May these prayers for hope encourage your heart, soul, and mind!
A Prayer for Hope Lord, help me to hear you saying, “I am your hope” over all the other voices. Lord, your word says, you are the hope for hopeless so I’m running to you with both hands stretched out and grabbing on to you. Fill me up with hope and give me a tangible reminder today that hope is an unbreakable spiritual lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God, you know those things in my heart that I barely dare to hope for, today I give them to you, I trust them to you, and ask that you because I know that you can do more than I could ever guess, imagine or request in wildest dreams (Eph 3:20). God, you are my hope and I trust you. Amen.
The Lord Bless You with Hope May the Lord show you the greatness of his goodness, that you overflow with thanks every day. May the Lord bless you abundantly with rest for the heart, power for virtue, wisdom for life, and patience in suffering. May the Lord bless you with joyful hope, and one day with the inexpressible joys of eternal life.
Prayer for Faith, Hope, and Love Almighty Lord God, give us true faith, and make that faith grow in us day by day. Also give us hope and love, so that we may serve our neighbors according to your will; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for Hope Heavenly Father, I am your humble servant, I come before you today in need of hope. There are times when I fell helpless, There are times when I feel weak. I pray for hope. I need hope for a better future. I need hope for a better life. I need hope for love and kindness. Some say that the sky is at it’s darkest just before the light. I pray that this is true, for all seems dark. I need your light, Lord, in every way. I pray to be filled with your light from head to toe. To bask in your glory. To know that all is right in the world, as you have planned, and as you want it to be. Help me to walk in your light, and live my life in faith and glory. In your name, I pray, Amen.
My Hope and Refuge Ah, Lord God, Holy Lover of my soul, when you come into my soul, all that is within me will rejoice. You are my glory and the exultation of my heart. You are my hope and refuge in the day of my trouble. Set me free from all evil passions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections, cure and cleanse me within, that I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, steady to persevere. Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing fuller nor better in heaven and earth; because love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created things. Let me love you more than myself, and love myself except for you, and in you all that truly love you, as the law of love commands, shining out from yourself. Source: Thomas à Kempis
Hope in God’s Promise O Father in heaven, look upon all your people who struggle with anger, anxiety, doubt, frustration, guilt, hopelessness, loss, memories, lack of patience, pain, regret, sadness, selfishness, temptation and weakness. Your Holy Word tells us “All things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” And that means that you make all these things work for your good purpose in our lives, even when we do not understand. Remind us of your invitation, “Cast all your cares upon me,” and of your assurance that goes with it, “because I care for you.” …through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Hope Today Lord, help me to hear you saying, “I am your hope” over all the other voices. Lord, your word says, you are the hope for hopeless so I’m running to you with both hands stretched out and grabbing on to you. Fill me up with hope and give me a tangible reminder today that hope is an unbreakable spiritual lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God, you know those things in my heart that I barely dare to hope for, today I give them to you, I trust them to you, and ask that you because I know that you can do more than I could ever guess, imagine or request in wildest dreams (Eph 3:20). God, you are my hope and I trust you. Amen.
Prayer is the power tool for Christians to communicate with the Lord. It is our way of realizing that we have needs and the only provider of our needs is the Father in Heaven. The Bible tells us that He will never leave us, as it is written in Scripture,
The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
And we can lay our worries to Him because He promised to take care of us, as is written, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
As we pray, we can feel a change in our spiritual life. We are closer to God because we continuously communicate. Through prayer, we acknowledge that His love for us is infinite, and He will never leave us. Truly, there is power in prayer and it can change us in many ways. How does prayer change us?
Changes Us by Knowing God Better Prayer changes us by making us closer to God and knowing Him better. The Holy Spirit guides us through prayer. The Bible tells us that Jesus assured us that after His resurrection, the Holy Spirit will be with us forever and that the Holy Spirit is all around us to give us wisdom in knowing God.
The Bible also tells us, “For I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).
It is written that through a very good relationship with God, through prayer, we are able to experience God’s omnipresence through the Holy Spirit. For this reason, we know God better because we experience Him in our daily lives.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18).
It is also through knowing God that we are able to understand God’s nature. We know that he will never leave us and that He is the great provider, but only through prayer that we may experience knowing him more. And that God’s love for us shines brighter than anything else.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
Changes Us by Listening Prayer also changes us by improving our attitude on listening to what God wants. Most of the time, we are always focused on presenting our request to God and praying constantly that our requests are answered.
Sometimes, we forget to listen to God and acknowledge that it is His will that should be followed. “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:20).
Listening to God is not an easy task. It requires constant discipline, and we can only achieve training through continuous prayer and practicing His command.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9).
However, there will come a time when we are tempted to not follow His command or His will. That is why, we have to train our minds to avoid the noise of the world and instead, listen to God and God alone.
We can do this by continuously learning about God and communicating through prayer as we strengthen our faith in Him, as Scripture says, “But solid food belongs to those who are full of age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).
Changes Us through Patience Prayer also changes our lives by patience. Because as we pray, we are required to be patient in listening to God’s will. As Jesus Christ said,
Truly I say to you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say to this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; it shall be done (Matthew 21:21).
However, human as we are, we are sometimes impatient. We become tired of waiting for our prayers to be answered. Do not fret. The Bible tells us that:
Have you not known? Have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:28-31).
Continuous prayer can change us and make us patient. Our communication with God will tell us that He will answer our prayers according to His will.
Changes Us through Faith Prayer changes us by nourishing our faith in God. As we communicate with God, we learn that He is truly our great provider and it is only through God that we can receive impossible breakthroughs in our lives.
However, there are circumstances when we feel hopeless, especially when trial after trial happens to us. Remember, it is only in God’s will that we can understand the totality of each situation. As the Word says, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:3).
And “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).
We are reminded that there is an inexpressible and glorious joy as we continue our faith in God because we know through Him, we can achieve impossible things.
Continued prayer to God makes us remember God’s promises to His faithful servants. That is why it is important for us to continue and communicate daily through prayer.
Changes Us through Our Inner Strength Prayer has the power to change us by building our inner strength through Christ Jesus. As stated in Psalm 46:1-3,
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
The Father in Heaven promises to be the refuge in times of harsh circumstances. Therefore, prayers have the power to change circumstances to a better one by changing our inner perspectives to that of a perspective that has faith in Christ Jesus and the Father in Heaven.
Our life depends heavily on our prayer life and spiritual life. That is also true with our inner strength. As we pray, our inner strength is being built to be stronger and stronger until we become prepared for whatever circumstances we face because the Father in Heaven has promised in Isaiah 43:1-3,
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord you God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Whenever we need strength, we can count on God to be there in endless ways as written in Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”
And rest assured your path is right as long as you have constant communication to God through prayer.
Changes Us through Ultimate Surrender Prayer changes us through our ultimate surrender to God. Prayer is a form of worship and only through worship, we are able to surrender ourselves through God. As Scripture says, Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship (Romans 12:1).
Through ultimate surrender, we can rest all our worries to the Lord, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7).
Finally, we are reminded that, indeed, prayer is our most important tool in communicating with God. It is also equally important if we have faith in Him and we know Him better, which can be achieved through continuous prayer.
Having a continuous communication with the Lord will help us and lead us to the right path. A stronger prayer life changes us through our inner strength, through ultimate surrender, through patience, by listening, by knowing God better, and through faith in Christ Jesus as the Bible tells us,
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
We all struggle with prayer. This is the case for the most seasoned of Christians and those newest in the faith. We wrestle with unanswered prayer; we struggle to find the appropriate language for our petitions; we may even occasionally feel a lack of spiritual vitality as we pray. For every Christian there are times where the act of praying seems harder than it should be.
Despite our struggles, God promises to hear our prayers. Not only does God promise to hear, but God promises to respond. Jesus affirms this. His parable of the persistent widow is told specifically to encourage the disciples to “pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). The availability of God’s presence, met in prayer, is foundational to our understanding of God.
And yet, we have all found ourselves in times of discouragement resulting from unanswered prayer. If I pray for a friend’s healing, and that healing does not occur, did my prayer fail? Did I not pray enough, or in the right way? Was there a phrase, a psalm, or a spiritual discipline I should have used which would have unlocked God’s righteous power upon my friend?
Prayers left unanswered seem to condemn us. During these times, we often harbor an unsettling question; “Does prayer really work?” Or, put another way, “Did prayer fail us, or did we fail prayer?” Neither option appears encouraging to our faith.
Is there a third option? Is there a way to faithfully believe that our prayers are powerful and effective, while at the same time giving voice to our frustrating prayer experiences? Can we believe that our prayers can cause miracles to occur, and still recognize that we may not see them take place? In short, if we want to believe that prayer never fails, what do we need to know about prayer to affirm this?
Prayer Is about God’s Will, Not Our Own Prayer is not about you or me. Prayer is about the power and presence of God. This means that our experience of prayer might not be exactly what we wish it to be. Prayer is more about God’s will and plan than our own.
When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, he instructs them to pray “Our Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread” (Luke 11:2). This is the way Jesus himself prayed to the Father. Thus, it is a model upon which we build our own life of prayer. “The Lord’s Prayer” continues to govern the prayer-life of Christians to this day.
Because we are so familiar with these words, we often overlook the structure of the prayer itself. Jesus did not offer the disciples a simple poem to recite. Christ’s instruction highlights an important spiritual movement within prayer itself.
The first petition of the prayer is to pray that God establish God’s kingdom and will on earth, and in our lives. This sets the tone for everything else that follow. Essentially, we open ourselves to God’s will before we issue our petitions and requests. Prayer, at its heart is about aligning ourselves with God’s work in the world.
This is the prayer that Jesus himself modelled. When alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, just prior to his betrayal and crucifixion, Jesus prays that his upcoming death pass him by. Jesus offers a prayer about his own life, and his future experience of the cross.
Yet as he does so, Jesus grounds this prayer in the ultimate desire for God’s will to be fulfilled. “My Father,” he prays “if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). For Jesus, prayer was never about getting what he wanted, it was about living out the will of the Father.
If we wish to pray like Jesus, we can never make prayer about establishing our own kingdom. James writes “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend on what you get on your own pleasures” (James 4:2-3). It takes a certain amount of holy stubbornness to keep our vision on God’s will and kingdom.
Prayer Is about a Relationship, Not a Response Our heartfelt desire for God to establish the kingdom frees us to pray for specific things in our lives. We long for the kingdom to be revealed in us, and through us. Such a longing not only informs what we pray for, it also gives us boldness in prayer. We can pray for healing.
We can pray for change of circumstances. We can pray for divine intervention. In doing so we are praying that God’s kingdom is revealed in these places. Such things are open and available to us precisely because God invites us to join in the work of the kingdom. This is part of the relational covenant we enjoy with God.
This relationship we have with the Lord, however, does not promise us that God will always respond in the way we would like. Occasionally, the will of God confronts us, and challenges us. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are beyond our ways, God’s thoughts beyond our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).
Like a parent who cannot say “Yes” to every whim or wish of their child, God often moves in ways unexpected. This means, even our most holy and righteous requests need to be presented in humility.
Like Job crying out God, sometimes the Lord does not always provide answers to our questions; like Jesus responding to the death of Lazarus, sometimes Christ’s response appears delayed. These are experiences we all walk through.
Yet none of these experiences mean that our prayers have failed. What these experiences point us to is that God is active beyond the limit of our finite understanding, perception, or desire.
The true grace in prayer is not that we always get what we want. The true grace, extended to us by our heavenly Father, is that there is nothing that cannot be voiced. There is no request, lament, petition, or prayer that God will not receive in love. Ultimately, prayer is never about the response we receive; it is always about the relationship we enjoy with our savior.
There Is No Secret The fact of the matter is there are no secrets loop-holes for prayer. Yes, God dwells close in prayer; yes, we can hear God’s voice; yes, God answers prayer. These are promises rooted in scripture. While these are a reality for us, they do not dictate a prayer-experience of perpetual positivity.
Could it be that our struggles in prayer challenge us to move past a myopic, self-pleasing understanding of prayer? After all, a prayer-life that is safe and comfortable rarely transforms our lives.
Struggles with prayer encourage us to push past a desire to chase after easy answers and comfortable feelings. True prayer is not dependent on an emotional experience. Believing that praying rightly somehow equates to warm and fuzzy emotions, or a divine “yes” to every request, is misguided. This is to set our vision on ourselves, instead of the presence and will of God.
Prayer is a journey; it is not a skill we master. Prayer, for the follower of Jesus is a way of being, an internal movement of heart and spirit through which we respond to the Lord’s presence in us, and in the world.
We need to recapture the radical notion that struggles in prayer may, in fact, be an invitation to journey deeper into the kingdom. Prayer is not simply something that we add onto our lives, it is the very ground out of which our life grows. To be frustrated with prayer is to be formed by it.
Christian prayer involves wrestling. It involves lament. It involves argumentation. It involves persistence. We see this in the lives of the faithful men and women of scripture. We should not, therefore, be discouraged or disheartened when it occurs for us.
Prayer places us before the Lord, who, at times, confronts, and challenges us. Prayer never fails because prayer, at its foundation, is about reaching out to Jesus. And because Jesus never fails, so too can we be confident in our prayers.
You might have sung the verse in church or heard it at a funeral, perhaps as a way to explain the inexplicable: The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.
But what does this phrase actually mean? Is it biblical, and does it accurately describe the nature of God?
While the term “the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away” is biblical in that it does appear in the Bible, uttered by Job in a seemingly worshipful, accepting manner after his family and possessions are destroyed, it’s important to understand that it does not necessarily reflect the truth of who God is in relation to his love for humanity.
What Does It Mean, “the Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away?”? We find the phrase in Job 1:21, after Job—a man described as blameless and upright, who loved God, shunned evil and was the greatest among all the people of the East (vv. 1-2)—lost his 10 children, thousands of livestock, and countless servants in a single day. This came some time after God and Satan were said to have argued over Job’s character. God described Job as God-fearing, but the devil said Job was only so fearful and righteous because all had gone well for him. God then granted the devil power over all Job had, though He said the devil could not hurt the man himself (v. 12).
When the cursed day arrived and Job did indeed lose everything, he was devastated. He tore his robe, shaved his head, and worshipped God, crying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21).
Essentially, Job is acknowledging that despite what happened, God is sovereign. He rules over all and has all under control, and this appears to bring Job comfort. He does not blame God for any of this.
Is the Phrase “the Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away” Biblical? On one hand, the verse is biblical, meaning these words are indeed contained in the Bible. It is a statement uttered by a righteous man of God in the face of calamity. He’s lost it all, and he clings to the powerful nature of the Almighty God, who created us in the first place and gave us all the blessings we possess. It is a way Job is attempting to worship God, praising God’s stable and triumphant rulership when all else is lost.
And indeed, on the surface, there is truth in this. Genesis 1:1 tells us God “created the heavens and the earth” and went on to create all things in them—people, animals, planets, seas, stars, and more. Revelation 22:13 proclaims God as “Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Elsewhere, we are reminded of God’s sovereignty. Colossians 1:16-17 tells us that in God, “All things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Ephesians 1:11 says much the same, noting, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
But taking a look at the entire book of Job gives us more context and understanding of the verse, which should not be read and interpreted on its own.
While at first Job praises this sovereign God who gives and takes away, later more destruction occurs. He is plagued with painful sores, and his wife and friends begin to falsely accuse him of bringing these sorrows upon himself—perhaps his sin prompted God’s retribution.
Soon, Job sinks into a depressive state. His view of God as one who would arbitrarily give and take away translates into despair. He sees it as an abuse of power, this God who destroys at will, seemingly for the fun of it. He moves away from God, and begins to see God as an enemy unworthy, perhaps, of his adoration.
As he finally utters in Job 30:20-22, “I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me. You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me. You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; you toss me about in the storm.”
But ultimately, Job repents of this perspective. He understands he cannot define God as cruel or arbitrary. He cannot even say, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away” (Job 3:21).
As he reflects in Job 42:3-6, “You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.’”
Is Everything That Happens to Us because of God’s Will? God does indeed have a plan for the world. He has a purpose and a will. And on one hand, God Almighty, who is all-knowing and all-encompassing, is indeed sovereign over everything. But not everything that happens is God’s will. For instance, God does not want us to sin, yet we do. In the case of Job, God was clearly delighted with Job, but while He didn’t cause the calamity to happen, He did allow the devil to do as he wished in the man’s life.
We cannot understand the ways of God, as Job ultimately concludes. But we do know God orchestrates all according to His ultimate purpose, no matter what.
As Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Why Does God Take Away? It’s important to know that God’s plan is not for humans to live separated from Him by sin forever. He gave us temporary bodies on purpose, knowing that if we chose the true path—His Son, Jesus—we would be blessed with eternal life in heaven, where tears, sadness, and pain do not exist. Bad things do happen, but God uses them for His good purpose. And we can take comfort that when these bad things do happen, this world is not the end. Heaven is our ultimate destination. And the bad things we experience on earth enable us to be prepared for ministry in a deeper, more compassionate way.
We might not understand God’s reasons or even begin to understand a kernel of His plan, but we can trust that He loves us. We can trust that He makes a better way for us—a life removed from the sinful world and all its death and destruction.
A Prayer to Faithfully Trust God’s Plan If you are in a place where bad things are happening to you or around you and you cannot fathom why a good and loving God can seem to give and take away, can seem to bless and curse in the same breath, here is a prayer that might help:
Father God, help us remember the words of Your servant Job, who understood after all his painful experiences that Your ways are beyond comprehension. I am but a human being, sinful and without full understanding. Some things are simply, as Job said, too wonderful for me to know. Help me, Lord, to trust that You are almighty. You created the world, and You have a plan that is being fulfilled. I might not be able to see it or even define it, but I put my faith in You, resting in the perfect peace that You are in full control. I surrender all to You. In Your holy and precious name I pray, Amen.
God knows all, sees all, and encompasses all. As God said through the prophet Isaiah, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
We can indeed trust God in good times and in bad. We are given this life, and breath in our lungs. Because of God’s great mercy and love, we are also given eternal salvation through His Son, Jesus.
Okay, this is a VERY long post….so if you do not have time to read something long then I totally understand..but if you do have time to read this then I’d really appreciate it!
Who Was John the Baptist in the Bible? John the Baptist was a great prophet. His birth was foretold in Luke 1. He is the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth. He would eventually be the one who baptized our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Look at Luke 1:11. The angel Gabriel appeared unto Zacharias and made the announcement about the birth of John the Baptist.
The angel told Zacharias to name their baby John. He shall be great in the sight of the Lord and shall not drink wine or strong drink. John would was filled with the Holy Ghost in his mother’s womb. He shall turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Verse 17 states: “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zacharias and his wife were both old in age. So, he questioned how this would happen to them. Gabriel reminded Zacharias that he was an angel of the Lord who stands in the presence of the Lord. “And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things are performed, because you do not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” His wife Elisabeth becomes pregnant. Six months later, Gabriel goes to Mary announcing the birth of Jesus.
Let us fast forward in the book of Luke. After the virgin Mary is told that she will be the mother of Jesus, she goes to visit her cousin Elisabeth. Elisabeth is also pregnant and in her sixth month. Luke 1:37 declares “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Ghost.
After John was born and his mother named him. His father could not talk until after John’s birth. Some wanted them to name him Zacharias after his father. Elisabeth said no. John would be his name (Luke 1:60). When they asked John’s father, he motioned for something to write with. He wrote that his name is John. His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed. All those around him became fearful.
Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68). Zacharias had a lot to say since he could not talk for nine months. He spoke of John being the forerunner of the Lord. John grew and was strong in spirit. He lived in the deserts until the day he showed up in Israel. This was about 30 years of his life. His spiritual strength was developed in solitude for use in his public ministry (The KJV Study Bible, Barbour Publishing, 2011).
What Did John the Baptist Do in His Life? John is also referred to as a forerunner of Jesus Christ. He was born before Christ in Judea, Palestine near Jerusalem. John the Baptist’s ministry is evident throughout the New Testament especially in Matthew 3 and Luke 3. In Matthew 3:1, we find John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He reminds the people that Jesus is the one spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. I know you are familiar with verse four. His clothes set him apart from other religious leaders in those days (The KJV Study Bible, Barbour Publishing, 2011). His outfit was made of camel’s hair, and he wore a leather girdle for pants. He feasted on locusts and wild honey. During those days, religious leaders would have worn fine garments to reflect their position.
He baptized many people in the Jordan River after they had confessed their sins. Pharisees and Sadducees came to get baptized. John rebuked them and told them to repent because judgment will come upon them if they do not. John makes it clear that he can baptize people with water unto repentance but there is one coming after him whose shoes he was not worthy to bear. Jesus will baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized. John tried to resist this because he felt that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus told John that he needed to baptize him. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).
Why Did Jesus Say He’s the Greatest Prophet?
John has often been called a forerunner of Jesus. He preached all about the country of Jordan calling for repentance for the remission of sins (Luke 3:3). He taught that all flesh would see the salvation of God. He instructed those who came to be baptized to bring fruits worthy of repentance. He taught charity and said that if you have plenty that you should share with others. John preached even to soldiers that they should not do violence to any man, not to falsely accuse anyone, and to be content with their pay (Luke 3:14).
Also, remember that there is about six months difference in their age. They are also cousins through their mothers. When the virgin Mary visited Elisabeth, the Holy Ghost was present there as the baby leaped in her womb. He referred to John as the greatest prophet because of his boldness. He was not afraid to preach the Gospel. It was quite dangerous to do so in those days. John would later die for his faith. Jesus says in Matthew 11:11 “Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” When Jesus said this. John was already in prison.
How Did John the Baptist Die? Herod put John the Baptist in prison because John told him that it was unlawful for him to have his brother’s wife. Herodias was divorced from his half-brother. Herod the tetrarch also had divorced his wife. He would have put John to death, but he feared the multitude who counted him as a prophet (Matthew 14:5).
During his birthday celebration, Herodias’ daughter danced for him. It pleased him so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she wanted up to a half of his kingdom. Read Mark 6:14-29. She asked her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist in a charger. The king was sorry, but for his oath’s sake and those who set before him, he granted her wish. He sent and beheaded John and his head was brought in a charger. She gave John’s head to her mother. The disciples came and took up the body of John and buried him and then told Jesus. After the news, Jesus departed by ship into a desert place.
Christians Need To Cling to FAITH When Life Knocks You Off Balance
“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10).
Whenever bad things unexpectedly happen to us (like a job lay off, an unfaithful spouse, or a shocking doctor’s diagnosis), we can be knocked off our “spiritual balance.” It’s important at these times to realize that our troubles didn’t surprise God! When the bad news hit Heaven, God didn’t say, “No way, it can’t be!” God’s jaw didn’t drop. He didn’t go into a state of shock. And because God is not surprised by our problems, I’ve got good news for you – it means there is a promise waiting for you in your future.
Because of who God is (the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End), He exists outside of time. He has already seen your troubles and has planned for them. And because God is not surprised by your test, He has already arranged for your testimony; He’s seen your future, and provided a way out of your present situation.
God Provides for Us When Bad Things Happen
The Bible is full of examples of God’s provision for people ahead of their problems. For example, God made arrangements for Joseph to be placed in power in the palace of Egypt, before his brothers threw him into the pit, before Potiphar threw him into prison, and before his family would need his political influence to survive a seven-year famine.
God arranged for ravens to feed Elijah meat in the morning and evening even before he hid himself away in the wilderness. God lodged a coin in a fish’s mouth to pay the Temple tax, even before Peter and Jesus had a tax liability. And before the serpent deceived Adam and Eve into sinning and separation from their Creator, God provided a plan of redemption for mankind through the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). The only thing that should actually concern us is how do we get to that place where God has provided for our deliverance?
There’s a popular saying that goes like this: there are only two absolutes in life, death and taxes. But I believe there’s a third: sandwiched between you and the promise God has to deliver you from your problem, is a test of faith. As James 1:2 says “count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Jesus also said it plainly in John 16:33, ”in this world you will have tribulation.” Since we can’t get around these tests of faith, we need to prepare for them.
By studying the life of Abraham and Sarah, we can learn three important strategies that will help guide us to experience God’s promises, especially when we have been knocked off balance by a trial which puts our faith to the test.
Develop a “Test Ready” Kind of Faith
“Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am’” (Genesis 22:1).
Most Christians know of Abraham’s story, how God called the man Abram out of obscurity in the land of Ur and led him to the Promised Land. How this ordinary man, by faith and patience, became Abraham – the Father of our Faith – and received a promise that through his supernatural offspring, Isaac, God would redeem mankind with the coming Messiah.
In Genesis 12, Abraham embraced God’s calling on his life and left everything to pursue the promise of God. But after going 15 years without a child, Abraham began to question his calling, and made a series of bad decisions. Even so, in extreme old age, Abraham and his wife Sarah received their miraculous, promised son.
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness’” (Romans 4:19-22).
I don’t know about you, but when I read that description of Abraham’s faith, it seems pretty perfect to me. But then I realize that’s not the full story behind Abraham’s faith. It’s not where Abraham started in faith, it’s where he ended up. And along the way, he was anything but failure free.
He lied about Sarah being his sister to save his own life, and God had to rescue her from being prostituted to Pharaoh.
He was enriched financially from this deception, when Pharaoh paid him to leave the country (Genesis 12:11-20).
He did it again to King Abimelech, and again was enriched financially (Genesis Chapter 20).
At first, he laughed at the promise of God (Genesis 17:17); he then slept with Sarah’s maid and fathered Ishmael, who was ultimately rejected by God and sent away from his father’s house (Genesis 21:9-12).
If you are going to have a “test ready faith,” it’s not that you’ll never make mistakes. What’s truly important is that you learn from your mistakes and grow. You must be able to say next time it’s going to be different. Next time I’ll do it God’s way. Next time, I will absolutely get it right! You don’t have to be failure free, but when you learn from your mistakes, you will be prepared for the next trial and develop your test-ready faith.
Trust God When Things Don’t Make Sense
“Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you’” (Genesis 22:2-5).
At this point in Abraham’s journey of faith, he had received his supernatural, promised child – the one through whom all nations of the earth would be blessed, the one through whom the Messiah would come. And then God says to him: Go, and offer him up to me as a sacrifice. And even though it didn’t make sense, Abraham took the boy up to the top of Mt. Moriah, and reasoned that God could raise the child from the dead.
Has God ever asked you to do something that doesn’t make sense?
Bless those that curse you
Do good to someone who has spitefully used you
Turn the other cheek when someone hurts you
Give to those who steal from you
Go here…when the logical thing is to go there
Say this… when the logical thing is to say that
Do nothing…when the logical thing is to do something
In order for us to walk in faith from where we are now, to the promise that is waiting for us in the future, we must be willing to trust God even when it doesn’t make sense. That is, trust that God always has our best interest at heart. It’s not our job to know how God is going to work things out; it’s our job to simply trust that He will!
Be Obedient, Even When It Is Difficult
“So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ Then he said, ‘Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ And Abraham said, ‘My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.’ So the two of them went together. Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son” (Genesis 22:6-10).
If somebody told you that laying hold of the promise of God was easy, they lied. Sometimes the obedience that is required is really quite difficult. It isn’t always easy to put God first, crucify your flesh, take up your cross and follow Him. It isn’t easy, but it’s often a necessary part of the process to develop the faith to receive the promise.
Abraham, sacrifice your son Isaac
Widow woman, give away your last bit of oil and flour
Noah, build an enormous ark
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, don’t bow, go into the furnace
Daniel, keep praying, and be thrown into the lion’s den
David, go fight that giant Goliath
However, big acts of obedience are often the final push that propels us out of our problem and into our promise!
“But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ So he said, ‘Here I am.’ And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me’” (Genesis 22:11-12).
Ultimately, we are all on a journey toward God being our first priority. And that is the set up for the breakthrough! When God is number one, when Christ becomes the center of our lives, there is no promise from Him that we will not walk into.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son” (Genesis 22:13).
It’s no coincidence that the ram was there, caught in the thicket near the place of sacrifice. It was part of God’s plan even before the problem existed. It was God’s miracle provision before Abraham even knew there was a mountain called Moriah that he had to climb in his future.
God, the Alpha and Omega, had already gone there and set the pieces into place for Abraham. He cleared a place for the altar, grew a thicket of bramble bushes, and provided the ram at just the right time for Abraham’s need. So Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:14), which means not just the God who provides, but more accurately, the God who sees in advance and provides!
God is never surprised by our problems. The same God who provided a ram for Abraham before he ever stepped on Mt. Moriah has seen our needs and has provided for us as well!
Paul wrote to God’s holy people in Ephesus who were faithful followers of Christ Jesus, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV).
Other English Bible translations use words such as “handiwork, masterpiece, accomplished, creative work, or the product of His hand” (heaven’s poetry etched on lives) instead of workmanship.
In the Oxford English Dictionary, workmanship is defined as “the degree of skill with which a product is made, or a job done” and synonymous with craftmanship, which is “the quality of design and work shown in something made by hand; creative skill or ability.”
The truth that Christ’s believers are God’s workmanship reflects His works of creation, redemption, provision, and sanctification in every believer’s life.
God’s Work of Creation in His Workmanship All human beings are created in the image of God, regardless of whether or not they put their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (Genesis 1:26-27). All we are the clay, and the Creator is our potter (Isaiah 64:8).
God created the universe by His word: He spoke, and things came into existence. But it was only when He created man that He did something different: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
Therefore, unlike animals and plants, every human being possesses a spirit, which means having the ability to perceive spiritual realms or matters and the things of God, who is Spirit (John 4:24).
God’s Work of Redemption in His Workmanship Because of sin, originated by the enemy (i.e., the fallen angel or Satan), God’s image in every human being is corrupted. As a result, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
This means that we are all sinners, by nature and by choice, and no amount of good works can save us from the penalty for sin: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
We all need God’s mercy and grace for our salvation. We all need God taking the initiative to restore the relationship — and thankfully, He did! (by sending His Son, Jesus Christ) — so that we can have peace with God.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).
This redemptive and restorative mission has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Here is the wonderful truth: God’s image in every believer is restored by Jesus Christ, the perfect, visible image (i.e., the exact representation) of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Romans 8:29), as we live in Him, and He lives in us.
God’s Work of Provision in His Workmanship Everyone who trusts in Jesus can be sure that God is able to supply all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
As King David declared, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1-3).
It is for His name’s sake that God provides all our needs. We can trust Him, the Possessor of heaven and earth, for our every need, including physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Note that we are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus,” having been blessed, not only with eternal life but also with a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) and abundant life (John 10:10) in Him. Praise the Lord!
God’s Work of Sanctification in His Workmanship As we receive and believe Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit resides in us, making our hearts His home (Romans 8:9). By the Holy Spirit alone, we can realize that Jesus is Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, of our need for God’s righteousness, and of His judgment (John 16:8), and He guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
We live in a broken world and oftentimes our faith in Christ is challenged by the temptation and values of this world. Hence, we need God’s Spirit to continue to sanctify us from the sins of this world that could “pollute” our hearts.
And as we are God’s workmanship, the Holy Spirit ultimately transforms us into Christlikeness (2 Corinthians 3:18), producing the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit in us (Ephesians 5:8-10; Galatians 5:22-23). This means that our sinful nature (i.e., tendency to disobey and rebel against God) is replaced with a new, godly nature that desires to please, obey, and glorify the Lord.
The Purpose of God’s Workmanship It is amazing to see that the triune God (God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) all participate in this workmanship, which displays His divine nature — His greatness and goodness.
And now, Ephesians 2:10 tells us further that we are God’s workmanship for good works, which He ordained beforehand that we should walk in them.
The preceding verses say, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV). It is clear that we are saved by God’s grace through faith that should be manifested in good works.
In other words, God’s grace in our lives through Christ Jesus should result in good works, which, I believe, speak of our unique calling and purpose in Him. These are related to God’s original plan in creating mankind (Genesis 2:28), which is then translated into the Great Commission.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
These good works ultimately bring honor and glory to the One who creates, redeems, provides, and sanctifies us with His unchanging love. All glory to God!
Christians have debated the idea of whether or not they can read books outside of Christian novels for some time. Some legalistic Christians believe Christians should only read the Bible; whereas other Christians may believe it is within their Christian freedom to read whatever they want to read. The Bible gives guidance into all of these matters and the Holy Spirit will help direct you as an individual.
A Novel Idea Christian novels have grown in popularity over the years with series such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of The Rings, and The Wingfeather Saga. All of these Christian novels are good to read, and most believers would agree that these novels are great for any person to read.
In fact, many Christians may encourage other believers and nonbelievers to read Christian novels in order to introduce the idea of Christ to them. Christian novels are great to read, but what about other novels? Many best-selling novels cause a raise of concern for believers.
When a Christian chooses to read a piece of literature outside of the Bible or Christian novels, they need to exercise caution, wisdom, and discernment. It is within each believer’s freedom in Christ to read the novels and books they desire; however, simply because a person can do something does not mean it is beneficial.
I have the right to do anything,” you say — but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” — but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Before reading a novel, Christians should run the content of the novel through Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”
We should only read things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. There are many secular books that do not contain anything sinful in them. Believers should never read novels that contain graphic materials, sexual concepts, or novels that promote an anti-biblical agenda.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “Would Jesus read this book? Will God be glorified through me reading this book?” Reading is a great gift that believers have received from our Heavenly Father.
Not everyone in the world has the privilege of being able to read, which is why we use our privilege with wisdom. God does not want His children reading novels about sins or novels promoting unethical behaviors.
Reading can help people relax, learn, as well as grow into better readers and writers. There are advantages of being familiar with secular novels as Paul gives us this example by being knowledgeable about the popular secular writers during his ministry.
Paul was able to quote the philosophers, which actually helped the lost become interested in his message (Acts 17:22-28).
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So, you are ignorant of the very thing you worship — and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands (Acts 17:22-24).
It is good to be familiar with secular novels, but believers should never read a novel that they believe will cause them to sin. We all have our own temptations, and it is wise for you to be aware of your own triggers.
If a book causes you to feel bad feelings or encourages you to sin, it is best to close the book, put it down, and return the book to the bookstore. Christians can read novels outside of strictly Christian novels; however, they need to be cautious and really know their own limitations.
Reading for Education There are going to be times when a believer will have to read secular books, such as in the event of high school, college, or work training. There is nothing wrong with reading a math textbook, an English workbook, or an employee handbook for training.
Within secular high schools and colleges, it is highly plausible Christians will encounter many evolutionary ideas and professors will teach evolution as the truth. Secular universities downplay creationism as an old wives’ tale.
In the event of a Christian having to read these textbooks, it can cause the believer to doubt their belief in creationism and even cause them to express doubt in God. Rather than allowing these books to cause the believer to doubt, the believer should view it as an opportunity to grow, strengthen, and increase their faith.
There are many creationists scientists who have written science textbooks to prove creationism, such as Ken Ham. If you are not enrolled in a Christian school or university, you most likely will not see Ken Ham’s books; however, his books would be worthwhile to read in the argument for creationism. Thus, there are books outside of Christian novels that are beneficial to believers.
Reading for Fun Despite popular belief, God does want His children to have fun. God does not want His children to have fun in the way the world views fun, such as drunkenness, sexual immorality, and drugs. These things are not true fun. In the same way, God wants His children to have fun with reading, but it has to be good, wholesome fun.
It is not fun to read about temptations that will cause you to sin against God nor is it fun to read novels in which the main character participates in unethical behaviors. As believers, we can read for fun, but we have to run the book through Philippians 4:8 as mentioned above.
God has given us each a brain and He wants us to use it. If we know the novel is not good for our spiritual growth, do not read it. If we know the novel will lead us into sin, we should not read it. We can read any book, whether Christian-focused or not, as long as the content glorifies the Lord.
Why Does Reading Matter? As believers, we should want to do the right thing and only engage in activities that will honor God. If the novel does not glorify God and has questionable content, it is best to abstain from reading that specific book.
There are many great secular books out there that do have good morals to them — the Christian just has to discover them. We are all given freedom in Christ, but we must not misuse our freedom as Peter tells us “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves” (1 Peter 2:16).
Jesus of Nazareth, also known as the Christ, was crucified. According to research, His death took place on Friday, April 3, AD 33 when Israel was occupied and oppressed by Rome. Before His death, Jesus had 12 men who were His disciples, and they traveled around the country preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God.
And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him (Acts 10:38).
Jesus was doing good, so why was He crucified and who is responsible for His death?
Some Blame Judas Judas Iscariot has long been blamed for the death of Jesus. We know from the scriptures that he sought out to betray Jesus. It was Judas who led the soldiers to arrest Jesus, betraying Him with a kiss.
Then one of the Twelve — the one called Judas Iscariot — went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over (Matthew 26:14-16).
Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him (Matthew 26:47-50).
Judas may have been responsible for Jesus’ arrest, but not for His death.
Some Blame the Jews Many Jewish people have been persecuted and even killed for being, as some called them, the “Christ-killer.” What led people to believe that an entire people group was responsible for the death of Jesus?
Perhaps it was taken from Matthew 27:1-2, 20, and 22-25,
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
Or it might be taken from the nonchalant way Paul put it in 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15,
For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone.
Many Jewish people played a role in what led to the death of Jesus. But many is not every.
The disciples were Jewish and 11 of them played no role. Mary and the other women who followed Jesus were Jewish and they too played no role.
And then there is Joseph of Arimathea, who was one of the Jewish religious leaders who did not consent to Jesus’ death.
The Jews are not responsible or to blame for the death of Jesus.
Some Blame the Religious Leaders It’s true that the religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus. This is because they had power over their people and the privileges they’d acquired from the Roman government.
If the people followed Jesus, they’d lose their power over them.
If they lost their power over the people, they’d lose their privileges from the government.
They had clear motives even though murder was against the law of Moses.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death (Matthew 26:59).
The chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him (Mark 14:1).
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered (Matthew 26:65-66).
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor (Matthew 27:1-2).
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed (Matthew 27:20).
There were religious leaders pushing for Jesus to be killed, but not all of them. Remember Joseph of Arimathea.
Many religious leaders played a role, but they’re not responsible for the death of Jesus.
Some Blame Caiaphas Because we can’t blame the whole group of religious leaders some look at their leader —Caiaphas — the high priest.
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled (Matthew 26:57).
Caiaphas was not only a religious leader, but also had power regarding civil laws. However, his power was allowed only at the discretion of the Romans who ruled over him. Due to that oversight, Caiaphas had no power to put Jesus to death and had to take him to the Roman ruler.
Due to Roman oversight, Caiaphas was not responsible for the death of Jesus.
Some Blame the Romans Some find it logical to blame the Romans for Jesus’ death because of how He was killed. Crucifixion was imposed by the Roman government.
Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die (John 18:31-32).
Again, here we have the whole people group thing.
The Roman government was responsible for the way Jesus died, but not His death.
Some Blame Pilate Pilate must be responsible due to the power he held, right?
“Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” (John 19:9-10).
Pilate made the decree for Jesus to be crucified, but he is not responsible for His death.
Who Is Really to Blame? The death of Jesus was strategically planned by one. When they came to arrest Jesus, He said:
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:53-55).
When Pilate threatened Jesus, He answered, You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above (John 19:11).
Before it happened, Jesus said how He was going to die.
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:18).
When Jesus died, He did what He said — gave up His life, yielded His spirit, sent His spirit forth (Matthew 27:50).
The death of Jesus was an elaborate plan made by God Himself.
None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8).
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
The love of God is solely responsible for the death of Jesus — and His resurrection, so that we may be saved!
God has a call upon your life.” I hear that statement spoken so regularly, yet meet so few Christians who seem to know what their “calling” entails. In a culture that applauds vision, grit, and hustle to make it happen, how do we know when we are pursuing our calling or merely pursuing selfish ambition? Scripture offers some stunning patterns in how God issues a call upon people’s lives.
Maybe you’ve wrestled with your own calling. Life did not unfold the way you imagined and you feel forgotten or wonder if you missed it. You speculate if the stirring in your heart reflects the call of God. Or maybe you sensed a call but it feels stagnant and you deliberate how and when you might move forward. If the call feels too monumental, you doubt your ability to carry it forward. God, in His great grace, helps us to cease speculation by offering some samples of how He calls His people. An examination of these ancient Biblical patterns helps us discover God’s ways and His will for us today.
The Contrast of the Call Most Biblical figures rarely responded with a resounding, “Now that’s what I’m talking about! I was made for this!” when God arrived announcing a call. Most experienced fear, expressed self-doubt or bewilderment, or the Bible does not offer an inkling of how they felt about it at all. I cannot think of a single scriptural instance in which the person prayed for a specific call of God upon their lives and God granted them an affirmative, “Yes.” More often than not, the assignment is one they never would have chosen for themselves. Something beyond their wildest imagination, like a virgin birth, or utterly inconceivable based upon their passion and giftedness.
Paul’s call fits into this pattern perfectly. Talk about vision and hustle, Saul the Pharisee sought the fast track to religious success. He cites an impressive resume for us: “a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (Philippians 3:5-6). Then Jesus showed up and rocked his world. In a heavenly vision, Jesus issued a new call upon Saul’s life: missionary to the Gentiles (See Acts 9:1-17).
His plan to rise above the ranks in the Sanhedrin became abruptly interrupted by a blinding light with a new call. Whoa! Paul left Jerusalem and headed toward Damascus in order to persecute and arrest those who followed Jesus. Until he became a follower himself. What displeased Paul even more than Jews who followed Jesus? Gentiles. Paul disdained Gentiles, yet now he would spend the remainder of his life serving them. An inconceivable calling.
5 Tests to Carry Out the Call While the call itself seems unexpected and unanticipated in most scriptural accounts, walking out the call presents patterns to prepare us. Unlike the world, which tells us that when we are pursuing our call and giftedness we should experience exhilaration and success when we strive consistently, Paul’s example proves otherwise. We see Paul face five specific tests as he fulfills his call as a missionary to the Gentiles.
The Test of Waiting. Paul waited a minimum of ten years since Jesus first appeared to him on the road to Damascus and he began actively ministering at the church in Antioch. Other than a three–year stint where he went down to Arabia to fully grasp the gospel of grace, we are not told how he spent his time. We know at some point he returned to his hometown of Tarsus, but that is all we are told. Until Barnabas arrived from Antioch to bring Paul to the predominantly Gentile church, Paul continued to wait for his calling to be fulfilled. We see a season of waiting often in Scripture beginning with Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel, Nehemiah, and even Christ Himself, living thirty long years before the onset of His ministry. God knows where He is leading in the round–a–bout wait.
The Test of Spiritual Opposition. After Paul spent a year of preparation teaching at the church in Antioch alongside Barnabas, both embarked upon their first missionary journey together. God allowed these men to bond in service together in a thriving church before sending them out to face opposition on missionary soil. Once on the island of Cyprus, they faced the forces of darkness. We see this same pattern with Jesus in Luke 4. God brings us into battle with evil so we learn to trust in His victory. When walking out our calling we should expect opposition.
The Test of Emotional Opposition. After leaving Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Iconium where their motives were questioned and their character slandered. When we step into the fullness of our calling others will downplay, distract and discredit us. Some might even desecrate us emotionally. God calls His servants to lean on Him emotionally in the oftentimes lonely place of living out one’s calling. Strife erupting does not signify that we have stepped outside of His call for us. Moses and David ran for their lives. Elijah and Ezekiel hid in foreign countries. The dynamic duo Paul and Barnabas disputed over John Mark.
The Test of Praise. After leaving Iconium, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Lystra where they were worshiped as gods in response to a miracle. When God begins to do the unexplainable among and through us, people will start to praise the messenger rather than the Miracle Working God. Will we pass the test and humbly point them to Jesus or begin to think we are something special? Man’s heart is tested most severely in the crucible of praise. We must be prepared to handle God working wonders through us, in spite of us.
The Test of Release.When Paul and Barnabas finished their missionary journey, they returned home to Antioch. Undoubtedly, they wonder how their fledgling churches would fare in their absence. It would be tempting to stay and continue to disciple each church for longer periods, yet they both knew they were called to spread the gospel to new lands. This meant letting God go and trusting God to finish what He had started through their faithful service. Sometimes in our calling, we can fall into the trap of being needed– as if God’s kingdom plans rest solely on our ability or involvement. We cannot release the good for God to call us to what is best. We have to let go of something in order for God to place His call within our grasp.
Preparing for the Tests These tests often make us question our call as they are occurring. When the call feels so utterly foreign to our expectations we begin to believe our doubts and doubt our beliefs. Waiting exacerbates our confusion forcing us into greater faith. Opposition entices us to believe we are outside of God’s will for our lives. Praise invites us to move forward in our own strength and letting go of questions about our purpose or significance. Do you notice the one common denominator in the call? Death to self–reliance.
Whether you feel as though you are walking in your calling or waiting for it to be fulfilled, God calls us to intentionally prepare for what’s ahead. Passing these tests will never be easy. We prepare by intently examining these patterns of Scripture rather than self-analyzing or striving in our own strength. Are you walking through one of these tests? Chances are you are closer to carrying out your calling than you might think.
Having a thankful heart can change your entire perspective and outlook on life. One of the best ways to experience the power of thanksgiving is to through prayer. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic – with job loss, sickness and loss, we can experience blessings. When we offer a prayer of thanks to God, our focus shifts from our problems to our blessings. And that’s the beauty of faith – we can experience gratitude and give thanks despite the circumstances and storms that surround us.
We have a choice every day to give God thanks. Start expressing your gratitude today for His faithfulness and love in your life. Thank God for his sovereign control over your life. Thank God for the hope and joy that we regardless of how we may be feeling in the moment. Let him change your heart to strengthen you with HIS peace. The best way to defeat satan’s attacks of disappointment, fear, worry is through a grateful heart! We surely have so much to be thankful for because of the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and the peace He offers. Let’s learn to thank God for all seasons of life. Below are some of my favorite prayers of “THANKS”. May they inspire and grow a heart of gratitude in you today.
Prayer of Thanks to God Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about my life. Thank You that I can talk to You about everything. I have lots of concerns so I’m bringing each one to You. Thank You for promising to give me Your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Heart of Gratitude Dear Lord, I praise You and I love being in Your presence. Thank You for the sacrifice you made for me on the cross. Thank You for helping my heart to rest in Your presence. In a busy world, it is here that I find truth, grace, and mercy. My heart is overwhelmingly grateful. As it overflows with gratitude, may You present opportunities for me to serve. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Thanks for Blessings Father, thank you for intervening in my life and allowing me to have a personal relationship with you. Thank you for your love for me today and forever.
Thank you for the blessings you’ve given me and my family. Help us use those blessings to bless others. May I live a life of true joy as I see you at work around me today! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer for Thanks-Living Dear God, I hate to say it, but I have been guilty of grumbling and griping about all my problems and trials. I have failed to be thankful and to remember that You are at work in my life, even through all the troubles.
Please forgive me, God. I want to be a person who keeps my eyes on You and praises You, no matter what may come my way. So, thank you God for these blessings (name them) and these challenges (name them). I know You are in control of all things.
I know You love me and work all things together for my good. I choose to trust You, Lord. Teach me to be a “praiser” who always finds the good… and not a complainer who always finds the bad. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For Grace and Gratitude Dear heavenly Father, please help me to accept both life’s little challenges and Your restoring help with grace and gratitude. Help me remember that no problem is too large or too small for me to call out to You. Please help me remember that a heart can be filled in with joy every day, not just the easy days. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praise in the Storm O Lord, thank You that You love me and that You give me comfort like no other. Thank You that You are a God who is well acquainted with all our grief and that You ache when I ache. Help me to remember that in the midst of struggles, trials, and utter heartbreak that You offer hope. You are the Author of Hope and Salvation. I praise You that through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, all things are put under Your feet. Allow me to trust Your heart and believe that there is more to life than the heartache of this world. Allow me to lean ever closer to You in the midst of this fallen world. Thank You God for hope, peace, Your love, Your comfort, and Your salvation. Amen.
A Prayer for Blessing Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us as with a shield.
Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
For Hope and Joy Heavenly Father, thank You for ordering my life. I choose to trust in You and find my delight in Your laws. I commit my ways to You and ask for divine guidance over my life. I rest in You, believing You’re working all things for good in my life. Come and have Your way in me. Keep my heart steadfast in hope, and fill me with joy today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer to Give Thanks to the Lord Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily. Break the power of the enemy in my life. Defeat Him through my sacrifice of praise. Change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with my present circumstances. I thank You for… [Name a difficult circumstance in your life presently and thank God for it.]
Jesus, I want to be like You who obeyed the Father without complaint. You embraced the chains of humanity when You walked this earth. Convict me whenever I complain or compare myself with others. Give me Your attitude of humility and thankful acceptance. I want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. I choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that give praise to Your name (Hebrews 13:15). I long to bring a smile to Your face. Teach me the power of a thankful heart. I know that Your truth dwells in a thankful heart.
“I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 7:17-18:1). In Jesus’ name, amen.
For Faithfulness Father, thank You for the testimony of Your faithfulness and goodness that I have in the cross of Christ. Thank You for Your loyal love and compassion that stocks my pantry with everything I need to live a life that pleases and serves You. Forgive me for the ways I have knowingly or unknowingly rebelled against Your truth. Resurrect the grand vision for my life that You have crafted just for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thankful for God’s Strength Heavenly Father, thank You for life and hope and bravery. Thank You that even at my weakest, I can rely on You for strength. Remind me of the bravery You’ve called me to step into today, and help me to encourage others with the mighty hope of the Lord too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
For Creating Me With Purpose Dear God, thank You that in Jesus, I am equipped, enough and loved. Period. Thank You for creating me with purpose and potential. Please use me to change the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Grateful for Salvation Thank You Lord that Your finished work on the cross has made a personal relationship with You possible. You are our Maker and only You can truly satisfy. Thank You that we can seek You and that You can be found. Thank You that You minister to our spirits with Your Truth. Thank You that You are indeed our “Daddy” in heaven. In Christ’s name, Amen.
I hope these words inspire your own prayer of thanks to God and fill your heart with gratitude today!
The Christian Tech-Nerd 