Saturday, 1/31/2015

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo."So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”  ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

EXODUS 25, 26

God gives moses instruction for the

• Ark
• Table for bread
• Lampstand
• Curtains
• Frames

MATTHEW 21:1-22

Jesus has his disciples go get a donkey for him to ride on into Jerusalem.

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,“Hosanna to the Son of David!”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^c“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” (6-13)

When the Pharisees saw all that was happening they were angry and questioned him. Jesus rebukes them and then goes out to Bethany to spend the night.

JOURNAL

Jesus enters the city and then goes straight to the Temple and cleans house.  His time is now short and he is making sure he sets the record straight for his disciples and that he is fully obedient to God.  Turning over the tables and confronting the mockery of what the temple had become, was critical to laying the foundation of what he is to accomplish in the next few days.

How would I behave if I new I only had a few days left.  It is absurd that I don't live as if it might be my last few days.  I have no guarantees, I don't know if I will even finish typing this sentence, but yet I make plans and live mostly in a way that would suggest I am guaranteed far more. 

 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25)

Friday, 1/30/2015

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”  ~ Mother Teresa

EXODUS 22-24

Exodus 22 begins with additional laws and requirements. They fall in the areas of

• Protection of Property
• Social Responsibility
• Justice and Mercy
• Sabbath Laws
• Festivals and Celebrations

Chapter 23 ends and all of chapter 24 define that God will go ahead of Israel and he will prepare the way for them.  It will be God and God alone that will be the reason for the Israelites success.

MATTHEW 20: 20-34

The mother of the sons of Zebedee comes to Jesus and discreetly tries to secure position with Jesus for her boys.  Jesus rebukes her and tells her she does not know what she is asking.  When the disciples hear about it they are annoyed and angry.  Jesus then uses it to clarify that his path is about serving and loving not being served. 

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

JOURNAL

Both of these texts seem to really dig down into my heart.  What is my motive and what is my objective. God makes it very clear to the Israelites that he gives them the rules in grace to guide them and keep them from being enslaved to themselves and others.  He then makes it very clear that he is the author of their success.

Jesus makes it crystal clear that the path to greatness is in selfless service, his path is not one that seeks to gain position and power but instead seeks service and humility in order to glorify God. This is so simple in concept yet it is so opposed to my flesh and to the message and way of the world.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  (Matthew 25:34-36)

Thursday, 1/29/2015

“Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

EXODUS 19-21

Moses goes up on the mountain and God gives him the ten commandments.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

• You shall have no other gods before me.
• You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
• You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
• Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
• Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
• You shall not murder.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
• You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

MATTHEW 20:1-19

Jesus tells a story a parable about the kingdom of heaven.  He says it is like a landowner who went out and hired people all throughout the day, all the way up until the last hour.  When it came time to pay their wages he started with the last to arrive and paid them first and paid them all the same amount.  Upon learning of the seeming unfair wages, the ones hired first complained.

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (13-16)

JOURNAL

The complaining and quarreling Israelites finally get a set of rules to live by.  I can only imagine the relief Moses felt by having a guideline and a set of rules to operate from.  However as needed as they are, the rules will never save.  They also will never relieve conflict.  Selfishness chaos and disorder are hallmarks of the Israelite Kingdom, which happens after they get the 10 commandments.  The rules expose sin but they will never heal or fix it.

Jesus is fighting the spirit of moral competition as he tells the story of the unfair wages.  When it comes to spirituality the benefit of doing the work of Christ is the joy found in obedience. To view it otherwise would be to view obedience as a form of punishment or suffering.  The joy of salvation and knowing christ is totally lost if we look at what we get out of it rather than the joy we have in giving. 

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27)

Wednesday, 1/28/2015

"Man makes plans...and God laughs. ~ Michael Chabon

EXODUS 16-18

The Israelites begin to grumble again because, they are hungry, so God gives them manna and quail.  They then grumble because they are thirsty

Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”
But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” (17:2-4)

So God has Moses strike a rock and it begins to bring forth fresh water.

After this the Amalekites attack and Joshua and selected men go out to fight them.  Moses lifts his staff and as long as it is lifted they are winning the battle, however as soon as his hands drop they begin to lose.  So Aaron and Hur hold his hands up until dark and they defeat the Amalekites.

After this Jethro, Moses' father-in-law brings his wife and son's to him.  Jethro sees the enormous burden on Moses to be provider and judge.  He gives him advice to enlist the help of capable men in order to hear the problems of the people and sort out minor disputes.

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country. (18:24-27)

MATTHEW 19:16-30

Jesus is approached by a young ruler who asks him what HE must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus immediately sees that the man is trying to earn his salvation and the focus is on what the man can do...so Jesus brilliantly dialogues

Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’^c and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (18-26)

JOURNAL

Big bunch of complainers.  I read the account of the Israelites to my boys this morning.  It was funny to see their faces and hear their comments..."what is their problem?" "How can they complain after all God has done for them."  I simply had to remind them that pretty much everyday, they do the same thing.  However, my joy was short-lived, as they then remind me of my complaints and frustrations in all that God has provided.

It really is comical when we begin to put our lives on the table to be examined. How often I am ungrateful, bitter, deceitful...and many times don't even realize it.  I think it is this realization and the ultimate exasperation that God is driving us to.  For just like the rich ruler, I realize how it is absolutely impossible to earn my way to Heaven.  I will always struggle with the flesh and I will always struggle with sin.  Thankfully, that is not the way to eternal life or else I am doomed and have really always been doomed. 

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Galatians 3:1-6)

Tuesday, 1/27/2015

Heart doesn’t know what doubt is, heart doesn’t know what believe is – heart simply knows trust. ~ Osho

EXODUS 13-15

Pharaoh fianally agrees and the Israelites load up and leave Egypt.  However, God again hardens Pharaoh's heart and he begins to come after them. 

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”(10-12)

...But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. (29-31)

When they were finally free they came and camped in a place with streams and fresh water and God issued them instructions.

There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”(25-26)

MATTHEW 19:1-15

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. (13-15)

JOURNAL

The Israelites always questioned.  Things were always a mess and you see it start here. They even make the claim that it would have been better for them had Moses left them and they had never left Egypt. It is simply their fear and lack of trust. God always comes after them and will continue to throughout the Bible.

It is in this spirit that Jesus corrects the disciples for their rebuking of parents of little children.  The faith of a child is what is most admirable, rather than the complicated, twisted excuses and reasonings of adults.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Monday, 1/26/2015

“End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path. One that we all must take.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

EXODUS 11,12

God reveals the final plague to be brought to Egypt. The death of the firstborn of each household. God then declares the passover and the feast of unleavened bread as celebrations to commemorate each of these events.  They are to be done every year.

“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat; that is all you may do." (12:15-16)

 “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. (12:17)

“Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the Lordwill give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’ ” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. The Israelites did just what the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. (12:24-28)

MATTHEW 18:21-35

Peter asks Jesus how many times is he to forgive his brother when he sins against him.  Peter suggests seven, since the accepted practice was 3, and he assumed he was being generous. Jesus tells him seventy-seven times and then tells him a story of servant who couldn't pay his debt.

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. (23-25)

So he begs the King for patience.  Instead of giving him more time the king cancels his debt.  Instead of being grateful the servant went and demanded payment from a fellow servant.

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (29-35)

JOURNAL

In this story of Moses and Pharaoh it becomes crystal clear that our lives will either be channels of God's love or examples of what it is not.  If we are opposed we will still be used, but it will be to reveal the opposite of his goodness and grace.  In Jesus' words in Matthew on forgiveness...there is not much I can say here.  This is one of those stories where Jesus' words are so direct and so cutting that it truly reveals my sin and failure to love. Therefore revealing the power, beauty and grace of God's amazing love.  

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

Sunday, 1/25/2015

"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”  ~ C.S. Lewis

EXODUS 9,10

God strikes Egypt with multiple plagues

• Livestock - All of Egyptians were struck but not one of the Israelites
• Boils - Moses tosses dust in air and boils break out on Egyptians and animal
• Hail - Moses warns them to bring slaves and livestock in...some do those who don't are killed
• Locusts - Pharaoh's officials beg him to relent, yet he refuses, locusts cover all the Egyptians land and devour all the plants
• Darkness - Darkness covers Egyptians so that they cannot see for 3 days, Pharaoh relents but then when he learns they will take livestock he refuses

MATTHEW 18:1-20

The disciples go to him and ask who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.  (3-5)

Jesus then warns them about things that cause people to stumble.

 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!  (7)

Jesus then tells them how to deal with sin among those in the church.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 

JOURNAL

It is fascinating to me that God continually hardens Pahraoh's heart, after each and every plague he goes a little further in his willingness to let the people go, yet every time God hardens his heart and he refuses.  To me it exposes our human nature in that as soon as we are no longer suffering we go back to being stubborn and resistant.

I wonder if this is why Jesus tells the disciples to become like little children. The benefit of having boys in 3 stages 18, 12, 9 is that I can see the difference between the youngest and oldest.  Mainly it is in their trust and their willingness to believe. Children have a pure and innocent trust in their parents.  Although they push boundaries, they tend to still trust fully and without too much question...even when they face something they fear.  

I think this is also why Jesus commands the church to handle misbehaving believers in much the same way parents handle children initially, but then it resorts to stronger measures and finally with the removal of relationship.  

This is such a good word and yet in reading this I really wonder if we have resorted to cutting out entire portions of the Bible in our daily walk and lives. I know that the willingness to confront destructive patterns in the lives of those we love is extremely difficult.  Sadly I think we often go straight to ending relationship rather than healthy loving confrontation. Children mostly misbehave in order to get noticed.  In the same way, I think often people take on destructive practices because they are craving authentic relationship. They are craving God and yet do not know how to fill the missing piece, so they resort to anything and everything that will give them a feeling of peace and joy. 

I know with my children, this is the pattern and if I am really honest...it is the same in my own heart and life.

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:13-16)

Saturday, 1/24/2015

“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

EXODUS 7, 8

Moses approaches Pharaoh and begins to perform miraculous signs.  In the case of the the staff, the frogs, the rivers turning to blood...Pharaohs magicians perform the same signs and therefore his heart is hardened to letting them go.  Then Moses causes Gnats to swarm the land, except for the area of Goshen, where the Hebrews are. Pharaoh agrees to let them go as long as Moses prays and has God remove them. But then as soon as the gnats are gone Pharaoh goes back on his promise.

MATTHEW 17

Jesus goes up on the mountain but this time he takes Peter, James and John with him. There he is transfigured 

His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. (3)

Peter asks if he should put up a shelter for the three of them.

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,”he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (7,8)

Coming down from the mountain Jesus is approached by a man whose son is suffering from seizures. He tells them that the disciples where unable to heal him.

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  (18-20)

The disciples are then confronted by the tax collectors and question whether or not Jesus pays his taxes.

 When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”“From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (25-27)

JOURNAL

Lack of faith.  It is easy for me to think how foolish it is for Pharaoh to not release the Israelites. However, first and foremost God said from the beginning that he was going to harden Pharaohs heart.  Secondly, I know how often I have prayed for God to intervene and for relief.  Yet as soon as I have it, I can feel my heart shift and I easily forget my desperation and God's redemption.

Throughout the entire Bible this plays out and to be honest, it has played out throughout my life.  My lack of faith and gratitude are constant companions.  It obviously is why Jesus says that if we will have faith as small as a mustard seed..."Nothing will be impossible for you".   Faith is not something that comes naturally, in fact, it's opposite...doubt, fear and worry are what usually show up.

These verses are a reminder that I can never depend on my own strength. It will only lead me to paths of rebellion and destruction.  I can trust in God and God alone...and it is a daily, moment by moment exercise in living. 

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Friday, 1/23/2015

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. ~ Thomas Edison

EXODUS 4-6

Moses objects and questions God.  God responds by giving him a magic staff that turns into a snake and the ability to make his hand leprous and then have it healed upon putting it into his robe.  His next excuse is that he doesn't speak well, which God responds by having his brother Aaron speak for him.

Moses agrees to go and gathers his wife and children and makes his way to Egypt.  Upon arriving he confronts Pharaoh who objects to the request.  In fact Pharaoh increases the work load and actually makes them start making bricks without supplying the straw.

The people begin to groan and object to Moses' attempts at freeing them.  

...“May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”  Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” (5:21-23)

MATTHEW 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees approach Jesus again and try to find a way to trap him in his words.  They ask him to show them a sign and he rebukes them.

He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away. (2-4)

Later Jesus is asking the disciples who they think he is...Simon responds that he is the Christ.  Jesus affirms him

 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be  loosed in heaven.”  Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. (17-20)

Jesus then begins to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and be crucified.  Simon objects and tells him he will not allow that to happen. Jesus rebukes him and tells them all the true path of being his disciple.

 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.  What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?..." (24-26) 

JOURNAL 

My ways are certainly not God's ways.  I can completely understand the people's frustration when Moses comes to save them and their workload and suffering only gets worse. In the same vein the disciples are perplexed that Jesus must die.  None of it makes sense.  At least not knowing how the story ends.  Why do things have to get worse before they get better.

This again is God's way. But it is not the way I want it to happen.  I see it all the time in my own life, when I think things couldn't get worse and I see an obvious answer, God will slam the door or unravel my logical plan. It is infuriating and disheartening, it has led to sleepless nights and many sessions of pounding on the steering wheel, feeling alone and isolated. 

But...God's ways are not mine...and somehow in ways I never see coming, I begin to see that he is here and he has never left me.

Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:7-9)

Thursday, 1/22/2015

“God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.” ~ Soren Kierkegaard

EXODUS 1-3

Jacob and his brothers all die and are forgotten in Egypt.  However their decedents are fruitful and begin to be a threat to the Egyptians.  Pharaoh becomes concerned and demands that all young boys be killed. Moses' mother hides him and then one day puts him in a basket to float down to where Pharaoh's daughters are bathing.  One of them discovers him and desires to have him as her son.  Moses' mother cares for him until he is older and then he goes and lives as an Egyptian.

One day Moses retaliates  when one of his people is being beaten and kills the Egyptian.  Pharaoh ultimately finds out and Moses flees for his life.  He joins a clan from Midian and marries a girl named Zipporah.  They have a son named Gershom.

One day while tending the flocks of his father-in-law, God confronts him in a burning bush and commands him to go to Egypt and help lead all the Israelites out and to the promised land. Moses questions God

"Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"  And God said, "I will be with you.  And this will the the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."

MATTHEW 15:21-39

Jesus withdraws again and goes to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Canaanite woman approaches him and asks him to heal her demon-possessed daughter.  Jesus does not acknowledge her and responds that he was sent to the lost of Israel.  The woman however is relentless and kneels before him and begs for him to help her.  Jesus responds

"Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." (28)

Jesus leaves there and is goes up on a mountainside where thousands of people follow him.  He heals their sick and then becomes concerned because they have been with him for three days with nothing to eat.

"I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.  I don not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

So Jesus takes the little food they have and turns it into enough to feed all of them.  After he sends them away, he gets into a boat and go in the vicinity of Magadan.

JOURNAL

Times change, good deeds are forgotten and the Israelites go from being honored and blessed to slaves and despised. God again goes and calls the most unlikely into service.  Moses, is perfect in some ways but all wrong in others. While he does know the way of the Egyptians, he is a fugitive wanted for murder.

Here is God doing the unlikely, accomplishing his objectives yet also healing Moses and his heart.  When we would count someone out, write them off as lost and a screw up.  God enters the picture and does the impossible with the impossible.  It is almost as if God waits till the situation and circumstance is at its worst, just to show off.

But that is the beauty of God.  He is the master story teller whose signature work is to accomplish his purposes and redeem the lost.

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. (Luke 4:18-19)

Wednesday, 1/21/2015

"To err is human, to forgive is divine." ~ Alexander Pope

GENESIS 49,50

Jacob is in his last moments and calls his sons to his side.  To each of them he gives words and prophecy for their future. Upon finishing he gives them instructions as to where he is to be buried and then draws his feet up into his bed and breathes his last.

Joseph threw himself upon his father and wept over him and kissed him. Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel...And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. (50:1-3)

Joseph appeals to Pharaoh to take his father in the land of Canaan.

So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh's officials accompanied him - the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt - besides all the members of Joseph's household...chariots and horseman also went up with him. It was a very large company.

Once they reached canaan they mourned for 7 more days. Once he was buried, they returned to Egypt. Upon returning his brothers begin to worry that now that their father Jacob has passed, Joseph will pay them back for all they did to him.

So they sent word to Joseph..."please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves before him. "We are your slaves," they said.  But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.  

Joseph then lives out the rest of his life in Egypt and dies at one hundred and ten. 

MATTHEW 15:1-20

Jesus is confronted again by the Pharisees on why they don't wash their hands before they eat.  Jesus hammers them and calls them hypocrites.

You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. (7-9)

The disciples come to him afterwards concerned because he offended the Pharisees.

Are you still so dull?...Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean...but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean. (16-20) 

JOURNAL

It is amazing to think of the spectacle given to Jacob upon his death.  That in a society as worldly and grand as Egypt, Jacob and Joseph would be honored in such an amazing display.  Then as all humans do...his brothers doubt Joseph's heart.  The grace of love is truly amazing.  Joseph responds in such a kind and compassionate way. What flows out of him through his words is the love and grace of God.

This is exactly what Jesus is referring to with the Pharisees.  They are concerned with doing harm with their words, obligations and rules. They have no compassion or grace, it's all about position, jealousy and fear.  

Growing up in the land of big churches and social rights and wrongs.  My understanding of God was mostly confined to the external...what you do, say and the holy "good reputation".  It is a "religion" that is often condemning and it's power is found in its shame and judgement.  It very much resembles the Judaism of the Pharisees rather than the love and grace of Christ.  It is always redeeming to know that my God loves not based on my righteousness, but because of his righteousness.  

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5)

Tuesday, 1/20/2015

"I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends." ~ Walt Whitman

GENESIS 46-48

Israel (Jacob) sets out for Egypt, when he reaches Beersheba, doubt obviously overcomes him and God speaks to him.

"I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."

Joseph finally meets his father...

Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.

Joseph then has his brothers present themselves before Pharaoh. He gives them instruction to live in the choice land of Goshen. Joseph continues to manage the land and Egypt through the famine and acquires all livestock and land from the people. 


Years later Jacob becomes ill and Joseph takes his sons to be blessed by his father.

MATTHEW 14:22-36

Jesus has the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, then he dismisses the crowd and goes up on the mountain to pray.  Later that night Jesus goes out on the water and approaches the boat.  The disciples think it is a ghost and cry out. Jesus confirms that it is him.  Peter boldly asks.

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said.

Peter gets out of the boat, walks on the water and comes towards Jesus.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith,...why did you doubt?"

They then cross over to the other side and all those who were sick came to him and he healed them.

JOURNAL

Doubts always seem to come after great miraculous events.  Joseph begins to question God on his way to Egypt. Peter begins to doubt as he already is walking on water. It shows how uncomfortable we really are with God's redemption and grace.  We can't believe that things beyond our control can actually be good for us.


This happens to me all the time.  Something good happens, a true blessing and I question its validity or start to worry about the next uncertainty.  At it's core, it really is a lack of gratefulness. It is a heart that is never satisfied and always wants more. Why not just live in the moment and be grateful for what I am given...breath in my lungs, the freshness of a new day, the gift of Gods grace and love.


The reality is that living life away from the presence of Christ will always produce doubt, worry, fear...it is the way God has designed it. He wants us to cling to him, it is in our greatest weakness that we are strong. 

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Monday, 1/19/2015

“Grace, on the other hand, means that God is pursuing you. That God forgives you. That God sanctifies you. When you are apathetic toward God, He is never apathetic toward you. When you don’t desire to pray and talk to God, He never grows tired of talking to you. When you forget to read your Bible and listen to God, He is always listening to you. Grace means that your spirituality is upheld by God’s stubborn enjoyment of you." ~ Preston Sprinkle

GENESIS 44, 45 

Joseph devises a final test for his brothers to see if their heart has changed. By putting his silver cup in Benjamin's sack he sets up a scenario for the brothers to abandon their youngest Benjamin. However, when it is revealed, the brothers tear their clothes and go back to Egypt and Judah offers his life for that of Benjamin.

Joseph cannot stand it any longer and asks his attendants to leave them alone.  It is here that he reveals his identity.

Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. (45:14-15)

Pharaoh he sends gifts and animals and gives them the best land in Goshen.

Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours. (45:19-20) 

MATTHEW 14:1-21

John the Baptist is beheaded as a result of his condemning Herod of taking his brother Phillip's wife Herrodias. Jesus is distraught over the news and withdraws to a remote place...however the crowds follow him and he has compassion on them and heals their sick.

As evening approaches the disciples suggest he send the crowds away so that they can get something to eat in the neighboring towns.  Jesus tells them he will feed them. He takes the five loaves and two fish and feeds over 5000. 

JOURNAL

I love the story of Joseph! It is the happy ending of all happy endings.  To see the look on his brothers faces and to know that they have not only been forgiven for what they did to him, but that God used it to save them all.  I can just imagine the look in Jacob's eyes when he sees Joseph and realizes all that God promised has come true.  They didn't just win the lottery, they became like royalty and were now honored in all the land of Egypt. Jacob has his son back and all his family.  What an amazing scene!

On the contrary we have Jesus weeping as John is beheaded, and Jesus just wants to be alone.  Yet the crowds are following him for what he can do for them...heal them, feed them.  Jesus is in mourning and he still ministers to them in compassion.

What an amazing God! So often I have read these stories and never realized my own lake of gratitude and hope. God has given me his word which shows over and over his character and his sacrificing love.  It also reminds me that what I may interpret as a curse, God is orchestrating for blessing.  God is always sovereign...why would I ever question him...and yet many times I do.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippine 4:6-7)

Sunday, 1/18/2015

“People don't resist change. They resist being changed.” ~ Peter M. Senge

GENESIS 42, 43 

Here come the boys. Jacob hears that Egypt has grain and tells his sons to go get some.  Ten of them go and are forced to face the Governor of the land...Joseph.  They of course have no idea who Joseph is, yet Joseph recognizes them immediately.  He puts them through multiple tests and accuses them of being spies.  He detains Simeon and requests that they bring back Benjamin.  Upon returning Jacob is overwhelmed with worry and fret.  He reluctantly lets them go back with Benjamin.

Upon their return Joseph brings them to his house and has a great feast.  At the table seating he positions them oldest to youngest. He gives Benjamin a double portion and they feast and drink freely with him.

MATTHEW 13:33-58

Jesus continues to teach in parables

• The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed... (31-32)
• The kingdom of heaven is like yeast... (33)
• The kingdom of heaven is like treasure in a field... (44)
• Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls... (45-46)
• Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake... (47-50)

Jesus moves on from there and goes to his hometown.  There the people are amazed at his wisdom and knowledge and begin to compare him to his brothers and sisters.

Isn't this the carpenter's son?...Where then did this man get all these things? And they took offense at him.  But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." (55-57)

JOURNAL

Jesus is rejected.  That's pretty much the way of the world, and they way of families.  I see it all the time with my boys.  One gets something the others don't and it becomes a subtle war to put them in their place.  Fear, greed, selfishness, jealousy...they reign supreme when it comes to position and our place in the world.

The story of Joseph also shows the deep affect our own family has on us. He is second in command of all of Egypt and yet seeing his brothers moves him to tears.  Power, position, titles...none of it really matters.  It matters...but in comparison, it really doesn't.  Jesus experiences the same and as a result he "does not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith"(58). 

Jesus, the son of God is affected by his family and friends...this is such a lesson to me.  How often when I think of my own family do I think of them in terms of how I knew them.  I really don't allow perceptions to change or God to move my heart, I want to put them back where I understand them and know them.  It is about me...not about them or God.  

Love the Lord your God with all our heart and with all your soul and will all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself.  (Luke 10:27)

Saturday, 1/17/2015

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein

GENESIS 41

Two years pass and Joseph is still in prison.  God though is about to change the game.  Pharaoh has an inexplainable dream.  None of the wise men of Egypt could interpret it.  It is now that the cupbearer remembers Joseph.  Pharaoh sends for him...

Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it.  But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

After the interpretation of seven years of plenty and seven years of famine.  Pharaoh makes Joseph second in command to only him.

"Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."

Joseph marries and has two sons and accumulates massive amounts of grain for Egypt during the seven years of plenty.  After they end, a massive famine affects all of Egypt and all the countries surrounding them.  

MATTHEW 13:1-32

Jesus is pursued by large crowds and so he decides to teach them using parables.  The story  of the seed and the soil and the wheat and the weeds.  Both address believers and the end times.  In both scenarios.  The disciples are confused by the meaning and come to Jesus to explain further.

...The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (22-23)

JOURNAL

It blows my mind that Joseph really goes from being left, abandoned and in prison to second in command of everything. It has been a long wait for Joseph, yet somehow he never seems to grow bitter.  Without a Bible, friends, family...nothing but prayer and his faith.  Joseph lives out exactly what Jesus is speaking of and he does it with no resources.  God provides all the resources and God shows up in ways that can never be explained.

When I think of Joseph, I can't help but think of all the ways I let this life choke out the seed that God has planted in my heart.  It took 13 years for it all to play out in Joseph's life.  I get impatient when God doesn't show up the next day.  Yet the key to all seems to be in living each day for the joy of the day.  Not in what tomorrow will bring.

I write this 20 minutes before midnight.  The day is almost done.  I pray that tomorrow I embrace the blessings of this life.  But the reality is to accept with joy whatever is given. God and only God can grow it and multiply it, but it must take root in a heart that trusts and does not choke it out with the trappings, worries and promises of this world. 

"God loves you! So do I! Make it a great day."

Friday, 1/16/2015

“If you are going through hell, keep going.”  ~ Winston Churchill

GENESIS 38-40

Judah leaves his brothers and moves to the land of Adullum and marries a canaanite woman.  Chapter 38 tells the strange story of Tamar and her bizarre relationship with Judah.  She is his daughter-in-law whom is widowed.  She tricks Judah into sleeping with her and then reveals his lack of character and fulfillment of his word and oath.

Chapter 39 picks up the story of Joseph and his rise to power and then his integrity in refusing to sleep with Potiphar's wife.  She becomes enraged after one episode and uses his haste in running away from her to falsely indict him due to him leaving his robe behind.

After Joseph is in prison he gets the opportunity to interpret two of Pharaoh's convicted servants dreams.  Both promise to remember him and to affirm him to Pharaoh.  However, one is killed and the other forgets.  So Joseph continues to remain in prison.

MATTHEW 12:22-50

Jesus is again questioned by the Pharisees and they try to trap him.  Jesus warns them that words can reveal the true objective of the heart.

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him...For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.(34-37)

They then ask for a miraculous sign and he then responds.

A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it...(39) 

JOURNAL

Joseph is having to endure immense disappointment and suffering.  Not only has he been abandoned and sold by his brothers, he has continually been wrongly accused, convicted and forgotten.  Yet Joseph continues to trust God.

Amazing, this can only be attributed to God and him giving Joseph the courage and heart to persist.  I don't know how else this would be possible, to continue to have hope when everyone and even God seems to abandon.

This is such a God thing. Only God can take something that to man's knowledge would produce discouragement and actually use it to create perseverance.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

Thursday, 1/15/2015

“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on.” ~ William Shakespeare 

GENESIS 36, 37

After the death of Isaac, Esau realizes that the land cannot support both of them so he takes his family and moves to the mountains of Seir.  Jacob remains and it is here that we begin the story of Joseph.  Joseph is 17 at the time and the son of Rachel...who has since passed away.  Jacob loves and dotes on him and as a result causes jealousy among his brothers. Joseph then has a dream in which he is above his brothers and they are bowing down to him.  This obviously does not go over very well so they begin to plot to kill him.

One day as Joseph is coming out to check on them as directed by Jacob, they see him coming and devise a plan to get rid of him.  After throwing him in dry well, they agree to sell him to a group of Ishmaelites as a slave.  In order to cover up their deed, they rip his robe and splash lambs blood on it. They then report to Jacob that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal.  Jacob goes into mourning...

Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days.  all his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said, "in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son." So his father wept for him. (37:34-35)

MATTHEW 12:1-21

Here we find Jesus walking through the grain fields on the Sabbath. He and his disciples begin to pick some heads and eat because they are hungry.  The Pharisees, who seem to be watching his every move, point out the fact that Jesus is doing what is unlawful.  He rebukes them using scripture, of which they pose him a question:

"Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and if falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 

JOURNAL

Jealousy is a cruel taskmaster.  I don't know that it ever plays out well.  It's pernicious ways can invade our hearts in seemingly subtle ways.  Yet it's objective is destruction.  At the root of jealousy is fear and selfishness...it is the complete opposite of trusting God.  The following is from Psychology Today...

Jealousy is a complex emotion that encompasses many different kinds of feelings that range from fear of abandonment to rage to humiliation. Jealousy can strike both men and women when they perceive a third-party threat to a valued relationship, it can be a problem among siblings competing for parental attention, or envy for a wealthier more successful friend. Conventional wisdom holds that jealousy is a necessary emotion because it preserves social bonds. But jealously usually does more harm than good to relationships, and can create relationship conflict and violence.

Obviously this is what is going on with Joseph, yet it is the same thing with the Pharisees.  The one's that know God's word the best are so blinded by their fear and jealousy that they completely miss God in the flesh right before them.   

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Wednesday, 1/14/2014

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” ~ C.S. Lewis

GENESIS 33-35

Jacob looks up and here comes Esau to meet him with his 400 men.  He segments his family and then goes out in front and bows seven times as Esau is approaching.

But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (33:4)

 Esau refuses Jacob's gifts but upon his insistence accepts them.

"No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it. (33:10-11)

Esau offers for some of his men to stay with Jacob, but Jacob refuses. Instead of returning home, Jacob goes and settles in Shechem.  He settles outside the city.  He ends up getting into a conflict over his daughter and his sons slaughter all the men in the city and take all the goods.  God tells him to go and settle in Bethel.  Upon moving from Bethel, Rachel dies and Jacob finally returns home.  Isaac dies and Esau and Jacob bury him.  

MATTHEW 11

Jesus is approached by John's disciples.  They ask if Jesus is who he said he is...

Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. (4-6)

Jesus then confirms to the crowd that John is the Elijah who was to come.  Jesus then denounces the unrepentant cities. After though he gives a word of rest for those that are weary.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (28-30) 

JOURNAL

Jacob was overwhelmed, he never imagined such a loving response from his brother.  It even appears that he really could not accept it.  Therefore he stayed away until more time had passed before finally returning home to his father.  The text never says...but I would assume he did not want to face Isaac.  Jacob has great difficulty trusting men.  He knows the manipulative ways of his own heart and he assumes the same from others.

It is interesting to note the way Jacob responds to Esau's embrace.  That to be received and forgiven without paying a penance is like "seeing the face of God".  Jacob understands that God's love is pure and is abundantly given.  This is such a beautiful picture of God working through conflict and resolving the issues of the heart in ways that we would never imagine.

Jacob had done a horrible wrong to his brother. He knows and understands the level of his betrayal yet because of Esau's love and forgiveness, Jacob is eventually able to return and be with his Father Isaac before he dies.  

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)