Saturday, August 8, 2026
Friday, August 7, 2026
What does God say about..
...shame?
Sin causes shame. It’s in the Bible, Jeremiah 3:25, NIV. “Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God. . . . We have not obeyed the LORD our God.”
How can I get rid of my shame? Those who believe in Jesus as their Savior will never be ashamed. It’s in the Bible, Romans 10:11, KJV. “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
We should never be ashamed of the gospel; it is God's power to save everyone. It’s in the Bible, Romans 1:16, NKJV. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
If you are ashamed of what has happened to you, or what you have done, God promises He can take away the shame of your past. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 54:4, NKJV. "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.”
God promises to give us beauty for our ashes. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 61:1-3, NKJV. "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
I believe in God, but why am I suffering? Don't be ashamed when you suffer, we can trust God. It's in the Bible, 2 Timothy 1:11-13, NKJV. "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."
When we trust in God, He will deliver us from our shame. It's in the Bible, Psalm 31:1-2, NKJV. "In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my Rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me."
If we suffer, even while we are Christians, don't be ashamed, but use it to glorify God. It's in the Bible, 1 Peter 4:16, NKJV. "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter."
What if I am scared of shame and suffering? God gives us all we need to fulfill His purpose no matter what we face. It's in the Bible, 2 Timothy 1:7-9, NKJV. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began"
How did Christ face shame? Christ trusted in God, in the face of suffering and shame. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 50:6-7, NKJV. "I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed."
Why did Jesus go through shame? To Christ, the shame of the cross was a small price to pay compared to the joy of seeing you in Heaven. It's in the Bible, Hebrews 12:2, NKJV. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Know the Bible for yourself, so that you will not be ashamed by talking about things you do not know. It’s in the Bible, 2 Timothy 2:15, CEB. “Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly."
We put Jesus to shame when we purposefully and willfully sin. It's in the Bible, Hebrews 6:4-7, NKJV. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."
When He comes, God will be ashamed of us if we are ashamed of Him. It’s in the Bible, Luke 9:26, NIV. “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
How did the disciples react to suffering shame for Jesus's name? It's in the Bible, Acts 5: 41, NKJV. "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."
Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. It's in the Bible, Hebrews 2:1, NKJV. "For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren"
God is not ashamed to be our God, because He will justify our faith in Him. It's in the Bible, Hebrews 11:16, NKJV. "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
(source: bibleinfo.com)
Revelation 14:6-7
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Revelation 14:6–7 describes an angel proclaiming the “eternal gospel” to every nation, calling all people to fear God, give Him glory, and worship the Creator because the hour of His judgment has arrived. This passage emphasizes the universal scope of the gospel, the urgency of repentance, and God’s sovereign authority as Creator.
Overview of the Passage
Revelation 14:6–7 presents the first of three angelic messages. John sees an angel flying “in midair” with the eternal gospel to proclaim to all humanity. The message is both an invitation to worship and a warning of imminent judgment.
Key Themes
1. The Eternal Gospel
- The gospel is described as eternal—unchanging, timeless, and rooted in God’s eternal purpose.
- It is not a new message but the same redemptive truth God has offered throughout history.
2. Universal Proclamation
- The angel addresses “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people,” highlighting the global reach of God’s message.
- This mirrors Jesus’ teaching that the gospel would be preached to all nations before the end (Matthew 24:14).
3. Call to Fear God and Give Him Glory
- “Fear” here means reverent awe, not terror.
- Giving God glory involves acknowledging His authority and submitting to His will.
- This contrasts with worship of the beast earlier in Revelation.
4. Imminent Judgment
- “The hour of His judgment has come” signals urgency.
- The message is a final call to repentance before divine judgment unfolds.
5. Worship the Creator
- The angel identifies God as the Maker of heaven, earth, sea, and springs—echoing Old Testament themes (e.g., Acts 14:15).
- This grounds the call to worship in God’s identity as Creator, not merely Judge.
Interpretive Perspectives
Conservative Christian View
- Often seen as a literal future event during the end times.
- The angel’s proclamation is understood as a final global evangelistic call before judgment.
Symbolic/Church-Historical View
- Some commentators (e.g., John Gill, Adam Clarke) interpret the “angel” symbolically as a human messenger or movement spreading the gospel rapidly across the world.
The Passage’s Function in Revelation
- It contrasts the faithful proclamation of God’s truth with the deceptive influence of the beast.
- It prepares readers for the fall of Babylon and the final judgment that follows.
- It reinforces the hope that God’s message reaches all people before judgment comes.
The passage ultimately affirms God’s justice, His universal call to repentance, and the enduring truth of the gospel.
Thanks for coming by today to spend a few minutes with me in God's Word. Have a blessed day.
Thursday, August 6, 2026
If Jesus is God, why...
...does He let children suffer and/or die?
Why Do Children Suffer?
Jeremiah wasn’t the only one in the Bible heartbroken by the suffering of children. David cried out in agony when his infant son died (2 Samuel 12:16–23). An unnamed woman from Zarephath, who had already lost her husband, felt hurt and angry at the loss of her young son and directed her frustration toward the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:18). Job mourned when his adult children died in a sudden disaster (Job 1:18–19). Mary watched her firstborn child, Jesus, die on a cross unjustly (John 19:25–27). In stories like these, the Bible validates the grief of the heartbroken, acknowledges their confusion, and shares their pain.
Beyond sympathizing with the brokenhearted, the Bible explains the origin of suffering. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, sin entered the world and corrupted His perfect design for humanity and creation (Genesis 3:1–7; Romans 5:12). As a result, all people, even children, can experience suffering. Some suffering results from human actions, such as abuse or neglect. Other suffering results from the fallen world's brokenness apart from direct human action, including natural disasters and genetic diseases. In either case, all suffering comes from sin.
A person can’t truly understand what the Bible says about suffering without knowing how God has responded to it. The Bible reveals that suffering is temporary, as God will one day bring it to an end (Revelation 21:4); it is limited because God is more powerful than it (2 Corinthians 4:8-–9); and it is redeemable because God is able to use it for good (Genesis 50:20). Ignoring God’s response to suffering is like a patient learning they have a deadly disease but refusing to listen when the doctor says there is a cure. The cure, in this case, is Jesus.
There is no hope amid suffering apart from Jesus because there is no cure for sin apart from Him. The gospel—the invitation to know Jesus and be saved from sin—is God’s definitive response to suffering (Mark 1:15). It proclaims God’s great love for people, even though all have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Sin deserves eternal death, but Jesus offers sinners eternal life instead (Romans 6:23).
One example of Jesus' response to suffering is found in the account of a desperate father who brought his son, who had suffered for many years. The boy was unable to speak, suffered violent seizures, and was tormented by an evil spirit that almost killed him. Fearing he might lose his son, the father pleaded with Jesus, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:17–22). Jesus answered, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). The boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). This honest response reflects what many people feel when children suffer—faith is present, but so is doubt. In reply, Jesus doesn’t rebuke the boy’s father. Instead, He showed compassion to his son (Mark 9:25–27).
This story illustrates that, while sin has corrupted the world, God is working to restore it to His original design. Although God doesn’t instantly fix all hurt and pain, He will eventually do so for those who know Jesus (Romans 8:28). This promise offers hope to the hurting. In Scripture, hope is not wishful thinking or pretending that everything is fine. Hope means trusting that God is good and faithful, even when circumstances suggest otherwise (Hebrews 11:1). This hope is anchored in God’s love for the brokenhearted and His promise that their suffering will end one day (John 3:16; 16:20).
It’s impossible to genuinely love others, as God has commanded people to do, and be indifferent to their suffering (Leviticus 19:18; e.g., Lamentations 2:19). This is why Jairus pleaded with Jesus for his dying daughter (Mark 5:22–23), and an unnamed Syrophoenician woman pleaded with Him for hers (Mark 7:25–26). They turned to Jesus because He alone could relieve their suffering. Jesus came into the world and died on the cross to begin restoring what sin had broken (John 1:14). He will finish what He started in God's perfect timing.
I watched a movie on this very subject last evening.
It was about a man who lost his wife to cancer.
Two years later, he lost his young daughter to cancer as well.
He got to be so mad at God for taking them away
that he almost took his own life.
The pastor of the church ministered to him many times until
he finally realized God had a purpose for it all.
Even though he didn't understand.
The movie did not say it was a true story.
But it could have been.
God allows painful things to happen in all the lives of believers.
And they may not be for us to understand.
But just to trust the God who loves us.
Revelation 14:5
5 And In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Revelation 14:5 highlights the purity, truthfulness, and blamelessness of the 144,000 followers of Christ, emphasizing their integrity and devotion before God.
Core Meaning
Revelation 14:5 states that “in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless” (KJV). This verse portrays the 144,000 as individuals who are completely truthful and morally upright, reflecting the character of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, in their speech and actions . Their blamelessness is not due to personal perfection but is the result of God’s sanctifying work, which enables them to live in holiness and integrity despite a world filled with deception and moral compromise .
Symbolism of the 144,000
The 144,000 are depicted as a redeemed group standing before God’s throne, representing completeness and spiritual perfection. They are described as pure, honest, and devoted, symbolizing the ultimate victory of righteousness over sin . Their unity and devotion to the Lamb illustrate a life fully aligned with God’s will, serving as a model for believers to pursue truthfulness and moral integrity in their own lives .
Spiritual and Practical Implications
- Truthfulness: The phrase “no lie was found in their mouths” emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity, reflecting God’s nature and calling believers to align their words and actions with divine truth .
- Blamelessness: Being “blameless” signifies a heart committed to righteousness, covered by God’s grace, rather than human perfection. It encourages believers to seek holiness through faith and obedience .
- Call to Action: The verse challenges Christians to examine their own lives, striving to embody purity, honesty, and devotion to Christ in daily choices, reflecting the character of the redeemed .
Context in Revelation
Revelation 14:5 occurs within a vision of the Lamb on Mount Zion, surrounded by the 144,000 redeemed from the earth. This imagery emphasizes divine judgment, moral purity, and the ultimate vindication of the righteous. The verse underscores the broader theme of Revelation: the triumph of God’s righteousness and the hope of standing blameless before Him at the final judgment .
In summary, Revelation 14:5 serves as both a description of the redeemed and a spiritual exhortation, highlighting the virtues of truthfulness, integrity, and blamelessness as central to following Christ faithfully.
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
If there is only one true God,...
.....how can we be sure that the God of the Bible is truly God?
Is there a god? Nature and revelation testify there is a God. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 19:1-3, NKJV. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.”
How many gods are there? There is only one. It’s in the Bible, Isaiah 46:9, NKJV. “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.”
How do we know this god is the true God? No other God can tell the future like He can. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 46:10, NKJV. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
Where did this God come from? He has always been since the beginning. It's in the Bible, 1 Timothy 1:17, NKJV. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” It’s in the Bible, Isaiah 41:4, NKJV. “Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last I am He.’”
God created the world and all that is in it. It’s in the Bible, Genesis 1:1, NKJV. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
God created human beings. It’s in the Bible, Genesis 1:26-27, Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” It’s in the Bible, Genesis 2:7, NKJV. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
What is this God like? It’s in the Bible, Exodus 34:6-7, NKJV. “And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.’”
God is love. It’s in the Bible, 1 John 4:16, NKJV. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”
God is holy. It's in the Bible, Revelation 15:4, NKJV. “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.”
God thinks of you constantly. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 139:17-18, NKJV. “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.”
God came down to our world in the person of Jesus, so we may know what He is like. It’s in the Bible, John 1:14, NKJV. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Why did Jesus come down to earth? It’s in the Bible, John 3:16, NKJV. “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.”
It’s in the Bible, 1 John 4:9-10, CEV. “God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.”
Does God like other people more than me? God does not show favoritism. It’s in the Bible, Acts 10:34-35, NIV. “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.’”
God does not only love good people; He loves the wicked as well. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 5:45, 46, TLB. “For [God] gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much.”
God loves us like a doting father. It’s in the Bible, 1 John 3:1, NKJV. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”
We are to follow God’s example of love. It’s in the Bible, 1 John 4:11, NKJV. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
We are to be holy like God is. It's in the Bible, 1 Peter 1:14-16, CEB. “Don’t be conformed to your former desires, those that shaped you when you were ignorant. But, as obedient children, you must be holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy. It is written, ‘You will be holy, because I am holy.’”
God’s love means that He must sometimes discipline us. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 3:11-12, NKJV. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.”
God never gives up on us. It’s in the Bible, Jeremiah 31:3, NKJV. “The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’”
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. It’s in the Bible, Romans 8:38-39, NIV. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(source: bibletopics.com)
Revelation 14:4
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Revelation 14:4 describes the 144,000 as spiritually pure, devoted followers of the Lamb, redeemed as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
Meaning of the Verse
Revelation 14:4 portrays a select group of individuals, the 144,000, who are described as “virgins” or spiritually pure, symbolizing their complete devotion and moral fidelity to God rather than literal celibacy . The phrase “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” emphasizes their unwavering obedience and loyalty to Jesus Christ, reflecting a life fully consecrated to His will . Their purity and dedication are not limited to physical attributes but represent a spiritual and moral commitment to God’s purposes .
The 144,000 as Firstfruits
The 144,000 are called firstfruits, a term drawn from agricultural imagery, indicating that they are the initial, specially chosen group among God’s people, set apart for His service . This concept parallels Christ being the firstfruits of the resurrection, with many more to follow in redemption . In the context of Revelation, these individuals are often interpreted as faithful Jews during the tribulation who are sealed and protected by God to carry out a divine mission .
Spiritual and Symbolic Significance
- Purity: Their virginity symbolizes spiritual integrity and separation from idolatry or worldly corruption .
- Obedience: Following the Lamb wherever He goes reflects complete submission and readiness to endure trials for Christ .
- Separation: Being redeemed from among men as firstfruits signifies their special consecration and distinction from the general population .
- Truthfulness: They are blameless and without deceit, representing the ideal of faithful service to God .
Context in Revelation
This verse occurs in a vision of the heavenly realm on Mount Zion, where the 144,000 stand with the Lamb, symbolizing victory, faithfulness, and divine protection during the tribulation . They are depicted as a model of spiritual devotion, serving as a standard of faithfulness and purity for all believers . Their role as firstfruits also points to the larger harvest of redeemed people who will follow in God’s plan .
Summary
Revelation 14:4 emphasizes spiritual purity, unwavering devotion, and consecration to God. The 144,000 are a symbolic representation of those who are fully committed to Christ, obedient, and set apart as firstfruits, serving as an example of faithfulness and moral integrity in the midst of trials and tribulation .
Thanks for stopping by today, Friends. Have a blessed day!
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