The Daily Dose

A Sign

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.  Revelation 12:1

As we finished up chapter eleven of Revelation, the seventh angle had sounded, and the kingdoms of the world became the kingdoms of our God. Now as we begin chapter twelve, there is a shift in heaven.  A sign.  The apostle John’s attention was turned to a sign or symbol of something happening in the spirit realm.

John saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and on her head was twelve stars.  She is ready to deliver a child and is in pain because of it.  Immediately after that, John sees another sign of a fiery red dragon waiting for the child to be born so he can devour the baby as soon as he is delivered.  This infant will grow up to rule all nations with a rod of iron and before the dragon can get to him, he is caught up to be with God in heaven.

After that, the woman flees to the wilderness to a place that has been prepared by God for her to be fed for 1260 days.  This is the amount of days that are referred to in previous chapters as the last three and a half years of the tribulation period.  Although the beginning of this vision has already happened, the last part will be during those last bit of time in this present world.

So just a brief explanation of the vision is the woman is the nation of Israel that Jesus the Messiah was born out of.  He is the only one in scripture that it has ever been described as a Ruler with a rod of iron.  Of course, the dragon is Satan, the enemy of God who killed the King of glory but could not hold Him down.  He rose up from the grave and ascended into heaven to be with His Father for ever more.  This all has already happened.  Now the dragon is enraged and is looking to torment the woman that has been left to endure.  Although her child is now in heaven, the enemy of God will seek to devour her.

This entire picture reminds me of a scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 that says that we are to always be on the look out for our adversary the devil who is looking for those he can devour.  In John’s vision, the woman seems unaware at the time that there is an enemy waiting to devour her child, but God isn’t.  He watches over her and protects her child.  He also prepares a place of provision for her to escape to as the enemy tries to overtake her.

That same enemy is trying to devour today.  He is after all those who love God but is only able to get to those who are not pulling in close to His protection and provision and are drawn away from God by Satan’s traps and tricks.  If we are not constantly on guard, being sober and vigilant to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit, we will be unaware of the traps that the enemy is setting daily to take us out.  That dragon is still after God’s throne, and He is still trying to turn the world against the love that God has for us all people.

Today I want to encourage you to press in and stay close.  Talk to your heavenly Father today bout the plans, mission and direction he has planned for your life.  As you follow the path that He has designed for you, you will not be lured away and devoured by the enemy of your soul.  Trust your heavenly Father today and thank Him that He is always watching, providing and protecting you through every assignment He has given you to complete.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 12:1-6

1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 

2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.

3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 

4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 

5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 

6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

The Seventh Angel

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15

Try to imagine this scene:  The seventh angel sounds and then there is a great announcement in all of heaven.  Suddenly, at this very moment in time, the kingdoms of the world have now become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His anointed Son, Jesus.  The King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.  But wait, don’t the kingdoms of this world already belong to our God?  I mean, the entire earth is His, right?

Well, according to this passage, at the time when the seventh angel sounds, that will be the final battle cry when God takes back the kingdoms of the world from those who have possessed it over the millennia.  Think about the resistance that will rise up as the rulers of the world at that time will try to hold on to their nations, but to no avail.  They will be stripped of their titles and their lands.  The passages says they are angry that God’s wrath has come and the time of judgement.  But in heaven, it is a great celebration.  So much so that the temple of God is opened in heaven and the ark of His covenant is seen in the temple with great lightnings, noises, thunderings and an earthquake with great hail.

This is the turning point in this seven-year tribulation period.  After God’s two witnesses are taken up to heaven, it is time to take the earth back from His enemy.  At this point, it is time to clear the land and prepare the way for the King of kings to sit on His through here in this world. This explains the intensity of the rest of this period of time when things take a turn for the worse.  Satan will fight to try to keep these nations.  His leaders will try to rid the world of God’s representative and keep dominion.  even in all the details to come in this book, we cannot even come close to picturing the devastation that will break out on the earth and in the spirit world over this great reclamation of what God has place in the hands of man at the beginning of time, His planet earth.

This is a great victory that we all will get to take part in.  Just as the elders give thanks to God and worship Him saying: “We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One Who is and Who was and Who is to come.”  So we to can rejoice, even today.  We can be thankful that we can read the end of the book and know that with Him, we will be victorious.  We have a renewed hope in the future as God’s people and family.  We are taking it all back and He will reign forever more and we will be with Him in all His glory.  This event is the great fulfillment of His plan.  The only thing left to do is to clean up and take out the trash!

Today I want to encourage you to celebrate God’s plans to come in the end time days that we live in, look forward to His promises kept in your life, live in holy fear and awe of His great power each day, seek His wisdom and guidance for His purpose for you and embrace the reality of His soon return.  These practical everyday habits encourage us to live by faith, purpose and devotion to God’s mission, trusting in His plan and resting in His unfailing love.  The time is closer than ever before for His return, don’t waste another day without walking out your assignment.  Get the details today and then ask Him for His empowering grace to get the job done.  We all have a mission to complete, but it is up to each one of us to find out what it is everyday that we wake up on this side of heaven.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 11:15-19

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 

16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 

17 saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.

18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

Be children of God

That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  Matthew 5:45

Have you ever thought about this?  Why does God let His sun rise on evil people just the same as it does on the good?  What about the rain?  He sends rain on the just and the unjust.   Have you ever considered that God doesn’t send different outward circumstance for different people.  That’s because He loves us all and He wants good for all people.  The truth is that all people belong to God, but His enemy stole them away from Him.  Now He has made a provision to get them all back.  The only problem is that we are the ones that have to choose to step into His provision to be saved from His enemy.

Today’s scripture is about loving people that are not God’s people, but they are God’s creation.  Jesus told His disciples to love their enemy and bless those who cursed them and do good and pray for those who hated and used them.  He said this is how you can be identified as a child of God.  Because if you only love those who love you, you are no different than everyone else.  If you only greet and associate with other believers, there is nothing different about you.  However, when you love all people because you are a child of God, not because of how good someone is, you are different because you love like God loves.

This message is the same for us today.  What sets us apart from the rest of the world?  It is the way we love all people.  Not just the nice- and good-looking ones, but all people no matter what race, no matter what their past is and no matter how bad they are.  They are still God’s created beings in His image, and He wants them all back from His enemy.  That is what He has called each one of us to do . . . love them with the God kind of love, so they will know that the God of creation wants them to choose to come back to Him through His great salvation.

Today I want to encourage you to love your enemies. Bless those who curse you and do good to those who hate you.  Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you so that you can be seen by the rest of the world as a child of God.  Become the ambassador He has assigned you to be and show the world around you that the God of heaven loves them and wants them back in the family.  The family of God!

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:43-48

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 

45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 

47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 

48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Be Generous

And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  Matthew 5:41

Generosity!  It is the ultimate example of what our God is.  He is extremely generous in all the He is and does.  His love is overflowingly generous in that He didn’t even spare His only son to show how much He loves us all and to rescue us.  He never holds back and His desire is that we would be that kind of example to the lost world around us.

Jesus tells us in this section of Matthew 5, to give what we are asked for and beyond.  He encourages us to always go the extra mile.  Whatever you think you can do easily, stretch beyond that point to become excessive in all we do for others.

Whether it is helping someone out financially or giving of material possessions, always go above and beyond what is requested.  We should always have the mentality of exceeding the expectation.  You can even go as far as returning things in better condition after you have used or borrowed something.   This is the God way of doing things.

Here is the list of things that Jesus taught in these five verses:

1.         Do not resist an evil person

2.         When slapped on one cheek, offer the other one too

3.         If someone wants your shirt, offer then your coat too

4.         Anyone who wants to borrow from you do not turn them away or consider if they will pay you back

5.          If someone asks you to do one mile with them, go two.

The way I approach this is with love.  I consider giving of any kind, a gift and display of God’s love through me.  I don’t worry about if I will be treated right or appreciated.  Love is my motivation, so it doesn’t matter who or what the circumstances are.  It has nothing to do with the person receiving the gift, it is all about who I am and Who I represent.  I cannot be offended because I expect nothing in return.  I like to use the verse in Romans 13 that says “Own no man anything but to love them.”  Consider the debt in this scripture in Romans is the same debt as: Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors in the Lord’s prayer, the debt of love for the world. I owe that love to the world around me and therefore I choose to be a generous lover of all people!

Today I want to encourage you to be generous.  Be generous with your time. Be generous with your resources and be generous with your love for others.  Show the world around you how great and loving your Heavenly Father is by being that example of love to everyone you meet.  Let the love of God abound in your richly and be generous in giving to your world.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:38-42

38  “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’  

39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 

40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 

41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 

42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

The Breath of Life

Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Revelation 11:11

Recently, I have been under a load of care.  I couldn’t quite identify what was going on exactly, but I was feeling overwhelmed and stagnant.  Oh, I was still able to go through my daily routines, but life was feeling stale and uninspired.  I knew some of the heaviness was the result of some unhealthy habits I had fallen into, but I was not strong enough to pick myself up without help.  After praying about it for several days and asking for help from the Holy Spirit.  I finally felt impressed to ask a friend to help me stay accountable as I started a fast to eliminate the draining habits I had allowed in my life.  On the third day, I was on the treadmill listening to worship music and praising God as I often do during that activity.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, I sensed the Holy Spirit voice on the inside of my heart.  He said that in this season I needed to “Step it up” and not allow myself to get under the load.  I had been wondering if I was taking on too much, but He showed me that His empowering grace was what I needed to keep flowing in my life to accomplish the missions that He has me on.  The toxic habits I had allowed in were smothering the flow of God’s grace in my life. That breath of life from the word of the Holy Spirit was all I needed to hold on to and get me up from the funk I had been swimming in.  I am so thankful that when we take the time to hear from Him, He shows up to lead us through whatever we are going through.

In today’s reading, we see another demonstration of the breath of life that raised up the two witnesses after they have been killed by the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit.  Their bodies will lay in the street for three days.  Unlike Jesus’ body that was placed in a tomb for three days, enclosed by a large rock to cover the entrance of the tomb, the witnesses’ bodies lay out in the street where everyone in the world will look on for three days.  Suddenly, on the third day, the breath of life from God will come into their bodies again and they will stand up on their feet so that all the world can see them alive once again.  Immediately after they get up, they will hear a voice from heaven calling them to “come up” and they will ascend into the clouds of the air just a Jesus did at His ascension. They will go home to heaven ever to be with their Lord Jesus.  Again, things begin to tremble on the earth and another great earthquake that kills seven thousand people.  Finally, the people of the world will give glory to God because of this undeniable display of His resurrection power.

I know I am drawing some great conclusions from this passage to reduce the breath of God down to my everyday circumstances, but the point is, God’s breath will reach us wherever we are in life.  From raising up from death to giving new live to the stale ruts of everyday life.  His breath will renew and restore whatever we are going through in this world.

What about you?  Are you facing some uphill battles in your world today?  Do you feel like you are under a load of care being crushed by your circumstances?  Whatever it is, God has a plan to get you out from underneath it and raise you up strengthened and restored.  He will breathe the breath of life into your troubles and call you to “come up” to a higher level with Him.  He will walk you through the valleys of life and keep you close on the path of His righteousness.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever struggle you are currently going through.  Get alone and press into Him.  Shut out the outside world for a time so that you can hear His direction more clearly.  Ask a friend to walk with you through a fast or time of separating from the distractions of life and take time to listen to that still small voice within your heart.  It may feel like three days in the grave but stick with it until the answer comes.  You will feel the release of the pressure that is trying to snuff you out and you will gain new strength for the mission He has called you to.  He will empower you to come up to higher ground with Him and then you will give glory to God for His presence and renewed purpose.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 11:11-14

11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 

12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 

13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

Until it is Finished

When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7

In today’s reading, we see the two witnesses finally killed after 1260 days of being indestructible.  I can’t help but see a parallel to the life of Jesus.  After 3 years of ministry, virtually untouchable by any enemy or foe, suddenly Jesus was taken into custody, tried and condemned to death all in a 24-hour period.  It was not because Jesus suddenly lost power or anointing, it was because He laid His life down. It almost looks like that is exactly what happens to the two witnesses of Revelation.  After they finish what they came to do, not before, but after their work was completed, then they are overcome and killed.

As it was in the days of Jesus when the priests and religious leaders celebrated His death, so the world watching the events take place during the time of the two witnesses will celebrate their deaths.  However, the account is different than Jesus because one of His followers came and got His body and put it in a tomb.  The witnesses will be left out in the street and even watched for three days.  It seems like their bodies will be guarded because the passage says they are not allowed to be put into graves.  Meaning it is prohibited in some way.  The world looking on will make a holiday out of the event and send gifts to one another.  This is not a celebration of life.

Which brings me to my next thought.  Is it possible that I can live on until my mission is completed?  Like these witnesses, am I granted an amount of time to finish the work and testimony that I have been assigned?  I think back to a scripture in Psalms 139 that says all my days were written in His book or another passage that says I will live out the full number of my days.  Yes, I believe I will be in this world until my purpose for being here is finished.  He has begun a good work through my life and will be with my Lord Jesus in heaven only after it is accomplished.  Will there be people around to celebrate my life?  I hope so, but I am sure of one thing, I will trust Him to get me there.

What about you?  Do you believe you will live to complete the assignment you have been given.  Are you convinced that God’s grace and protection will keep you until the day that your work here is done?  If not, begin to ask Him for that assurance.  Maybe you don’t even know why you are here in the world and what the purpose of your life is?  He wants to show you and lead you to the perfect plan He designed for you before you were even born.  Start seeking His direction and purpose for your life today and He will get you on that path of righteousness, step by step.

 Today I want to encourage you to rest easy in His provision and peace for your life.  Be assured that He has begun a good work in you and will keep you here until it is done.  Your days do not have to be cut short by tragedy and disease; you can follow the plan of His book to live out the full number of your days.  Don’t let the enemy cut them short, get your life on the path of purpose and be here until your testimony is finished.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 11:7-10

7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 

8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 

9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 

10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

His two witnesses

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.  Revelation 11:4

 The two witnesses are another place where people often get focused on who they are when reading Revelation.  Obviously, John was not told to identify them if he recognized them, that is why we really don’t know who theses two are.  So, let’s talk about what we do know about them.  Since the passage doesn’t tell us their names, it is pointless to try to guess.  It just isn’t important at this time, or it would have been written down for us to know. Their purpose is clear from their description.  They are called olive trees and lampstands.  They are anointed to be the light in Jerusalem for three and a half years during the Tribulation.  This goes back to a reference in Zecheriah 4.  (You can see the cross reference when you read the passage in verse 4)

So once again, God is making every provision for people in the world at that time to repent and follow Him.  First there was the 144,000 evangelists and now the two witnesses.  These witnesses are telling His story.  No one can touch them wrongly or harm them in any way or they will be consumed by fire.  This is a very exciting time in Jerusalem, however these witnesses will be hated by many.  And obviously, there will be those against them that will make multiple attempts to take their lives, unsuccessfully.  From the passage, it looks like they are causing bad things to happen in the earth, but that is often the very thing that turn hearts to God.

I used to think it would be really cool to be here at the time of the two witnesses because of the awesomeness of God’s power on them.  However, now I am thankful that I can just watch this scene play out from heaven and do not have to experience this treacherous time in person.

Today, we have many opportunities to see bad things going on around us.  Wars, earthquakes, storms, even volcanoes and fires out of control, but the message God wants to get to the world is the same.  He loves us and wants us to be victorious. His protection is with us and His salvation is for all of us.

Today I want to encourage you to be the light in the world around you.  Oh, I know you may not have this great anointing and power the two witnesses will have.  But you do have the same message to carry and that is that God loves all people unconditionally and wants to show up in their daily life to guide and protect.  Jesus came into the world to save all people and He wants everyone, everywhere to receive the truth of His great gift of salvation.  Decide today to let your life be a testimony for Him, then you will be sure to accomplish the purpose you were born into this world for.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 11:3-6

3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 

5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 

6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

The Temple of God

Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. Revelation 11:1

Reading through the book of Revelation this time, I have come to recognize yet another truth to keep in mind to understanding the content.  That truth is, not to try to figure out the missing pieces, but to ask the questions: Why is the content included? and When is this event taking place? Unfortunately when reading the book of Revelation, we see it as a puzzle to try to figure out the missing pieces instead of putting attention on the detail that are written. 

There is a great example of this at the beginning of Chapter 11.  After John ate the little book and was told that he would prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings at the end of chapter 10, he was given a reed for measuring.  He was told by the angel to measure the temple and altar of God and all who worship there.  Because the finding of what he measured is never mentioned again, it is obvious that the focus of this verse is the temple, not the measurements. We know that the angel is talking about the temple in the world because John was told that the outer court has been given over to the gentiles (those without God).  The fact that there is a temple is the interesting part of this scripture.  At the time John was writing these words, the temple in Jerusalem had already been destroyed for the third time and there has not been a temple in it’s place since that time.  I’m sure when John saw the temple in his vision, he was completely amazed and drawn in. The temple at this point in time of the great tribulation would automatically allow us to conclude that the Jewish temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt no matter how impossible it may look today for that to happen.

However, in today’s world, the age of grace that we live in, God’s people are the temple of God.  We no longer must atone for our sin each year on Passover because the punishment of sin was paid through the blood of Jesus.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

When Jesus took the punishment of the sin of the world and nailed it to the cross, He paid the price of the perfect sacrifice for all who would receive it.  After He rose from that death on the cross and ascended into heaven, He sent God’s Spirit to live inside of the hearts of those who would receive His great gift of salvation.  Now we as God’s people have become His temple and dwelling place in the earth.  Instead of coming down to the Holy of Holies once a year to receive the sacrifice of the people, we daily give our lives as a living sacrifice.  In Romans 12:1-2 we find our mission and purpose in life today as a child of God.  It says: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Today I want to encourage you to live your life as a living sacrifice fit for the ministry of rescuing those who are lost and bringing them to the Savior of all.  He will not turn anyone away who asks because His blood paid the debt of all sin for all time.  Press into your calling today of being a living sacrifice and lift up your life in service to Him as a sweet smelling savor.  Then listen closely to the direction His Spirit speaks to you each day to follow and complete through His empowering grace and accomplish His plan for this time in history.  If you have never received His great gift of love and cleansing, do it today and lift up your life as a living sacrifice by praying the prayer below.  He will come into your heart and into your life and He will direct your path as you acknowledge Him in all your ways.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 11:1-3

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 

2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 

3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

No Excuse

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.  Matthew 5:37

When I was young, I heard a lot of kids say the phrase, “I swear on a stack of Bibles.”  Meaning they were being as honest and authentic as they could possibly be.  Like one Bible was not enough to stress their point.  Today’s scripture says don’t swear by anything because you don’t even have the power to change any natural thing and there could be something else going on that you don’t’ even know about.  It goes on to say if you say Yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no, others will trust your word when it comes to important things, because you were trustworthy in the little things.

I like the way the message translation breaks this passage down.  It goes like this:

“And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

So, the passages is telling us don’t say things you don’t intend to do, just to make yourself look super spiritual or putting on the pretense of caring.  I know in my own life, I tend to want to excuse or justify my responses to ensure that I am clearly communicating without offending others or making myself look bad.  But the truth is, I only need to be clear and not misleading in my answer.  That doesn’t mean I have to be rude, just give the answer “yes” or “no”.  Simple as that. No excuse needed.

Today I want to encourage you to be upfront with others.  Don’t but on a façade to pretend you are something that you are not.  That will only get you into trouble.  Be authentic and real with people and clearly communicate your intentions without being underhanded and sneaky.  Give clear and concise answers like yes and no, but don’t feel like you have to justify or excuse your response. Lastly, don’t make up and promise to do things for others that you don’t intend to do like praying for them or blessing them.  Just be honest and loving without making up excuses. Only then will you stay far from the intensions of the evil one.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:33-37

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 

34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 

35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 

36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 

37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Cut it off

_{And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  Matthew 5:30}

This scripture has always been a little disturbing to me.  I mean, it seems so dramatic and extreme to cut of your right hand and cast it from you.  Why would you cut off a part of your body?  Why not just remove the offense from your life.  However, now that I come back to this passage after some time, it makes perfect sense to me.  In fact, that is exactly what the message of the verse is.  If you are struggling with a sin or destructive habit that you can’t seem to shake, cut it off!  Cut off all connections with that behavior and get as far away from it as you possibly can.  The passage also says that if you are having trouble with what you are looking at, stop looking at it and get it out of your sight.

An example of this may be a toxic relationship that always seems to influence you to activities that you do not want to be involved in?  Cut it off.  Break off that relationship and get far from it.  Until you are strong enough and stable enough to say no to that undesired activity, flee from it to save your soul. If you struggle with addictive substances such as drugs or alcohol, cut them off.  Give yourself no access to them and stay far away from people who would try to lure you back in again.

It reminds me of Joseph, when Potiphar’s wife came onto him.  He cut that conversation, relationship and coat off as quickly as he could.  He ran out of the place because he knew that was the wrong environment for him to stay pure in.  This is a perfect example of how we should behave when approached with temptation.  Do not consider, do not count the cost just get away from it even if you have to leave something behind.

James 4:7 gives us the answer to any temptation that comes our way.  It says: Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  When you acknowledge your Heavenly Father in all your ways, you are taking the first step in resisting the enemy and his plans to trap you in a sin that you cannot get away from.

Lastly, when you are in the position of struggling, it will be very frustrating as you continue to fall into the same pit, but don’t be discouraged. Instead ask for help. You do not have to overcome alone, in fact you probably never will. You need the strength and help of God’s Spirit and He is right there inside of you waiting for you to ask. Invite His wisdom and help into your circumstances to keep you far from any temptation and to lead you in a direction that is far from the offenses of the world.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all submit all your thoughts and ways to God.  Then He will strengthen you to resist the devil and his tricks to hold you in bondage to habits and addictions.  Next, cut off all relationships, activities and substances that cause you to stumble.  Cut them off and get far away from them.  The more you stay away, the easier it will be to keep away.  So, the next time your right hand tries to cause you to sin, cut that sin off before it ever happens.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:27-32

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 

28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 

30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 

32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.