Posted on 1 Comment on Bread

Bread

“He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Isaiah 33:16

Buried within the body of the Lord’s Prayer is the first petition to God. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). On the surface, it represents a tangible, practical need. As one looks at the context of this request, however, it shows a dependence on God. It is an acknowledgment not only of His beneficence, but of His sovereignty. How often we run through this prayer, reciting the various phrases, as it has become so well known. How underappreciated its core is. If we would parse out each segment, it would be richer and more meaningful.

The Bible has allusions to bread. Bread-like matter appeared during the Hebrew sojourn in the wilderness. Upon request for something to eat, God, in His mercy, dispensed manna, referred to as the bread from heaven. It related this latter reference in the New Testament as an attribute of Jesus Christ.

Later in the biblical exploits of Christ, two stories related to the dispensing of bread. At first glance, one may think that it was the same story retold twice in different versions. However, Christ’s query to the disciples was a rebuff to their lack of faith. He clarified that indeed there was a miracle where there were 5,000+ individuals fed from 5 loaves of bread and 4,000+ individuals from 7 loaves of bread (Matthew 16:7-12), besides the small fish made available and likewise compounded for fair distribution.

Food plays a major role in day-to-day life. It also can be a source of potential conflict and misunderstanding. Case in point is one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament, in 2 Kings chapters 6 and 7. The Syrian army laid siege to Samaria, the capital of Israel. A siege placed a hard stop on the influx and egress of all traffic, whether commercial or personal, including the supply of food. After an extended period, the inhabitants of the city were at an expected breaking point, starving and quite vulnerable. Through divine intercession and intervention, enemy soldiers fled the scene in the twilight, but unbeknownst to the city’s occupants.

However, a group of lepers, banned from contact with city and village occupants, also found themselves to be starving. They reasoned food was not in the city, but amongst the opposing force. They chanced that in their dire condition, approaching and requesting from the hostile foe would be a risk worth taking. As they approached the encampment, they found the initial soldiers dead. As they surveyed, they not only found them gone, but food abounded! They relished in their discovery and ate until reason overtook them. If discovered, their ultimate state might be worse than when first presented.

So it was when our team arrived in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We first stayed in a recreation center, as it was convenient to settle and regroup after the military transport flight. As we had left our home state in a rush, we had packed the basics, including clothes and toiletries. Most of us packed enough food for 48 hours, expecting it to be provided once we arrived. I assume others, like me, had forgotten that this was a disaster that we were reporting to, not an annual training exercise.

Sure enough, our meager provisions ran out as we “checked into” our new quarters, an abandoned hospital. At first glance, it appeared to be a typical hospital with one caveat. Because of the impending hurricane, staff abandoned the facility with some floors still having blood and excrement on them. Our priority was to find food after we settled in. We chose several for the latter duty and dispatched throughout the hospital in search of sustenance. We found a treasure trove of snacks that various employees had stashed away, including in the administrative suite. Despite our personal hunger, we, as the lepers, realized that our find was for the greater good of our team. Our collective effort stocked a room, which we henceforth designated as our pantry. There was so much food; any teammate could find what they needed.

Days later, our leaders established a cafeteria complete with a cook. Though we appreciated it, the bottomless pantry was one highlight of our stay.

God cares about our spiritual and our physical needs. He will provide in amazing ways when necessary. I trust Him to do that and invite you to trust Him as well.

Posted on 4 Comments on Unimaginable

Unimaginable

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3

Five years ago, almost to the date, a friend of mine and I drove along a ridge covered with a mixture of snow and mud. I spied my first sightings of Ukraine as I looked across the River Prut to the north from my vantage point in Romania. The river is an offshoot of the famous Danube River of classical lore and forms an aquatic border between Romania and its neighbors, Ukraine and Moldova. The scene was fraught with idyllic memories of childhood fairy tales. Indeed, it was a memorable and picturesque sight to behold.

The recent news has evoked anxious and foreboding thoughts at the possibility of the Russian invasion into Ukraine. Each report, though, rebuffed. An old friend posted on social media this morning. The invasion happened overnight and caught their family amid the turmoil! The images were horrific and disheartening! Such a military campaign had reportedly not occurred since World War II.

I do not intend this post to be a political take on an already volatile situation. Nevertheless, the current military campaign is not warranted and should be condemned. In addition, the Word of God is quite clear in Daniel 2:41-44 that there will not be another unifying world power until Jesus Christ returns and sets up His kingdom. All other attempts are futile.

Meanwhile, this post is to extend a call to action from Christian and global citizen standpoints. When faced with such dire circumstances, our first inclination should be to pray. Pray for Ukraine! As with many disasters, both natural and fabricated, the news clips are not the end-all to the humanitarian fallout that is to result. Lives lost, families disrupted. For many, if not most, life will never be the same. Many children will face a lifetime of psychosocial disturbance as they face the traumatic aftermath of carnage and devastation in their home country. It is a call to action; yes, to pray, but also to prepare to help.

This is only the beginning.

Posted on 2 Comments on Angels

Angels

“For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 91:11

My dogs must be half-wild. At nighttime, the coyotes come around and my dogs join in the howling to support the team as honorary members of the pack. What does this have to do with angels? A lot.

One day, I had to transport them to the veterinarian. As I was rushing, poor planning ensued, and I told myself I would secure them in their harnesses once we arrived at the veterinarian’s office. It was an uneventful ride, unlike when they were puppies and would whine about the entire trip. I arrived and knew taking both inside would be more than I bargained for, so I harnessed one and prepared to extract her from the car. The other jumped out as well. It took all I could muster to wrestle with 140 total pounds of sheer brawn, determination, and disobedience. As the struggle ensued, I realized it was a losing battle on my part. Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed the nearby highway and recognized the situation could only get worse. I prayed, as did Peter, while sinking, “Jesus, help me!” Suddenly, there was a voice beside me, “Do you need any help? Are they friendly?” This was no time for sarcasm, and I promptly handed the secured dog’s leash to the stranger who stood next to me. Earlier, I had noticed him get into his truck as I drove in, but had paid no further attention. I quickly hoisted the unharnessed dog into the car and shut the door. I thanked the stranger, profusely thanked him, as I took the leash and walked, or was rather dragged, into the appointment. The receptionist rolled her eyes as she greeted and ushered us to a room. I realized we must have been on center stage as the principal attraction a few minutes earlier.

I believe in angels. No, I can’t say that I looked and the helpful man disappeared or no one had seen a man in a white truck. It was curious that he did not have animals with him–at a veterinarian’s office. It is said that angels pity babes and fools. I resembled the latter category that day, as my angel stranger had averted a definite tragedy. Yes, whether he was a veritable angel is neither here nor there, as the Bible is clear that angels exist.

There are myriad stories scattered throughout the Scriptures of angel visitations and encounters with many of those we call the Hall of Famers in Hebrews 11. We read of Elijah, described as being a “man of like passions”, meaning he was like us but had power through prayer! God will answer prayer and send angels when necessary. The Bible goes on speaking about the ministry of angels and their active role in our lives. Besides the Godhead–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, angels are celestial beings that have specific duties in heaven and on earth. One such duty is to avert the ineptitude of individuals’ poor planning.

The Bible speaks of categories of angels, as well as a divide that took place. During that divide, one-third of the angelic hosts disregarded God’s laws. God cast them out of heaven (Revelation 12:3-9). They attempt to deceive each of us into selecting a similar choice.

Stories of personal encounters with the holy or good angels always intrigue me as I read the Bible. The guardian cherub in the garden of Eden, Lot’s rescuing angels, the angel that shut the lions’ mouths, are a few examples. As expected, given my interest in astronomy, one of my favorite stories recounts the star that conducted the wise men from the east. There followed the angelic messenger’s proclamation to the shepherds and subsequent angelic choir’s jubilation that illuminated the night.

I equally enjoy modern or near-modern day stories of individuals who benefited from angels. Some incidents are quite sensational, whereas some seem routine but fascinating. I know I have caused my angel to work overtime, as I have experienced life to the fullest and not always prudent in my choices. Therefore, I thank God for each breath He has blessed me with, as well as my angel. “For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 91:11.

Posted on 1 Comment on Blocked

Blocked

I missed it! They said this lunar eclipse would be the first of its type in 600 years and would not occur again in 600 years, and I missed it! I had all intentions of waking up and viewing it, perhaps even get a photo, but I missed it. Early morning, cold temperature, and fatigue did not make for a good viewing combination, at least for me. Along with colleagues some years ago, I witnessed a solar eclipse. A lunar eclipse is a flipped view of the same phenomenon in which the Earth casts a shadow or obscures the sun shining on the moon, blocked if you would. Both events involve the two great lights as described in Genesis 1:14-18.

That was only one disappointing highlight for the week, however.

They warned me, so I should have known better. While working on Facebook, I clicked on a link from a “trusted” friend. My “friend” later claimed someone hacked her account. In short, I ended up being blocked out of Facebook despite following their instructions for regaining access.

There was good news during that week for which I am grateful. A dear sister penned a wonderful discourse on the Holy Spirit. In it, she described the personal dwelling in the lives of believers, which occurred after Christ’s ascension (Acts 2:32,33). She used one of my favorite scriptures, “…when He the Spirit is come, He will guide you into all truth….” (John 16:13). This shows the active involvement in each of our lives that the third Person of the Godhead would relish–if we would allow Him to have the opportunity.

Indeed, the work of the Holy Spirit has been present before the beginning of time as portrayed in the Genesis creation account (Genesis 1:2), as well as vividly displayed throughout both the Old and New Testaments. There are also the unfortunate occurrences where individuals did not allow the Holy Spirit to be involved in their personal affairs and refused His counsel. A case in point is Pharaoh, the same Pharaoh mentioned in the Exodus account. The Bible points him out as having his heart hardened by God. We know, however, that God does not force the will, though He wants every individual to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3, 4). So what happened in Pharaoh’s case?

Pharaoh, as each of us, had the power of choice or free will, as ordained by God. However, he refused the truth as they presented it to him. Perhaps initially it was because of disbelief, pride, or incredulity. As the saying goes, one turn begets another. The result was a hardened heart. He had grieved the Holy Spirit; the work of the Holy Spirit was blocked.

We still have opportunities to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Recognize and respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit. The Bible admonishes us not to harden our hearts and block the working of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 3:7,8).

I would like to say that my Facebook account has been restored, but it remains blocked. A word to the wise, delete or ignore, but certainly do not click on suspicious links.

For the next major lunar eclipse, let’s catch it together next time! (Revelation 22:5). 

Posted on 3 Comments on Blood

Blood

There are memories from childhood that stay with you forever. Examples are your first pet, first school day, first kiss, pet’s death, or loved one’s death. You may even have remembrance of a particular event, whether good or bad. You may relate them to the seasons and relive the moments each year. For me, that season was summer.

As a boy growing up in the South, things triggered summer. School was out—hooray! Summer church meetings took place. The fireflies appeared at night—first, an occasional flicker that I chased to predetermine its next signal. I gathered as many as I could into the glass jar I carried. To my dismay, I never achieved the lantern effect I expected in my room later that night.

The primary indicator that summer arrived was that it got hot! It became hot enough to drain every drop of liquid from every pore of my body. This required incessant, often futile hydration with water or any available drink, popsicles, and other frozen treats. One drank from the garden hose and did not worry. Those days were carefree, at least for kids. Helmets or pads for riding bicycles or any other wheeled objects were unheard of, as bumps, bruises, cuts, and sometimes breaks became the unfortunate “normal” parts of growing older.

One such summer day, my most memorable event occurred. My family lived in Nashville for the summer, as my parents attended school. As we drove on our usual route, we stopped at the traffic light. A man walking on the sidewalk teetered and fell straight backwards and we watched with disbelief as the back of his skull burst on the sidewalk! Blood splattered, and he shook uncontrollably. Bystanders rushed to him, one cradling his head while applying pressure with a white handkerchief, which became saturated.

Why did that man fall? Was he sick, drunk, or overheated? I did not have any medical science to even parlay a guess. A man fell and broke his head, which was abnormal. Even now, I remember the scene and the aroma of the restaurant nearby. Every time we drove past the site, being our usual route, I saw the blood-soaked sidewalk; a vivid reminder of what took place, which then triggered an instant multisensory recall.

One day, as we drove past, the scene changed. I could not see the blood stain on the sidewalk! The site was unmistakable, but the blood was not there, gone—clean! As I reflected on this in the recent past, it reminded me of the spiritual correlation of blood.

The theme of blood as a redemptive source ripples through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The story is told in the Old Testament book of Leviticus that blood served as the symbolic means of cleansing the Israelites from their sins. In the sanctuary service, each station represented an attribute of Christ as Redeemer. This included blood transferred from the sinner’s animal sacrifice in progressive steps to the veil that shielded God’s presence after confession of sins. Each year on the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, the sanctuary became cleansed of accumulated sins after being transferred to a scapegoat. The blood no longer remained as a silent witness of one’s sins, but gone! The sinner, the guilty sinner, stood guiltless—he was clean!

Jesus Christ today offers each one of us pardon, not based on symbolic animal blood, but on the merits of His shed blood over two thousand years ago (Hebrews 9:28; I John 4:10). The Bible says that we all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and deserve to die (Romans 6:23). But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and make us clean (1 John 1:9).

Posted on 1 Comment on Delay

Delay

“God answers all prayers”, my mother used to tell me. “Sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait”. Although I’ve seen Him answer in the affirmative many times, I’ve often experienced the wait, and sometimes even more vividly the “no”.

Pre-COVID I traveled and served in other parts of the United States and the world. A few of those trips subsequently ended in disaster! I don’t believe my prior presence there was a causative factor, but it is curious to me.

During a medical mission trip to Jamaica one summer, I found myself in the middle of a hurricane. As I ran down a Kingston street towards my hotel, my umbrella inverted, which I immediately released and kept running towards shelter—or so I thought. To this day, I can’t comprehend how my hotel bed became soaked with the windows closed!

In Haiti, one October, I lived in an orphanage with approximately 200 children. It was a remarkable experience where I, along with a team of various health professionals, rendered care to them and local villagers. Some of those same children nursed me back to health after I became ill from a parasitic infection. A few years later, the now infamous earthquake destroyed their village and none of the children survived.

Antigua, Guatemala, was where I lived with a local family to immerse myself in the Spanish language and culture. I enjoyed walking the ancient cobblestone streets and conversing with the locals. My school was in view of Mount Fuego—“fire mountain”, a supposedly dormant volcano. I would gaze for extended periods of time at its striking, yet ominous, allure. Only once do I recall viewing its peak, as clouds otherwise obscured it. Imagine my utter dismay as some years later, I learned of its eruption and destruction of the beautiful city in its wake.

Obviously, not all of my stories ended in peril. One such adventure hinted of disappointment, but God, in His wisdom, had other plans. It blessed me to serve with a sizable group as a lay evangelist in a country I had only read about as a child. They assigned me to a church in a small farming village. For approximately three weeks, mostly every night and twice on Saturdays, I presented a series of health lectures and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. My host pastor translated for me. My vocabulary was rapidly expanding and I could converse in brief bouts of colloquial phrases! Yes, I had prayed and still pray for the gift of tongues.

One night, as I waited for my transport back to my hotel, I received a text from a young man who apparently had been attending the meetings. He expressed an interest in the messages and asked very pointed and probing questions. “Here is a seeker”, I thought to myself, and obliged him in our ongoing text dialogue. Though motivated, he did not commit at that point.

During my last sermon, I made a heartfelt and tearful appeal for those that had heard the messages and felt convicted by them through the Holy Spirit, to make a public declaration to continue their spiritual journey with Christ in their newfound truth. A handful of people came forward. This young gentleman did not. As I glimpsed him in the audience, I made a few targeted and prolonged appeals, doing all but calling him by name. He did not respond. A different young man came. I finally ended the sermon and sat down.

As I returned to the United States, I often prayed for my friend and kept in contact with him via social media. Eventually, he shared with me news and photos of his subsequent marriage and the birth of his children. Interestingly, he often asked when I would return to his country. Unfortunately, as customary with the passing of time and distance, my contact and prayers diminished, but God’s interest and love did not.

To my surprise, recently I received a text message from my young friend. It was now almost five years since my visit. The picture he sent showed a group of people who stood in a church sanctuary. I recognized the scene. It was the church where I had preached. However, something was different and very special about this photo. There he was, smiling and standing next to his wife, both about to be baptized by immersion as per Christ’s example (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10)! In amazement and almost disbelief, I had to re-read his message and enlarge the picture. “Praise the Lord!”, I exclaimed.

I shared the picture and good news with my host pastor. He reminded me of the apostle Paul’s injunction found in I Corinthians 3:6. I knew and had recently read the passage. Now I understood it in a new light. “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

All glory be to God—I’m a “farmer”!

Posted on 2 Comments on Autumn

Autumn

In the cool stillness of the early morning under an illumined crescent moon, I heard the nearby hair-raising shriek of a barn owl. In one sweeping glance of the moonlit sky, I spied Cassiopeia, the Pleiades, the Big and Little Dippers. It is autumn.

This was the highlight of my week, not to mention my encounter with my autistic 4-year-old patient who I heard speak for the first time. “What is that?” she queried in a soft and pleasant voice. As I was now dumbfounded and speechless, she immediately answered her own question, “Stethoscope”, in an equally ever-so-faint, yet distinctive pronunciation. Never underestimate the power of God and His interest in children, especially those with special needs!

The year has flown by quickly and autumn, or fall, my favorite season, is here. I enjoy the change of the foliage from vibrant green to the hues of reds, oranges, and yellows. For some, autumn means football. I can certainly relate to that, as my favorite team used to be the Green Bay Packers. You may ask why. It is simple. My uncle gave me a book when I was a kid. I can tell you more about Packers history than you ever want to know!

I also relish autumn because the stars become more resplendent at night. Yes, they have always been there in summer and even in the daytime. However, the viewing is actually best in winter, though being cold is not my forte, notwithstanding my passion for Lambeau field and the fact that I wintered in Romania four years ago.

In high school, I took part in a summer program at the local National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) branch during the building of the Hubble telescope. I actually saw the massive mirrors used to reflect the incredible images for terrestrial viewing. The photos of celestial bodies still fascinate me, as they are beyond stunning and prompt pause. If you have a chance, visit esahubble.org and experience a breathtaking journey for yourself. God’s creative and sustaining power never ceases to amaze me!

Posted on 1 Comment on Hope

Hope

The apostle Paul uses a seamless theme throughout his discourses. Hope, he describes, is not an abstract, groundless concept based in fanciful dreams and wishes. It has grit. It has substance. It is rooted in basic Christian tenets beginning with the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord, God the Son. It is based further that Jesus has creative power and created the worlds and all their inhabitants via the spoken word.

It is based on the fact that Christ came as a baby and a lived a sinless life demonstrating our way of overcoming sin. By conquering our innate tendencies, it demonstrates the power of God in our lives. It is rooted in the fact that Christ died and rose again.

Paul culminates this concept of hope in Titus 2:13 as he further qualifies it as the blessed hope. This reference pertains to the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Hope is listed as one of the three anchors in 1 Corinthians 13:13 along with faith and charity. Are we looking for a new home and to be reunited with our loved ones?

This theme of hope was proclaimed even in the Old Testament by the patriarchs and prophets of that period. The psalmist admonished us in Psalm 42:8. “Why are you cast down, oh my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God”. Do our lives exemplify a daily connection with Christ as we experience the trials of each day?

Hope is heralded in the 1861 patriotic hymn by Julia Ward Howe “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord”. How can we allow each day to resonate with this theme? How can our lives better reflect that we look expectantly for that day? Deep down we possess the knowledge of the coming of Christ. As we have entered this autumn season and look towards the weekend, pray that God will not only give you blessings for today, but ask Him also to fill your life with expectancy.

In the midst of a world falling apart there is still hope, there is still God. There is hope in God.

Posted on 2 Comments on Testimony: Humanity’s Greatest Sermon

Testimony: Humanity’s Greatest Sermon

“Hark! The herald angels sing, Jesus the Light of the world; Glory to the newborn King, Jesus, the Light of the world. We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the Light of the world.” (Elderkin, 1890)

Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 1:5).

Jesus, the Light of the world. 

We’ve read this sentiment expressed in song; we’ve read it again as originally expressed in Scripture. When we read and study the Bible, there are at least three things that should occur:

• We should prayerfully read or hear the Word;

• We should understand its meaning then and now;

• We should apply that meaning to our own lives.

Let’s give particular attention to the third point—application. In fact, there are at least three applications from this story to bring out.

Jesus. The Light of the world. 

The context of this beautiful phrase comes from a mixed setting of conflicting circumstances on the Sabbath day. The drama actually begins in John 8 with scene one, a woman caught in adultery and dragged before Jesus during a Bible study. After Jesus dispersed the congregants, He forgave the woman and proclaimed of Himself in verse twelve, “I am the light of the world”. He then exited one scene and immediately entered the next, beginning in chapter nine.

Here we find a man—blind from birth. He had never seen, whether it was the face of his parents or any other of God’s handiwork. He could only hear the birds sing, but could not even imagine, perhaps, their kaleidoscopic array, shapes and sizes. He could feel and hear the cool wind blow through the leaves of majestic sycamore trees and smell the beautiful fragrance of the cedars of Lebanon, but could not visualize the verdure of the green deciduous leaves in springtime or the multicolored hues in autumn. Neither could he fathom the splendid expanse of the mountains that they grew on, nor the cattle upon their thousand hills. He could bask in the warm embrace of the sun at noonday; however, he could not relish its cascading course through the skies as it showed a spectrum of colors before it finally set for the evening. He could not even see the lovely face of Jesus. To make it quite clear—the man was blind and could not see.

Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus—who sinned, this man or his parents, to which Jesus replied—neither. But then He continued and explained the purpose of the man’s lack of sight. Jesus, God the Son, had work to do.

Application 1

We often experience challenges in our lives that at first blush can be quite confusing and pointedly discouraging. We go to a multitude of people and receive a multitude of solutions. We even plead with God to reveal Himself in our period of stress.

• Sometimes our life’s situation results from sin, whether commission—doing what we ought not to do or omission—not doing what we ought to do.

• Sometimes we find ourselves in situation because of poor choices we have made or even because of presumption.

• Other times, we experience a Job-like scenario in which God didn’t bring the trial, but allowed it for our good. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4). “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

• In this man’s case and ultimately in ours, it is for the glory of God “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:4).

After Jesus applied the clay to his eyes, He instructed the man to go and wash. He went, washed and came back seeing. He didn’t go seeing, thus he could not recognize who had healed him!

There are many miracles shown in the Bible; all involved an element of faith in someone present, either the one being healed or the intercessor. Some involved an action by the recipient:

• Naaman;

• The lepers of Luke 17 (v. 14, “as they went”);

• This man—came back seeing. Again, he did not go seeing; he had to be obedient in order to accomplish the task.

Application 2

• We have to cooperate with God. 

• We pray for deliverance, but sometimes we have not been fully obedient.

• We suffer from many ailments, but do not follow health counsel.

• We pray for souls, but do not work.

• We pray, but do not study the Word.

• We study the Word, but do not pray.

“Character building is the work, not of a day, nor of a year, but of a lifetime. The struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle. Without continual effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown. The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose. No one will be borne upward without stern, persevering effort in his own behalf. All must engage in this warfare for themselves; no one else can fight our battles….”1

Jesus told His Father, “I have glorified Thee on earth. I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4).

This brings us to our next sub-plot.

As one of Jesus’ customs was, He taught on the Sabbath day in the temple.

As their custom was, there were leaders and members of the church that came not only to listen, but were present with the intent of hindering His message and His ministry. 

Application 3

As members of the body of Christ, each of us has a ministry—certain talents and personalities in order to share the message of Christ, to edify the body of Christ, and in turn to become more like Him. We read about these Holy Spirit-endowed gifts in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.

There are many people that you will encounter in life whose sole purpose appears to be to hinder your ministry. These people are even within the church. Paul speaks of wolves among the flock (Acts 20:29; Philippians 3:2). Do not get caught up in these distractions; stay in the Word! God has called each of us to present a message to a starving, dying, and sin-laden world. Don’t get sidetracked! Can’t you see the signs of the times?! The coming King is at the door! (Belden, 1886)

Jesus said in Luke 19:40, “If these keep silent, the rocks would immediately cry out!”. I am determined that I don’t want a rock crying out for me. Jesus is coming soon—stay faithful to His calling! There are souls to be saved.

Immediately after his healing, the man in the story went to work to save souls. In verse 25 he states “… one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see”. 

This was a testimony!

He then turned the table on his interrogators in verse 27, “… will you also be His disciples?”

This was an invitation!

This is one of the shortest and most potent sermons in the Bible.

As Christians, we are here for many reasons, one of which is to share Jesus, the Light of the world. Shout like the Samaritan woman — “Come see a Man!” (John 4:29)

So I extend a multifaceted invitation:

• Accept the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23);

• Prayerfully study and explore Bible truths for yourself, which include the seventh-day Sabbath, as well as the visible and literal second return of Jesus Christ;

• If you previously believed and wandered off course, it is time to come home from the far country (Luke 15:13);

• Remain faithful to His calling and keep the rocks silent.

1 White, E.G. (1905) The Ministry of Healing. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, pp. 451, 452.