We must all contend for the faith, defend the faith (Jude 3-4). If we don’t, we will lose the freedom to worship our God the way He desires to be worshipped.

Love your neighbor:

We hear some people saying things like, Loving our neighbor is taking a shot, wearing a mask, listening to authorities — that somehow during a pandemic we show the love of God toward others by not contending for our rights which God gave us. But somehow, according to them, loving people means to violate the scriptures, and loving God and His word first is not good or loving.

Love God:

It is not more important to love our neighbors at the expense of loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds. God is first, always first. And in loving Him, serving Him, we all must contend for the faith. Saying nothing, doing nothing, is the same as saying, I really don’t believe in the word of God. We need to get back to rightly dividing the word of truth. It is not ungodly or wrong to stand up for our freedoms and rights: it is wrong not to. These weak, passive, so-called preachers are soft and wrong. Don’t listen to them!

Flee false teaching:

Loving our neighbors as ourselves has nothing to do with giving up our rights and freedom so we can be a witness to them. Some of these guys have even preached that some won’t come to the Church because we didn’t submit to evil and listen to the authorities who have been proven wrong on how they handled the so-called pandemic. I contend that people don’t come because they don’t know what the Church stands for. Weakness in the pulpits of America is the reason people don’t come to church. These false teachers should never be listened to. They are wrong.

Contend for the faith. Stand up for righteousness.

Just a thought,

PSS

In Daniel 3:8-30, the narrative of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace offers a profound lesson on unwavering faith and allegiance to God. Despite the decree from King Nebuchadnezzar demanding all to worship a golden statue, these three men chose to remain steadfast in their devotion to God, refusing to bow to any idol. Their defiance was not born out of rebellion but out of a deep-seated commitment to God’s commandments, demonstrating that true faith often requires standing firm against societal pressures and expectations.

The climax of this story reveals the miraculous power of God in response to such unwavering faith. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, they were not consumed by the flames. Instead, a divine presence, described as "a fourth man" who appeared like "a son of the gods," protected them. This miraculous intervention underscores that being on God’s side means trusting Him even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Their deliverance not only validated their faith but also served as a powerful testimony to King Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom about the sovereignty and power of the true God.

Ultimately, the story of Daniel 3:8-30 challenges believers to evaluate where their ultimate loyalties lie. Being on God’s side requires a willingness to prioritize His commands over human decrees, even when it leads to personal risk or persecution. The reward for such faithfulness, as demonstrated by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is the assurance of God’s presence and protection. Their story is a timeless reminder that God honors those who honor Him, and He uses their faithfulness as a testament to His glory and power, influencing even the hearts of unbelievers.

Just a thought,

 PSS

Jesus said in John 8:32 NLT — And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. This is an incredible promise, especially if you need healing —whether the difficulty is an injury, illness, a financial hardship, troubled relationship, or anything else.

Belief vs truth:

Harper’s Bible Dictionary includes the statement when defining truth, “God is truth.” So many believe things that are not true. Truth is something that has to be known, not just believed. I can believe a lot of things that are not true. When I was a kid, it was believed that if you ate something, you had to wait around 15 to 30 minutes before getting back into the water because if you got in sooner, you could cramp up and drown. But now we know that is not true. It was believed, but not true.

His word is truth:

So, knowing the truth is knowing God to some degree! We need to pray and read the word daily so we can know the truth. Things that are true can be proved. So, we know the truth that God is a healer. He heals, so we claim that promise. The way the truth sets us free from the bondage of sin is by our getting to know God better. How do we do that? By learning His word. That’s how we will know the truth.

So, let’s get into God’s word more — so we can really know the Truth.

Just a thought,

PSS

Proverbs 1:1-7 introduces the foundational principle of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge. This fear is not merely a sense of terror or dread, but a profound reverence and awe for God's holiness, power, and authority. It involves recognizing God’s greatness and submitting to His divine wisdom. The passage underscores that true wisdom and understanding are rooted in this reverential fear, which directs one's heart toward God and away from evil.

The fear of the Lord acts as a compass, guiding believers to make choices that align with God's will. It cultivates a mindset of humility, acknowledging that human wisdom is limited and flawed compared to God's infinite understanding. This reverence leads to a life of obedience and righteousness, as it compels individuals to seek God’s guidance in every aspect of their lives. It also instills a sense of accountability, knowing that one's actions are seen and judged by a holy and just God.

Moreover, Proverbs 1:1-7 contrasts the wise with the foolish, illustrating that those who despise wisdom and discipline are devoid of the fear of the Lord. The foolish reject God's instruction and choose paths that lead to destruction. In contrast, the wise embrace the fear of the Lord, which is the cornerstone of their pursuit of knowledge and understanding. This foundational fear is not about living in constant fear of punishment but living in a way that honors and pleases God, fostering a deep, intimate relationship with Him.

Just a thought,

PSS

Psalm 139 is a profound reminder of God’s intimate knowledge and omnipresence in our lives. The psalm opens with a declaration of God’s deep knowledge of the individual: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” This knowledge is not just superficial awareness, but a profound, penetrating understanding of all our ways. The psalmist acknowledges that before a word is on our tongues, God knows it completely. This reveals a God who is not distant or disinterested but is deeply engaged with the intricacies of our lives, understanding our thoughts and actions better than we understand them ourselves.

The psalm continues by emphasizing that there is no place where one can escape from God's presence. Whether one ascends to heaven or makes a bed in the depths, God is there. This omnipresence assures us that we are never alone or beyond the reach of God’s care. In the imagery of being woven together in the womb, we see a picture of a God who is not only Creator but also a personal artisan, intricately crafting each person with intention and care. This speaks to each person's unique value and purpose, designed by God Himself.

Toward the conclusion of Psalm 139, the psalmist invites God to search and know his heart, to test him and know his anxious thoughts, and to lead him in the way everlasting. This is not only a recognition of God's complete knowledge but also a submission to God's lordship and guidance. It reflects a trust in God’s goodness and a desire to be led by Him away from the ways of wickedness. The God of the universe isn’t just a cosmic observer — He is a personal guide and redeemer who knows us thoroughly and loves us completely.

Just a thought,

PSS