Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: A great light in the shadow of death!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 15:1,

"Now the tax collectors and 'sinners' were all gathering around to hear him."

I recognize that much of contemporary theology will not allow for an understanding that "sinners" have any interest in the things of God. That is not how I see it. In Jesus day we see scenes as depicted here. While the "theologians" of the day stood around muttering to themselves (see verse 2), the sinful and wicked gathered to Jesus. Both groups here, the "tax collectors and 'sinners'" as well as "the Pharisees and the teachers of the law" took great interest in the things of God. The former group sought the Lord and what he offered, the latter group looked down their noses at these "sinners" and reasoned Jesus must not be what he claimed to be if he consorted with such. Thus the purpose of the following three parables.

Paul speaks to this interest of lost and fallen mankind as it relates to Israel as a people. While many embraced Jesus Christ in faith, Israel as a nation rejected Jesus Christ as her savior. This, however did not mean they failed to take interest in the things of God. They simply rejected what God had to offer and chose to pursue him their own way. In Romans 10:2-3 we read, "I can testify about them [the Israelites] that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." As Paul goes on in the chapter we learn that rather than embracing Jesus Christ in faith, the Israelites continued their focus on a misguided attempt at earning their way into heaven by doing the "works" of the law.

The many religions of the world, the many cults and churches, the aspirations of so many speak to a near universal understanding that something is wrong, something about mankind needs to be fixed, there must be answers out there in some form of "higher being", "enlightenment", God or whatever. While not all may subscribe to this understanding, I find it fascinating that so many do recognize a need to touch the divine, to tap into something bigger than themselves. Even for those who have achieved the best life has to offer in terms of wealth, fame and importance. A felt need, a lack of fulfillment and purpose, an emptiness in life is often acknowledged that presses them to seek answers.

And this brings me to this picture of these tax collectors and 'sinners' who had gathered to hear Jesus, complete with the religious leaders standing around and muttering to themselves, evaluating… "how could this be the One?" And, standing right in their midst is the One! The one and only Son of God!

This is what is so wonderful about the coming of Jesus Christ to planet earth! He came to provide the answers to the deepest yearnings of the hearts of men. He came to provide enlightenment and a way for us to enter into God's family, to be able to connect with the Divine! "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Isaiah 9:2.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: Using wealth wisely to gain "true riches."

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 16:9,

"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."

This exhortation from Jesus summarizes the moral of the story he had just given. That account was about a dishonest manager who manipulated his master's wealth in order to provide a secure future for himself. Jesus tells us to use worldly wealth in a way that secures us a welcome into "eternal dwellings." Wealth, here, does not indicate how rich one is. It is merely a reference to whatever it is we do have. If I have a nickel in my pocket, that is the wealth Jesus is speaking of. If I have five million in the bank, that is the wealth Jesus is speaking of.

Jesus went on to say that whoever cannot be trusted with the comparative "little" in terms of the wealth this life can offer, cannot, likewise, be trusted with "true riches". The "true riches" he speaks of are set against "worldly wealth". This leaves me with the notion that the greatest of wealth anyone has amassed in this life is "little" compared to the "true riches" that will be the possession of the faithful in God's kingdom for eternity. See verses 10-12.

He also said that if we have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, then, "who will give you property of your own?" Luke 16:12. I am reminded that God, as our Creator, owns it all. How we use of his that we have been blessed with in this life will make a difference in what we are blessed with in our "eternal dwellings", verse 9, in terms of "true riches", verse 11.

What I read here is in stark contrast to this political season where appeals are made to the crudest and most base of sinful instincts. We are encouraged to vote in such a way that we might take the wealth of others for ourselves, in some scheme of "redistribution" or another. Envy, the desire to seize what is not ours, what we did not earn, what belongs to others is appealed to. If someone has more than I do, I am encouraged to vote in a way that might bring harm to someone else's wealth ("raise their taxes!"), as if that could somehow bring about "fairness." The notion that somehow the "one percent's" wealth should be taken and given to the less wealthy "ninety-nine percent" is a bogus pursuit to keep us all squabbling over the meager "riches" of this life to keep our minds off what could be ours in the next. "Economic Justice" is the new phrase to cloak the pursuit of violating the tenth commandment, "Thou shalt not covet."

In a very practical and insightful anecdote, Jesus tells us to use whatever we have been given in this life to secure for ourselves, "true riches" in the next. May we all turn from the avarice, bitterness, self-centeredness and greed that consumes so many to turn to our Lord who loves us and desire to give us "true riches"!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: Horrific Remorse!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 13:24-25,

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'"

Jesus taught that the way into heaven and to God following death is a narrow door. It is narrow in that "many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is the only way. And, he is accessible only through faith, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24.

You can do all the good deeds and keep yourself from the bad. It won't do any good because the way is a narrow door. You can be as religious as they come, as best of a do-gooder as you might. It won't do any good because the way is a narrow door. Nothing can bring us into God's presence, nothing can take us to heaven, nothing can keep us from a fiery lake of burning sulfur except the narrow door, Jesus Christ and faith in him alone.

There is no shortage of interest in the spiritual, in the desire to achieve enlightenment and an opportunity for what is best following death. In all of the religions, all of the teachings, all of the gurus and "spiritual leaders", all of the cults and -isms, the quest for eternal life takes so many shapes and forms they can scarce be cataloged. Yet, Jesus said "many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." This is because he is the only way and the only access we have to him is through faith. It seems very few will make this choice with their lives.

This is remorse! Once, having had a free opportunity to enter into God's family and now finding oneself locked out for all eternity, it will bring a remorse that will be beyond measure. Where the opportunity that is missed is variously described as "eternal pleasures", Psalm 16:11, and drinking from God's "river of delights", Psalm 36:8, Paul points out, in a quote from Isaiah 64, that what awaits those who embrace Jesus Christ in faith is beyond our imagination, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9. 

Opposed to this, those who fail to embrace the Lord in faith will experience for all eternity a great suffering. "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out." Luke 13:28. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man described the place he went, following his death as a "place of torment." Luke 16:28. It is described in Revelation 21:8 as a "fiery lake of burning sulfur."

A door can be opened to let people in. It can also be closed to keep people out. Clearly Jesus has pointed out that the invitation is extended - the door is open. But there will come a definite time when that door will be closed and no one, not for any reason, will be allowed to enter. It will be closed completely for all eternity. As Paul said, "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…" Romans 11:22.

God is merciful, loving and kind. He is also righteous and practices justice, the severity of which cannot be overstated.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: Excitement in heaven!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 15:8-10,

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

This parable of the woman with the lost coin is the second of three in chapter 15 of Luke. In these parables of joy in heaven over a sinner who turns to God, words like "joyfully", "rejoice", "rejoicing", "let's have a feast", "celebrate", "be glad" are used. The calling of others to join in the celebration of joy is found in all three. Music, dancing, celebration and gladness are all specifically pictured in the analogy provided in the third parable, the parable of the prodigal son. 

In the parable of the woman with the lost coin, when it is found (the picture of a sinner who comes to God), the owner of the coin seeks out her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. Jesus uses this picture to speak of the rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God, "over one sinner who repents."

"Over one sinner who repents."!!

What a sweeping and breath-taking account Jesus provides us that takes place in heaven when one turns to God! Here is where unbridled excitement and celebration take place! What this tells me of God is barely touched on in sermons and the tomes of theology! What I read here transcends the excitement of the best of Super Bowls and other sports events with everything from the pre-game tailgating to the celebration of that last touchdown. What I read of here transcends the excitement that the Allied victory brought at the end of WWII! What I read of here transcends any excitement that the entertainment industry and pop culture can possibly generate!

From what Jesus told us, God's heart is one that loves life, loves joy, loves celebration, and loves to express it! While I am certain of the somber and serious aspects to God's nature as expressed in his judgments, his awesome glory, his righteousness, etc., what we see of God in these parables tells me the best of what we see in this life can't begin to be compared with the excitement and thrill of what we will find in heaven with God!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: Wheeling and dealing with God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 13:2,

"Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?"

Here is the comment Jesus made when he was told of Galileans who were slaughtered by Pilate. Jesus also related his comment to another report of eighteen who were killed when a tower in Siloam had collapsed.

Why did Jesus respond in this way? If I may be permitted to speculate a bit, I suspect Jesus was addressing some faulty thinking that continues even today. That faulty thinking is that I can determine or control my fate by being a do-gooder. The thinking would be, since something bad happened to these Galileans, they must have been more sinful. If I make certain choices, then I can manipulate my future by calling for God's control of things through the choices I make. Bad things should happen to bad people and good things should happen to good people. Hence, Jesus asks the question. He doesn't leave the answer to them, however, and goes on to say, "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:3.

Even a casual reading of Job and Foxe's Book of Martyrs should disabuse ourselves of the notion that bad things only happen to bad people and good things only happen to good people. Yet many feel if they make certain choices, they quite possibly can effect certain outcomes for themselves. While that may seem to happen at times, it is simply faulty thinking. Nevertheless, the pursuit goes on and many put in the effort as a result of faulty thinking. When good things come to us, we need simply express our thankfulness to our gracious God's expression of love to us.

What does Jesus mean, unless we repent we will perish? Does it mean we can avoid physical death if we repent? No, he is speaking of a more profound death. Eternal death in the judgment of God following our physical death and later resurrection. "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books… The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:12-15. This is the death Jesus was speaking of. He used an account of physical death to relate truth about eternal death. Jesus taught that, opposed to eternal death in the judgment of God, we can have eternal life if we repent, turn our hearts to him, embrace him in trust and faith.

Faulty thinking leads us into thinking we have control over things we can't control. Jesus said those who suffered untimely and violent deaths were not worse sinners. We all exist on the wrong side of the threshold of God's judgment as we are all sinners. And, although we can make some choices that can impact our health, life expectancy and other things (we can commit suicide, smoke, etc… I am reminded of "we reap what we sow".) we can't manipulate God over how long we might live or what we may experience with our health, etc.  Some of the very best athletes on the best of diets get cancer or die in a car accident and it may not have anything to do with God's judgment. We simply cannot control our fate, and to think so is simply faulty thinking. Yet, the wheeling and dealing with God through do-gooder effort continues.

We do, however have one very important determination we can make. "But unless you repent, you too will all perish." The most important determination of all is determining our destination after physical death: eternal life or eternal death? Eternity in God's kingdom, sharing in his glories and pleasures, or suffering miserably in a fiery lake of burning sulfur? That we do have a choice over and can determine and that was the point Jesus made in a very insightful observation he caught folks in.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: There is room for me (and you) at God's table!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 15:2,

"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

This observation about Jesus was made by some Pharisees and teachers of the law as they observed "sinners" gathering around Jesus. Pharisees and the teachers of the law were scrupulous in their deportment to live good, upright and ethical lives and felt their devotion to regulations they had developed to keep them from violating laws in the Scriptures could earn them God's acceptance. Surely, if someone came and announced he was God's Son, he wouldn't be spending time with sinners! Would he?!

Following the account of this observation, Luke provides three parables Jesus told that express the joy in heaven that is generated when a repentant sinner turns to God. Sinful man is the target of Jesus' ministry here. On another occasion Jesus explained he came to save sinners, not the righteous. Righteous people don't need saving. He said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32.

The truth is we are all sinners, including the do-gooders. We simply are born into a lost and fallen race of mankind that is at odds with God in sin and rebellion. No amount of ethical living can change that. Something of that sinful condition is evidenced by a pride that can be expressed as a do-gooder compares himself with others around him. 

I am reminded of an account Jesus provided, "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'" Luke 18:9-14.

What grips my heart is that it is the sinful the Lord came for and that leaves room for me! How thankful I am that God isn't looking to take good people into his kingdom but sinners (and we are all sinners). The acknowledgment that I am a sinner qualifies me for the salvation God provides! He is looking for a turn in the hearts of sinners, a turn fostered by faith as a response to the gospel. These are the ones God is taking into his kingdom. Jesus said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10. Not what wasn't lost. That leaves room for me!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: The kindness and sternness of God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 14:23-24,

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'"

This statement comes at the end of the parable of the "great banquet". Jesus told this parable of a master who prepared a great banquet in Luke 14:15-24. Jesus provided it in response to the beatitude expressed by someone at the table with Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:15.

In the parable, the intended guests that had been invited to the master's banquet made excuses and didn't attend. They rejected the master's invitation. This angered the master and so he sent his servant to invite others, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame." Luke 14:21. The response of the master of the banquet, who represents God in Jesus' parable here, is instructive of God.

The master tells his servant to invite and bring in folks who are far off, but those who were invited and rejected the invitation will not be allowed in, "not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet." This calls to mind Paul's sobering admonition, "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…" Romans 11:22. God is kind to those who respond to his invitation in faith, and stern toward those who reject him.

In Jeremiah 9:23-24, the Lord says, "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight". God is not one or the other. He is both full of mercy and full of judgment, he is both loving and just. As he told Moses, when he revealed himself to him, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7.

The Lord is both forgiving and punishing, compassionate as well as intolerant of sin. He wants us to know these two sides of him as he repeatedly presents himself in Scripture in just this way. Which side will we see? As those who were initially invited in Jesus' parable and subsequently locked out because of their rejection of his invitation, so we, likewise will see the "sternness of God" represented in being locked out of God's kingdom in the resurrection and cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 21:8.

On the other hand, as those who were far off, but responded to the master's invitation in Jesus' parable, we too will find ourselves embraced by God, at his banquet, in his kingdom in the resurrection! The side we see of God depends on our response of faith and trust to his invitation. 

"Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God."

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: Sinful man approaching his holy God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 15:20,

"While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

In this well known parable of the prodigal son, his father's response to his return is a picture of our heavenly Father's response when we turn to him. As the father told his older brother, "My son... you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

One of the issues many of us face when we turn to God is that we know all too well our sinful estate. God is holy, without any wrinkle of character whatsoever. He is pristine in his righteousness and justice and is perfectly spotless and blameless in every aspect of his person, regardless of the yardstick used to measure. How is one to approach the Lord knowing of our own faults and blemishes?

Here is something of God that should have great impact on all of us. Just as the prodigal's father was filled with compassion and chose to express that in celebration and gladness, so our heavenly father does likewise when we turn to him. Just as the woman who lost a coin asked her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her over finding the coin, Luke 15:9, so our heavenly Father celebrates with joy together with the angels of heaven when we turn to him, Luke 15:10.

In thinking of our own shortcomings and approaching God with that on our minds, I am reminded of what we read in Hebrews 4:14-16, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

We should feel a confidence as we approach "the throne of grace" no matter what we have done in our lives. God rejoices when we turn to him! Only in Jesus Christ is this possible as he has made a way for us!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: The ever-flowing and abundant fountain of joy in heaven.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 15:7,

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

There are three parables in Luke 15 that have a common thread: celebration in heaven over a repentant sinner. Of the three, the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son, two have a unique feature to them. In the lost sheep and prodigal son the celebration takes place in the presence of those "who do not need to repent." In the passage above we are told the rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner will be greater than over ninety-nine "righteous persons". In the account of the prodigal son, the father tells the other son, the faithful one, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Luke 15:31-32.

Rejoicing in heaven! One might muse over what God and those in heaven get excited about and Jesus tells us here. These parables tell us when a sinner repents, it becomes an event of joy and excitement. The woman in the parable of the lost coin tells her friends and neighbors, "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin." 

I do not understand these parables as teaching that love, affection, excitement and joy for the already-saved is in any way necessarily minimized in behalf of a newly repentant sinner. For me to think that would require an understanding that joy in heaven is a zero-sum game. I'm quite certain that joy in heaven is an ever-flowing and abundant fountain that is spiked when the acts of God are manifested in truly remarkable ways. Certainly, of those remarkable ways, one that brings great joy is the repentance of those to whom the Father sent his Son to gather for his kingdom.

Think of what this tells us of the heart of God concerning sinners! 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: How narrow is the "Narrow Door"?

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 13:24,

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

This was Jesus response when asked if only a few would be saved. In his response he said many would try to enter but will not be able to. What I take from his response is that, yes, only a few, relatively speaking. Of the many, many will not be able to. Jesus spoke of a time of "weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out." Luke 13:28.

What is this "narrow door" and just how narrow is it? If God loves people why isn't the door big and wide? 

We do know the Lord wants all to be saved, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:2. We read in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God loves the world, he loves all, but not all will be saved.

In John's gospel we read, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6. It is through Jesus Christ the way to heaven is found. And, specifically, it is trust, faith in him that brings us into his family: salvation. In many verses, such as John 1:12 we read of the faith God looks for, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." "We maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law." Romans 3:28.

God loves all, God wants all. But, he takes only those who choose him, who embrace him, who love him and place their faith and trust in him. Because he chose to supply his Son to take the punishment for our sins so that we don't have to, it is through Jesus Christ and him only that we have access to God and can be saved.

The door is narrow. Folks have a proclivity to do things their own way and all who attempt to enter into the kingdom of God any other way will find themselves locked out on that day. For me, the mystery is not that only a few will be allowed into God's kingdom, but that he allows any at all. As I think about the sinful and rebellious nature of mankind and how mankind as a whole has turned its collective back on God, it is amazing he wants any of us. But, he does! He wants us all!

Remarkable!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: "This is what the Lord says..."

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 13:18; 14:35b,

"What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?... He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

On a number of occasions the Lord explained mysteries of the kingdom of God to his followers. These were mysteries because they were not known until revealed by the Lord. In passages such as Matthew 13:24, 13:31, 13:33, 13:44, 13:45, 13:47, 18:23, 20:1, 22:2, 25:1, the Lord asks the question as above, "What is the kingdom of God like?" and then provided the answer, often in very compelling and interesting ways. Through the agency of comparisons within the telling of fascinating parables and anecdotes, the Lord revealed truths about God's kingdom.

Self-evident is that the Lord did so due to need. He wants us to know some things about his kingdom, that apart from him revealing them we would be in the dark. For us to know these things required him to tell us, and often in ways because we are slow on the uptake. Indeed, he anticipated that many would not listen and not understand, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

I am reminded that what I do know of God, what I do understand of his kingdom, what I do know of what lays beyond the grave requires a dependence upon the Scriptures, God's written word. What is found there, within its pages, is called "revelation". We call it so because we recognize that between the covers of our Bibles is a special kind of literature. Literature that stands on its own because it has its origin within God himself as he reveals to us those things we are dependent upon him to know.

It is within the pages of Scripture that I find the true, unambiguous gospel message. The Scriptures tell me I am a sinner and illustrates that reality by pointing out to me things it knows about me in bewildering accuracy. The Bible tells me of my need as I stand a condemned man in God's courtroom of justice. It tells me of my fate, clearly and unvarnished in horrific terms. It also tells me of an unfathomable love God has for me. A love expressed in the sending of his Son to die a miserable death to take my punishment for my sins. It tells me that faith is the only way to God, the only way to forgiveness, faith in God's one and only Son. The Scriptures tell me of a wonderful place awaiting me when I leave this life, a place at his table.

God's word, the Scriptures, tells me what to believe. It reveals truth to me. It tells me how things really are.

This reality exists in sharp contrast to a culture where it is assumed there exists no authoritative, definitive word on the supernatural, on God, and what lies beyond the grave. We live in a day where people are polled about what they think of this or that, as if truth can be established by way of preference. We live in a day where the mere existence of conflicting religions, denominations, cults, theologies and dogmas, -sims and schisms speak to the failure of man to recognize God's authoritative voice.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear": A statement of our Lord, directed at those of us who might otherwise ignore what God has revealed to us in favor of what we may find preferable. A statement of our Lord, directed at those of us who might not make effort to avail ourselves of what is found within the Scriptures.

May we all forsake "This is what I think..." in favor of "This is what the Lord says..."

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: The most powerful message.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 13:20-21,

"What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Here is a picture Jesus provides of the effect of God's outreach to mankind. Just as yeast works throughout a batch of dough, so the offer of his kingdom "percolates", penetrates, throughout mankind. 

In a way this reminds me of another analogy Jesus provided, a picture of how the kingdom of God has invaded Satan's realm and is ravaging it. In Luke 11:21-22 we read, "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils." In this picture, the strong man is Satan, "his own house" is the world and his possessions are the people of the world. The "someone" who is stronger, attacks and overpowers Satan is the Lord. The Lord ravages Satan's realm and plunders it through the advance of God's kingdom by the gospel. Just as the effect of yeast on dough, so the gospel has its effect on mankind.

The gospel is powerful. It is the tool through which faith is wrought in the hearts of all who will embrace the Lord. Paul says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17. This message is the gospel. Earlier in this letter Paul said of the gospel, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17.

This is power, power to transfer people from the realm and power of Satan to freedom in God's kingdom. This is power that changes our eternal destiny, from one of eternal misery to one of "eternal pleasures" at the hand of God! Psalm 16:11. Power to transform lives, power that frees us from our bondage and proclivity to sin!

The power of the gospel lies in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, where he paid the penalty for our sins. Of himself he has said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Through him we have received the forgiveness of sins and a standing with God where he embraces us as "holy and blameless in his sight", Ephesians 1:4.

What a powerful message this is!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: Counting the cost - is Jesus worthy?

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 14:33,

"In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."

Jesus made this comment to large crowds that were following him. He told them that if he didn't take preference over their own family members, they could not be his disciples. He also spoke of counting the cost before beginning as his followers. Using the word picture of a tower builder who failed to anticipate the costs of building a tower before beginning and failing in his efforts while suffering the ridicule of others, he reminded them of the importance of counting the cost of discipleship before beginning. He also used the picture of a king who considers the force of an opposing power to determine if he ought to go to war or ask for terms of peace. Again, count the cost before beginning.

Consider the costs, determine what it will take to be a disciple. And, if we are unable to count the cost of discipleship, if we are unable to "carry their cross and follow me" we cannot be a disciple of Jesus. Rather than Jesus Christ simply being the "religious component" to a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, he is to be everything to us. Not what we do on Sundays only, not just a ten percent proposition in our lives, not simply the one we go to when we are sick, lose a job, lose a spouse, fight off the creditors. He is to take the top priority in our lives.

Why should he be? Why should Jesus Christ be the first and greatest part of our lives here? Why should he take priority over family, over work, over school, over vacations and toys and entertainment and hobbies and pastimes?

There is every reason this should be. We come into this life as part of a lost and fallen race of people. We live in a world that exists in hostility and rebellion against God. Since the fall of mankind in the garden of Eden we have earned a just and certain place in a fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 20:15. We have been born into this world as condemned people, but he and he only has made a way for us into eternal life, John 5:24. Out of a tremendous love for us he came to die a miserable death to take our punishment on him that we might have a place in his family, John 3:16 and Romans 3:22-26. Here we read he has made eternal life available to us simply by embracing him in faith.

For those unsaved, life in eternity estranged from God and under his condemnation is pictured as a "fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth", Matthew 13:50. Darkness and misery are clearly depicted for all under God's condemnation. Jesus spoke of a rich man who died and from his place in death he called out to Abraham, "Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire." Luke 16:24. As such we are told to fear God. Jesus said, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Luke 12:4-5.

Jesus Christ is the only Son of the Father, sent by the Father, John 1:14, and is the only way to eternal life, John 14:6, where he said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 

Life in eternity for those saved is pictured as "eternal pleasures" Psalm 16:11 and a "river of delights", Psalm 36:8. As such, God's love is considered "priceless" and "unfailing", Psalm 36:7.

Is Jesus Christ worthy of taking the first and greatest part of our lives, our top concern and priority? I think so. How about you?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: God is populating his kingdom.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 14:23,

"Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full."

In the parable of the great banquet, Jesus taught that God will fill his kingdom with those who want to join him. Through the illustration of a man who prepared a great banquet and had his initial invitations spurned and then invited others who would come, so God has invited all who will respond to his invitation in the gospel. In the account of the great banquet, when the man's servants invited the others, and reported back there was still room at the banquet, the man ordered them to go back out and find yet others so that "my house will be full." So, too, does God intend to fill his kingdom full.

How many does it take to make God's kingdom full? How many people will attend his great banquet? I obviously have no idea, but I am left with the impression God has some kind of number in mind. He wants his kingdom fully populated. I am reminded of Proverbs 14:28, "A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined." God's glory surpasses all and he intends to have a full kingdom.

Jesus was once asked, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" Luke 13:23. His reply was, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." Verse 24. Later in that chapter Jesus also said, "People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 13:29. This leaves me with the thought that for each one who embraces Jesus Christ in faith through the gospel message, many more will not. For God to fill his kingdom, it will require many people to cull the believers from.

In addressing this reality, Peter makes an interesting observation that tells us something about God. He said, "Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9.

This brings to mind some thoughts. One is that God wants all to be saved, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4. But, it doesn't mean he will accept all into his kingdom. As Jesus pointed out in the Luke 13 passage, God only wants those who want him, who will embrace him in faith. Another thought is that, although it seems like forever since Jesus was here at his first coming, his delay in returning expresses something very important. He is filling his kingdom, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: The tenacity of a hard heart.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 16:31,

"If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."

This is the astonishing conclusion to Jesus' account of a beggar named Lazarus and a rich man. In careful description, Jesus makes the point that the stations each held in this life are reversed in the next. The rich man was "dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day", verse 19. However, following his death, in Hades, he was "in torment", verse 23. In verse 24 he tells Abraham, who is at a distance, "I am in agony in this fire."

In contrast, Lazarus was a sick, poor, hungry beggar in this life. He was "covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table", verse 21. The verse goes on to say, "Even the dogs came and licked his sores." Upon his death, however, he was carried by the angels to Abraham's side, verse 22. When the rich man asked Abraham for some relief, Abraham told him, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony, verse 25.

Clearly, the Lord was teaching us that in the kingdom of God, a whole new paradigm of life is headed our way. Our station in this life does not necessarily reflect what we will have for an eternity. We may be sick in this life, we may have bills up to our noses and without a job, we may have few friends, we may have struggles here that seem to transcend what most folks encounter in this life - but a new day is coming! We may be very successful in this life, we may feel we have all we need and count ourselves among the happiest and most content here, leaving us feeling little need for salvation - but a new day is coming! Life for an eternity is headed our way, and what we experience in this life does not necessarily indicate what will be ours in the next.

However, the point of the account is what brings the differences in the next life - it is all about faith. It is at the end of this account that we read the astonishing conclusion: if folks won't believe the Scriptures, they are not going to believe, to be convinced, even if Jesus Christ rises from the dead! Many are simply tenacious in an unwillingness to embrace Jesus Christ in faith.

Jesus spoke to this issue in his conversation with Nicodemus, when he said we must be born again. He said, "Whoever believes in him [the Son] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 3:18-21. Many will not embrace Jesus Christ due to their clinging to sin. With no room for a change within a heart given to sin, the unrepentant stays in his sin.

When it comes to faith, I am reminded of Paul's words, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.' Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, 'I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.' And Isaiah boldly says, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.' But concerning Israel he says, 'All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.'" Romans 10:17-21.

Exposure to the gospel message generates faith in the hearts of those who are willing to turn from their sinful ways to embrace Jesus Christ. However, to those who are given over to their sins, the Scriptures hold no hope for them, even given the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

How tenacious is the hard heart of sinful man! How loving is the heart of our Savior who has done so much to bring us to him!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: The Son of Man is coming!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 12:40,

"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Jesus told his disciples to be ready at any time for his return. He says he will come at a time when he will not be expected. Those he finds prepared and watching for his coming will have good when he comes. In fact, he says he will have them recline at the table and wait on them!

Later in an exchange with Peter about this, he says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 1248b. We need to be faithful with what the Lord has equipped us with as we await his return.

His return is what occupies my thoughts this morning. Christianity and being a follower of Jesus Christ is not a dusty, dry religion from a past age. It is a relationship with a living Savior who is poised to return to planet earth just as he came two millenia ago. When he comes, he will come to take those that have embraced him into his family while gathering up all others for a horrific fiery lake of burning sulfur. 

Because of this, being a follower of Jesus Christ is to be a part of something that is more current than today's news. In that we participate in something that is busily transpiring as I write this and will find its fulfillment at any point looking ahead, it is as fresh and new as tomorrow's coming dawn. Yes, its roots reach back to a bygone era, but it blossoms in newness every day and will come to full bloom at a time we look ahead to. We don't know when that will be, but his coming is as certain as the events that unfold today.

I am reminded of Paul's reassuring words in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, "We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words." 

As Jesus was leaving here to ascend to heaven, we read in Acts 1:9-11, "After he [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'"

Just like an unstoppable freight train that has already left the station and is barreling down the tracks right at us, so the Son of Man is headed our way, unstoppable and unalterable. May we all be ready!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: Treasure in heaven.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 12:32-34,

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 

Here Jesus tells his disciples to make a choice. In light of the fact that our heavenly Father is pleased to give us his kingdom, to bring us into his family, chose him. Our hearts go to what we make our treasure. He tells his disciples to give up the stuff in this life and acquire treasure in heaven. That treasure will never be exhausted, can't be stolen, can't be destroyed and won't wear out.

 

The truth is that although stuff here may be enjoyed for a time, it all gets left behind. Since so many of us strive for riches here without either obtaining them or yearning for more, it all leads us astray, causing us to think that happiness is just around the next investment, the next pay raise, the next toy. The truth is, as Solomon wisely told us in Ecclesiastes, "it" isn't found there. An "emptiness" is all that is arrived at, exactly what we thought we would be leaving behind, when real wealth is acquired, when the toys are acquired.

 

Last night I watched an interview of George Harrison of the Beatles filmed prior to his death. In it he made the revealing statement that early in their lives they had accumulated much wealth with all its attending toys and trappings at a relatively young age. He said they were fortunate to obtain it early enough in life because they found that "it" wasn't in wealth and all that wealth can bring. Because of this they began to turn to a spiritual quest to find "it", happiness and fulfillment in life. Unfortunately, they began by looking in all the wrong places. But, experientially, they discovered a truth that Jesus taught. Happiness can't be found in stuff here, and since our hearts go to where our treasure is, store up treasure in heaven while here.

 

One comment here Jesus made really grabs my heart, "your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." Imagine! What a wonderful disposition God has toward us! If we but embrace him in faith, he welcomes us into his family! This is where happiness is found! This is where fulfillment is found! This is where "it" is found!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Ruminating in the Word of God: Division among men, peace with God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 12:51,

"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."

This statement of Jesus is in stark contrast with many who believe just the opposite: that Jesus came to bring peace on earth, that all mankind might get along. The division Jesus speaks of is among even the most closely related. In case we might have misunderstood him, Jesus pointed out the kind of division he had in mind: "From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

While this may not fit in with many of our thematic Christmas cards that are sent each year, the reality is that Jesus came to offer the kingdom of God to all and this creates a condition of "haves" and "have-nots". In Luke 13:24 Jesus said, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." Many are simply not going to be saved and exist outside of God's kingdom. Those outside the tent, locked out from the things of God, remaining estranged from him, are resentful of those who live their lives in fellowship and harmony with God. Having rejected the message of faith, spurning the invitation of God in order to remain in their sin and darkness, they look with contempt and ridicule upon those who have.

The murder of Abel, by his brother Cain, in Genesis is a bewildering account, Genesis 4:1-16. In it, we read Cain became angry with God because God did not look upon him and his offering with favor as he did with Abel and his offering. Abel did it God's way, but Cain wanted to do things his own way, rejecting God's desires. Driven by his anger and sense of rejection by God, Cain killed his brother. In 1 John 3:12-13 John tells us, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you."

Here is the cause of the division Jesus spoke of. Those who decide to remain in their sin, who reject God, quite naturally resent those who respond to God's invitation. I picture them as standing outside the tent of God, angry and resentful at their rejection by God: angry and resentful of both God and those who have turned to him. Like Cain, in their rebelliousness and hostility, they have committed themselves to the sinful ways of their hearts and follow the devil's lead. They live in that hostility toward God and all those who have made the choice they themselves have rejected.

This can be seen clearly by those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith, and I believe we see it not simply on a personal level, but also with groups of people and in the arena of international affairs. Satan has his and is in conflict and odds with God and his.

All of this is by design and foretold by the Lord. Jesus Christ never said he came to unify mankind, but to divide mankind. That division is marked by the line dividing those who embrace Jesus Christ in faith and those who refuse to do so. The peace represented in the coming of Jesus Christ to planet earth on Christmas was peace between God and men. A peace established through the gospel of faith and enjoyed by those who embrace it. 

This peace is captured in Paul's comment in Romans 5:6-11, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." This is the peace the heralding angels proclaimed that night.

Jesus Christ did not come to bring peace among men, but division. He came to bring an offer of peace for mankind with our heavenly Father.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com