50.

Once again, Jesus hits me right in the heart. I’m reminded of the statement I’ve heard: “It’s none of my business what others think of me.”

Here’s how John said it: “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (John 12:42-43).

We look back on these folks with disdain. Yet, do we not sometimes do the same? Perhaps we believe in Jesus but we don’t tell a lost friend because we fear they will reject us. Or perhaps we’ve studied something in the Word that our brethren don’t generally believe and we won’t share it because we are afraid they’ll kick us out of the church or write us up in a paper. The problem with this, of course, is if we are wrong, we don’t get the correction we need until it is usually too late. On the other hand, if we are right, we aren’t actually helping anybody.

But back to the mantra I shared at the beginning. I think many Christians will balk at it. But think, why does it really matter what folks think of you? This statement is not intended to say don’t worry how you live. It doesn’t say it is none of your business what God thinks of you. It’s none of my business what others think of me.

Here’s the point. If I’m doing wrong, I can put on the mask and get you to think that I’m wonderful. I may receive all kinds of glory from you. That won’t change that I’m not going to receive glory from God. However, if I’m doing what is right, you may despise me. I may never receive glory from you. You may be judging me in your heart as an awful person. However, that won’t change that I’m right with God and will receive glory from Him. So, in the end, it really doesn’t matter what you think of me. What matters is what God thinks of me. Why then should I let worry about your like or dislike of me cause me to get into an unhealthy obsession about our relationship or about impressing you? Instead, I should simply strive to please God in our relationship and let your thoughts of me be between you and God.

Does this mean I don’t have to be nice to you or considerate? Of course not. But why am I nice and considerate? Is it because I want to impress you so you’ll like me? No. It is because God has said I should be compassionate, tender-hearted, kind, and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32). This is the right thing to do, not to get you to like me but to please God. If I focus on pleasing God, I’ll live toward you as I ought. If, however, I focus on pleasing you, I will probably not live toward God as I ought.

For some of us, this is a real struggle. It’s not that we don’t care about God, it’s just that somewhere along the way we picked up an unhealthy habit of needing approval. Thus, we filter all our decisions through what will this decision make so and so think of me. I’m not exactly sure how to overcome this unhealthy obsession with what others think of us. But I think it begins with remembering no matter what anyone else thinks of us, God loves us. As we read earlier in John’s gospel, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” When we are seeking man’s approval, we are looking for true love in all the wrong places. Rest in God’s love. Only then can you really love others and accept what love they are willing to offer or survive despite the love they withhold.

Remember today, it’s none of your business what everyone else thinks of you.

***Question: How do you focus on pleasing God instead of man?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is John 7:1-8:59.

Once again, the Scripture humbles me and plots a correction course for me. Jesus said, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood” (John 7:16-18).

I love to preach. I love to teach. I love teaching classes. I love teaching one on one. I love to write. I enjoy this blog, my personal blog, and the blog for the congregation with which I work. I love to write articles when asked. I love writing books or participating in the books others are putting together. The problem is with all this teaching, whether verbal or written, there is a huge temptation. I want to say something new. I want to say something profound. I want to say something for which others will look at me and say, “Wow, Edwin, you are amazing.” Jesus explains that when my motivation is glorifying me, I’m not helping anyone. When I’m glorifying God, I avoid falsehood. 

Today’s reading reminds me of my job in Christ’s kingdom. It is not my job to be a profound preacher, a witty writer, a talented teacher. My job is to learn God’s will and pass it on. Why? Because God’s way works and mine doesn’t.

Please forgive me for the arrogant pride that sometimes creeps in as I try to be of help. Hold me accountable and let’s work together to glorify God instead of ourselves.

***Question: What do you do to get rid of pride and instead glorify God?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC