A Study in Genesis

Telling people what God has done in our lives is harder than one might think!

Countless times, I have heard testimonies from individuals about how God has done something in their life, only to hear a story purely directed to bring attention to the person telling the story. This is sad because typically the audience is actively listening, and it provides a perfect opportunity for us to share what the Lord has done and give Him the honor that He deserves. We play only a small role in what God is doing; let’s not make us into something we are not.

In the section of scripture we are discussing today, we see Eliezer provide to Laban and Bethuel his testimony of what God had done. Read Genesis 24:29 through 49. I want to direct your attention to what Eliezer’s intentions are; it is not to cause the audience to focus on Eliezer but rather the mission of God. His testimony ends with a call to Laban, Bethuel, and Rebekah. Eliezer does not spare details and does not gloss over the interactions he has with the Lord in prayer, but focuses on providing the details that the audience needs. Eliezer is on a mission, and that mission is ultimately to reveal the plan of the Lord to these three. Ironically, Rebekah is the one who recognizes the call. When we give an account of what God has done in our own lives, we need to be on guard that it is not self-directed and a cause for us to have pride. We should be careful and recognize that pride can also disguise itself as a false sense of humility. I have seen many pastors cry at the pulpit and proclaim they themselves are sinners in need of a righteous God and that they are saved by God choosing them. And yet, when you carefully examine their words, you see it is full of pride and a general lack of knowledge of Christ. Be careful who you listen to and learn from, many “christians” tickle the ears and provide what the audience wants to hear rather than the truth of what God wants to do. Paul told us to be ready, 1 Peter 3:15“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

SUMMER PRAYER FEST

For our summer prayer fest, let’s ask the Lord to help us examine in our own lives times when He has worked with us. And how best we can present that to others to give God the glory! Focus on Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good [things,] Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Re-Post Friday

Are you in charge of your faith? Find out HERE!

Time Keeper

Today, I wanted to jump in and provide a quick reflection on something that I am continually reminded about in God’s Word.

“Time is pointing to Jesus.”

This simple truth is remarkable and something that theologians, physicists and many others have examined over the years. Nevertheless, I want to take you into something that I learned a while ago, but has always struck me as something being missed by the Church in general. The feasts of the Lord are time stamps of the actions of Jesus Christ. When I was younger, I heard people claim that when Jesus said in John 19:30, “It is finished!” that the law was done away with. Even in my younger years of Christianity used this to argue against the Seventh Day Adventist and other heretical cults who believed we needed to follow the Levitical Law. Yet, in my studies, I found something rather remarkable: the feasts of the Lord are not done! Examine Colossians 2:16-17 “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” When you read Colossians, you will quickly come to realize that Paul is making perfectly clear that during the Church age, the Levitical laws discussed in Leviticus chapter 23 and other places are something pointing to Christ that the Jews were supposed to observe.

However, in the Church age, Paul clearly defines that the mystery of the Gentile is that they are adopted into the faith and yet are excluded from having to observe such requirements. Now, do Jewish believers in the Messiah today have to? No! See Colossians 3:10-11“and have put on the new [man] who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave [nor] free, but Christ [is] all and in all.” The entire book of Hebrews was written to the Jewish believers in the Messiah who were tempted to go back to the traditions of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus publicly warned the Jewish people that a coming judgment was to come upon the temple in chapter 21 of Luke.

Now, why am I bringing all this up? If the Church is defined by the love we have from the Lord and us being unified in Christ, see John 17:25-26, and John 13:33-35, we know that we are neither Jew nor Gentile. So what does this have to do with “Time is pointing to Jesus”? We are not to practice the law, but we are to study it! See what Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 5:45-47 “Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is [one] who accuses you--Moses, in whom you trust. 46 “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” Jesus is pointing us to study the Old Testament and see what it said about Him. When you study the four Gospels, you will see that Jesus fulfills the first four spring feasts to the letter! Now there are three fall feasts that He must fulfill. We need to study these coming events so that we can better understand what Christ will do. Paul confirms this theory in Colossians 2:17 “which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” Christ is the substance and the things to come. Don’t take my word for it, Hebrew language and Dead Sea Scroll Scholar Dr. Ken Johnson details the Hebrew word used to describe these events written in scripture, “The Hebrew word "‘Moedim’ (Strong’s H4150) refers to one of the festivals that God instituted for the nation of Israel: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, New Wine, New Oil, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tavernacles. The rituals performed on each of these festivals teach prophecy.” (1) Jesus is the time keeper; we should be good students and recognize the actions taken by Christ so as to properly learn more about Him. This is difficult for the Church, which has grown accustomed to almost 2,000 years of gentile thinking, but it is time we go back to the Word of God, recognize we are not Jews, but study the Word for what it is. The Bible is written by Jews, from a Jewish Messiah.

Stay the course for the Kingdom,

Austin

1) Paul’s Ancient Hebrew Thessalonians Epistles Proof of a Pre-Trib Rapture Interlinear Included by Ken Johnson, Th.D.

A Gentle Witness

We began our look into 1 Thessalonians 2 last week by looking at Paul’s encouraging introduction. He was reminding the readers that, despite much opposition, Paul and his companions had to preach God’s word. Paul continues his argument by showing that God’s word does not come from error or impurity or deceit, and they are speaking to please God, not men. Paul ends the beginning of this chapter by acknowledging that although he could have asserted authority over the believers in Thessalonica, he didn’t. Today, we are going to look more into why Paul behaved as he did and the result.

“7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

1 Thessalonians 2:7-13

In this second part of chapter 2, we see that Paul is seeking to remind the readers that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy came alongside them. What this means is that they allowed their actions to open the door to share the gospel. Paul begins by comparing them to children while he, Silvanus, and Timothy were their doting mother. As a mother myself, I see the attitude that I have towards my children. It is one that desires to raise them up in a way that they understand the word of God. While there are some instances of strangers walking up and leading individuals to God, this is not the typical experience. Instead, many will point out that there was one, two, or several people who came alongside them and affectionately taught them God’s word. This section of scripture reminds me of Matthew 23:37, “37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” While this specific passage is Jesus talking about the unbelieving jews, it reveals a foundational practice initiated by the Lord and practiced by Christ followers. We should want to go to other believers who are less knowledgable than us and help them, and spiritually protect them. This is why Jesus said, John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had come along side the new believers and loved them. They taught them and imparted the words of Truth to them.

Verses 9-11 teach the reader that it is not always as simple as walking up to someone and sharing the gospel. Sometimes, and I would say most of the time, you need to build a relationship that is built on trust and your own actions showcasing Jesus Christ. That is exactly what Paul is doing here. Look back at verse 6 that we discussed last week, “6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”. Paul is showing that as an apostle, he had every right to make demands of those around him, and yet, verse 9 shows exactly what he did. He did not lord it over the church; he worked alongside them and allowed his actions to be a testimony for God. Consider 1 Peter 3:15-16, “15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” Paul’s actions are a direct representation of 1 Peter 3:15-16. Remember in Acts 17, they wished to imprison Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, and yet, the actions of these men allowed those around them to see that it was from God.

Paul ends this part of chapter 2 with an encouragement to the reader. Verses 12-13 are a call to remind the reader that they need to be walking in a way that is worthy of God. Not for their salvation, our own “good deed” cannot save us, but in order for those around them to see that they are following God. In doing so, Paul knows that the reader will then be able to follow in his footsteps and plant the seed, water the seed, or harvest the fruit of the gospel in another. For Paul then, and for us today, this is something that we must be thankful for! We are given the opportunity to allow God to work through us to bring more to Him!

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

A Study In Genesis

Following the Lord’s directions is as simple and complicated as the person following makes it. We tend to mishandle the opportunities provided by God to act. Sometimes we wait too long, and other times we rush in before it is time. Nevertheless, no matter what the challenge provided to us is, we have the same first step. That step is to pray and ask the Lord for His assistance. The Psalmist reminds us that this first step needs to be a blatant recognition that God is in control, He understands, and we should be listening to Him. The Psalmist also makes it crystal clear that God does not cause us to sin; the human race does a great job of that on our own. However, we can ask for the temptation to be taken away. Psalm 119:133“Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.” Here we see the Psalmist immediately recognize that God is in control, and the Psalmist knows this because he is leaning on the studied word of God. The Psalmist also knows to ask for assistance from the Lord in resisting inequity and the power that sin has in this world.

What does this mean for you and I? It simply means that when God provides an opportunity to serve Him, we need to be ready to do so. This is first done by being in His word so we can draw upon the wisdom sent from above, but also so our steps can be properly directed. Let’s look at this in action. Genesis chapter 24, Abraham sends Eliezer to find Isaac a wife from Abraham’s homeland. While the text does not provide Eliezer’s name, we know from Genesis that Eliezer was the head servant, thus the most trusted servant to send on such an important mission. Genesis 15:2 “But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house [is] Eliezer of Damascus?” We also know from the historical book of Jasher, chapter 24, that Eliezer is actually named as the servant who goes.

Now Eliezer listens to Abraham and does as he is instructed. We can tell a little about Eliezer based on the events that unfold. He loves Abraham and Isaac. He is trying to find Isaac a good wife and obeying Abraham’s wishes. We can see that Eliezer has no problem recognizing the special relationship and blessings that Abraham has with the Lord and how that blessing will follow Isaac down the generations. Eliezer is a gentile who is blessing and helping the origins of the Jewish people. I find it ironic that Eliezer’s name actually means “God is my help.” As we read the events, we find that Eliezer does not give ultimatums to the Lord, but rather requests assistance to find the person that God wants for Isaac. Eliezer wants to find the right wife so as to bless the individuals promised by God to be blessed.

Eliezer is practicing the Psalm 119:133 approach right before our eyes. Read Genesis 24:1-28. God directs the steps, and in turn, Eliezer walks them. What an incredible opportunity for us to see God work. In our own lives, we need to be ready at a moment’s notice to act for the Lord. When in doubt, drive forward, blessing the Lord. If He wants you to slow down, He will let you know. It would be better for us to immediately be like Eliezer and ask God for guidance and push forward than to sit behind and lose an opportunity to glorify the Lord in the steps He has directed us.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

SUMMER PRAYER FEST

For our Summer prayer fest, let's work on exactly what we just read. We are going to pray that the Lord would direct our steps as we follow Him. Our verse for this is Psalm 17:4, “Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.”

Re-Post Friday

What’s the job of a father? Find out HERE!

God’s Covenant with Levi

“4. And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD Almighty.

5.“My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.

6. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

7. “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.

8. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD Almighty.

9. “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

Malachi 2:4-9 (NKJV)

In Malachi 2:4–9, God reminds the priests of the covenant He established with Levi and contrasts the faithfulness of that covenant with the corruption of the current priesthood. The Lord’s purpose in sending this rebuke was not merely to punish the priests, but to call them back to the covenant He had made with their forefathers. God desired that the priesthood once again reflect His holiness and faithfully lead His people. This passage reveals that God expects those who minister in His name to be examples of truth, righteousness, and reverence.

In Malachi 2:5, God describes His covenant with Levi as one of “life and peace.” These blessings were given so that the priests would fear the Lord and honor His name. Levi responded with reverence, recognizing God’s holiness and authority. This covenant was never intended to be merely a position of privilege, but a sacred responsibility. The Lord promised blessing because of faithful service, much like He did with Phinehas in Numbers 25:12–13 (NKJV), where God established “My covenant of peace” because of Phinehas’ zeal for His holiness. True ministry begins with a genuine fear of the Lord, for Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV) says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

In Malachi 2:6, God describes the character of a faithful priest. “The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity.” A faithful servant of God teaches His Word accurately, lives with integrity, and leads others away from sin rather than toward it. This points forward to the ministry of Christ, who perfectly revealed the truth of God. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NKJV). Likewise, pastors and teachers today are commanded to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV) so that God’s people are built up in sound doctrine.

In Malachi 2:7, God explains the responsibility of every priest: “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” The priests were entrusted with teaching God’s Word, answering questions about His Law, and guiding the nation in righteousness. They were God’s representatives to the people. Today, spiritual leaders carry a similar responsibility to faithfully preach and teach the Scriptures. Titus 2:1 (NKJV) instructs, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine,” while Acts 20:28 (NKJV) reminds shepherds to care faithfully for the flock God has entrusted to them.

In Malachi 2:8–9, God exposes the failure of the priests. They had departed from His ways, caused many to stumble through false teaching and poor example, and corrupted the covenant of Levi. Instead of leading people toward holiness, they became a stumbling block to those they were called to serve. Because they showed partiality and failed to uphold God’s truth, the Lord made them “contemptible and base before all the people.” God does not overlook spiritual compromise, especially among those who lead others. James 3:1 (NKJV) warns that teachers “shall receive a stricter judgment,” and Romans 2:21 (NKJV) asks, “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?” Those who proclaim God’s truth must also live by it.

Malachi 2:4–9 reminds believers that God values faithful leadership more than religious position. Spiritual leaders are called to fear the Lord, teach His Word accurately, walk in personal holiness, and guide others toward righteousness. While this passage was spoken directly to Israel’s priests, its principles remain relevant for pastors, teachers, parents, and every believer who influences others. God still desires His people to be faithful messengers who reflect His truth and bring glory to His name through both their words and their lives.

Stay the course for the Kingdom,

Austin

Approved by God

Today, we are continuing in our study of 1 Thessalonians by looking at the first few verses of chapter 2. Last week, we examined Paul’s greeting to the church. Paul begins his letter with the goal to encourage the readers to stay strong in the faith, which is a main point found throughout this book, as many of the Jews turned followers of Christ were facing serious persecution. Paul then ends the first chapter with a reminder to the reader that there is hope. Paul is writing to encourage the believers and remind them that the Rapture is what makes the world ready for the wrath to come, the Tribulation period. Today, we will now look at Paul’s next exhortation to the church.

“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

Paul begins this section by reminding the readers that his time with them did not go without results. While we do not know how many people came to place their faith in Jesus Christ due to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, we do see a result of Isaiah 55:11, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” These men preached the word of God, and it brought many to Him. I believe that Paul was seeking to remind the readers of the moment they placed their faith in Jesus in order to see that whatever they were going though, it would bring God glory, just as Paul’s own imprisonment would do. In verse 2, Paul seeks to remind the reader that he faced many troubles and yet he still sought to preach the word of God. This is how we need to be as believers today: we need to not fear any worldly repercussions for speaking the truth, but have the boldness of God to share His word.

Verses 3-4, I would say, are the key verses in chapter 2. The word “exhortation” comes from a couple of different Greek words, but it essentially means a beseeching call to give comfort, to offer consolation. Which is exactly what Paul is doing here. He is imploring that the reader remember that what Paul said did not come from error, was unclean, or deceitful. This was one of the biggest arguments that the Jewish believers and the Jewish nonbelievers would face. Paul is beseeching them to remember that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were approved by God to share the gospel; and they did it gladly, not to please men but to please God. This is reflected directly in Galatians 1:10, “10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.“ Paul is asking the reader, both then and now, if their actions are meant to please God or other men. In his argument in Galatians, we see that if we seek the approval of mankind, then we are not following after God.

Finally, Paul ends these 6 verses with a reminder that although he could have made demands as apostles of Christ, he did not. He and his companions behaved in such a way as to bring glory to God and do the work that He sent them for. Paul is ending these verses with a reminder to the reader that although he would “rank” higher in the world’s eyes, Paul came to serve them just as Jesus came to serve. Paul is calling the reader to follow in his footsteps, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians still holds true today. We need to not worry about any worldly punishment for sharing God’s word; we need to be focused on pleasing God, and by doing so, we need to be imitating Him. Next week, we will look more into chapter 2 and see more of Paul’s relationship with these believers.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A Study in Genesis

God provided the land of Israel for the Jewish people, and yet some today still say it is not their land. Did you know that in Abraham’s day, even though the land was given to him and his descendants by Isaac and Jacob, Abraham still purchased parts of the land? Genesis 23 records an event that the Jewish people still do occasionally. It is their land promised by God, and yet they have to purchase it.

Genesis 23:1-9 “Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; [these were] the years of the life of Sarah. 2 So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that [is,] Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, 4 “I [am] a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” 5 And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 “Hear us, my lord: You [are] a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us will withhold from you his burial place, that you may bury your dead.” 7 Then Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. 8 And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish that I bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and meet with Ephron the son of Zohar for me, 9 “that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he has, which [is] at the end of his field. Let him give it to me at the full price, as property for a burial place among you.”

Israel has more of a connection to the land than any other ethnic group in all of the human race! Abraham, in his grief, wanted to bury her; it was not through conquest, nor through trickery, but rather through honest commerce and the integrity of both parties, resulting in a fair purchase. Genesis 23:19-20 “And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that [is,] Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field and the cave that [is] in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place.” Israel purchased their own land back numerous times in history.

What does this mean for you and me? Two monumental truths! First that the events of the Bible are true and accurate, second that the land does belong to Israel and we should proclaim, as ambassadors of Christ, His promises and His word! So when people say otherwise, let us be quick students of the Word of God to know the spiritual significance of why Israel needs the land and the arguments for the land being rightfully theirs through their own actions dating all the way back to Abraham.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

SUMMER PRAYER FEST

Today’s Summer Prayer Fest comes from Psalm 119:18, “8 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.“This prayer is for us to ask the Lord to open our eyes as we study His Word and learn how to meditate on it with application.

Re-Post Friday

Understanding this important role. Read it HERE!

God Rebukes the Priests

“1. And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.’ 2. If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name,” Says the Lord of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart. 3. “Behold, I will rebuke your descendants And spread refuse on your faces, The refuse of your solemn feasts; And one will take you away with it.”

Malachi 2:1–3 (NKJV)

In Malachi 2:1–3, God turns His attention directly to the priests, the spiritual leaders of Israel. These men were responsible for teaching God’s Word, offering sacrifices, and leading the people in worship. Instead of honoring the Lord, many had become careless and dishonored His name by accepting polluted sacrifices and failing to obey His commands. Because of their unfaithfulness, God warned that judgment would come upon them unless they repented. This passage serves as a reminder that those entrusted with spiritual leadership are held to a higher standard because they represent God before His people.

In Malachi 2:2, the Lord commands the priests to “hear” and “take it to heart” to give glory to His name. This was not simply a call to listen with their ears but to respond with obedient hearts. God warned that if they refused, He would send a curse upon them and curse their blessings. Even the blessings they already enjoyed would become curses because they had failed to honor Him. This principle is seen throughout Scripture. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NKJV) teaches that blessings come through obedience to God’s commands, while Deuteronomy 28:15 (NKJV) warns that disobedience brings curses. Likewise, 1 Samuel 2:30 (NKJV) declares, “For those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” God desires worship and service that come from a heart that truly reveres Him.

In Malachi 2:3, God announces the seriousness of His coming judgment. He warns that He will rebuke their descendants and spread the refuse from their festival sacrifices upon their faces, symbolizing their uncleanness and rejection. The priests who should have been removing impurity from God’s house would instead bear the shame of their own corruption. Under the Law, the waste from sacrificial animals was to be taken outside the camp because it was considered unclean (Exodus 29:14, NKJV; Leviticus 4:11-12, NKJV). By comparing the priests to this refuse, God demonstrated how far they had fallen from the holy calling He had given them.

This passage reminds believers that God is not impressed by outward religious activity when the heart is far from Him. He desires faithful obedience, sincere worship, and leaders who teach His truth without compromise. James 3:1 (NKJV) warns that teachers “shall receive a stricter judgment,” showing that the principle found in Malachi still applies today. Whether serving in ministry or simply living as followers of Christ, believers are called to honor God with reverence, integrity, and wholehearted obedience. When God’s people glorify His name with both their lives and their worship, they reflect His holiness to the world.

Stay the Course for the Kingdom,

Austin

A Warm Greeting

Last week we began our study into the book of 1 Thessalonians. Before we could dive into this book, we needed to take a look at what was occurring during the time this book was written. Acts 17 was our section of scripture that we looked at for this. In this passage, we learned that the individuals who were housing Paul and Silas were dragged out of their home by angry Jews who did not like Paul preaching. Jason and those who also assisted Paul had to pay essentially a fee to ensure that Paul and Silas would not cause any further issues in Thessalonica. Which is why Paul wrote this letter, to encourage the believers that he had left behind who now saw the realities of standing up for Christ.

 “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thessalonians 1

Paul begins this letter much like he does with his other letters to various churches, giving thanks to God. Next, Paul moves into the specifics of the church Thessalonica, which is to remember their works of faith, labor of love, and patience of the hope in Jesus Christ. This is highlighting their actions towards Paul and Silas while they were there. Paul is spending the first five verses to encourage the readers and to acknowledge that by the actions of Paul and Silas, those in Thessalonica knew that they were sent by God.

Which leads Paul into his next point, that those in Thessalonica became followers of God and of Paul and Silas. I would actually consider verse 5-6 to be one of the key verses in this passage. In verse 5, we see that the gospel does not come empty handed, it is not something that is merely spoken of. The gospel is power, it is action and through the Holy Spirit it brings others to Christ. Verse 6 points out that when you become a follower of Christ, your actions will point to Him and even in affliction you will have joy in the Holy Spirit.

Verses 7 and 8 show the result of their faith. Through the actions of the believers in Thessalonica, the gospel spread to Macedonia and Achaia. In fact, the believers in Thessalonica had such a strong faith in the Lord that Paul, Silas, and Timothy needn’t say anything more about them. Their reputation of turning from idols and receiving God, as well as their actions towards Paul and Silas, had spread so far that all Paul had to say was that they had spent time in Thessalonica and those around him know of their great faith.

Finally, verse 10 ends with an interesting note and it also serves to further provide evidence as to why we should be studying the Hebrew language. First Thessalonians was written originally in Greek, nevertheless, archaeological evidence has shown that at an early stage. The letter was translated into Hebrew. Now, what does this mean? It means that we have the capability to see a greater intent of the words used, and a deeper understanding of the context. For more information on this check out Biblefacts.org. In most text, verse 10 reads as “whom He raised from the dead”. However, the verbs in Hebrew are the hiphil imperative verb form, which is for future causative actions. Verse 10 should actually read as “who will cause the dead to rise”. Additionally, “who delivers us” should be translated as “and who will cause us to be caught up. Verse 10 is a very powerful verse for the pre-trib Rapture!

Ken Johnson explains it this way, “ The Hebrew word for “caught up” is “Matseel,” which is the hiphil active participle form of “natzal.” “Natzal” means to “snatch away,” so “Matseel” means “to cause us to be caught up.” The Hebrew word “Nathalie” (Strong’s H5337) has exactly the same meaning as the Greek word “harpazo” (Strong’s G726) which is used in the Greek form of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 for the phrase “caught up.” They both mean to be caught away by force.” (Paul’s Ancient Hebrew Thessalonian Epistles Proof of a Pre-Trib Rapture, by Ken Johnson). Based on the ending of verse 10, we can see that for the believers in Thessalonica and us today, Paul is writing to encourage the believers and remind them that the Rapture is what makes the world ready for the wrath to come, the Tribulation period.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A Study in Genesis

Genesis chapter 22 is probably one of the most well-known passages in Genesis, and arguably one of the most well-known passages found in all of the Bible. Scholars, theologians and acute Bible students alike have all sought to understand the details of this passage. Personally, I have studied this countless times over the past 30 years. However, it was not until recently that I came to grips with something rather remarkable. Genesis provides the inspired word of God. The book of Jasher which is referenced in Joshua 10:13 “So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. [Is] this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go [down] for about a whole day.” and 2 Samuel 1:18“and he told [them] to teach the children of Judah [the Song of] the Bow; indeed [it is] written in the Book of Jasher.” the book of Jasher was common reading in the time of Christ with Paul reminding and referencing information from the book of Jasher in his letter to Timothy, 2 Timothy 3:8 “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.” Why do I bring all this up? I bring it up because the Book of Jasher details the historical aspects of the events in Genesis 22, whereas Genesis skips some of these historical details to amplify the foundational truth that a person needs to know.

When you compare the two, you see how God’s Word (Genesis) wants the author to know the facts but highlights them in a manner that will bring about an eternal truth! That truth is a willing father to lay down his son’s life, and a willing son to lay down his own life. This is the theme of John 3:16“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” We read Genesis 22 and can see that God would not require man to do anything to save ourselves, but He Himself would provide. This fits in line with John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Genesis 22 further provides us the cosmic rescue of what Jesus would do one day. Isaac was not a young boy, but rather a fully grown man when he willingly offered his life to Abraham’s blade. Jesus was fully grown when He offered His life for the sins of mankind. No one forced these decisions; and yet, only Jesus could fulfill the decision and our payment of sin. John 10:13-18“The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep,] and am known by My own. 15 “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock [and] one shepherd. 17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

I would encourage you to study Genesis 22 thoroughly and compare it with the historical non-canonical account in the Book of Jasher. By doing this, you will see what Moses, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, thought was the eternal truth that needed to be extracted from the events. Ultimately, Genesis 22 reveals great faith from Abraham and Isaac. Both are willing to follow the guidance provided by God, and be a mere foreshadow of the true testament of God the Father and God the Son willingly providing payment for our sins.

What an amazing God we have.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

SUMMER PRAYER FEST

This week, let’s focus on praying for the knowledge that we can bring our deepest needs to God. Pray also for the knowledge that when we seek His will, His plan for us will be made clear. This week’s Bible verse and focus is Jeremiah 33:3, ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

Re-Post Friday

A lesson to encourage our readers. Read it HERE!

God’s Name Among the Nations

    Before continuing into the second half of Malachi chapter one, it is important to remember what we learned in the previous section. God rebuked the priests for offering polluted sacrifices and for treating His worship as something common and unimportant. Their outward religious service no longer reflected hearts that honored God. Rather than giving Him their best, they offered Him what was left over. Beginning in verse 11, however, God shifts the focus from Israel’s failure to His own glorious plan. Even though Israel had dishonored Him, God’s purpose to glorify His name throughout the world would not fail.

“11. My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.

“12. But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food is contemptible.’

13. And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the LORD Almighty. “When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the LORD.

“14. Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.”

Malachi 1:11-14 (NKJV)

    Malachi 1:11 declares, “For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles.” This verse can be understood in two beautiful ways. First, it can point prophetically to Jesus Christ—from His coming into the world to the completion of His earthly ministry through His death and resurrection. Throughout His life, Christ glorified the Father and fulfilled God’s plan of redemption. Secondly, the phrase can also describe the entire world and all of time, from east to west and from generation to generation (Romans 1:19-20). In either understanding, the central truth remains the same: God’s name will be glorified everywhere. This statement also serves as a remarkable hint that salvation would extend beyond Israel to the Gentiles through the coming Messiah. The prophets had already foretold the coming of Christ in passages such as Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, and Zechariah 9:9. This also provides a foreshadowing of Revelation chapter 20 with the 1000-year reign of Jesus Christ. For at this moment, His name, while great, is not offered incense through the prayers throughout everywhere as we will fully see developed during the thousand years. What a marvelous time that will be, a time of Israel receiving the promises that they have been given, but the Gentile nations receiving the promises they have been given and the opportunity to jointly worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

    The Lord continues by saying, “In every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering.” Under the Old Covenant, incense was part of the worship that symbolized prayers and devotion rising before God. Here, however, Malachi is shown beyond the temple in Jerusalem to a day when true worship would arise from every nation. This points to the Church, the Bride of Christ, worshiping God throughout the world. Psalm 86:9 declares that all nations whom God has made will come and worship before Him. The “pure offering” ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Unlike the blemished sacrifices offered by Israel, Christ became the perfect and spotless sacrifice for sin once and for all. Hebrews 10:10–14 teaches that His one sacrifice has forever accomplished what the Old Testament sacrifices never could. After Christ’s resurrection, both Jews and Gentiles became one body through faith in Him, and the Gospel began to spread as commanded in Matthew 28.

Nevertheless, the prayers of the Saints are an incense before the Lord. Revelation 5:8“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” We can also see that the prayers of the Saints will one day be utilized as more than incense before the Lord. When we pray “Lord come soon,” or we pray for the Lord to act, and it appears that the Lord does not act, remember, He is acting on His time, not ours. Every prayer of judgment that the believers have asked for will come. Revelation 8:1-6“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw [it] to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.” Why do I bring all this up? It is because one day the Lord will make His promises, as we see here in the book of Malachi, come to pass; thus, as we continue to read, keep that in mind.

Verse 12 returns to the present condition of Israel: “But you profane it, in that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled; and its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’” While God was revealing His future plan of worldwide worship, the priests continued to despise His altar. They treated the Lord’s table as though it had little value. In the church age, we no longer bring animal sacrifices. However, we still bring offerings to God through our lives. Our obedience, worship, service, generosity, and love for others become spiritual sacrifices that honor Him. Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, while Hebrews 13:16 reminds us that doing good and sharing with others are sacrifices that please the Lord. God desires that everything we do for Him be done with sincere love, gratitude, and joy rather than obligation or resentment.

    In verse 13, the priests complain, “Oh, what a weariness!” They had become tired of serving God and viewed worship as a burden instead of a privilege. Their hearts had grown cold, and this attitude was revealed by the sacrifices they continued to offer—the stolen, the lame, and the sick. God then asks, “Should I accept this from your hand?” The question is rhetorical because the answer is clearly no. God is perfectly holy and cannot approve of evil or hypocrisy. Psalm 5:4 teaches that God takes no pleasure in wickedness, Habakkuk 1:13 reminds us that His eyes are too pure to look upon evil with approval, and Isaiah 59:2 explains that sin separates people from fellowship with God. Rather than simply condemning the priests, God asks this question so they might reflect upon their actions, recognize their sin, and return to Him with genuine repentance.

    Malachi concludes the chapter with a final warning in verse 14: “But cursed be the deceiver… For I am a great King… and My name is to be feared among the nations.” Some Israelites possessed healthy, acceptable sacrifices, but intentionally offered blemished animals instead after making a vow to God. They broke their promises because they valued their possessions more than obedience. Their deception revealed hearts that did not truly fear the Lord. As Christians, we are called to live differently. 1 Peter 1:15–16 commands believers to be holy because God Himself is holy. Reverence for God is not simply fear of punishment but deep respect, awe, and obedience toward our King. Proverbs 9:10 teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and Ecclesiastes 12:13 summarizes man’s duty: “Fear God and keep His commandments.” Israel repeatedly failed to live out that calling, but God never lowered His standard of holiness. One day, Israel will fulfill this calling. Read Ezekiel chapter 39 through the end of the book of Ezekiel and see the richness and the blessings that God will do with Israel. The book of Zachariah, chapter 13, says that a third of the Jews will make it through Jacob’s trouble and will be refined as silver, and they will fulfill the promises that they were commissioned to do.

    In conclusion, Malachi 1:11–14 reminds us that God’s glory does not depend upon man’s faithfulness. Even when Israel failed to honor Him, God declared that His name would one day be great among all nations through the coming of Jesus Christ. Today, believers have the privilege of being part of the initial fulfillment of that promise as the Gospel continues to spread throughout the world. At the same time, this passage challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we serving God with joy, gratitude, and reverence, or have we allowed worship to become routine and burdensome? God is worthy of our very best—not because we earn His favor, but because Christ has already given His life for us. Since Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, our response should be lives marked by holiness, faithful obedience, sincere worship, and a desire to glorify His great name among the nations.

Stay the Course for the Kingdom,

Austin

Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

Today, we are going to begin a new study. But before we dive into the book of 1 Thessalonians, it is important to prepare ourselves for what we are going to learn. This short book dives into hard topics such as the purpose of God’s word, are we acting in a way to please man or God, are we encouraging believers to hold fast to the faith, the Christian’s calling, and where our hope is.

To understand more of this book, we first need to look at Acts 17. This dictates Paul’s missionary journey and details when he came to Thessalonica. “2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” Acts 17:2-3. Some of the Jews were persuaded by Paul’s argument, but many hardened their hearts to Paul’s teaching. In fact, they formed a mob that caused the family who was hosting Paul to be pulled out into the street. “6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” 8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. 9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.” Acts 17:6-9

The word “security” in verse 9 is also seen as pledge and most likely means that the angered Jews received a monetary payment from Jason and the others that Paul and Silas would not cause any further commotion in Thessalonica, which is consistent since Acts 17:10 shows Paul leaving for Berea.

With that background in mind, it is no wonder that Paul, through the Holy Spirit, wrote to the disheartened believers in Thessalonica. These believers had just seen how the angered Jews would treat those who professed their faith in Jesus Christ. With that fresh in their mind how could they possibly remain in the faith? This is the issue, among others, that Paul seeks to put to rest in the book of 1 Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians was written to encourage the readers to remain steadfast in the faith and to not be concerned about Paul’s imprisonment but to keep the focus on sharing the gospel.

Next week, we will begin our look into 1 Thessalonians and see exactly what Paul has to say to these new believers.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A Study in Genesis

We are back in the book of Genesis, and today we are examining a part of scripture that some might question why it is there. The covenant between Abimelech and Abraham opens the reader to a rather remarkable principle put into practice. Not only is it historical with how legal agreements were conducted, but it also shows the relationship that God provided Abraham. We see a principle of two men whose servants were at odds, and the rumor mill was dragging them apart. And yet, both sought to do what was right, both were honest and acknowledged their limits of what was known.

Let’s read Genesis 21:22-34 “And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God [is] with you in all that you do. 23 “Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt.” 24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.” 25 Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized. 26 And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard [of it] until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. 28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29 Then Abimelech asked Abraham, “What [is the meaning of] these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?” 30 And he said, “You will take [these] seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well.” 31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there. 32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Then [Abraham] planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.”

Abimelech recognizes Abraham's special relationship with the Lord and what God was planning to do. This is not because Abraham was better than others, but because God chose him. Abimelech sees this and wants to be proactive to ensure he is not on the wrong side of history. To learn more about Abimelech, we need to read historical books such as the Book of Jasher, where we see more interaction between these two men. However, these 12 verses shed light on how we should treat one another. First, both communicate clearly, reveal their intentions, and are slow to anger. In our own lives, are we acting upon these three characteristics with those around us?

Secondly, we see them both listening to one another. Both allowed the other to speak and looked for common ground. Now, a moment of clarity. One can only seek common ground with a person who is also actively seeking the Lord. Evil and good can have no common ground, Proverbs 28:4-5 “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all.” Also Proverbs 29:27 “An unjust man [is] an abomination to the righteous, And [he who is] upright in the way [is] an abomination to the wicked.” When we try to have common ground with evil, we only fail to uphold what is good. For Abimelech and Abraham, both wanted to pursue what was good. This allowed the opportunity for the covenant to be made and for Abraham to establish a marker for future descendants of his actions in the land.

This event is more than historical; it is a lesson in pursuing the good even when at odds with a fellow believer. This shows we can have common ground, but it must be rooted in both seeking the Lord’s direction.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

SUMMER PRAYER FEST

This week, let’s focus on praying for the ability to discern what is happening in the world and reflect on how we should be acting as believers. This week’s Bible verse and focus is 1 Chronicles 12:32 “of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;”

Re-Post Friday

Understanding the power of transformation. Read it HERE!

Empty Worship and a Heart Far from God

"6. A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?'

"7. You offer defiled food on My altar. But say, 'In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, 'The table of the Lord is contemptible.'

8. And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the Lord of hosts.

"9. But now entreat God's favor, That He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?" Says the Lord of hosts.

"10. Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you," Says the Lord of hosts, "Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.

 Malachi 1:6–10 (NKJV)

Malachi 1:6–10 begins God’s first charge against the priests of Israel. Rather than immediately pointing to their outward actions, God first addresses the condition of their hearts. The priests believed they were still serving God faithfully, yet the Lord declared that they had dishonored Him through their attitudes and their worship. This passage reminds us that God is not only concerned with what we do, but also why and how we do it. Although these words were spoken to Israel after their return from exile, they remain just as relevant for believers today.

In verse 6, the Lord compares the natural respect children have for their fathers and servants have for their masters to the reverence that His own people should have shown Him. God had been Israel’s Father by covenant, delivering them from Egypt, providing for them in the wilderness, and remaining faithful throughout their history. Yet instead of honoring Him, the priests had grown spiritually indifferent. They even responded by asking, “In what way have we despised Your name?” revealing that they did not even recognize their own sin. This is often the danger of spiritual complacency. A believer can continue performing religious duties while their heart slowly drifts away from God. Scripture consistently teaches the importance of honoring those in authority, as seen in Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 1:8, Leviticus 19:3, and Leviticus 22:2, but above all, these commands point to honoring the Lord Himself.

In verse 7, God exposes the evidence of their dishonor: “You offer defiled food on My altar.” Instead of bringing sacrifices that reflected God’s holiness, the priests accepted polluted offerings and treated the Lord’s table as though it were common. The altar represented God’s presence among His people, yet they regarded it as contemptible or worthless. By allowing defective sacrifices, they communicated that God deserved only what was left over after everything else had been taken care of. The Law had already made it clear that sacrifices were to be without defect (Leviticus 22:20–22), and Ezekiel 41:22 refers to the altar as the Lord’s table. Their worship had become routine rather than reverent. They still went through the motions, but they had lost their awe of God’s holiness.

Verse 8 makes the accusation even stronger. God asks, “When you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?” The priests knowingly accepted animals that God had forbidden under His Law. According to Deuteronomy 15:21, any sacrifice with a blemish was unacceptable before the Lord. God then challenges them by asking if they would dare present such a gift to their earthly governor. The obvious answer is no. They would have offered their best to a human ruler while giving their worst to the King of kings. This reveals that worship is not measured merely by the act itself but by the value we place on the One we worship. Proverbs 3:9 teaches believers to honor the Lord with the first fruits of their possessions, reminding us that God deserves our very best, not what remains after everything else has been given our attention.

In verse 9, Malachi calls the people to seek God’s favor, asking if the Lord would be gracious to them while these sinful practices continued. This is not a promise that God accepts empty repentance, but rather an appeal for genuine repentance before it is too late. God is always willing to forgive those who truly humble themselves before Him, yet He refuses worship that is merely external. Proverbs 15:8 declares, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” God has never desired empty rituals without a surrendered heart. The priests had abandoned their calling to faithfully teach God’s Word, something Malachi addresses again in Malachi 2:7–8, where they are rebuked for leading many people away from the truth instead of toward it.

Finally, verse 10 contains one of the strongest statements in the book. God says, “Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain?” In essence, the Lord says it would be better for someone to close the temple than to continue offering hypocritical worship. God takes no pleasure in sacrifices that come from rebellious hearts. This same principle appears throughout Scripture. In Amos 5:21–24, God declares that He hates empty religious ceremonies and instead desires justice and righteousness. Likewise, Jesus taught in John 4:23–24 that true worshipers must worship the Father in spirit and in truth. These passages ultimately point toward Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the sacrificial system once and for all. The repeated failures of Israel’s priests demonstrated that sinful mankind could never perfectly approach a holy God through animal sacrifices alone. Their failure prepared the way for the perfect High Priest and the perfect sacrifice—Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, believers are now able to approach God not through empty rituals, but through sincere faith, grateful worship, and transformed hearts.

Malachi 1:6–10 serves as both a warning and an invitation. It warns against allowing worship to become routine, careless, or merely outward. At the same time, it invites every believer to examine the heart and ask whether God is truly receiving our best. The Lord is worthy of honor, reverence, obedience, and wholehearted devotion because He has already given us His very best through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Stay the course for the Kingdom 

-Austin

Intentional or Unintentional? Part Two

Last week, we discussed the fact that sin comes down to intent. Are you intentionally seeking after God but, due to human nature, still falling short? Or are you someone who is intentionally shaking their fist at God and, in your pride, think that you can go against the Creator of the universe? In last week’s post, we looked at Numbers 15 and saw that a man was killed for the simple act of gathering sticks. While this might have seemed like an overreaction, we saw that it came down to the man’s intention behind his act. However, Scripture had already shown that God commanded the Sabbath to be a holy day of rest, a fact this man knew and willingly and intentionally chose to ignore God’s command. With the reminder out of the way, today I want to turn to two men. One who was seeking after God but made a mistake, and another who allowed his sinful nature to turn him away from the God he claimed to follow.

I do not believe it was a coincidence that God laid it on my heart to study the twelve disciples before tackling this issue. In fact, the realization I had about Numbers 15 came well before I began my study of the disciples. And I think God had me going through the book of Numbers to prepare for this topic, so that I could see and share with you the results of these two men. With that said, let us look at the first disciple.

In our study of the disciples, much was said about Peter. Peter often questioned Jesus and even went so far as to tell Jesus that he did not want Jesus to be crucified. Peter was then, rightfully, corrected by Jesus for not keeping his mind on the things of God. However, one thing that I did not discuss in our study was Peter’s denial.

“66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.”

Mark 14:66-72

In this passage, we see the fulfillment of Jesus telling Peter that he would deny Him (Mark 14:30). But we see an important realization about Peter. When he remembered Jesus’ words, Peter broke down. He knew that his actions had gone against God, and Peter repented. Peter made an intentional decision to live his life fully for Jesus Christ, knowing full well his sinful nature would be something he would struggle with until he was separated from it at death or the Rapture. This is a fact that Jesus prophesied about earlier on as well. “31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32. Jesus already knew that Peter would deny Him, and He also knew that Peter would repent of his actions. This is why Jesus states that when Peter turns back, he is to strengthen his brothers in their faith. Peter made the intentional decision to live the life that Jesus wanted for him. Again, this does not mean that the rest of Peter’s life was easy. In fact, we know that he was eventually martyred. What it does mean, however, is that Peter allowed Jesus to use him to make Peter’s life impactful in sharing the gospel.

Now, the other man that we are discussing today is the exact opposite. It probably comes as no surprise that I am speaking of Judas Iscariot. This is a man who followed after Jesus, witnessed His miracles, saw the power of God, and still turned away from it to fulfill his own desires. In our study of the disciples, we had already discussed the actions that led Judas to betray Jesus intentionally and willingly. Judas was not a pawn in the events that led to Jesus’s crucifixion. As we discussed when we sought to understand more about Judas, we saw that there is a comparison between him and Ester. Ester had the free will to either save the Jewish people or not. Judas had the free will to either betray Jesus or not. In both scenarios, if either individual had chosen not to do what they ultimately did, God would have raised another to fulfill His plan. This is why I know that Judas intentionally betrayed Jesus. Judas had the same opportunities as the other disciples to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and in fact, he had more opportunities than some who placed their faith in Jesus. In spite of all the evidence presented to him, Judas still willfully betrayed the Son of God.

Interestingly, both Peter and Judas represent the two types of repentance found in the Bible. When you look at the Greek word for “repent” found in Matthew 27:3 (when Judas repents his actions), you see that the Greek word is G3338 “metamelomai,” which is an emotional response to an action but does not imply any lasting change in behavior. Judas recognized that his actions were wrong, but he did not turn to God and ask for forgiveness. He allowed his regret over his actions to affect him in the same way that his pride did, ultimately resulting in his death and condemnation.

Peter, on the other hand, experienced and preached the other form of repentance. The word that describes Peter's actions is G3340 “metanoeo”. The difference with this word for repentance is that it refers to a change in thought. It is the recognition that our actions go against God, and to turn away from it. G3340 is the word Jesus uses in Matthew 4:17, where He begins His public ministry and calls people to repent of their actions. It is the same word that John the Baptist uses when he is calling people to repent and be baptized. And Peter uses this form of repentance multiple times in the book of Acts. Peter repented of his actions and turned away from sin and towards God.

Now that we better understand the actions of these two men. I ask that you reflect on your own repentance. Have you seen how you go against God’s word and have intentionally turned away from it? Or are you having an emotional response to an action but continuing in it anyway? If so, this is not true repentance for your sins. You are still intentionally going against God. The good news is that “metamelomai” can become “metanoeo” (which is seen in the actions of the son in Matthew 21:28-32). All it takes is for you to intentionally make the choice to follow God. To submit to His will for your life, acknowledge that you are a sinner and that it is only through the actions of Jesus Christ that you can be reconciled to God.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex