"I, therefore, the prisoner of The Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called"-Ephesians 4:1 (NKJ).

Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:22,24). How? By faith, pleasing God, because "without faith it is impossible to please [God]" (Hebrews 11:5-6). Noah walked with God (Genesis 6:9). How? Also, because of his faith...he moved with Godly fear, built the ark, and gained righteousness according to his faith (Hebrews 11:7). Abraham walked before God (Genesis 17:1). How? By faith, Abraham was obedient; when called to go, he obeyed (Hebrews 11:8). We are commanded to walk in the way that the Lord God commands us (Deuteronomy 5:33). In what way has God called you to walk? Are you not sure of your calling? Then, Brothers and Sisters, trust the Lord with all your heart, don't try to understand. In everything acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:4-5). Have faith...move forward in obedience. Walk with God.

"[Hezekiah] removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)"-2 Kings 18:4 (NIV).

Seven hundred years earlier, God had instructed Moses to erect that bronze serpent so that Israelites, bitten by poisonous snakes, punishment for lack of faith, could look at the pole and live (Numbers 21:8-9). Over time, the pole became an object of worship, instead of a "sin reminder" from their wilderness transgressions. Hezekiah brought down the idol worship of Nehushtan. God, with infinite mercy and forgiveness, provided transgressor's a way to eternal life. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told Nicodemus, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him" (John 3:14-15). Look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). 

"So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him"-John 12:10-11. 

This whole Jesus "thing" was about to get entirely out of control.  The priests were so desperate to hang onto their status and power, even if it meant violating Mosaic Laws, and possibly their own demise.  Imagine them sitting behind closed doors and conspiring, not only Jesus' death, but now the hit list was growing with those who needed to "be removed."  Jesus was ruining everything.  What if everyone began to believe in Jesus?  The priests wouldn't be necessary any longer. The temple wouldn't hold the same honor.  Lots of people would have been without jobs: people who raised the animals and birds for sacrifice, money changers, cleaners of the temple, people who baked the show breads, oil and incense makers, maintenance and custodians of the temple, seamstresses who repaired those priestly robes, candle makers, etc.......The very fabric of their society was in jeopardy.  But, that wasn't God's plan.  There was only One Who was to die.  But be assured, when Jesus does return, the world we now know will be changed, forever changed.  We can't even envision the changes God has in store for us. "However, as it is written: "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.

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, til He comes and rains righteousness on you"-Hosea 10:12.

Fallow ground is ground that has been left to rest and have time to rebuild vital nutrients before you plant the field again...maybe for one season and sometimes a full year...depending on the condition of the soil. Hosea says it's time, the field is ready; break it up and sow. Get busy. So, how do we prepare our field? First, remove any debris and toss it to the side (true repentance); learn from other fields (read the Bible) to see what produces a great crop of righteousness; ask and God will deliver what makes the crop robust (prayer). The "Son" will come, shine, and rain His righteousness on your planted field. Oh, what a beautiful harvest and we will reap in mercy. It is time.

""Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it""-Malachi 3:10 (NIV).

A theft report is found in verse 8; God tells Malachi mere mortals are robbing Him in tithes and offerings. "Many are poor because they rob God. Many churches, also, miss the visitation of the Spirit because they starve their ministries...hindered by an empty treasury" (C.H. Spurgeon). Our firstfruits honor God (Proverbs 3:9) and should be given with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). What kind of wisdom says to "give freely and gain even more" (Proverbs 11:24)? And the remainder of that proverb warns that withholding leads to poverty. What? This plan for money management doesn't "add up"...logically. "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise" (1 Corinthians 1:27a). God says to test Him and prepare for the abundant blessings.  

"For even His brothers did not believe Him"-John 7:5 (NKJ).

Jesus had siblings: brothers and sisters. His brothers' names were listed: James (Jacob), Joses (Joseph), Simon, and Judas (Jude) (Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55). Matthew 13:56 says, "And His sisters, are they not all with us?" That's plural, so we can safely say Jesus had four half-brothers and at least two half-sisters. We know that two of the brothers came to faith and wrote books of the New Testament: James and Jude. Both began their book by identifying themselves, not as brothers of the Son of God, but as "a servant of God and The Lord Jesus Christ." Jesus, the Almighty Son of God, took on the nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:7).  We are to have the same mindset as Jesus (v.5). When we accept and serve Jesus, we become His family, more so than any earthly familial tie. Jesus said, "Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50). Praise God there is a Family Reunion we all long for...and it's filled with indescribable joy.      

"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life"-Romans 6:4 (NKJ).

Jesus performed three miracles of raising the dead: the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-15), the twelve-year old daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:40-42, 49-56), and Lazarus (John 11:1-44). These powerful messianic miracles gave three people life; however, this was different from Jesus' resurrection...all three of these people would die again. Jesus is the Firstfruits of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20); an offering of the harvest that is God's (Leviticus 23:10). Jesus is a Gift freely given; once accepted, we commit to walk in newness of life...as disciples of Christ Jesus. Baptism represents the burial of the old "self;" raised to signify our union with Christ...raised by the glory of the Father.

"But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him"-Luke 22:51 (NKJ).

The scene: the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus' arrest. Peter draws his sword and cuts off the right ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest (John 18:10). Jesus asks if He can heal him...and He does. Then Jesus instructs Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" (John 18:11). Surely those with Jesus, and those coming to arrest, weren't expecting requests to heal or drinking from the Father's cup. The cup was the judgment of the world, the cup of God's wrath poured out for all nations...And "they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them" (Jeremiah 25:16). The cup was drunk; the sword was sheathed. Permit even this? Those who do not accept will face God's wrath: "For the great day of His wrath [will] come, and who [will be] able to stand?" (Revelation 6:16-17).

"When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me""-Mark 8:34 (NKJ).

The image of true discipleship was modeled by Simon, from Cyrene, on the day of Jesus' crucifixion. Simon was leaving the country and they compelled him to carry Jesus' cross (Matthew 27:32; Luke 23:26). Knowingly or unknowingly, this Cyrenian father also modeled Solomon's proverb, "Train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6a). Simon's two sons, Alexander and Rufus, witnessed their father's example (Mark 15:21). The boys probably followed their father the entire trek up the hill. Even on the way to Golgotha, Jesus was teaching: "Follow Me"...multigenerational.

"We know that we know Him if we keep His commandments"-1 John 2:3 (NKJ).

Matthew holds many of Christ Jesus' commandments: Let your light shine (5:14,16); settle matters quickly (5:25); get rid of whatever causes sin (5:29-30); don't swear (5:34-37); turn the other cheek (5:38-39); go the extra mile (5:40-42), love your enemies (5:43-45); don't give to be seen (6:1); pray privately (6:5-7); fast without fanfare (6:16); don't store up earthly treasures (6:19-21); don't worry (6:25-26); place God first (6:33); don't judge (7:1-2); guard what is sacred (7:6); ask, seek, and knock (7:7); enter the narrow gate (7:13-14); beware of false prophets (7:15); exercise Spiritual powers (10:8); don't exalt yourself (23:8-12). It took two days to cover Jesus' commandments, but I could have done it in two sentences: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind...and...love your neighbor (22:37,39). "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (22:40). Friends, that is how we know Him...we love Him.

"We know that we know Him if we keep His commandments"-1 John 2:3 (NKJ).

"If you love Me, keep My commandments"-John 14:15 (NKJ). It's a fact...Jesus is the only way to heaven (14:6). Let's look at some of Jesus' commandments. Matthew seems to have the greatest number, so today we'll look at Mark, Luke and John. John first: We must be born again (3:7); remain in Jesus (15:4); love each other (15:12); wash each other's feet (13:14). From Luke: Participate in the Lord's Supper (22:19-20); be ready for His return (12:40); be merciful (6:36); emulate the good Samaritan (10:37). And from Mark: Forgive others (11:25); don't oppose other Christian groups (9:39); have faith in God (11:22). That's a good sampling, but tomorrow...Matthew!

"Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he [the demon] cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!"-Luke 4:33-34 (NKJ).

Observers, in the synagogue, were amazed! The rumor of Jesus' power spread quickly. By the end of the day, people were bringing Him all their sick and He healed every one of them (v.40). Yet, the people didn't know who Jesus was...but, the demons did. The forces of evil knew who He was...the Messiah! In truth, Jesus came to destroy the powers of evil...and save those who know Him. And we are assured "that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (1 John 2:3).

"and said to [Jesus], "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?"-Matthew 21:16 (NKJ).

Jesus had just overturned the money changers tables and cleansed the temple; the blind and lame were coming to Him. The chief priest and scribes were indignant because children were crying out "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (v.15). In today's Scripture, Jesus' response is only the first part of Psalm 8:2. The remainder of the verse says,"Because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger." Jesus is using the weak to silence the powerful: Babies are weak; the enemy is strong. Has not God chosen the weak things of this world to put to shame the things which are mighty (1 Corinthians 1:22b)? We are to take pleasure in our weaknesses, for Jesus' sake, "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Through our weakness He perfects praise. Amen!

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?"-Luke 15:4 (NKJ).

He was born blind (John 9:20), but now he could see. He had no idea Who had healed him,except His name was Jesus (v.11). Giving someone, born blind, sight had never happened before...ever (v.32). The frustrated Pharisees judged to excommunicate the man. Afterwards, Jesus searched and found the man. Jesus asked, "Do you believe in the Son of God?(v.35)...because that's Who I Am! The man said, "Lord, I believe!" and worshiped Jesus (v.37-38). These are the steps of faith: Moving from not knowing Jesus to acknowledging Him as the Messiah. He who was lost had been found.

""Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!""-John 20:15-16 (NKJ).

Jesus reminded a weeping Mary, in yesterday's devotion, that if she would believe she would see the glory of God. Following Jesus' resurrection, this Mary doesn't understand, either, the full extent of the power and glory of God. Did you notice the exclamation mark Jesus placed following her name? The fact is we all fall short (Romans 3:23), "But one thing is needed, and Mary [of Bethany had] chosen that good part, which [would] not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42). Let us all choose the Good Part.

"Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"-John 11:40 (NKJ).

This verse was directed to Mary, the sister of Lazarus, reminding her of a previous conversation.  Lazarus was dead. Mary responded to Jesus' command to roll away the stone by saying, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days" (v.39). Mary believed that Jesus could have healed her brother if He had arrived on time (v.32); she obviously didn't believe Jesus could resurrect Lazarus' decaying body. This was a belief check for Mary. Jesus had wanted Mary to witness this event; He had sent Martha, her sister, to tell Mary to come (v.28). She, and others present, were about to see the glory of God. I don't think Jesus' tone, in today's verse, was a reprimand or a reminder, but a promise of things to come?

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God"-1 John 4:7 (NIV).

The proof of our familial relationship with God lies in our love for one another.  You cannot love someone without being touched by God; any person receiving your love cannot come away untouched.  How do we share God with others?  Through love.  How do we experience God more fully?  Through love.  How are the chains of loneliness, sickness, weakness, depression, anger, envy, greed, and hate broken?  Through love.  Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)!  Love triumphs!  Why?  Because, God is love (v.8).