Afternoon Scripture Reading - Matthew 23:8-12

Matthew 23:8-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your [a]Teacher, [b]the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be [c]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be [d]exalted.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 23:8 Leader
2. Matthew 23:8 NU omits the Christ
3. Matthew 23:12 put down
4. Matthew 23:12 lifted up

Morning Scripture Reading - Revelation 3:21-22

Revelation 3:21-22 New King James Version (NKJV)

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 12:9

Proverbs 12:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

9 Better is the one who is [a]slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 12:9 lightly esteemed

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 18:20-24

Psalm 18:20-24 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands
He has recompensed me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
And have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all His judgments were before me,
And I did not put away His statutes from me.
23 I was also blameless [a]before Him,
And I kept myself from my iniquity.
24 Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 18:23 with

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Matthew 8:18-22

Matthew 8:18-22 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Cost of Discipleship

18 And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”

20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Mid-Week Message - God's Song

"For the Lord your God is living among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."  Zephaniah 3:17  (NLT)

They were born in New York City, the sons of Jewish immigrant parents.  In all, there were six of them.  One died when he was only a few months old.  You may have heard of this family.  The Marx Brothers got their start in Vaudeville and four of them went on to make some of the funniest classic movies you will ever see.  Though Chico, Harpo and Groucho were the most famous due to making the most movies, all of the brothers were extremely talented and also played at least one instrument.  

My favorite part of any Marx Brothers movie is the instrumental scene which features Harpo.    Though he was proficient in playing six instruments, he earned his nickname when he chose to specialize in playing the harp.  I am always fascinated by the look on his face as his hands work to form the right notes and the beautiful piece comes together.  I've seen that when I have observed other musicians, and even some artists as they create.  It is a look that I imagine the Lord has as He looks at His creation while He lovingly guides His children.  

We don't often think about God creating music.  I have heard many sermons likening Him to an artist.  Even I have used examples of our lives being tenderly and expertly woven together by His hands. But today's verse, this one verse in Zephaniah, brings us something new to consider.  Can you perceive of Him singing over you?  

When my daughter was born, I made up a lullaby for her.  I wanted her to have a song that was hers and hers alone.  I wanted it to be something that no one else would ever sing over their own little one.  I have no idea how many times that tune lilted through our home.  Sometimes, as she grew, she would ask me to sing it to her and I hope that meant that she considered it special because it was meant to be.  I do know that she remembers it still and she is twenty-six years old now.  

Possibly, our Heavenly Father has a special song for each of us.  Though created in His image, we are all individuals with our own likes and dislikes, abilities and personalities.  I think each blessing from Him is a type of song written especially for the one receiving the blessing.  

This I know for sure, no greater love exists than His love for us.  No matter where we find ourselves, no matter what we are struggling with, no matter what we are going through at any given moment, that love is real and accessible.  We are seeing things in our country that most of us have never seen before and will hopefully never see again.  We don't know what will happen tomorrow, next month or next year.  But...we do know the One that is never caught by surprise.  He already knows how we make it through and all that He is asking from us is that we love Him and love one another. 

What song is He singing to you today?  Listen, maybe you will hear Him.  God bless.   

Morning Scripture Reading - Ecclesiastes 9:17

Ecclesiastes 9:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard
Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 12:8

Proverbs 12:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 18:16-19

Psalm 18:16-19 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the Lord was my support.
19 He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - John 4:27-38

John 4:27-38 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Whitened Harvest

27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”

28 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29 “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him.

31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”

32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”

33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

Morning Scripture Reading - Isaiah 1:18-20

Isaiah 1:18-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 12:7

Proverbs 12:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 18:13-15

Psalm 18:13-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

13 The Lord thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered His voice,
[a]Hailstones and coals of fire.
14 He sent out His arrows and scattered [b]the foe,
Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them.
15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
The foundations of the world were uncovered
At Your rebuke, O Lord,
At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 18:13 So with MT, Tg., Vg.; a few Heb. mss., LXX omit Hailstones and coals of fire
2. Psalm 18:14 Lit. them

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Isaiah 40:27-31

Isaiah 40:27-31 New King James Version (NKJV)

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
And my just claim is passed over by my God”?
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Morning Scripture Reading - Romans 8:26-27

Romans 8:26-27 New King James Version (NKJV)

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 8:26 NU omits for us

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 12:6

Proverbs 12:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 18:7-12

Psalm 18:7-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

7 Then the earth shook and trembled;
The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken,
Because He was angry.
8 Smoke went up from His nostrils,
And devouring fire from His mouth;
Coals were kindled by it.
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down
With darkness under His feet.
10 And He rode upon a cherub, and flew;
He flew upon the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness His secret place;
His canopy around Him was dark waters
And thick clouds of the skies.
12 From the brightness before Him,
His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - 1 John 5:14-15

1 John 5:14-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

Confidence and Compassion in Prayer

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Wolves in the Fold

Over the past couple of months, I have heard many say that we are living in the end times and that the day of judgement is at hand. In almost the same breath, after scaring everyone, many ask for donations and hawk their wares to all those who will listen to their pitch of paradise and perdition. Many, who can ill-afford it, will gladly give them money to buy or exchange their money for some sort of bucket of food or cure for COVID-19. Each claims to speak their message in soft, but persuasive, tones to “tickle the ears” of those who fall victim to these “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.

Jesus says, in chapter seven of the Gospel of Matthew, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

Each day seems to be worse than the last. More scammers and those who profess to preach the Good News prey on those willing to listen to their messages. Some will fall victim to these charlatans and gladly give them their money. Instead of praying for those in need, they “prey” on them. These wolves look for the weak and those who are desperate only to give them false hope and continue to bilk them until they have nothing left to give.

Just as you work to protect yourselves from the virus, you should also work to protect yourselves from those who would swindle you out of your money with empty words. Beware of these individuals who are only interested in lining their pockets through the fear, uncertainty and doubt of others.

In chapter twenty-three of his book, Jeremiah writes, “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to his people: “Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the LORD!”

Many will claim that they speak for the Lord or that God has placed a message upon their heart. The messages and words have a fragrance of sincerity, but you will soon find that the closer you listen to their words, that same fragrance turns into the stench of death. Their words are empty and bring no hope.

In his second epistle to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”

Even during the days of the early church, there were those who preached in the name of God only to further their own agenda of filling their earthly coffers and building for themselves earthly wealth. Have you no eyes to see what those who have called out, “Lord, Lord” have done? Some have preached a false gospel designed only to tickle the ears of those who would listen while slipping in a message of deceit and deception.

Jesus, in chapter thirteen of the Gospel of Mark, said, “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!”

In chapter four of his second letter to his brother in Christ, Timothy, Paul writes, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”

What Paul observed then, we also see now. Many flock to those who preach a gospel filled with love and hope to entice those who long for those things. Their empty words will lead only to disillusionment and sadness. Many will no longer believe and become sullen. Some will have their hearts hardened and become skeptical of those who preach the true Gospel of the Lord.

Many have asked why I have not written books. I respond, “The free gift of God is love and salvation through His son, Christ Jesus. Likewise, His Word is free.”

The key word is free. I cannot improve on the words of the Lord or embellish upon them. I can only preach the Word as it was given by God the Father. Each word, written by men of God, inspired and given life by the breath of God.

As we continue to go through this valley of darkness called “pandemic”, let us test every word spoken by those who profess to be God’s messengers, His prophets or apostles of Christ. Examine each word against the entire content of the Holy Scripture. Be in prayer daily asking for God’s word and love to fill you with wisdom and discernment. Do not allow those who prey on others to fill their pockets with earthly treasures a foothold in your life. 

 In chapter four of his first epistle, John writes, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”

There are many false prophets who claim that they speak with conviction and authority. Question every word. If they say that the Bible says this or that, read the scripture to truly determine the real meaning. When you do these things, I guarantee that your daily walk with the Lord will be a blessing even during the roughest of times. Rest assured that you will be standing firm in His grace daily as you follow His words and not the words of those wolves in sheep’s clothing and false prophets.     

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.