A proclamation is a  formal public announcement  of a significant event. For example, in 1863 the "Emancipation Proclamation " was announced by President Abraham Lincoln; his proclamation declared that  enslaved Africans in Confederate states were free.

A proclamation of a different sort was made by the prophet Jeremiah around 626 B.C. He was instructed by God to stand at the gate of the temple in Jerusalem to proclaim to the people that unless they changed their ways and their actions the temple would be destroyed and they would be removed from the land (chapter 7). Imagine, as you arrive at your place of worship, instead of being greeted with a hug or a handshake as you enter the doors, the pastor is standing there warning all who pass by that the Lord will destroy the very house of worship you are about to enter into. Unthinkable right? Likewise, the people of Israel turned a deaf ear to Jeremiah's message and branded him a liar because they refused to believe that God would destroy His temple.  

There was a popular drama series called "Greenleaf" that drew viewers in with scintillating depictions of a prominent church, its pastors and leaders and its congregants - exposing their secrets, lies and fall from grace. I, like many others, became engrossed and entrenched in the lives of the seemingly fictional characters. In retrospect, although the names of the people and places may have been fictional, the depictions of their abhorrent behavior - inside and outside of the church's walls - are real. Today's headlines report, priests accused of sex crimes against children, pastors engaged in adulterous behavior with congregants, embezzlement and misuse of church funds, killings during church services, and idolizing of church leaders, giving them "rock star" status.

Yet, God proclaimed through Jeremiah then and is proclaiming to us today that: "I have been watching." Let us heed the call to repentance that the Israelites failed to heed. God wants more than praying, singing, clapping and preaching to fill his sanctuary; he wants our obedience to His commands. "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22). Jeremiah's proclamation is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago: "This is what the Lord Almighty..., says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place."

The place Jeremiah referenced was in Jerusalem and the people were ultimately removed from there for 70 years because of their unwillingness to change their ways. But, John the Revelator (Revelation chapter 21) speaks of the "New Jerusalem" - a place where only those who have changed their ways will be allowed to enter - "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."

All around the world today, October 7th, people are celebrating among other things, International Day of Peaceful Communications, National Frappe Day, and World Cotton Day. Some of these Proclamation Days may seem trivial while others are noteworthy, but consider one that can have eternal implications: let's proclaim that today is, "Change Your Ways Day".

Are you a fan of Court TV? Because of Court TV, individuals are able to identify the major players in the criminal court system - the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and the jury. But there is someone intricately involved in the criminal court process who usually goes unnoticed - the victim's advocate. A victim of a crime is assigned an advocate who provides support to the victim throughout the life of a case.  A victim has access to, and a voice in the criminal court proceeding through the victim's advocate (a go-between).

In the book of First John chapter 2, the writer speaks of Jesus Christ as our Advocate.  We do not have direct access to the Father; Jesus is the go-between. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our secular criminal court system, it is the innocent person who is afforded an advocate. But in God's court system, it is the guilty who need an advocate. John writes, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous..." Those who have been charged with a crime in the United States are deemed innocent until proven guilty. In God's courtroom, we are all deemed guilty as charged and we deserve a death sentence.  

How do you plead? According to Romans 3:23, we have all sinned and come short of God's glory. Therefore, the correct response is: "I plead guilty." During the sentencing phase, Jesus Christ goes to the Father on our behalf and advocates for leniency (mercy). We deserve a death sentence, but our Advocate has secured a sentence of "Life" - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Father, I have sinned and fallen short so many times, but your love and your mercy towards me never fails. Thank you for redeeming me and giving me another chance. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

     While reading the prophet Samuel's account of David and Goliath (1 Samuel Chapter 17), I was drawn into the dramatic portrayal of young man facing a giant on a battlefield positioned on land belonging to Judah - I don't even have time to dive into the significance of this except to say, "Praise God in the midst of your battles!"
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     It in an account that pulls me in each time I read it. There is so much drama and conflict.; it is a reality show playing out in the pages of the Bible. There is conflict between the nation of Israel and the Philistine nation, and drama brewing between David and his older brothers.

     David comes on the scene bold and fearless amidst a whole nation of people who are paralyzed with fear. The text reveals to us that the giant Goliath teased and tormented the army of Israel with his threats both day and night for forty days straight (verse 16). The Israelite army had taken up residence in the fear that Goliath's words produced. But David, a young man sent to the battlefield by his father to bring supplies to his three oldest brothers, was only a visitor to the chaotic scene. He had a fresh perspective and a fresh anointing that allowed him to see an invisible force that can only be seen with eyes of faith.

     When David arrives to the battleground, he hears the same threats that everyone else hears, but he responds which such faith that it gets the attention of Israel's king, Saul. Sidebar, our faith response to the giants in our lives should be such that it gets the King's attention. We can read this passage of scripture and be deceived into thinking that David is some fictional superhero akin to Superman; however, David is as human as you and I, yet he does possess a special power - the Anointing.

     Let me explain. In chapter 16 of the book of First Samuel, the prophet is sent to anoint David as the next king of Israel after Saul was dethroned by God for being disobedient. Samuel takes a horn of oil and pours it over David's head as a symbol that he has been anointed by God as king (verse 13). After David's anointing, the Spirit of God departs from king Saul.

     If you are not jumping, shouting and praising God yet then you have missed it. If you have the Spirit of God dwelling on the inside of you by virtue of your confession, belief and baptism in Jesus the Christ, then you have been anointed by God with his superpower (the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit). The anointing gave David supernatural vision and strength. He saw armies (plural) of the Lord's angels on the battlefield (verses 26 and 36); and he slang the stone with such strength that it sunk into the giant's forehead (verse 49). David did not slay his giant in his own strength and neither will you. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).

     
     

     

     
     

     

When I was a child, I was not allowed to call anyone a liar. I was permitted to say, "You are not telling the truth." It didn't quite have the same force in my opinion. Similarly, the creator of the rhyme, "Liar liar, pants on fire" opted for a more playful approach to exposing another's lies. This little diddy provokes laughter and lightheartedness in its intended target, whereas, to the writer of the first chapter of the epistle of First John, lying is no laughing matter.

In the children's story "Pinocchio", the beloved character (a puppet made of wood) had a nose that would grow each time he told a lie. Pinocchio could not tell a lie without the lie telling on him. Forensic psychologist are individuals who are trained to spot the metaphorical "growing nose" in people. It is believed we all give certain cues - our body language - when we are telling a lie; and we are likely unaware we are doing it.

In First John chapter one, the writer of the epistle (letter), like a forensic psychologist, is able to spot deception in members of the early Church who turned away from the teachings of Jesus. John puts it this way, "They went out from us, but they were not of us." (First John Chapter 2). John instructs us to look for the cues of the deceivers; they continually sin as a way of life (walk in darkness) and deny being a sinner (refuse to acknowledge their sin).

Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 7 (verses 22 and 23), "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" Jesus is the ultimate "lie detector". He detects our deception even when we look and play the part of a Christ follower. Don't get caught with your pants on fire.

Father, I confess: "I have sinned". Clean me up inside. Renew the right spirit within me. I confess any sin in my life that would take me out of fellowship with You. Thank You for forgiving me and putting me back in right standing with You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.






 

I really enjoy playing games of all kinds; board/table games are my favorite, however. At times though, a game that is supposed to be fun, can get complicated because of all the rules. My husband and I were introduced to "Mexican Train" dominoes, and learning the rules was the hardest part of playing the game. A traditional game of dominoes seem like child's play compared to learning this different version of the popular table game. Right in the midst of playing the game we would often have to consult the rule book. Playing board/table games at our house can get pretty competitive. My husband accuses me of changing the rules to gain an advantage, and he is not above cheating to avoid a loss. There can be lots of loud trash talking, dirty stares and blaring accusations - all in love of course.

In contrast, consider the children's game of "Peek-A-Boo". It requires no special skills or complicated rule book. It can be played practically anywhere and if you don't have a blanket or some other object to hide behind, you can simply use your hands. According to parenttrust.org, Peek-A-Boo is a game that helps develop object permanence in children. Object permanence is a concept that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be directly touched, heard or seen. This simple game and concept is what comes to mind when pondering the 139th Psalm. My version of Peek-A-Boo adds a one liner after my face is revealed to a curious child - "I see you!"

This beloved Psalm, written by David, is a reminder that God sees me.  This thought, however, can be comforting and unsettling at the same time. God sees me wherever I go, knows whatever I do and hears whatever I say. According to the psalmist, I am hedged (enclosed) by God. Lyrics to a popular sang by our church's youth choir says, "He's on my right, He's on my left, in front and back, under  me, over me, and He's living down inside." I, like David, must exclaim, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it."

In the game of Peek-A-Boo, an attempt to fully conceal oneself is pointless. In the same manner, any attempt to hide from God is an act of futility. He is always right there - in my triumphs and in my trials, in my joy and my pain. God's presence in my life has developed object permanence in me; I know He exists even though I cannot touch, hear or see Him.

In 1978 Walter Hawkins recorded a song entitled: "Never Alone" and declares that there is no need to worry because we are NEVER alone. God is there walking beside us all the way; He is guiding our foot steps every single day. Peek-A-Boo, God sees YOU!

According to Wikipedia, "Dear Abby" is an advice column that first appeared in 1956; the founder was Pauline Esther. Her pen name was Abigail Van Buren. Abigail founded the column a few months after her twin sister Esther Pauline took over as a writer of the "Ask Ann Landers" column. This was sibling rivalry akin to Jacob and Esau and resulted in estrangement between the two sisters.

The Book of Psalms opens up with a metaphorical advice column with David believed to be its contributing writer. Unlike the many dedicated readers of the "Dear Abby" and "Ask Ann Landers" columns, Psalm 1 instructs us to look into the Word of God for godly advice. We are not to be casual readers of the Bible, we are to meditate - chew on it like a cow chews the cud. What exactly does that mean? Cows regurgitate partially digested food back into their mouths, then chew it and swallow it again. Not a very pleasant imagery, but that's what it means to meditate on God's Word. We study it, digest it, call it back up again, study it some more and place it back on the inside of us.

The beginning of the writer's advice to us is about where NOT to go for advice (among the ungodly, sinners and mockers). Have you ever found yourself following advice from someone on TikTok or YouTube about matters that are essential to a happy life (marriage, finance, children, careers choices)? Consider the source, because Psalm 1 is clear that the path of the ungodly and sinners leads to utter destruction. Whereas the path of the one who seeks God's will and His way, leads to a life that flourishes and prospers in every area.

We are asked to "Follow" social media influencers, celebrities, religious and non-profit organizations, schools and businesses, among others. Have we stopped to consider whose path we are walking on. Whose place are we standing in. And who are we sitting among and being taught by. The Bible should be our primary source for advice on living; however, we can also seek out people who have healthy leaves and good fruit on display - a sign of a well-watered tree (a symbol of life).

Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew Chapter 7 verses 17-20, "Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Look at the tree before you eat of its fruit. In other words, heeding advice from ungodly and sinful people is akin to eating rotten fruit. Conversely, fruit (words of advice) from a tree rooted in God and His Word will bring nourishment in the form of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Father, thank you for your Word, the only advice column I need to live a long and prosperous life. Grant me discernment when I seek advice from others so that I may distinguish a good tree from a bad tree. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Paul teaches us in 2nd Corinthians Chapter 9 that God loves a cheerful giver. To give cheerfully is to give willingly and joyfully. We must examine our hearts before giving. Are we giving in hopes of receiving something in return. The type of giving described in Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a "pass-through" kind of giving. God provides it to the giver who then gives it to those in need.

The harvest of blessings described by Paul is not for the giver - it is to be given. Therefore, it is imperative that giving be done in a spirit of cheerfulness. We are to be glad about giving to others. If you are not able to give with a joyful heart - don't give! However, if you observe generous and cheerful givers you will notice that they are joyful people. Why? Because giving with a spirit of cheerfulness just feels good.

There is a promise attached to cheerful giving in Paul's letter to the Church at Corinth. If you give sparingly then you will reap sparingly. If you give generously then you will reap generously. Do you want to have a little to give away? Or do you want to have a lot to give away? Remember, the harvest that is reaped from giving is to "pass-through" you. This is not about how much you get to keep for yourself.

Today, you can begin a legacy of giving. You become known by and for your generosity to others. You begin to LIVE TO GIVE!