Being Blessed

 Be blessed, be a blessing. 

I say it all the time. Be blessed. I mean it. If you say it, you mean it. If someone says it to me, I hope they mean it. But what does it mean? This is what we will be discussing today. Let us pray. 

Father, we come before you with thanksgiving and praise. We thank you for all things from life to life everlasting, and all stops in between. As we enter your Word, we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit to receive and understand your truth and your revelations. Please, Father, guide us, teach us, and yes, bless us, as we grow in faith and in your ways. In Jesus name, amen!

So what does it mean to be blessed? In the biblical context, "being blessed" is often misunderstood as a simple synonym for happiness or material prosperity. While the Bible does include physical provision as a form of blessing, the core meaning, which is derived primarily from the Hebrew barak and the Greek makarios, points to a state of divine favor and spiritual well-being that exists regardless of outward circumstances.

I want you to think about that. Seriously. Divine favor and spiritual well-being that exists regardless of outward circumstances. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word barak often conveys the idea of being "knelt before" or of being empowered by God to prosper and fulfill a purpose. It is a functional blessing that enables life to flourish. 

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 

Here, blessing is an endowment of power from God to succeed in the mission He has given humanity. Say, God will not call you to do something without the tool to do it. 

“And God can bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

If God calls you to cross a river, He will supply a boat. If He calls you to dig a hole, He will give you a shovel. How about THIS for a blessing? 

“Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of the eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

Then, in the New Testament, particularly in the Beatitudes, the Greek word “makarios” is used. It describes a "privileged" or "fortunate" state of being. Crucially, this state is tied to one's relationship with God rather than one's bank account or health.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3

Jesus redefines blessing. You can be physically poor or grieving, yet "blessed" because you possess the kingdom of God. It is an internal satisfaction that the world cannot take away. However, it is not just in the afterlife. Are you a child of God only when you die? When you leave this earth? Or are you a child of God NOW?

I cannot tell you how often in my life (sigh) I have to be careful here. This does have a potential of sounding, uh, arrogant, or something. Have you ever experienced favoritism? On your job, at a store, through someone else? That is a form of being blessed. Pleased to bless you. They want to help you. They are drawn to you for favor, even if they do not understand. 

Then you have forgiveness and restoration. One of the most profound biblical descriptions of being blessed is the removal of the barrier between a person and God. 

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1

True blessing is the peace of mind and spirit that comes from being in a right relationship with the Creator. Turn with me to Romans 8:14-17

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” 

Now, do not get all hung up on it, saying sons. In Roman law, the status of a "son" was a formal legal position. When a person was adopted into a Roman family as a "son," several radical changes occurred in their legal standing:

The person’s old debts and legal obligations were completely cancelled.

They came under the patria potestas (the power of the father) of their new family.

Most importantly, a "son" was a legal heir. In that culture, daughters and younger children often did not have the same direct, ironclad claim to a family’s estate and name as someone legally designated as a "son."  

Huios (Sons) vs.Teknon (Children). Greek has two distinct words that help clarify this distinction: Teknon (Children): This refers to a biological relationship or "offspring." It emphasizes the bond of birth and nature. You see this used often when the Bible discusses being "born of God.” Huios (Sons): This refers to the legal position and dignity of a child who has reached maturity. It is a term of "placement" or "position." If the text simply said "children," it would highlight the relationship, but by saying "sons," it highlights the privilege.

In the context of Romans 8, this is specifically linked to the Holy Spirit. The "Spirit of adoption" is what moves a person from the status of a slave, who has no rights to the master's house, to the status of a son, who is a "fellow heir with Christ." This applies to women as well. 

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” John 1:12

Say all. 

Ultimately, the Word states that the greatest blessing is not a thing God gives, but God Himself. 

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD makes his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lifts his countenance upon you and gives you peace.” Numbers 6:24–26

To be blessed is to have God’s "face" turned toward you and the ability to live under His watchful care, guidance, and favor.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

We no longer have to worry about anything. Nothing. For we are already told that God will be our provider. He will supply. He will fight our battles. He will exact revenge on our enemies. He will say when our time here is up.

“And God can bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 

I know we have talked about Romans 8:18-39 plenty of times. This is something that all children of God should claim on their own. For their own. I will wrap it up today with this: join us next time for part two, Blessing others. 

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

There is nothing that can happen in this life, where you could even think about saying, " Oh, Heaven is not worth this.”

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” 

Again, sons and daughters. 

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that what is not seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

You have to get this child of God. Highlight it, underline it, memorize it. Ready? Here we go.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 

 As it is written,

 "For your sake, we are being killed all day long;

 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Now THAT is being blessed. 

Remember, you can find so very much in the archives at TAG 

The Email is, as always, truthbygod1@gmail.com 

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord.

Coming up, The Books of 1 and 2 Peter

 Chat with Peter

Hey Folks, The time when we dedicate Wednesdays to a more in-depth look at an entire Book in the Bible. Starting next week, we will begin in 1 Peter, followed of course by 2 Peter. 

1 Peter. Written to scattered, suffering Christians throughout Asia Minor, 1 Peter is a letter of intense encouragement. Peter reframes their social isolation and suffering not as a sign of abandonment, but as a refining process.

 Peter reminds his readers that they are "elect exiles" and a "royal priesthood." Their true citizenship is elsewhere, which naturally puts them at odds with the culture around them.  He compares suffering to a refining fire 1 Peter 1:7. Just as gold is tested and purified by heat, hard times test and prove the genuineness of a person's character and faith.

Because of the resurrection, believers have a concrete anchor for the future, making earthly trials seem temporary and lightweight by comparison. Instead of reacting to hostility with anger or retaliation, Peter calls for radical, honorable behavior. He urges believers to respect authority, love deeply, and answer critics with gentleness and respect 1 Peter 3:15. 

This is a five-week read-through, which will bring us to 2 Peter.

While his first letter focuses on suffering from the outside, 2 Peter addresses a threat from the inside: false teachers, moral compromise, and skepticism. It reads like a final testament or a spiritual farewell address.

Peter repeatedly stresses the importance of accurate, intentional knowledge. He warns against "eisegesis"—twisting scriptures or interpreting prophecy based on personal whims and desires rather than the author's original intent.

The letter delivers a sharp critique of leaders who use their positions for greed, promote moral laxity under the guise of "freedom," and distort foundational truths. Peter addresses skeptics who scoff at the idea of justice or a final accountability, mockingly asking why things just keep going on as they always have. Peter counters that time operates differently from a divine perspective:  

"With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2  Peter 3:8

The delay isn't a lack of ability or awareness; it is an act of patience, giving people the maximum opportunity to align themselves with the truth.

Together, the two letters provide a comprehensive manual for integrity. Persecution, slander, and social isolation. False doctrines, moral apathy, and skepticism. Steadfast Hope: Looking forward to an eternal inheritance. Growing in maturity and sticking to the truth.

Peter calls us to action. To live beautifully and honorably among critics. To guard the truth and live holy lives while waiting for justice. Ultimately, Peter argues that true wisdom and resilience aren't just intellectual concepts; rather, they must be actively lived out through character, clarity, and conduct, no matter how much the surrounding world shifts.

As always, you can always reach out to me for questions, comments, or just say "Hi" at truthbygod1@gmail.com. Don't forget the 1. Join us every Sunday for various Messages, led by God, from His Word, without the traditions of men called religion. Just the Truth According to God. 

As always, you can check out the vast archives here at TAG anytime you wish. 

May the Lord our God go before you as your way maker, as well as behind you as your rear guard, and may He be with you, always. 

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

The Idol of Self

 The Idol of Self

This is a growing and one of the most seductive idols there is. It is the idol of self. You need nothing and no one. You are not only enough but also the best. Most important. You are a “god.” Sound familiar? This is what we will be discussing today. Let us pray. 

Father, we come before You today with thanksgiving and praise. We are grateful for everything you have done for us. From granting us life to the promise of eternal life and all that lies in between. We praise You for Your Word and for Your grace, which allow us to be adopted into Your Kingdom and family. 

Today, we see a growing trend that mirrors an old one: Pride. The desire to be self-sufficient, to need no one, especially you, and to seek fame and followers. Please, Father, help us to have eyes that see and ears that hear Your truth and revelations regarding the challenges we face in today’s society. In Jesus' name, Amen!

“How you have fallen from heaven,

O Day Star, son of Dawn!

How you are cut down to the ground,

You who laid the nations low!

You said in your heart,

‘I will ascend to heaven;

above the stars of God

I will set my throne on high;

I will sit on the mount of the assembly

in the far reaches of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I will make myself the Most High.’

But you are brought down to Sheol,

to the far reaches of the pit.

Those who see you will stare at you

and ponder over you:

‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,

who shook kingdoms,

who made the world like a desert

and overthrew its cities,

who did not let his prisoners go home?’ Isaiah 14:12-17

“You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Lucifer, as he was known then, wanted to be the most important. He wanted people to bow down in front of him. Worship him. Look what he said to Jesus.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8-9

This is what he tempted Adam and Eve with.

“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

Look at what society tells our kids. “There is no god.” “You only live once.” “You are special, and you are in control of your future.” “Look out for number one.” “If you put yourself out there, social media and such, you could be the next big thing.” “The next influencer with thousands of followers.” Sound familiar?

Look at social media for a second. There are those on social media who make $30,000.00 a day for a 10-minute video. Some make so much money and have so many followers that they make videos where they give money away. Is there anything wrong with them giving money away to those who need it? No. Not really. But why are they? Think about it. Look at what Jesus said here.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. 

Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

Social media has become a source of child abuse. We actually have parents out there that are letting their underage daughters, some very underage daughters, dance in bathing suits, underwear, and in some cases, nothing, showing little bits of themselves for the pedophiles out there to watch. 

Why? The more views, the more followers, and the more they can make money. We used to call nude or semi-nude pictures and videos of little girls child porn. It used to be a crime. That no longer seems to be the case. Some of those happy little faces doing their dance are doing so because they are being forced to. There have been reports that in other countries, there are compounds full of young girls who are forced to make videos.

Even if we do not go to the extreme, just think about things like FB. Yeah, I know. Social Media is a tool. It can be used for good or other things. You can get information, or you can get porn. You can stay connected to family and friends, or you can try to become an online “god.” Be careful, my friends. If social media becomes more important to you than praying, reading the Word of God, or actually doing things, you may want to take a closer look at what you are doing and your motives for doing it.

Remember, you are a child of God and a follower of Jesus. Jesus, who is also God, was baptized by John the Baptist and washed His disciples' feet, teaching them that He came to serve us. Ultimately, He also went to the cross for our sake.

Think about this also. Even back in the day, people were worried about followers and being great. When Jesus was asked, "Who will be the greatest in Heaven?" He answered this way.

“And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:2-6

Jesus also told us this.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

And here?

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should follow as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:13-16

It is not about you. It never was. It never will be. It is about serving others. It is in the very service to others that God can equip you and bless you. It is not about you. You cannot say you serve God if you are not serving others. Look here.

"But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

Again, Jesus is using Himself, God, as an example. One of the things we, as children of God, should be doing is imitating Jesus. Jesus even told us that we would do even more than He did. Look at John 14:12–14

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

What did Jesus do? Teach, preach, and show the way. He came to serve us. He came to serve us to the point of His own torture, abuse, and death. What have you done for your fellow man lately? We have not reached the point of torture and death in this country. Yet. People are being tortured and killed because of the name of Jesus all over the world. Yet they keep spreading the Word. Are you? Or are you worried about losing “followers” if you post something like the real meaning of the Rainbow? Are you worried about offending someone with the truth?

 

Consider this: if you are prioritizing your fears and concerns over your faith, are you not placing yourself before God? Take a moment to think about it. If you fear losing followers, friends, or even family because you believe in God, aren’t you choosing your own comfort and relationships over your devotion to Him? Jesus expressed this idea in His teachings.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew 16:24-28

Again, folks, it is ok to be on social media. It is a tool and can be a great way to stay in touch with family and friends. It can be a good way to spread the Gospel. However, be very careful that it does not become an avenue to sin. Either by viewing things you should not, or attempting to use it as a tool to commit the original sin. Pride and self-promotion. Remember another warning from Jesus. He said this.

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

Put the “Idol of Self” away from you and do not seek it out again. Accept Jesus, and raise your kids on His Word. Teach them it is not ok. It is not fun. It is not something to try to achieve. It is based on the original sin and is dangerous to the point of death. Jesus should be the only one you know who has millions of followers. Besides, if you do have followers, where are you leading them? Hopefully to Jesus.

Remember, you can always check out the vast archive here at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Malachi Chapter 4

 Chapter 4

The Great Day of the Lord

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

The Idol, Religion

 Religion as an Idol

Religion as an Idol? How is this? Religion is not going to save you. Being a good little "Insert religion here" is not going to save you. Sorry. It is just the simple truth. Religion is a man-made concept and most of the time has nothing to do with the true God and or His plan of salvation. This is what we are discussing today. Let us pray. 

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to learn the Truth. Your truth. The fact that there is a vast difference between religion, or a man-made tradition, and a relationship with you. Please, Father, guide us through your Word and show us Your Way. We pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit to receive your Truth and desire for us, your people. Your family. In Jesus name. Amen!

Simply put, Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6 Jesus is the key to salvation. It is simply accepted by you or not, a fact that without Him, you can not ever enter into Heaven. It is simply a fact, again, accepted by you or not, that "neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

God made His plan of salvation simple and easy for all to obtain.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18

First, notice this. Jesus does not say, "If you eat meat on Friday, or don't eat meat at all, or walk a half a mile on the Sabbath day, or if you say ten 'Hail Marys'." No, He says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Whoever. What does this mean? Whoever. Anyone. Everyone. All you have to do is accept Jesus and believe He was raised from the dead, and you shall be saved. Romans 10:9.

It also says this. "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Does it say, "If you murder someone, or if you do not follow this or that tenets of said religion, or if you do all sorts of evil?"  

No. It says, "but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Whoever? Whoever. Anyone. Everyone. That simply? "has not believed" is? "Condemned already." There is nothing you need to do except not believe in Jesus, and you are condemned already because He is the only true way to Heaven. He is the Door, the Gate, the Shepard. He and the Father are one. John 10, Romans 10:13 says, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

So any religion that does not have this simple truth, Jesus IS Lord, and He is God, is a false religion. Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 12:3

"Therefore, I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit."

Jesus puts it plainly as recorded in Mark 9:40: "Whoever is not against us, is for us." Which also works the other way.

You accept the gift. You receive the key. You are adopted into the family of God, and He becomes your Father. He tells us that His people are a family. That being a child of God, you are now heirs.

"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:17

How many of you are parents? You have a child, and all of a sudden, nothing else really matters. When the child is a baby, you have to treat it as a baby. Feed it, burp it, change it. Do everything for it. As it grows, you teach it. As it gets older, it will make its own choices. You still love them, no matter what choices they make. However, once they reach a certain age, they will decide the direction of their life. Either they will follow what you have taught them, or they will go out on their own. But you are still their parent, and they are still your children.

God is the same way. He wants you to get to know Him. He wants to spend time with you. You with Him. He wants to teach you all things and the ways you should go. Religion comes in and attempts to teach us God's Will. Here is the problem. Religion IS Man. Organized Religion is a man-made tradition. Man-made beliefs. Man-made rules and regulations. What to do. Not to do. What to eat. What to wear. How to speak, etc. Religion for Religion's sake is pointless and can actually do more harm than good.

Look at Acts 4, Peter and John are arrested and brought before the council, and they are put on trial. They see that a man has been healed, and they see that Peter and John are doing good works, and they tell them to stop? Nope. They did not tell them to stop doing good works, but they did tell them to stop teaching the name of Jesus.

"So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." Acts 4:18

Then they threatened them more and let them go. They had no problem with "religion." After all, Peter and John were Jews and the same "religion" as those on the council. They did not have a problem with the "good works" that they were performing. No. What they had a problem with was Jesus. It is still this way today, in many places around the world.

What did Jesus himself say about Religion?

"Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘These people honor me with their lips,

But their hearts are far from me;

In vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:1-9

Teaching as doctrines, the commandments of men. Just because you may be following the traditions of men doesn't mean you are following God's Word. Or His teachings. Jesus warns us of false prophets and false religions.

 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits." Matthew 7:15-20

Wonder about a religion? First, do they have Jesus? Second, look at what they are doing. Are they going out to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give peace to those in need? Are they using the Tithes and Offerings to help others? Is what they are telling you actually IN The Word? Are they producing anything? Are people being saved because of them? That is the sort of thing you should look into before committing to becoming a member of that religion or even that Church. Remember what Jesus said? Remember, he was talking to the Priests and Rulers of the Synagogues, The Religious folks.

"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John 8:44-47

What Jesus is telling the people is that they are so caught up in their man-made traditions, which he refers to as religion, that they fail to see the truth even when it's right in front of them. We often do this ourselves. When we become overly focused on religion, politics, culture, or any other aspect of life, we can become blind to different perspectives. We become so centered on the "Me" factor that we neglect to consider anyone or anything else. 

For instance, if you are a black man, you might find it difficult to accept anything a white man says. If you are a Jew, you may struggle to believe anything a Christian shares. Similarly, if you identify as a Democrat, you may dismiss anything a Republican says, and vice versa. We get so entrenched in the traditions of those who came before us that we can't hear anything new. We often find it hard to accept that what we have always believed may not necessarily be the truth.

I remember a story I heard once. There was a flood. A man and his family were forced to go up to his roof. The water kept rising. A boat came by and said to the man, "Get in." The man said. "God will save us." The water rises more, and another boat comes. "Get in." The man says, "God will save us." Now the water is on the roof. A third boat comes and says, "You will die here. Get in!" The man says, "You know not what you are saying. We are a family of God. God will save us!" He and his family died. They go to Heaven. He says to God. "Why did you not save us?" God says, "I sent you three boats."

Jesus is the Boat. He is the Truth. He is the Way. He is the Life. We are wading around in the flood of iniquity. We live in sin. The flood rises every day. Jesus is saying to you, "Get in." What do you say? Now hear these words by Paul. Remember Paul? He was a murderer until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. He, in essence, said, "Follow me," and Saul said, "Yes." Saul became Paul. In Galatians 1:11-17

"For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned to Damascus."

This is very powerful. Paul is telling them here that he once killed and enslaved God's chosen people. He received great profit and praise and was promoted to a high position of power in his religion. He was "great" in the eyes of his religion. Yet, he found that he was wrong. He stopped listening to the teachings of his religion, and he started to learn from God himself. You can too. It's called a one-on-one relationship with God. Read His Word. Ask Him to teach you. Learn from the Spirit. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13-17

"And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. For you, brothers became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!"

Again, you see that it is not about religion. You know, I was once told by a Hasidic kid, "I am not supposed to talk to you." Why not? I asked him. "Because you are not clean. You are beneath me." I asked, " Do you believe that? He didn't know. We ended up playing paper football on the Front Desk in a Hotel, where the Boy was attending a religious ceremony.

Religion teaches of a loving God, yet we must hate and shun those who are not like us? Religion teaches salvation, but not for all. Religion teaches us to murder those who are not like us. Yes, religion teaches us many things. But do you REALLY know who God is? Do you have the Key? Are you doing God's Will or the Will of man? Are you making the Commandments of God of no effect, in the keeping of man-made traditions? These are the things you really need to ask yourself.

Learn from God. He will teach you the truth. Have faith in Him. In His Word. Seek out His Will, His plan, and purpose for you and your life. If someone tells you something that is not in the Word, they are lying to you. If they tell you something that is not of God, they are telling you things of man. Or worse. Get to know the truth. For if you know the truth, you will not fall for a lie. God is the truth. His Word is the truth. Everything else is the traditions of men. 

Remember, you can find a vast archive at TAG

The email is, as always, truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the Lord our God go before you as your way maker, as well as behind you as your rear guard, and may He be with you, always. 

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Malachi Chapter 3

 Chapter 3

1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

Robbing God

6 “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers, you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

13 “Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test, and they escape.’”

The Book of Remembrance

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

The Idol, Comfort

 Comfort and Pleasure.

 

Is there anything wrong with comfort and pleasure? No. The New Testament refers to God as the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. This suggests that comfort is a divine attribute intended to be shared. We are comforted so that we may comfort others. The Holy Spirit is described by Jesus as the Paraclete in John 14:16, often translated as "Comforter" or "Advocate." This implies that true comfort is a relational state rather than a material one

Let us pray. 

Heavenly Father, Lord God, we come before You to examine ourselves fully. Are we truly putting You first, or are there hidden idols that we need to remove? As we discuss this complicated subject, we ask for your guidance. Please show us what it means for comfort to become an idol and how we can avoid this pitfall. Father, grant us eyes to see, ears to hear, and the ability to understand Your truth. In Jesus' name, Amen!

We see things like this in the Word. Much of the prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 40: "Comfort, comfort my people," points to a future in which suffering is replaced by divine peace. The Bible presents a nuanced view of pleasure, acknowledging it as a creation of God while warning against its ability to become an idol. 

Ecclesiastes, often viewed as a cynical book, actually champions the enjoyment of life as a duty under God.

“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man." Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

From this perspective, the pleasures of food, sex, marriage, and work are legitimate ways to experience God's goodness properly. Conversely, the Bible warns that when pleasure becomes the primary goal, it leads to spiritual emptiness. People seek out comfort and pleasure, forgetting the proper place for them. Think King David, who got lazy and bored, that lead to convetness, rape, and murder. 

Hedonism, or the pursuit of pleasure, sensual self-indulgence, becomes a sin when you leave out the true source, which is God. The trap of Hedonism. 

“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” Hebrews 11:25

 “Fleeting pleasures of sin." In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus warns that the Word of God can be "choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures" Luke 8:14.

 “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” 

We can easily turn pleasure and comfort into Idols that we choose to bend our knees to before God. Look at the story of the Rich man and his barns. 

“And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’ And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."' Luke 12:15-19

Remember what Jesus called this guy? A Fool. 

“But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:20-21

Seeking "ease" can lead to spiritual apathy and a tendency to ignore those in need. When we use pleasure as an escape or a substitute for worship, it can become an idol. I'm not inclined to go to church this week because I'm tired. I also feel that I can't donate money to the food bank; I need to keep it in my account to meet my own needs. 

Sex? Oh yeah, this can definitely become an Idol. Something that you are willing to serve REGARDLESS of the consequences. I told you this conversation I was having with a lesbian. I told her that sex was indeed a gift from God as long as you are doing it in His parameters. Marriage is one man and one woman for life. She said to me. “I will go to hell for some p____.”

Think about this statement. She said that she will go to a place of never-ending torment, pain, and sorrow, for a few minutes of perverted sexual pleasure?  Eternity for minutes. Think how horrible that is. “Yeah, well, I don’t believe in your God, so yeah, I would rather go to hell.” When they find out it is true, it is too late.

The biblical response suggests that comfort and pleasure are best experienced as byproducts of a life lived in alignment with God, rather than ends in themselves. As Psalm 16:11 states this, 

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

When comfort and pleasure become idols, it usually means we’ve prioritized our ease and safety over our obedience or growth. The Bible defines idolatry as anything that takes God’s place in our hearts. When we are more afraid of losing our "comfort zone" than of missing God’s calling, comfort has become a master.

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24

If we only follow God when it is convenient or comfortable, we are not truly serving Him; we are serving our own convenience. The prophet Amos issued a stern warning to those who were "at ease in Zion." The problem wasn't the comfort itself, but the apathy that it produced.

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! “ Amos 6:1

Comfort often acts as a spiritual anesthetic. It makes us numb to the needs of others and indifferent to our need for God.

Like the Rich man, God called him a fool because he sought ultimate security in his circumstances rather than in the eternal. Jesus’ invitation is the direct antithesis of the idol of comfort. A cross is an instrument of discomfort, sacrifice, and death to self.

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 

For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:23

Growth and discipleship almost always happen outside of the "comfort zone." If we cling to our comfort, we often lose the very life we are trying to protect. Everyone wants to be comfortable, but what happens when "feeling good" becomes the primary goal of our lives?

Ask yourself, do I avoid hard conversations? Do I skip serving because I’m tired? Do I prioritize my budget over generosity?

Jesus promises "rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-30), not through total ease, but through taking on His yoke. Remember, we are new creatures. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ”2 Corinthians 5:17 

This is why we are warned over and over. Look at this in Titus 5:5-6

“She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.” 

I know Christians who feel God does not hear their prayers. James answers that one for us.  

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” James 4:3

"But look what he has. Look what she has. It’s not fair." "Look, he gets to stay home. Why can’t I?" "Why can I not have the million-dollar house and that shiny sports car?" Well, let me ask you this. Is that house going to save you? Is that car going to enable you to drive to heaven? 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

We, as children of God, have so much more to look forward to. So much pleasure. So much comfort. So much rest we will never have here, for eternity. So, what is worth giving up? Eternity or momentary pleasure?

Remember, the devil cannot create anything, but he can twist, change, and present sin as good. God created male and female, while the devil promotes ideas like 27 genders and transgender concepts. God established the institution of marriage, but the devil introduced gay marriage. God defined the family, yet the devil presents alternative family structures, such as single-parent households, divorce, nursing homes, and daycares. God values rest and sleep, while the devil fosters laziness.

We have become so comfortable, so lazy, so into pleasure, that we reject nearly everything else. We feel that tug. “Hey, go check on your neighbor.” Yeah, ok, right after my show. Or God, I just sat down to eat. Then wherever you do decide to go, there is no answer at the door.

Well, God or whatever that was, she must be out with friends. She is not even here. The next day, you wake up to a loud commotion outside your window.  You look out and see police, firetrucks, and an ambulance.

You go outside and watch as a covered body is brought out to the ambulance. You see a paramedic standing by, so you ask, “What happened?” The paramedic looks up and says, “Sorry for your loss. Seems she fell and passed away about 5 pm yesterday.” 

Then it hits you. If you had gone when God asked you to, you would have heard her crying for help. You may have been able to help her. But that chair was too comfortable. That food was just too good. Some things, even with regret, cannot be undone. 

That bed. That chair. That big screen, that little screen, that little bubble you live in, are all temporary. They cannot, nor will they save you. However, if you are not careful, they can be made to keep you from doing God’s Will and living your life in abundance.

Join us next time when we will discuss the Idol of Religion. Yes, Religion can be an Idol. It happens more than you think.   

Remember, you can always check out the vast archive here at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!