Author: Bob

If I quoted the Beatitudes, most Bible versions would read “Blessed are…” those experiencing different conditions. But what does ‘blessed’ mean? Does the word depend on each person’s own definition? Some translators substitute words like ‘happy’, ‘envied’, or the like. Yet, individuals going through ‘poverty’, ‘mourning’, or ‘meekness’ would not label their emotions using those words. Based on their feelings, they might say ‘cursed’ might better describe their feelings.

Whatever definition someone might give the term ‘blessed’, the probability of them correctly interpreting the Beatitudes would miss the mark of how Jesus was using the term. The original word used was a Greek word that, as with so many words, the definition would evolve according to their current culture. This explains why the New English Bible (1535) translates the verse as, “How blest are those who know they are poor.” This prompts us to ask, ‘How many other words in the Bible have translators inaccurately defined?’

The history (etymology) of the Greek word makarios, translated ‘Blessed’ by most translators in the Beatitudes, has a fascinating storyline. Homer used it in the ‘Odyssey’ to describe the Olympian gods-beings who existed in a state of inner completeness that no one in this world could experience. In his ‘Nicomachean Ethics,’ Aristotle later used that word to describe the ultimate form of human flourishing. It was not based on pleasure, wealth, or popularity. It looked like someone who had found their calling and was flourishing living it out. Still later, Jesus used this word to a crowd who used Greek as their major language. They immediately recognized it as referring to the early Greek gods. None of these uses of the Greek word had referenced wealth or popularity or anything our current secular culture would classify as an ideal lifestyle.

Using that definition for Jesus’ word choice in the Beatitudes makes it easier to recognize the Beatitudes as subtle calls encouraging hurting individuals toward a divine form of living. This life would start the moment they chose to surrender their personal rights to the King of God’s kingdom. God’s gift to that person would be living an indescribable life unrelated to happiness or worldly comforts. Even when surrounded by material riches, a person can suffer deep unhappiness if their inner state is troubled, while someone with nothing can live an abundant life..

I have seen hundreds of people choose that path and start to feel a new sense of inner peace and joy despite their painful circumstances. Their entire perspective on life changes. I, personally, have also found the more a person surrenders their rights, the inner peace and joy increases and turns a ‘lion’s den’, as Daniel (chapter 6) experience, into the presence of God.

When I discovered the true meaning of the word ‘blessed’, it entirely changed how I interpreted the Beatitudes and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It ignited in me a desire to learn more about the kingdom of God’s culture. Moses said to God, “If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor.” Exodus 33:13a (NLT2). That has been my personal prayer and primary quest in life. What do your prayers and quest in life involve? Regrettably, many of us fall short of the abundant life Jesus encouraged us to pray for—Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Are you steadily experiencing more about experiencing kingdom life while living on this earth? “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

When reflecting my way through Paul’s letter to the believers at Colossae, I noticed something unique that I had never noticed before. While he was encouraging them to devote themselves to pray, he felt compelled to request them to pray for himself. I expected that much, but what I had never noticed before was precisely what he requested prayer for: “pray for us too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Colossians 4:3-4 (NLT). Hum! Why would he ask something like that?

He said he was in chains because of his preaching. What exactly was he requesting then? His dream was to leave prison behind and savor what he prized above what he had been doing—the happiness he gained from preaching Christ. How did he honestly feel about composing the books of the Bible that remain so insightful to us today? Though he didn’t state it outright, he obviously found preaching far more productive, fruitful, and fulfilling than writing the books we now call the Bible. I can relate a bit to him, having gone through the hustle and bustle of serving in pastoral and executive state leadership of pastors and churches and now being retired. I have repeatedly quoted Paul’s words, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21 ESV). In retirement, living for Christ felt like staying alive while waiting for my end, grazing in the pasture. My wife described her feelings during the final years before she passed away from MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome). She felt that her inability to serve actively our Lord amounted to futility. I’m familiar with retired ministers who like to chat about their experiences serving as pastors or in whatever capacity they did. They preferred discussing active ministry—the good old days—over retirement.

Actually, this problem isn’t limited to the clergy. People retiring from farming, managing businesses, or mothers with an ‘empty house’ all experience similar emotions. As we noted above, the Apostle Paul experienced the same feelings. Another truth is that these feelings show us how much our secular cultural values have shaped us compared to the values in the kingdom of God. He thinks and acts in ways that are quite unlike ours. (Isaiah 55:8) The condition of our heart toward God matters far more to Him than our actions performed for Him.

David referred to God as His “high tower”, referencing that God is able to see much farther into the future than we humans can. The final outcome of God’s plan for us remains unfinished after our trials or victories. God is working more in us and through us than we can imagine. Therefore, when we come to the end of whatever we may have been doing for God or with God, due to retirement, limited health issues, employment or whatever gives us a pause, our inactivity is not the end of His activity in and through us. In that light, when whatever stops our service for Him, none of us can pause our quest for greater intimacy with Him. Without pressing to know and enjoy Him more, our relationship with Him and future will begin to fossilize. We must remember, a track runner may be first out of the starting blocks, everything hinges on how we cross the finish line.

Are you and I able to rest joyfully, trusting that He still works within and through us long after our actions for Him have nearly stopped?

Why do you love God?  Why do you worship Him?  Really?  Do you love and worship Him because of His love, grace, and mercy?  Is your love for Him rooted in His capacity to help during your direst straits, particularly when you face a daunting task?  Do you love and worship Him because of how He has so richly provided life, food, finances, and relationships for you, even healing you?  Do you love and worship Him because how He exchanges fear about tomorrow for hope, truth, and wisdom that you can share with others?  Bottom line: What motivates you, not just to join His family but to keep on loving and worshipping Him when your world falls apart; or would you even continue to love and worship him.  John wrote, “We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NKJV) He took the initiative, and we responded—but what motives us to continue to love Him?

Connie and I believed our love was genuine upon marriage; 56 years later we recognize our current affection surpasses its initial form.  My current adoration for Connie transcends her initial affection for me, her character, her actions toward me, or her looks, though I still find these qualities appealing.  I love her now because of who she was as a person.  So why do you love your spouse even if they, like Connie, have graduated into their reward?

Dallas Willard wrote in his book ‘In Hearing God’, I fear that many people seek to hear God solely as a device for securing their own safety, comfort, and righteousness. For those who busy themselves to know the will of God, however, it is still true that “whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 16:25, ESV). My fervent desire to discern God’s plan for myself could stem from self-preoccupation, not genuine care for others or God’s honor.

Frederick B. Meyer writes in his book ‘The Secret of Guidance’, “So long as there is some thought of personal advantage, some idea of acquiring the praise and commendation of men, some aim of self-aggrandizement, it will be simply impossible to find out God’s purpose concerning us.” Nothing will go right in our effort to hear God if this false motivation is its foundation. God will not cooperate. We must discover a different motivation for knowing God’s will and listening to His voice.

Our spiritual life consists of more than just rhetoric or behavior.  It certainly must include gratitude for all He does for us. Yet, God finds the greatest pleasure in what flows from the intense love in our hearts for Him.  What does God see as motivating you to love Him with all that you are?

Transforming lives, mine included, or those within my sphere, represents one of my core values. We all share a profound wish to impact our world. Sadly, it is when a person feels like they cannot make a positive difference, they often turn to making a negative difference by becoming an addict or hurting someone in their path of life.

I eagerly await any indication, however subtle, that I’ve effected a transformation. Reflecting on my history, I hope to find instances where divine purpose empowered me to effect change. But I can’t see the end product. Time often erases potentially significant shifts. My best efforts were directed toward God, not toward changing things; this consolation prevented my defeat.

Did Jesus experience such emotions? Thousands of years after He lived, died, and ascended into heaven, we can vividly see the huge changes He made with His life AND death, AND resurrection. Was His human side’s experience such when He embodied both deity and personhood? Consider His experience: He was tempted in all respects like ourselves. (Hebrews 4:15) We rarely consider His feelings during temptation as we experience them .

We read little about Him feeling like He wasn’t making a difference. He wouldn’t complain? Why? He was focused on Him relationship with His Father and wouldn’t allow all He felt to be verbalized. So do we know if His humanity ever struggled with feeling like a failure?

Isaiah penned a complex passage with unclear references to the individuals involved. However, it is commonly accepted that the conversation written in Isaiah 49:1-5 was prophetically written as between God the Father and the Messiah while on earth. Among what was exchanged there, verses 3-4 read, “And he [Father God] said to me [Jesus, the Son], ‘You [Jesus, the Son] are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified. ’But I [Jesus, the Son] said, ‘I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.’ Isaiah 49:3-4 (ESV) Reading that made me weep! Our Lord truly felt as you and I and essentially said, ‘I am leaving it all in Your (Father) hands. I will trust You (Father) for my reward.’

Unfortunately, we humans are trained to focus on rewards for our efforts. Our objective will dictate the reward. That reward may be anything from approval or acceptance, feeling loved, to a paycheck—or a significant change. This exchange Isaiah prophetically wrote teaches me I must work out of love for my God instead of a reward from man.

Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (ESV). He again wrote, “Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” Colossians 3:22-25 (ESV)

We’ve all seen it, probably experienced it.  A young guy has become infatuated with a young lady.  He desires to be with her as much as possible and make her happy.  On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 = high), his desire level is a 10.  But for whatever reason, she does not share that same level of desire for him.  She exhibits a slight desire, perhaps a three or four, resulting in shared frustration. He is frustrated because she doesn’t desire him, and she is frustrated because she feels he is smothering her.  The reality is that he is not able to make her desire him, nor is she able to make herself desire him, even when she knows he is an exceptionally nice guy who could provide well for her in their future.  So, eventually, they avoided each other.

This occurrence manifests in every facet of life. You desire a certain job, but the owner doesn’t desire something about you. Consider the connection between you and God, or between your friend and God. God’s desire for you and your friend would be at a level 10, while you or your friend desire to be intimate with God is at the other extreme. We often desire pleasure, independence, power, or whatever else. However, God patiently massages your or your friends’ desire to become more compatible with His. In some cases, people’s desires change, and in other cases, they never desire Him enough to surrender their kingdom, where they are king or queen, to His kingdom.

Contrary to the way we typically think, God is more interested in our desire to be close friends with Him than He is in our performance or knowledge about Him. His ways are not our ways. His value system is not the same as ours. Perhaps the problem is that we want Him to get involved, but He doesn’t do as we wish. Like all of us, He wants to be loved for who He is rather than what He does or can do. He knows if He works a miracle for us it will distract us from seeking Him for who He is. In a sense, we want Him to dance to our rhythm, but He insists on us dancing to His.

Why would He refuse to dance to our rhythm? He operates a different kingdom and knows we would never be content in His Heaven until we submit to the values and ways His kingdom is founded on. Long before this world was formed, His kingdom was established, and it will persist even after the planet’s fiery demise.

The interesting thing is, we can’t make ourselves love Him as much as He insists we love Him, and He honors our free will enough that He won’t make us love Him. If we don’t pay attention to His nudging and drawing, we will be left out of living in His kingdom. “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” John 6:44 (NLT2) The crazy thing is, we can become so obsessed with what is going on in our lives that we ignore His drawing when He does tug on our heartstrings.

To what degree would your current actions prove your love for Him? He gives us time to grow in our love for Him but we must continue to allow His Spirit to increase our love for Him. Jesus said, “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Mark 12:30 (NLT2) Ironically, the more we love Him, the more abundant our life will be. I’m still learning that. Interestingly, I’ve come to love Him more after my wonderful wife graduated to be with Him. I didn’t think I could love Him more, but I do, and my joy has increased. If you want your love for Him to increase, simply respond quickly when you sense His nudge. Your love for Him will increase as you respond to His love.

Only once has a guest written my blog. Terry Brown, part of our Nebraska Network Leadership Team a few years back, wrote this article for fellow ministers. It has resonated so strongly with me that I edited it some and, with his permission, am sending it out to a broader audience.

We, as the church, occasionally have to re-examine a difficult situation that tests the integrity of gospel ministers and their work. Our names are largely unknown, but some of our colleagues are famous, leading to their stories spreading rapidly online.

I watched a video recently on YouTube published by a site called “Grunge.” That doesn’t sound too appealing, but a video titled “Televangelists who were worse than you imagined” caught my attention. The internet hosts a multitude of these video types. After watching it, the questions arose in my mind, if they went wrong, how did it happen? A more important question then followed, that being, if I could go wrong, how might it happen?

This question warrants prayerful consideration with the Lord. We want to be successful. Can enormous success ultimately lead us to going wrong? If so, how might it happen?

We want to be significant. Might this cause us to manipulate others and situations to elevate our standing among our peers? If our peers view us as important within our social groups, can their praise potentially lead us astray? If so, how might it happen?

We don’t want to be insignificant. Can feelings of failure lead us to ultimately go wrong? Can the accolades of the crowd lead us to ultimately going wrong?

We want to have sufficient financial resources for our family and our future. Our skill sets can, for some, provide substantial financial resources in return for our work. Can an unbalanced focus on these things ultimately lead us to go wrong? If so, how might it happen?

We want our prayers to be answered, especially when we need a miracle. We may even have a reputation for often having our prayers answered in a way that could be called “miraculous. Can this lead us to believe that we, more than others, have a connection with God? Suppose heaven’s answer is not what we desired. Could these circumstances lead us to ultimately go wrong? If so, how might it happen?

We want to have fulfilling relationships with others. Can these relationships, good or bad, contribute to us ultimately going wrong? If so, how might it happen?

We get so good at what we do that we seldom ask God for help any more. Can our competence and skills ultimately lead us to going wrong? If so, how might it happen?

It may be good for us to look within at times to consider this question. To begin well is of no value unless we also end well.

I am strong and very committed—except when I’m not. A great person is great—except when he/she isn’t. If we are honest, we all have our weak spots, times when we are most vulnerable. Vulnerability often strikes when goals remain elusive despite persistent effort. We are also more vulnerable when we are feeling defeated, depressed, or disconnected in some way. When times get tough, we become willing to try anything to reach our goal, pushing boundaries to do so.

Each of us has different circumstances, and our vulnerability wears a different mask, but it plays the same song and dance. Since I have the most experience in occupational ministry, I will draw illustrations from that area—but again, vulnerability plays the same song regardless of the details or circumstances. Periods occurred where my leadership felt stagnant, and my efforts yielded no perceptible progress. My focus would be on identifying and innovating church life’s deficiencies. I’d explore successful approaches used by other pastors. I was tempted to bend the rules to escape our monotony. These were periods of testing for my character.

My considerable experience in church work has shown me the rise of new teaching fads, practices, or leadership approaches, and the birth of excesses in certain church life spheres. Boredom spawns many desires, with people seeking any sort of excitement.

I was recently intrigued by what Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthian believers. The fourth chapter implies he almost gave up, but a reflection on his ministry’s progress revitalized him. He saw the abundance of God’s mercy that led him to get engaged in his ministry. Simply put, he was thankful to God. Gratitude is a remarkable source of regeneration of heart and mind.

I wondered what thoughts occupied his mind during moments of discouragement. He referred to “shameful things that one hides but offered some appeal to him. He alludes to dishonest, disgraceful things like cunning by falsifying God’s word. I can’t imagine what it was like during that historical period. My intuition suggests today is ripe for exploring captivating themes, including AI, secular leadership, and connecting with those who practice unrighteousness through imitation. There are numerous ways to satisfy the senses of non-believers and weaken the offensive aspects of biblical truths for them.

Instead of compromising convictions, he exposed himself to everyone’s conscience (inner spirit), not their modern soulish thinking. He chose the path of leaning on the Holy Spirit to draw and convict of sin instead of camouflaging the shameful, manipulating thoughts of the mind.

For me, it revealed Paul’s character and convictions to trust God to work in people rather than allowing his melancholy to erode the full gospel of divine life. What has his transparency inspired within you in your unique situation? His transparency inspired me to do everything I can to allow the Holy Spirit to shape me more into the humanity of Jesus in this fallen world. I’m not there yet; however, I find everything Jesus spoke and performed to be completely right. I feel inspired to yield more of myself, letting God remold me into His values, character, and ways of interaction.

As a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, I’ve noticed there’s often a really good child, a reasonably good child, and a renegade child among each generation. Same parents, but very different children. It’s a frightening prospect to consider their adult lives.

Have you ever wondered if God has had to deal with that same pattern in us? I have recently been thinking of a phrase so often used in the Bible, … Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the first three generations of the family God chose. Why did He not identify Himself as the God of Adam, Cain, and Enoch? Why did He choose to be identified as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?

Abraham’s dad, Terah, was an idolator. (Joshua 24:2) Some Jewish traditions say he made idols.  The Bible does not specify how Abraham learned about Jehovah God. We just know the Bible reads Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV) What would it take for a son, in that day, to break away from his dad’s belief system? He must have had some form of a maverick streak in him. Furthermore, Abraham was not sinless. Yet, from that point on, he was reasonably compliant with God. He came to be known as a “friend of God”. He had an extraordinary faith in God that he did not get from his biological family. In essence, Abraham served as a remarkable follower of God, much like an exemplary child. Jesus even identified Himself with Abraham. God is a God of excellent children.

Isaac believed in God, but not to the level his father did. We might say he was a very ordinary child of God. He was neither a wonder man like his father, nor a bad person. God is also the God of ordinary children.

What do we know about Jacob? If we look back into his youth, he was a deceiver. He manipulated his father and brother, Esau, out of his family birthright. He escaped his brother’s fury, only to find his match in his uncle Laban. Laban recognized Jacob’s deceitful nature and sought to outwit him. But that didn’t work well for him. Jacob, aided by God, managed to outsmart Laban and get some of his sheep. Not too many would call that being an excellent or even ordinary person. He was considered the black sheep of the family, a problematic child. However, God says He was also the God of Jacob. The all-night wrestling match with an angel God sent profoundly altered Jacob.

I wrote all that to point out that God is the God of the excellent, the ordinary, and even the not so good follower of God. I see that as very encouraging! When believers fall short, I find myself being critical. This person, like all of us, is created in God’s likeness. And God will wrestle with the bad believer because He loves and cares for them as He does the ordinary and excellent ones. We find it challenging to imitate Paul’s divinely inspired message, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” I face the challenge of spiritual maturity while also honoring individuals who may seem dishonorable. How about you?

I suspect I subconsciously falsely assumed I had overcome Satan’s temptations. I erroneously thought I now knew his tactics, so I could ‘fly above’ them. The fact is, until a person is given the opportunity to disobey, a person cannot think of themselves as being above failing to obey. A few years back, I had forcefully preached that we must obey God’s nudging no matter what the consequences might be. I genuinely believed that to be the case. But it is easier to say than to practice. I was about to be tested with that belief.

That year was when our state wide church council elected/re-elected who would serve as the ‘superintendent’ for the next four years.  My wife nor I was interested at all in that role, nor did we feel qualified for it. Therefore, as I was about to stand to ask my name be removed from the list of candidates, I had my most powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit. He firmly asked, “Are you saying you won’t take this role?” I froze! How could I decline, having just preached so vehemently, that we must obey whatever God asked of us?  So, reluctantly, I kept my mouth shut.

That temptation was followed by Connie’s fatal illness. We had agreed not to resist God’s plan as we had so frequently earlier. While we repeatedly shared with Him our preferences, we cautiously accepted God’s decision to graduate her into His heaven. Having overcome our strong resistance to God’s plans, I felt I was now strong enough to resist whatever Satan might throw at me. What He had not yet made clear to me was that I had to totally stop trusting in myself and start trusting more completely in His leadership and control over my life.

To be more candid. While I learned some through that hard experience, after Connie’s death I had more to learn about not trusting in myself.

One day I clicked on what sounded like an interesting article about insects migrating into the Midwest. As soon as I clicked on it, my computer suddenly exploded with screaming voices that I was being scammed at my bank by several guys in Mexico. One screaming voice was telling me to call Microsoft immediately to stop the scam by locking down my computer. With my adrenaline pumping, I called the Microsoft phone number presented to me. But this phone number wasn’t Microsoft’s; it was a scam number. So, the saga proceeded.

Unfortunately, I had prided myself on being able to keep my poise in tense situations, and this was God’s way of showing me I cannot trust myself, my poise, or wisdom! I was literally in a state of shock for a couple of days. I was humiliated that I had been scammed! But it jolted me enough to understand I CANNOT TRUST ANYTHING about MYSELF. I honestly believe God allows Satan to throw everything at us like that to show proud people like me how I am just as vulnerable to temptation as everyone else. I will take serious steps to never forget what the Holy Spirit revealed to me about myself.

Each of us needs to understand; it is foolish to say we are too godly, poised, brilliant, resistant, or smart enough to be above Satan’s temptations. From that point on, I am much more cautious about making any decision without consciously trusting God about which direction I am to go. I have expanded that sobriety into all areas of my life. I continually ask God to please protect me from myself.

Have you ever felt jealous of what someone can do or possess? Was what you experienced envy, coveting, or jealousy? The feelings are similar and commonly confused; therefore, sometimes used interchangeably. Envy and coveting focus on wanting something someone else has that you want. Coveting is envy on steroids and therefore involves more conflict. If you don’t have or cannot do something someone else possesses or is able to do that you want for yourself, that describes the word envy. Coveting is when envy has become more aggressive. Jealousy has more to do with how you feel when someone tries to get from you what you already have. It could be said that it involves feeling threatened or fearful of losing what it possesses and therefore can become aggressive. Envy and coveting ask what this matter says about my worth. Jealousy asks if I am still feeling safe and valued. Jealousy is more intense than envy and therefore can be more intense than coveting if the threat intensifies.

So, what does the Bible mean when it says, “(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),” Exodus 34:14 (ESV). “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Deuteronomy 4:24 (ESV). Among many other things, the cross is a vivid illustration of the heat of God’s jealousy. He allowed His own Son to be crucified in order to keep those who surrender their lives, their kingdom, to Him.

The truth is, God alone created us, then bought us back with the price of His Son’s death on the cross. Therefore, He alone deserves the right to ask us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 (ESV). That distinguishes Him from all the rest of creation, because He has the right to the absolute place of adoration, affection, consideration, and every other kind of attention and interest. Therefore, at root, jealousy is a tendency, at least, to take God’s place as King of our lives. He is the only one who has a right to be jealous. He created all things for Himself. Everything has its very being and existence through Him. Nothing would ever be, but for Him. Everything and everyone owe their very being to Him, and He stands, therefore, in the position of having the right, the absolute right, to pre-eminent place – to have everything, to have undivided, unreserved place.

Are we being envious and presumptuous toward God when we do whatever we want to do and expect Him to look the other way? He has a total right to ask of us whatever He desires of us, money, time, pleasure, passion, etc. It is at this point God will show His jealousy for what He created, then bought and paid for. What amazes me is that He not only rightfully asks these things from us, He is also so patient and long-suffering with us. He not only empowers us to follow His ways, but He also even gives us His joy when we give ourselves to obey Him.

Satan used envy when he tempted Eve by telling her she could be “like God”. (Gen. 3:5). What is the difference from him tempting us to do whatever pleasure presented us when, like Eve, we already know what the Bible teaches us about what sin is. We forget that this jealous God has the last word. Have we been careful to follow His ways, the ways of our culture, or our ways? We must remember, every knee shall bow before Him and give an account of what we have done with what He gave us.