They know not, nor do they discern, for He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. Isaiah 44:18

papers (blended) by Holliewood Studios, glasses by Connie Prince, heart stone by Kristmess Designs

related:

And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! Mark 7:6-9

Astonish yourselves and be astonished; blind yourselves and be blind! Be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not with strong drink! For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers). And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.” And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?” You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Isaiah 29:9-16

Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water. Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them. Isaiah 1:10-23

Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.’ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 11:16-21

“Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 58:1-14

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.” So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:7-36

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 6:1-7:1

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Romans 8:7

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32

But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door. Genesis 19:9-11

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

paper by Lorie Davison, laurel wreath by Kristmess Designs, thorn wreath and track photo (both blended) from web, page overlay by Marta van Eck

You might enjoy reading my devotional, "Beautiful." You can view and/or download it in magazine style pdf (48 mb) here, or text w/highlighting format pdf (.5 mb) here. All of my other devotionals are also freely available in pdf format if you click on the link at the top of the right column.

continuing:

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 10:1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 9:26-10:13

related:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:1-29 (Also see Rev. 3:19.)

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:19-25

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2 Timothy 2:3-7

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:12-27 (Also see John 14:15-26, Matt. 5:10-16)

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:16-25

The only two churches of Rev. 2-3 who did not receive any reprimands were promised crowns:

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jesus and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ Revelation 2:8-11

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:7-13  (Also see Isa. 66:5.)

Nevertheless, overcomers will reign and rule, which no doubt carries with it a victor's crown:

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 2:18-29

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:14-22

Since ALL of the letters were to be read by EACH church, let's heed Jesus' warnings in them---hoping for those rewards, putting all of our trust in HIM to give us the victory. Let's take to heart and put into practice Paul's advice to the Philippians:

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection out from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:8-21 (Also see John 15:1-21.)

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:16-18

The above passage precedes the verse I used in yesterday’s (May 25, 2019) daily scrapbook verse. When I was thinking about that, (i.e. meditating on it - Biblical meditation is NOT clearing the mind of everything, but focusing on God's word - 1Tim. 4:11-16, 2Tim. 3:14-17, Phil. 4:8-9, Col. 3:1-2)—"the creation longs for the revealing of the sons of God" (Rom. 8:19 - please note I will be using mostly paraphrasing today rather than direct quotes, which would vary by translation version anyway), it made me think of related verses, including these that precede the passage at the top—"IF you put to death the DEEDS of the body you will live, but those who live according to the flesh will die; all who are LED by the spirit are sons of God." (Rom. 8:13-14) This is not merely mental consent to believing, but putting that faith into action—and not by sheer effort and will power, but by the Spirit who MUST be IN a person for them to enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:3-8, Rom. 8:9-11) Our "old self" is to DIE and we are to live to Christ. (Col. 3:3-10, Gal. 5:24, Rom. 13:14, Eph. 4:22-24, Gal. 2:20, 6:4, 14, Rom. 7:4 - and "bear fruit.")

Other passages that came to mind include: "You are my brother, sister or mother IF you DO the will of God." (Matt. 12:46-50) - if believing were ALL of God's will for His children as some say—and let's face it, they don't really believe, or they would behave like it, through the power of the Spirit IN them, who is NOT present if they do NOT belong to Jesus (Rom. 8:9, 2Cor. 13:5)—then Paul wouldn't have written 1Thess. 4:3-8 - "God's will is your sanctification and holiness;" Heb. 12:14-17 - "Strive for holiness, without which no one will see the Lord;" Rom. 12:1-2 - "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice and discern God's will;" Eph. 6:6 - "Do the will of God from the heart;" Phil. 2:12-13 - "Obey, work OUT your salvation with fear and trembling, God works IN you both to desire and do His good pleasure;" Rom. 6:17-18 - "obedient from the heart;" Rom. 16:19 - "Your obedience is known to all, be wise to good and innocent as to evil;" Col. 1:9-10 - "Be filled with the knowledge of His will, walking in a manner worthy of Him, fully pleasing to Him and bearing fruit;" Rom. 7:4-6 - "Bear fruit for God, not death, in the new way of the spirit;" (also Rom. 6:20-22); Eph. 5:8-12 - "You are now children of light, so walk as such and discern what is pleasing to the Lord," 2Cor. 5:14-15 - "We're to live not for ourselves, but for Jesus;" Heb. 5:14 - "Powers of discernment trained by practice to distinguish good from evil;" Heb. 13:20-21 - "Equipped to do His will, what is pleasing in His sight." Also, Peter said in 1Pet. 2:15-16 - "Silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good, and do not use your freedom in Christ as a cover for evil;" and John said in 1John 3:22-24 - "Keep His commandments and do what pleases Him, and whoever keeps His commandments [plural] ABIDES in Him" (also see John 15:10); and 1John 5:2 - "Love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments [plural];" and Jesus taught in Luke 12:47-48 - "The worthless servant knew his master's will but did not get ready." (Also Matt. 25:10—also do a search in the Bible about keeping watch.)

If there is only ONE requirement to inherit the kingdom of God—believing—then we wouldn't need to ABIDE in Jesus (John 14:15-26, 15:1-21) and to obey Jesus' commands (plural - 1John 5:3). The "apostle of love" (1John 4:11), "beloved" by Jesus (John 13:23, 20:2, 21:20,) spoke OFTEN about obedience; see John 15:12-17, Mark 12:28-34, Matt. 7:12, Rom. 13:8-10—but don’t forget what follows it in 13:11-14—about specific commands). As I always say, it's NOT multiple choice—we put together the Scriptures, not pick and choose which ones we like. If obedience were not important, then Jesus and James would not have made a point to emphasize that it's necessary to DO what the word says, not only HEAR it - Matt. 7:24-27, Jam. 1:22-25 - some called Jesus "Lord" but did NOT enter in, Matt. 7:21-23 - MANY follow the broad path to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14), which we can see by their bad fruits (Matt. 7:15-20)—so those who are WISE will NOT follow them, but will stay on the narrow path, following in the steps of JESUS - John 14:4-7 - "Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life" John 14:1-3 - "He will prepare a place for us where He's going and return for us," John 14:22-24 - "He will not manifest Himself to everyone, but only to those who love Him and therefore OBEY Him." Those who make a practice of sin will NOT enter the kingdom. (1Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:19-21, Eph. 5:5-6, Rev. 21:8, 22:15) God knows what’s in our hearts, how He gave us a way out of temptation and whether we took it or not, etc. (Heb. 4:12-13, Psa. 139, 1Chron. 28:9, Prov. 17:3, 1Thess. 2:4, Rev. 2:21-23, 1Cor. 10:13)

Remember that when Jesus says "those who do the will of God are His brothers and sisters" (Mark 3:31-35)—He is the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD (John 3:16-18), so His brothers and sisters are also sons/children of God (Heb. 2:10-12, 3:5-6, Matt. 10:25, Eph. 2:19, 1Tim. 3:15, 1Pet. 4:17, Rom. 8:29, those whom all creation is longing to see revealed at His coming - Rom. 8:19, 23, 2Tim. 4:8, Heb. 9:28, Luke 17:32-35, Matt. 24:36-51—the Greek word translated as “taken” in the previous two passages carries the idea of close association with oneself, such as when Joseph was told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife - Matt. 1:20—“one of two taken” emphasizes the fact that association with another human will not save anyone—it’s personal, requiring an individual choice of whether to accept the free gift or not (Psa. 49:7-9, Josh. 24:15, Matt. 10:34-49, Rom. 6:22-23, Eph. 2:8-10, Jam. 1:18, John 1:12-13)—but those who heed the warnings of those who care enough to provide them will be saved - Jam. 5:19-20, Matt. 18:15, John 15:20, 1John 4:5–6, Jude 1:23, 2Tim. 2:24-26, Matt. 10:40.) We're "born again" by His Spirit and “made one” with His Spirit (Jam. 1:18, 1Pet. 1:3, 23, John 3:3-8, 1Cor. 6:17-20, Eph. 5:29-32—whereas Jesus is one with the Father - John 10:30, 8:58, 14:10-11, 20, 17:20-26, John 1:1-3, Col. 1:16).

I think we can probably also say that those who do the will of God are the same as those referred to as "sons of the resurrection who were counted WORTHY" in Luke 20:34-36. Jesus is "Head of His Father's household, and we are His household IF we hold fast" (Heb. 3:5-11); "Don't let the deceitfulness of sin harden your heart." (Heb. 3:12-15, like in the Parable of the Sower - Mark 4:3-20, and 1Cor. 10:1-6, 1Pet. 2:4-12.) Jesus is Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22-23, 5:23, Col. 1:18), so it would seem that His Father's household is also the Church, which makes sense since the members of the Body of Christ are part of a royal priesthood. (1Pet. 2:4-5, Rev. 5:9-10) The "sons of Zadok [meaning righteousness, also see 1John 2:29, 1John 3:7, 10]" (which I believe may be the sons of God, since Jesus is the High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek, which means "King of Righteousness," and Melchizedek had no beginning and has no end - Heb. 7:1-3.)

"Don't give up your firstborn inheritance like Esau did for a bowl of soup" (indulging the flesh in worldly pleasures—more on this later). (Heb. 12:15-17, also see 1John 2:15-17 - "Whoever loves the world is NOT of God" and "All who believed received the right to become children of God" - John 1:12-13, Rom. 8:23-25, 1John 3:1-2, and also 1John 3:3—if merely having the hope was what purifies a person, then there would be no need for John to continue on as he does in 1John 3:4-10, also see Titus 2:12-13, 2Cor. 7:1, 2Tim. 2:21-22; 1John 2:19, John 6:66-69.) "We have come to Mt. Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to the church of the firstborn" and must "offer to God acceptable worship." (Heb. 12:22-27, 28-29, 1Pet. 1:14-19 - also see Rev. 14:1-5, Rom. 12:1-2, 1Cor. 6:19-20, 3:16-17) Both believing Jews and Gentiles of this age are "grafted into the 'tree' of Israel" (from which unbelieving Jews have been broken off, but can be grafted back into their own tree). (Rom. 11:17-25, John 8:39-40, Gal. 3:28, Rom. 2:29, Eph. 3:6) "[The 'giants of the faith'] have not yet received the promise, as they will not be made perfect/complete apart from us." (Heb. 11:39-40)

"All who WALK in the steps of faith of Abraham are his children and heirs of promise." (Rom. 4:12, 16-17, Gal. 3:7-9, 29, 4:28-31) "[The 'giants of the faith'] knew they were merely sojourners and exiles, and could have returned to the land they left, but they looked forward to a better country, so God has prepared for them a city." (Heb. 11:13-16) WE also are NOT to turn back, and to consider ourselves sojourners and exiles as well. (Heb. 10:39, Matt. 13:20-21, Luke 9:57-62, Matt. 16:24-27, 1John 2:28-3:10, 1Pet. 2:11-12, Phil. 3:20-21 - as opposed to Phil. 3:17-29, 2Cor. 5:1-10)

Those who were beaten "rejoiced that they were counted WORTHY to suffer for the Name." (Acts 5:41) “We should be willing to endure suffering for the sake of the kingdom, knowing that we have a better and abiding possession.” (Heb. 10:32-39) To the church in Philippi, it had been "GRANTED to them to suffer for His sake." (Phil. 1:29-30) "We will glory with Him IF we SUFFER with Him." (Rom. 8:16-17) "Let us go to Him outside the camp and bear His reproach." (Heb. 13:13) "We 'compete' in a 'race' for an 'imperishable crown'" (1Cor. 9:24-10:13, 2Tim. 2:3-7, Heb. 12), which involves suffering AND resisting temptation, if it be God’s will. (1Pet. 1:6, 3:17) "Those who are steadfast through trials (including temptations) will receive the crown." (Jam. 1:12-16) "If you hold fast, I will give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2:10-11) "Hold fast to what you have until I come, let no one seize your crown." (Rev. 3:11-13) "Those who overcome will have this heritage and be my sons. (Rev. 21:7) "Those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness and for Jesus' sake are blessed and great is their reward in heaven." (Luke 6:22-23, Matt. 5:10-16 - which continues on about being the salt and light, whereas salt that has LOST its saltiness is THROWN OUT, Mark 9:50, Luke 14:34-35, Col. 4:5-6, Eph. 5:7-17, Phil. 2:14-16, Titus 2:7-8, 1Pet. 4:4, 2Tim. 3:12-16, 1Pet. 3:14-17) "Everyone will be salted with fire," happens when God allows trials to test the genuineness of our faith and to purify us through suffering. (Mark 9:49, 1Pet. 1:6-9, Rev. 3:18-19, Lev. 2:13, Isa. 48:10, Heb. 2:10, 5:8)

If we break the following passage down, it's obvious (even for those who want to say otherwise) that "walking" and "deeds" indicate what we actually DO. It's not only talking about being alive spiritually because of BELIEVING. Technically, EVERYONE "'lives' according to the flesh" (i.e. everyone is ALIVE, IN the flesh), but only those who have been made alive in their spirit BY the HOLY Spirit have been empowered to WALK in the Spirit. (1Cor. 15:22-23, Eph. 2:1-5, Col. 2:12-15) It’s one thing to “fall back into fear,” not trusting that God will do what He said He would do—and it’s another thing to have no respect whatsoever for our heavenly Father, such that we think nothing of disobeying Him! (Psa. 50:16-23) We don’t work for salvation (i.e. revert to relying on law-keeping to save us - Gal. 5:4), but IF we ARE saved, then it will SHOW by our works. I once saw a quote by Luther (no doubt one of history’s greatest proponents of grace) that said something like “works don’t make a man good, but a good man does good works.” (Luke 6:43-45, Jam. 2:26—if we have no good works (which includes both doing good - John 12:26 - and refraining from evil - 1Thess. 5:22), then that is evidence that we also have no FAITH. This is serious.)

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:3-25

Furthermore, there seems to be a difference between being SEALED BY and being FILLED WITH the Spirit. We need only believe in order to be SEALED, but we must willingly take steps to remain FILLED—not to remain saved/sealed, but filled—walking in the Spirit, led by the Spirit, abiding in Christ and His love, not grieving or quenching the Holy Spirit by hardening our hearts against God—reducing the fruit of the Spirit, perhaps down to none. (Acts 4:31 - this is an instance subsequent to Pentecost, Acts 9:31, 13:52, Eph. 5:18-33, Rom. 8:4-9, Gal. 5:16, 19-23, 24-25, 1Thess. 5:19-22, Eph. 4:30, Heb. 3:12-15, Matt. 13:22, Eph. 4:20-24) Jesus said that He and His Father would come and make their home (God is ONE) IN those who LOVE Him, which is those who OBEY Him. (John 14:24) Those who are turned away in Matt. 7:21-23 and Luke 6:46-49 do not OBEY Him—they don’t walk in and shine HIS light. They’re foolish, walking in the dark while claiming to walk in the light. (Matt. 6:22-23, John 3:19-21, 8:12, 12:46, Acts 26:16-18, Rom. 1:21, 13:12-14, Eph. 4:18, 5:11, 1Thess. 5:5, 1John 1:6) They expect to enter the kingdom of God, but they are denied entry. Peter gave a list of what qualities God’s children should practice (utilizing the divine power provided to them by His Spirit in them) to ensure that we are not unfruitful, but will be assured of entry into the kingdom. (2Pet. 1:3-15)

God doesn’t force us to believe, and neither does He force those who do believe to OBEY. If He wanted robots, He would have made them, but He didn’t. We have a choice, and that choice reveals what our true character is like. God is TRUTH and LOVE, and He requires genuine faith, out of LOVE (after which obedience will follow). (John 14:6, Rom. 12:9, John 4:23, 1Pet. 1:6-7, 8-9, John 14:15-26, 15:9-11, 1John 4:10-13, 5:3, 2Cor. 5:14-15, 1Tim. 1:5) “Faith comes from hearing the word.” (Rom. 10:17) “His word is a lamp for our feet and light to our path.” (Psa. 111:10, 119:105) The foolish virgins (who were denied entry into the kingdom - Matt. 25:1, 10-13) ran out of oil for their lamps to light their way to the Bridegroom. (Matt. 25:8-9, Prov. 23:23, Rev. 3:18-22)

Jesus said "His Father is the Vinedresser who will cut off UNFRUITFUL branches (believers—this was said to the disciples the night Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and was later betrayed) from the Vine (Jesus)." (John 15:1-10) Previously, He also taught the Parables of the Sower, Tares and Net (Matt. 13, where many fall away, and those who cause sin are removed), and He told us to "cut off whatever part (a/k/a “member”) of our body causes us to sin" (whereas WE are individually members of (and corporately as a whole) HIS Body - Rom. 12:5, 1Cor. 12:12, Eph. 5:23, 30). (Matt. 5:29-30) "Do not be sluggish but imitate those who inherit the promises" instead of "sinning deliberately after coming to the knowledge of the truth." (Heb. 6:9-10, 11-12, 10:26-30) "Confirm your calling and election." (2Pet. 1:10) Jesus is returning "WITH the called, chosen and faithful," "as a thief in the night" when all of the armies are gathered around Jerusalem, to rule and reign for 1,000 years. (Rev. 16:15-16, 17:12-14, 19:11-16, 20:4-6, 2:26-29, 3:21-22, 1Cor. 6:3, Dan. 7:9-10) Those who are part of the first resurrection need not fear the second death (after the second resurrection). (Rev. 20:4-6, 20:11-15)

So it seems like there is a difference between being saved from hell at the second resurrection and receiving the FIRSTBORN inheritance from OUT of the dead prior to the Christ’s millennial reign—which Paul sought to attain to. (Phil. 3:8-21—the phrasing in the original Greek carries the connotation of arriving at the destination—the “finish line,” since we know Paul considers the journey to be like an endurance race - 1Cor. 9:24, Heb. 10:36, 12:1-4. In this case, the goal (“prize” - Phil. 3:14, 1Cor. 9:25, 2Tim. 2:5, Jam. 1:12, 2:5, 1Cor. 2:9) is partaking of the firstborn inheritance - Heb. 12:16-17, Gen. 25:29-34, 27:34, 38, Heb.  12:22-23, 1Cor. 9:26-27—also see what immediately follows in 1Cor. 10:1-13—we’re to learn by example NOT to desire anything God tells us is evil, nor to put God to the test. That is NOT the way to enter in for us any more than it was for them—the promised land was a foreshadow of the kingdom of God.) Paul was successful in reaching his goal, by the power of God. (Col. 1:29, 2Tim. 4:8). He also encouraged Timothy (and us - Phil. 3:14-21) to have the same attitude, giving helpful metaphors and telling him to ask the Lord for wisdom if he didn't understand what was being said. (2Tim. 2:3-5, 6-7)

If everyone received the SAME reward simply for professing faith, but not by WALKING by the Spirit IN that faith, then Paul would certainly not waste his time exhorting everyone to be steadfast, and even saying he had not yet attained what he sought, leaving open the possibility of being “disqualified” (some translations say “cast off.” (Phil. 3:13-17, 1Cor. 9:27, 1Cor. 3:12-14, 15-18 - some will enter in as through the fire with no further reward.) James also encouraged us to persevere (Jam. 1:12, 5:10-11, also Jude 1:20-21, 2Pet. 3:11-18, and other references detailed elsewhere in this article). And don’t forget the letters that Jesus sent His angel to have John write to the churches in Rev. 2-3, 22:16. Each one was for each church to read (Rev. 1:11), and contained admonitions and rewards for holding fast until He comes. Not only that, but the warnings to those who refuse to repent include Jesus coming against them (Rev. 2:21-23, 3:3)—who would want to be among them? Better to be among those who enter their chambers while God pours out His wrath. (Isa. 26:20-21, Rev. 15:7-8, John 14:2-3)

Furthermore, if all who believe and are thus saved are given the privilege of ruling, who would there be left to rule OVER? (Isa. 9:6-7, Psa. 2, 22:28) Although most people don't like to continue on in context after the first few verses of the passage, John says that those who are children of God will not continue PRACTICING sin (that is different than slipping, as we all do at times). (1John 3:1-10) He said right before the "children of God" statement that we should behave in such a way so as not to shrink back from Jesus at His coming. (1John 2:28-29) There were NO chapter breaks or section headings in the original text. This is all ONE thought process. Earlier in 1John 2:4, he says for the first time that those who PRACTICE sin do NOT know God, but are liars. He basically says it again in 1John 3:6-10 (remember, this is all ONE letter). This all goes along with John 14:15-26 (same author) where Jesus tells us who it is that LOVES Him and what will happen when they DO (and thus, OBEY Him). Earlier in John 14:1-6, Jesus tells the disciples that they know the WAY to where He is going (to prepare a place for them), which is Him (the Door/Gate - John 10:7-9, Matt. 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-30). However, He goes on to reveal that that WAY involves following in His footsteps, not turning back, being willing to suffer if it's God's will. (John 15:10, 19-21, 8:29, Matt. 26:38-39, Heb. 2:10-12, 12:1-8, 13:13, 1Pet. 2:21, 5:6-11, Rom. 8:16-17)

Remember, God teaches us all day, every day through nature as He created it (which for example includes plants, animals and our bodies and the way He made them to function—with seeds and parts fitting together, resulting in reproduction according to each kind—"fruitfulness" - Gen. 1-2, Rom. 1:18-20, Psa. 19, 104, 139), and also through our personal relationships to one another as He designed them (including among the examples are marriage in faithfulness - Mal. 2:13-16, Matt. 19:8, Isa. 54:5, 1Kings 8:23, with respect of the wife for the husband who represents the Lord - Eph. 5:22-33, 1Cor. 6:15-20, 1Cor. 11:3, 1Pet. 3:3-7; respect for parents who represent God - Eph. 6:1-4; and kindness to physical brothers representing spiritual brothers, Lev. 19:18, Gal. 6:10, 1John 2:9-11, 3:11-18, 4:20-21, Matt. 5:21-24, Jam. 2:14-26, Matt. 25:31-46). There are MANY others for you to discover.

The Hebrew year begins in Spring for good reason (and no, there is nothing in the Bible saying that there are "two new years, one spiritual and one civic" - the feast on the first day of the seventh month is called Yom Teruah, not Rosh Hashanah—remember, this change to the feast calendar was originally made by people who do not accept Jesus as their Messiah—people who are still “blinded” and “hardened of heart.” Rom. 11:25) Everything springs to life anew in the Spring. When we're born again, we become NEW creations. (2Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:15) We're to WALK in that newness (physically, through the power of the Spirit IN us—this is NOT an imaginary concept). (Rom. 6:4, 12-13, 7:4-6, Phil. 2:12-16, Rom. 12:1-2, Titus 2:11-15) The Spirit is NOT visible (John 3:3-8), but the effects of His presence ARE. (Gal. 5:22-25)

I'm sure that many people think that to speak of these things, especially persistently and insistently, is "mean." (Titus 2:15, 3:8, 1Tim. 5:20, 2Tim. 4:1-5, Jam. 4:8-9) I don't think I've previously shared this personal story before, but perhaps it can help put things in perspective. When I was little, my mom used to let us kids split a bottle of soda and share a big bowl of popcorn at the coffee table while watching TV—only for a special treat on occasion. One time I insisted that I should be able to have my OWN bottle of soda to myself. (I was maybe all of six years old.) After my relentlessly arguing with her about it, she decided to give in. However, she made one condition. I had to finish it before I could go to bed. (“Bonus!” I thought.) Well, as you can imagine, I was FULL not much more than half way through that bottle of soda and wanted to change my mind, but she would not relent. My siblings went to bed on schedule, and whereas I had always thought I would LOVE to stay up late, now all I wanted to do was to go to bed. I kept sipping the soda until I felt like puking, at which time my mom said I could be finished (she's no dummy), and let me go to bed.

So what's the moral of that story? It's not always in our best interests to get what we think we want. Our earthly parents usually know best, and God ALWAYS does. (Matt. 7:11) IF God is our Father (John 1:12-13, 1John 3:1, 1Pet. 1:14-19), then we need to trust His judgment and do as He says. Getting our way may NOT lead to the happiness that we thought it would. As Paul said to the Corinthians, it's better to be grieved for a short while now, if it results in REPENTANCE, than to lose our souls. (2Cor. 2:4-9, 7:8-11, 1Cor. 4:21-5:13) Jesus warned us that it's better to lose our lives than our souls. (Mark 8:34-38, Matt. 10:28) If we're more interested in getting our way than in glorifying, honoring and serving our amazing God, then there is a problem with our faith, which probably begins with the lack of knowledge of Him. (Psa. 84:10-12)

Reassuring everyone who names the name of the Lord, regardless of how they live their lives (i.e. regardless of whether they bear fruit of the Spirit or not - John 15:1-21, Gal. 5:13-25, 2Cor. 13:5), that they will not only enter the kingdom of God but that they will be "out of here" (i.e. "raptured", from the Greek "harpazo" - 1Thess. 4:17, Rev. 12:5) BEFORE anything BAD happens, is reckless. (2Tim. 2:19-26) Some congregations are so sure of it (and I think they really mean those who ARE faithful, but they don't clarify it out of an overabundance of caution against preaching "works salvation") that they make such a belief into a requirement to becoming a "member" of their church (whereas we are members of the Body of Christ, and the Church is not a building or organization, or even a worship service, but a living Body - 1Cor. 12:12, 27, Rom. 12:4-5, 1Pet. 2:4-5, Eph. 2:22.)

Furthermore, there is a difference between the wrath of Satan, which God allows for our testing and purifying (Dan. 11:33-35, Rev. 7:13-17, 1Pet. 1:6-9, Jam. 1:2-4, Isa. 48:10, Rev. 3:18, Rom. 5:9, 1Thess. 5:9-11), and the wrath of GOD, which is “the Day of the Lord" and occurs AFTER the greatest tribulation the world has ever known. (Matt. 24:21-22, Dan. 12:1, Matt. 24:29-32 - signs in the sun, moon and stars AFTER the great tribulation, Joel 2:30-32 - signs in the sun, moon and stars BEFORE the Day of the Lord, Amos 5:18-20, Rev. 6:12-17, 19:11-21) However, the promise to be kept OUT of the "hour of trial" (Rev. 3:10, 17:12, 13:5 - the terrifying reign of the beast) was made to people who endured severe persecution and held fast through it. (Rev. 3:8-9) The five foolish virgins thought they would enter in, but Jesus didn't KNOW them. (Matt. 25:10-13) Those who are not already dwelling in heaven during the hour of trial (severe testing) must accept the possibility of imprisonment and/or beheading rather than taking the mark of the beast. (Rev. 13, 14:9-13)

But as awful as that sounds, there's another possibility—anyone whose name is not written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be DECEIVED, and they WILL take the mark. Their eternal fate is worse. (2Thess. 2:9-12, Rev. 13:7-8, 13-15, 14:9-13, 20:15, Psa. 69:28, Dan. 12:1-4, Mal. 3:16-4:3, Rev. 3:5, 2Pet. 2:19-22) The mark of the beast is not "removable." It's the official sealing as a child of the devil (who always imitates God, and God seals His children - Eph. 1:13, 1Cor. 1:22, Rev. 7:2-3, 2Cor. 11:14, John 8:44). We cannot be BOTH. (1Cor. 10:21, Luke 16:13 - those who take the mark can buy and sell in order to survive. By doing so, they put their trust in the beast instead of God. Psa. 37:17-20, 25-26, 33:13-22) One must also worship the beast in place of God along with taking the mark. Those who do so truly believe that he is actually God because of the signs he's allowed to perform. Rather than regretting what they've done, they will most likely persecute and turn in anyone who refuses to do the same. (Rev. 13)

It seems to me that these days those making false confessions of faith with empty words and no fruits of the Spirit are MANY. We ALL started out as enemies of God, but once we become believers we're supposed to grow more and more Christ-like (from the inside outward, because of His Spirit dwelling in us). So my goal is NOT to scare people into questioning their salvation. (1John 4:18, 3:19-20, 1Cor. 4:3-5, Gal. 6:4-5) I would like to encourage ALL of us, myself included, to make a regular practice of examining ourselves as Paul told us to do by looking for fruits of the Spirit. (2Cor. 13:5, Gal. 5:16-6:5) It's like a spiritual health check-up. Do we find it extremely or increasingly difficult to be obedient to God (which is a sign that we're trying to prevail against this world by our own power instead of by the power of the Holy Spirit in us), or is it such a joy and privilege to belong to Him that it would be painful to bring shame upon Him by behavior He disapproves of? Do we love the "pleasures" of this world so much that we want to find ways to justify continuing in them, giving into their "lures," or do we love God first and consider what this temporary world has to offer as "rubbish" as Paul did? (Phil. 3:8-21, 1John 2:15-17, Jam. 4:4-10, 2Cor. 6:14-7:1, Matt. 18:7-9)

Those are hard questions. What do we do if we have to answer them in a negative way (if we're honest)? All I can say is that we need to PRAY (Matt. 26:41, 1Thess. 5:17, Jam. 5:13, Eph. 6:17-18, Jude 1:20-21) and get into the word for ourselves. It's NOT boring or hard to understand when the Spirit Himself is our Teacher. (John 14:16-20, 26, 15:26, 16:13-15, Matt. 23:8-12) I am 100% sure that TO KNOW GOD IS TO LOVE HIM. The MORE we KNOW Him, the MORE we will LOVE Him (and thus, OBEY Him). Guaranteed.

How do you “get into” the Bible? You just dive in. You don’t need to buy a pre-made Bible study—just open it up (whether in print or online, such as at BibleHub.com) and start reading. (Please avoid paraphrases—they just aren’t true to the original like they should be.) If you tend to skip around, you could keep track of which parts you’ve read so that you can eventually be sure you’ve read it all (but if that’s a deterrent, then don’t). When you come to a footnote or sidenote, if your Bible has them, you can take a moment to read those (but it usually turns into more, and that can be a good thing—it’s not a race) and even look up the cross-references for yourself.

You don’t “have time,” you say? Really? The cares of this world are so much more important than knowing the living God, with whom you hope to spend eternity? (Matt. 13:22, Rev. 21:7, 22:14) There’s NOTHING that you could cut out in order to find the time? It amazes me how much time people will spend watching soap operas, sports, “reality” television, etc. or perhaps they invest a LOT of their time making sure to look good, or their home is a literal castle, requiring a huge amount of upkeep—NONE of those things will mean ANYTHING in the next life, except perhaps there will be more to “burn up” when God’s fire reveals what is left after removing everything worthless that we unwisely spent our time on. (1Cor. 3:13, 1Tim. 4:7-8) For those who TRULY are overwhelmed just trying to survive—put God FIRST. All blessings come from Him, and we need to acknowledge that and be thankful. (Matt. 6:19-34, Luke 12:13-48, Jam. 1:17, Col. 3:15)

“To the one who has, more will be given.” (Mark 4:24-25) One way to look at this is that when we recognize that God is wonderful, He will give us even more reasons to see how wonderful He is. When we MAKE USE of what He gave us, for HIS glory, He will give us MORE. I don’t mean the “prosperity gospel,” focusing on financial “sowing and reaping,” but our entire lives. (Rom. 12:1-2) (Remember, if we’re wise, then we hope to serve and worship God forever! Rev. 3:12-13 We’re showing Him in this lifetime—making a court case for or against ourselves, you could say—evidencing what we’re like by what we value the most.)

This “more will be given” concept includes FAITH in God (in truth and spirit - John 4:23-24, Mark 7:6-9, Jam. 4:8), knowledge of and LOVE for Him, and the JOY and HOPE of knowing Him (Titus 2:11-3:8, 2Pet. 3:18—this includes obedience to what the Word says, and shining His light on this dark world—see Matt. 5:13-16, Mark 4:21-23, Luke 8:16-18, Eph. 5:6-21, Rom. 16:19, 1Pet. 1:14-19); skills, talents, and various opportunities (Matt. 25:14-30, Luke 19:11-27); wisdom (Matt 13:10-17), and more. It also works in REVERSE. To the one who has not, what he has will be taken away—if we don’t appreciate and make wise use of what we’re given, we not only won’t be given more, but what we had been given will be given to someone else. So as I said, we need to put into use for God’s glory everything we receive from Him. We need to be thankful for it, and content in our circumstances, not covetous of the blessings of others. (2Cor. 12:10, Phil. 4:11-13, 1Tim. 6:6-10, Heb. 13:5-6, Luke 16:13-15, 12:15, Acts 20:33, Mark 7:20-23, Rom. 1:29-32, 7:7, 13:9, Eph. 5:5, Col. 3:5, Jam. 4:2)

Back to Bible study ideas, I also like to look up the meaning and other usages of the original Hebrew words of the Old Testament and Greek words of the New Testament on BibleHub.com. It can really help tie it all together when you see which other verses used the same words. Bible software programs are very handy for this—one that you might like to try is WORDsearch. They have a basic edition that works just fine for FREE, and it comes with the ESV translation, which I generally like. Just beware that (as the more expensive software programs do,) they do sell add-on material modules that are not at all helpful, but might even lead astray. Sadly, the various translation versions have also changed many words—they still MEAN the same thing, but if you use your Bible software to look them up, it can be frustrating. You KNOW the word was used in the verse you’re looking for, but the search results come up empty. Fortunately, you should be able to do a search that includes multiple translations of the Bible and find it that way. Sometimes Google is the best way to find a particular verse if all else fails.

Another way to make Bible study more interesting is to look up the meanings of names of people and places. I often use Abarim-Publications.com for this (however, again, I disagree with some of their views—so I’m not giving a blanket approval to every single thing on their site). They have mostly Hebrew (Old Testament) names, but they also have some Greek. They break down the parts of the name in the original language and list other usages of those same parts of the word, etc. Another suggestion for personal Bible reading time is to pick a topic to study. One example would be going over all of the Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament, which is an utterly awe-inspiring study that will definitely develop a deeper knowledge of and love for God. There are many lists of those prophecies online, some of them more complete than others. Also, I have enjoyed many of the studies at JesusPlusNothing.com, and PreceptAustin.org is another popular Bible study site. Just try to avoid getting caught up in disputes over positions on matters that don’t affect salvation. The Bible tells us not to get into vain arguments, and not to devour one another. (1Tim. 1:5-11, 2Tim. 2:24-26, Titus 1:7-16, 2:7-8, 1Pet. 3:15-16, Jam. 3:1, Gal. 5:15, Eph. 4:25-32)

You can make your own daily Bible reading plan for free at this site: MyBiblePlans.com. It will let you choose any starting date instead of only the beginning of a year, whether you want both Old and New Testaments or only one or the other, which books of each testament, how long you want the plan to last, etc. You can also return there daily to read that day’s portion of the plan in the ESV translation. The site is run by a single person who recommends just skipping any parts that you miss in order to keep going. I understand why he says that (so that people won’t just get too far behind and quit), but for myself, I think it would be better to just keep going by letting the end date extend and actually read the whole Bible if that was the goal. If parts are skipped, they actually CAN make the rest of the Bible harder to understand. My opinion is that it’s better to be thorough than to meet a set deadline and have gaps. For me the goal is to know God better, not to be able to say I read the whole Bible (especially not if I have actually skipped parts). I have found that sometimes the people who boast reading the entire Bible the most times seem to actually KNOW God the least (based on their words, attitudes and behavior). That’s incredibly SAD.

Which leads me to my next point—God WILL help us in our time of need if we truly love Him and put all of our trust and hope in Him. (1John 5:18-19, Heb. 2:18, 4:16, 7:25, Rom. 16:25-27, Eph. 3:20-21, Jude 1:24-25, Rom. 14:4, 10-12, 17-19 - this is about Christian service to glorify God, not about sin - see 1Cor. 5:12-13, 1Thess. 4:1-8, Col. 3:5-10, 1Cor. 6:9-20, Eph. 5:3-12, Heb. 10:26-39, 1John 2:1-6.) But we do need to actually BELIEVE that He is able and willing. (Jam. 1:5-7, 2-4) And we can also help one another. (Heb. 10:24-25, Gal. 6:1, Jude 1:23, Rom. 14:19, Jam. 5:19-20, 2Tim. 2:24-26, 2Cor. 12:19-13:5, 2Cor. 13:10, 1Cor. 14:12, 26, Eph. 4:11-32, Dan. 12:3) Let’s make this a priority. We’ll be glad we did!