Author: NBibens

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Jehoiada may not be the most recognizable Bible character, but he was a good man with a great story. When an evil queen sought to secure her position by murdering any potential claimants to the throne, Jehoiada risked his life to rescue and hide the infant Joash from the queen’s murderous plot. Some years later, Jehoiada instigated a rebellion against the false queen and restored the kingship to Joash, who was only 8 years old. Jehoiada was the king’s adviser, and as long as he lived, the king ruled well.

When Jehoiada died, the Bible says, “…they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house.”[1] What a eulogy! If, at the end of our lives, it can be said we were good to our family, did good for the church, and were good toward God, then we will have lived an honorable life!

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[1] 2 Chronicles 24:16

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Modern culture often encourages us to be “non-conformist.” Think outside the box; be unique; don’t conform. Well, if you’re against conformity, then Christianity is for you! In Romans 12:2, the Bible says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Ironically, the world calls us to be non-conformists but always wants us to conform to the way of sin. Perhaps different folks appear to take different paths of sinfulness, but in the end, it’s the same broad way that leads to destruction. Every day, people choose to conform to worldliness and sin. Why not choose a different path—a better path? Satan offers conformity disguised as individuality. God offers transformation and renewal. Don’t settle for conformity that will destroy you when God offers transformation that will save you!

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Did you know that your soul is possessed? It is! The question is, by whom?

When we hear about soul possession, we likely think of demonic possession as depicted by Hollywood. But a demon doesn’t have to take over our mind and body for our soul to be endangered. When we follow the way of sin and evil, then our souls belong to destruction. On the other hand, when we believe in and obey the Lord, our souls belong to God and salvation. And the choice is ours!

In Luke 21, Jesus warned His disciples about hardships they would face. But He promised that if they endured, they would be saved. In verse 19, Jesus says, “By your patience possess your souls.”[1] See, our souls aren’t something that can be taken away from us by the enemy. Our souls are our possession, but who will we give our soul to? Will we endure and serve the Lord, or will we yield to the way of sin and Satan?

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[1] NKJV

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Isn’t it amazing how differently people can respond to the same thing? One person will love a movie that another person hates. The same painting may cause some people to be amazed while others mock the item. Well, the same is true of the gospel.

In Acts 2, the Apostle Peter preached a gospel sermon, and towards his conclusion, he rebuked his audience for their rejection of Jesus. Verse 37 says the people were “cut to the heart” and asked Peter what they could do. They were convicted by the gospel and wanted salvation.

In Acts 8, Stephen preached a gospel sermon and rebuked the crowd’s stubborn rebellion. The Bible says this crowd was also “cut to the heart.” They were convicted, but instead of repenting, they got angry—so angry that they murdered Stephen.

How have you responded to the Gospel? Have you let it convict and change you, or do you persist in stubborn rebellion? How has the Gospel cut you to the heart?

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How would you describe a fool? What type of behavior would you classify as “foolish?” We often think foolish people are those who are ignorant, don’t know better, or act silly. But at the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, the Lord provides a simple definition of foolishness. Jesus says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man…And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man…”

Foolishness is not the same as ignorance—in fact, they’re pretty different. The fool is the person who knows what they should do—they see what Jesus teaches and what Jesus demands—but they choose not to obey. The ignorant person can learn, but the fool acts stubbornly and rebelliously.

Don’t settle for ignorance. Learn what God commands. But once learned, don’t be a fool—let God’s word change and transform you instead of persisting in sin and folly. 

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Today, we are one step closer. One step closer to what? A pay-raise? A promotion? Something else? Perhaps. Or perhaps not. But there is one thing we are certainly one step closer to—death. That may not be a pleasant thought, but it’s true. However much time we have left on this earth, be it days or decades, we are one day closer to dying than we were yesterday. That’s really what every day is—another step toward the grave. And there’s nothing you or I can do about it. But there is something we can do about what that means. 

See, as we approach death, we approach eternity. And there is something we can do about that. We can believe in and obey Jesus and be granted eternal life. Or we can rebel against God and suffer eternal condemnation. So, what step will you take today? A step closer to everlasting punishment or a step closer to eternal life?

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Life isn’t always fair. For example, doing what’s right doesn’t always lead to material success. Being fair, honest, and good doesn’t ensure we will get a job, land a sale, be granted a promotion, or be successful. And so, many people opt for unfairness and dishonesty. They make a sale by any means necessary. They are cutthroats in their pursuit of gaining an upper hand. And sometimes, perhaps many times, underhanded practices lead to financial gains or perhaps gains of other sorts. But is that really success?

Proverbs 28:6 says, “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” Notice it’s possible to walk in integrity and be poor. Doing what’s right doesn’t guarantee material prosperity. But even if we do what’s right and are poor, we’re much better off than being materially rich but spiritually bankrupt. Don’t choose crooked ways to worldly riches—walk in integrity, and you’ll always live a better life.  

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The Bible often speaks about God’s glory, as well as our purpose of glorifying God. But what does that mean? How can you and I glorify God? Well, let’s consider Jesus and what He did to glorify the Father. In John 17:4, Jesus says, “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.”^[1]

Sometimes we simplify glorification down to praise. Singing and ascribing praise to God is certainly one way we glorify Him, but Jesus’ prayer demonstrates that glorifying God is deeper than just verbal praise. Glorifying God involves action—Jesus was given a work to do by God, and completing that work glorified the Father. Likewise, you and I glorify God when we do the work God has given us. If we verbally praise Him but then disobey God or neglect His Word, then we don’t truly glorify Him. So, if we wish to honor God, then let us complete the work He has given us to do.

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^[1] NRSV

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Many, many people struggle with grief or anger. Sometimes we think it would be best to avoid grief and anger altogether. But there are times for both emotions. 

In the opening verses of Mark three, we read that Jesus entered a synagogue where there was a man with a withered hand. Some people watched Jesus because they wanted to see if He would heal the man so that they could accuse him of wrongdoing since it was a Sabbath. We’re told that Jesus looked at them “With anger, grieved at their hardness of heart…”^[1] Jesus was angry at them but also sad for them. When others persist in rebellion against God and oppress others, it should anger us. But it should also sadden us. But we must act appropriately. In Jesus’ anger and grief, he healed the man and rebuked the people’s error. He did not act violently or hatefully. His sadness and anger were handled righteously. How will we handle such emotions?

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^[1] Mark 3:5