365 Reflections

We find in 2 Samuel 15 a step-by-step guide to a political revolution in a nation. Consider the effectiveness of Absalom's plan who turns God's people away from the greatest king they ever had: King David. We should note Absalom is a murderer. For this, he became an exile. Now he's going to work to undercut the nation led by King David. We should also understand that his story points to THE story, OUR story. The church has an enemy - satan himself - a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44) - who seeks to mislead and deceive Christians away from their great King, Jesus. 2 Samuel 15:2 (ESV)   And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” First, Absalom's commitment to his cause is firm. The text notes he "rises early." I think we for...

Psalm 91 is a wonderful promise of protection. Psalm 91:1–4 (ESV)   He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord , “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. This Psalm also shows up on the lips of satan himself in the wilderness as he's tempting Jesus. He quotes the 11th and 12th verses: Psalm 91:11–12 (ESV) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. But I never saw this before: Satan left a key part of those verses out in his temptation: Matthew 4:6 (ESV)   and (the devil) said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down...

Christian unity is essential for any church. And the Corinthians didn't have it. 1 Corinthians 11:18–19 (ESV) 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. The heart of division and sectarianism in any local church is a desire for someone to "feel" or seem important. That is what Paul is saying here. They Corinthians divided among themselves in a way to look down on others. At it's heart, that is what division is about. Consider Satan - who created the first division in heaven sought to be important, "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’" Isaiah 14:14. And so a third of the angels divided from the rest and fell. To remedy the division of the body, Paul brings them back to the Lord's table. Its time to r...

As we move into 1 John5, John continues to defend that only in Jesus do we experience all God has for us. 1 John 5:4–5 (NLT) For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is not just our salvation.  Jesus is our deliverance.  The world is not our home.  Do not be surprised, Christ follower, when you start feeling like an alien in the very world you used to see as your home.  I find that the more you know of God and Christ and the Word, the more uncomfortable you are living in this present world.   Not that we wish to escape the world for fear of harm, in that case we would be useless and purposeless in the world.  No, the discomfort comes from knowing this world is backwards.  Up is down, left is right, in is out.  And it seems like no one notices except those found in Chri...