To live a holy lifestyle obedient to God’s will never is easy. It is even more difficult during difficult times. In this passage, Peter urges Christian believers to conduct themselves in a godly manner even in the midst of difficult times. This week’s lesson can help us focus on how to live  holy, reverent and obedient lives.

Be holy

As followers of Christ, we do not look to the world for our standard of goodness or holiness. Instead, we must look to God for our example of holiness. As the infinite God, he is perfect, pure, holy and good through all situations, from the beginning of time. Therefore, we must strive to be holy as he is. We also must understand that this goal is ultimately unattainable for us imperfect humans.  

This is why God came as Jesus to be the sacrifice necessary for disobedience. All believers in Jesus now can fulfill the law through Jesus. Romans 3:3-4 tells us: “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Perhaps this is why in verse 13 Peter tells believers to set their hope fully on the grace that will be given to believers when Jesus is revealed. We are to set our hope fully on the grace of Jesus to live holy lives, not our own ability to do so. Though we have the grace of God to help us live holy lives, we still must strive to be holy and good. Holy living doesn’t happen automatically, but instead by preparation and discipline. We not only should strive for holiness and pursue a more disciplined and self-controlled life,  but also rely on God’s power and trust in God’s grace.

Be reverent

The attitude of our lives as Christians is reverence. We are strangers in this world, people belonging to another kingdom. If we live our lives with this understanding, our hearts and thoughts will be focused on the greatest reality, God as Savior and King.

We revere God because of the sacrifice he made when he sent his son, Jesus, to die for us. Jesus has saved us from a life separated from God and brought us into a life of goodness and peace in the family of God. The enormity of what Jesus did for our salvation calls us as a believers to live with respect and reverence.  

American culture does not value reverence or honor. Reverence, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “honor or respect, felt or showed”, and “profound, adoring, awed respect.”  

Reverence often is shown to American soldiers, high government officials, and celebrities or professional athletes. At the same time, our media discuss their weaknesses and broadcast television shows to discuss the issues of their lives. Even our president is disrespected and devalued by his own countrymen.

If we can show reverence to a celebrity or a veteran who has risked their lives for us, we should be able to show a greater deal of respect and awe for the King of the world who holds everything in his hands and yet lowered himself to become like us, enter into the world and die a horrible death to save helpless sinners like us.

With the attitude of reverence come other characteristics God calls us to—humility, patience, wholesome talk, and acts of service to God and others. We live this way because we understand our imperfection and know without Jesus we still would be lost and dead.

Be obedient

Peter challenges Christians to continue living in obedience to God. This includes ridding ourselves of wrong attitudes and actions such as deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander and malice. Peter tells us in verse 22 that, as we obey the truth, we will become purified. This purification results in a more sincere love for fellow believers.

This sincere love happens to be the second greatest command, according to Jesus. Matthew 22:37-39 says: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  

We should rid ourselves of all evil and seek to obey Gods truth in our everyday lives and with the totality of our being. As we become more holy, God fills our hearts with his love, and we are able to fulfill the great commands of Jesus, to love his people with sincere love from our hearts.

Questions for reflection

• What are some ways that you need to be more obedient to the gospel message of Jesus?
• Does your lifestyle reveal God’s holiness? How and how not?
• How is your life noticeably different than that of unbelievers—even those who live good, moral lives?

Living by the Word of God by Davis Byrd (Parson’s Porch Books)

Davis Byrd has written a deeply personal yet broadly practical book of theological reflection. Living by the Word of God is “an expression of my personal un-derstanding of God’s word and my faith that that is built upon that word … an effort to give voice to my faith so I may more fully understand it myself.”

Byrd’s book defies easy categorization. You might call it a systematic theology, because Byrd, an architect, certainly is systematic. And yet the book is not as comprehensive as the typical systematic theology. It’s more of an experienced theology—worked out over a lifetime of thinking about God and the Bible in the circumstances of life.

I found two aspects of this book particularly attractive.

First is its innate integrity and humility. Byrd writes as if he were involved in an open, ongoing discussion with the reader about the things that matter most in his life—in every life. He doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but he obviously loves seeking them, discussing them, holding them up to the light.

Second is its engagement with the larger Chris-tian community. Byrd exposes readers to Christendom’s great thinkers. His bibliography alone is worth the price of his book.

Marv Knox, editor

Baptist Standard

Dallas

The Thorn by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House)

Many know Beverly Lewis as the “queen of Amish fiction.” In her first novel, she wrote about the Shunning of her Mennonite grandmother. Although the novelist has penned nearly 90 books since, including children’s stories, the Christy Award winner’s staple remains the “bonnet-romance.” 

In The Thorn, Lewis provides glimpses into “plain” lives that revolve around family, friends, and faith. With help from her grandmother, 20-year-old Rose spends her days caring for her Mamm, who was paralyzed 11 years earlier in a buggy accident. She feels abandoned because her sister Hannah, “Hen,” marries outside the faith. 

Rose finds release riding horses with her friend Nick. The bishop and his wife adopted the non-Amish boy from a troubled home, and most agreed all he brought was trouble. Her father fears Rose and Nick will marry. The bishop fears they won’t.

Following Nick’s departure, Rose faces her own decisions as she attends Sunday hymn-sings. There, she catches the eye of Silas Good who proposes in the traditional way, waiting to lip-kiss until marriage.

The Thorn offers a chaste romance filled with complicated relationships, personal reflection and devastating dilemmas, some of which await resolution in the second book of The Rose Trilogy. And along the way, readers learn the value of simpler lives and the difficulty of living in the world without being of the world.

Kathy Robinson Hillman,

former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas

Waco

Mobilizing Men for One-on-One Ministry by Steve Sonderman (Bethany House)

Steve Sonderman writes from 20 years experience working with men at Elm Creek Church in Milwaukee, Wisc., and beyond. That experience has equipped him to pen this practical, no-nonsense guide that will help any aspiring leader find his way.

Men need relationships with men—a point the author strongly emphasizes. He bases this on the second chapter of 1 Thessalonians, and he points to keys the Apostle Paul wrote that will make any man an effective leader of men if put into practice.

The author believes the main things men are looking for in a leader they will follow is that he be spiritual, relevant and challenging. A spiritual leader must hone his skills, such as the art of listening and asking good questions.

This book is filled with practical wisdom and guid-ance for a man aspiring to be a leader of men. Sonderman concludes God has put each of us right where he wants us to be and surrounds us with men who desperately need us and want us to invest in them.

This book will challenge you and equip you with the knowledge and tools for a ministry that will bless you and others. If you have a heart for men, read and practice what Sonderman has written.

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men

Dallas

I usually do not spend much time thinking about feet, but when I do, I must confess the words “No Trespassing” come to mind.  

I am not sure when or how I developed such an aversion to having someone mess with my feet. During my childhood, my Dad would wrestle with my brother, two sisters and myself. Perhaps holding us down and tickling our feet left a deep scar within me that has led to my feet phobia.

Or maybe I cannot shake the thought of the many times one of my three precious girls would come and tickle my feet while I was peacefully resting in the permanent indention of my recliner.  The thought of their little eyes peering over the footrest brings warmth to my heart and yet confirms the reality of how much I dislike people messing with my feet.

I always have assumed that because I do not want someone touching my feet, all others felt the same way. I was mistaken. During each of my wife’s pregnancies, I was asked, begged or coerced, depending on your perspective, into massaging her feet. I must admit this was not easy for me.

I understand that she was uncomfortable and miserable, but can I just go get the stereotypical pickles and ice cream at 1 a.m.? After weighing my options, I decided a few foot massages were probably deserved under the circumstances brought about by pregnancy. Ultimately, my love for my wife overcame my phobia of feet and made getting out of my comfort zone bearable and even rewarding.

I knew that this simple act helped make the pregnancy more endurable for my wife. Even in this mundane act of massaging my wife’s feet, I realized there was nothing I would not do for her because of the love I have for her and she has for me.

All of this talk about feet leads us into one of the most powerful acts Jesus performed, and there was not one miracle to be found. John 13:1-17 is the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. This is the first story written by John in the second major part of the Gospel. The first major section of the Gospel focused on the signs Jesus performed which showed that he is the light shining in the darkness.

This second section begins to show how he also is the light who will overcome the darkness.  Jesus now clearly is focused on the cross and the rest of the Gospel of John builds to the culmination of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

These next few chapters of John’s Gospel are powerful and amazing, but the section begins with the simple yet profound act of washing feet. Imagine what the disciples must have been thinking when Jesus, the Messiah, takes off his outer clothes, wraps a towel around his waist and proceeds to reach for their rough, dirty and smelly feet. Feet stained with the dirt from the roads of Jerusalem Jesus and the disciples recently had walked as Jesus entered the city with cries of “Hosanna” and “Blessed is the king of Israel.” Now this king, this Messiah, is bowing before them and washing their feet.

As Jesus scrubs and cleans the disciples’ feet, his hands are stained with the dirt and grime built up after the miles of walking. The “King of kings,” “Lord of lords,” humbling himself to take up the work of a common slave. The silence in the room must have been deafening, only broken by the splashing of water. Surely the disciples simply sat in awe of what they were experiencing and witnessing. Jesus, washing each of their feet, even the feet of the one who would commit the ultimate act of betrayal.

When Jesus finishes, he no doubt has the complete attention of the disciples, and he says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (vv. 14-15).

This last week of Jesus’ life was not just about defeating sin and death. Jesus is showing the disciples and us what living a life in Christ is all about. Jesus is demonstrating the true nature of what following him is all about; serving. We are called to serve God which means we serve others.

Jesus does not simply talk about serving or give some spiritual, mystical definition of what serving means. Jesus physically serves through the washing of feet and ultimately through giving his body to be crucified. If this is the example the Savior of the world gives, what does that mean for us?

As Christians, we are called to serve as Jesus served. This means we get our hands dirty. Serving as Christ served will take us to places where we are out of our comfort zone. We should not settle for talking about serving or simply applauding when others serve, we need to grab a rag and start washing feet. This may mean going to people overlooked by society and offering them the love of Christ through serving them. One thing is clear, when we serve as Jesus served our hands will get dirty.
Our first thought may be that we can never serve as Christ, but when we open our hearts to the amazing love Christ has shown us through his mighty acts of service, we find ourselves compelled to respond. God’s gracious love motivates and strengthens us to live the life of a servant.

Are you serving as Jesus served? Have you experienced the love of God that compels you to follow Jesus’ example? Are you getting your hands dirty for God?

The church in Philippi and the Apostle Paul had a rich relationship based on some endearing events. Their collective story began with Paul’s vision of a Macedonian man beckoning him to “come help” the people there (Acts 16:9).

Paul immediately sailed to Macedonia. He landed at Neapolis and curiously traveled nine miles inland to Philippi for his first recorded contact with Macedonians.

Philippi was a storied city named for Philipp II, the father of Alexander the Great. It was the hub for a famous gold rush in antiquity. It also was the locale for the legendary Roman battle that made Octavian, better known as Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome. The city also was near the famous Via Egnatia, an east-west Roman highway that ran the width of southern Macedonia.

At Philippi, Paul spoke to a gathering of women, drawing one of their number, Lydia, to faith in Christ (Acts 16:14). A Christian presence had been planted in Philippi and Macedonia. Nevertheless, Paul was jailed after ruining a fortune-telling scheme by exorcizing a demon from a slave girl (Acts 16:16-24).

In the middle of the night, God sent an earthquake to open the doors of the prison. Fearful for his life, the jailer begged of Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Paul dutifully delivered the simple truth: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Thus the gospel message and its ministry of grace to the hearts of the spiritually needy was forever associated with the city of Philippi.

Though Paul was asked to leave Philippi the morning after his stay in prison, he and his ministry associates returned many times in the years to come. Through these visits, Paul developed an intimate relationship with the Philippian church, perhaps the warmest and most dear between Paul and any of his churches, if the epistle to the Philippians is any indication.

Late in Paul’s ministry, the church in Philippi heard Paul was being held in a Roman prison. The people decided to send a gift to help support him. Out of gratitudem, Paul composed the rich and widely cherished epistle to the Philippians. The epistle is extensively quotable and is the favorite of many who seek, among other things, “the peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) and the assurance to be “able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

The close connection of the Philippian church to the ministry of Paul is convincingly expressed in the opening section of the epistle to the Philippians. Paul thanked God for them upon every remembrance of them (v. 3), praying for them with joy (v. 4) because they were partners (vv. 5, 7) in the gospel ministry. They were in his heart (v. 7); he deeply missed them (v. 8); and he had experienced their love (v. 9) which he prayed would continue to grow. By the time Paul wrote this letter, his intimate partnership with this church was approximately a decade old. This enduring relationship provides the background for the present lesson.

Get started (Philippians 1:1-2)

The salutations of Paul’s epistles always are rich, as is the case here. Paul identified himself and Timothy as co-senders of the epistle. In several epistles, Paul refers to himself as an apostle, whether to defend his apostleship or to remind his readers of his apostolic authority. In Philippi, however, Paul’s apostleship was not in question. Therefore he identified himself as a bondslave of Christ Jesus. Paul had bound and submitted himself to Jesus in a way that resembled the humble servitude of a slave.

Jesus with his titles is mentioned three times in two short verses. Paul was sold-out completely to Jesus, after all this time, and especially as he awaited his hearing before the Roman emperor.

Paul addressed his epistle to the “saints” or “holy ones” in Philippi. These had set themselves apart as servants of the Lord just as Paul had. The “overseers” were those who had executive supervision over the operations of the church. The deacons were the ministers or servants of the church who took spiritual care of the people. The Philippian Christians also served Christ Jesus and as such they were co-servants with Paul. They shared in Paul’s ministry by supporting him and served in local ministries that proclaimed the gospel just as Paul proclaimed the gospel in other parts of the world.

Paul’s customary greeting, a blessing, is recorded in verse 2. “Grace” was the common Roman greeting. Paul used it to call for God’s grace in the lives of his readers. Grace is the agency of God’s salvation. It is by God’s grace that people are saved, as Paul writes elsewhere (Ephesians 2:9).

Paul’s greeting also used the word “peace,” reflecting the Hebrew word “shalom.” Paul used the word to bless his readers with God’s peace through Jesus Christ. Using these two words together, Paul had a powerful Christian greeting that represented the beginning (grace) and result (peace) of God’s work in the lives of Paul’s beloved readers through Christ Jesus. Even Paul’s greeting was a mini-statement of the gospel.

Be involved now (Philippians 1:3-6)

Verse 3 indicates a prayer tactic of Paul’s: to pray for every person as he remembered them. One can imagine Paul prayed frequently for the Philippian church. He prayed for them out of joy, especially after receiving their support during his stay in prison. But what he was most thankful for was their partnership in the gospel.

Paul states that the Philippian participation in his gospel ministry had been from the “first day until now.” The spread of the gospel to as many lives as he could reach was Paul’s compelling desire. The Philippians were beneficiaries of Paul’s extreme commitment to the gospel. Seeing the results in their own lives, they had joined instantly him as he sought to reach out with the gospel elsewhere.

Paul expressed his confidence in the gospel’s effectiveness in verse 6. This verse tells us the ministry of the gospel is a continuing endeavor. Through the gospel, Jesus started a good work in the lives of the Philippian readers. The world is not good, though it had been created good. Similarly people are not good, though humanity had been created good. Therefore, defying worldly reality, Jesus began a good work in the Philippian Christians. By his grace, Jesus set in motion a ministry to transform the Philippians into good and godly people. Because of his reliability, Jesus would continue this life transformational “work” until the “day of Christ Jesus.”

The Old Testament prophets refer frequently to the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:6; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 2:31; Amos 5:18; Malachi 4:5). This is the dreadful day when the Lord will end time and judge everyone. The purpose for salvation is to rescue people of the day of the Lord’s great wrath.

Just as the prophets proclaimed the Lord’s salvation in the advance of the Lord’s certain day of judgment, Paul also proclaimed salvation to his readers and listeners. Paul’s gospel, empowered by the Lord, is sufficient to last until the day of the Lord, thereby delivering God’s people through the coming wrath.

Now Paul expressed complete confidence in the Lord’s work among his people. He could see the Lord working in their lives. He was more persuaded than ever that the Lord’s work of salvation would endure so that his people would be delivered to the rightful destiny. This knowledge and confidence should energize the Philippians to serve the Lord with enduring faithfulness.

Assist in various ways (Philippians 1:7-8)

Paul’s affection for the Philippians is most clearly declared in these verses. The Philippians are in Paul’s heart (v. 7) because they are partners in grace in two ways: as Paul’s supporters during his incarceration and as co-laborers in the gospel.

Verse 8 perhaps contains the single most direct statement of Paul’s affection for his people in Philippi. His expression of affection is affirmed through the witness of God. God could testify to Paul’s prayers for the Philippian Christians.

Naturally, Paul was concerned about the defense and the establishment of the gospel. From our perspective two millennia after Paul’s ministry, we have knowledge of the long-term effectiveness and power of the gospel Paul was not able to see. As an apostle, Paul was charged with the establishment of gospel in this world in a way that it would not wane or become ineffective. Even in chains, Paul could see the gospel increasing in influence and reaching ever more people. He could also see the gospel at work in the ministry of the Philippian church. An equal concern for the gospel should be found among God’s people today.

Stay with it (Philippians 1:9-11)

Paul always had prayed for the Philippians, but now writes a specific prayer for them. The prayer has four points. First, Paul prayed the Philippians’ love would keep growing. Love is the hallmark of Christian maturity. This love has two characteristics: knowledge and discernment. Just as Paul prayed the gospel work Christ had started in them would continue until the last day, he also prayed the Philippians’ love would grow. Thus, a byproduct of the gospel’s effectiveness in the lives of the Philippians was the cultivation of love within them.

Second, Paul asked his people to use their discernment to determine what really mattered in their lives. This refers to the discerning of the movement of Christ in their lives who would be developing the elements of Paul’s third request within them.

Third, Paul prayed his people would be pure and blameless in the day of Christ. Purity of living means to live a wholesome life with minimal invasiveness by sin and evil. Blamelessness has to do with being cleansed of sin so that one stands without blemish before the Lord. Blamelessness does not mean one never sinned, but that one has had a life-changing and life-cleansing encounter with the Lord (2 Samuel 22:24).

Fourth, Paul petitioned that his people would be filled with the fruit of righteousness. Righteousness refers to having a right standing with the Lord. Believers are expected to pursue righteousness, not as a work that results in salvation, but as the pursuit of the new life that God created when he applied his salvation to people’s lives. The pursuit of righteous living generates “fruit.” This fruit is not specified. Generally it includes the maintenance of a right standing before God. By implication in this passage, Paul likely had in mind involvement in the ministry of the gospel.

Paul had a powerful and deep relationship with the Philippians. They had been encouraged to participate as coworkers and supporters in Paul’s ministry. In support of this goal, Paul frequently prayed for them.

What is missing here is the response of the Philippians to Paul’s letter. But perhaps their generous gift of support to Paul is enough of a message pointing to their participation in the gospel ministry and their commitment to the life-changing message of Christ Jesus.

Everyone experiences times of difficulties and trials. This is because we live in a broken world. We Christians are not exempt—even though we serve a graceful and benevolent God. Peter teaches in 1 Peter 1:1-9 that Christians can live a confident life regardless of circumstances. We will learn in this series that even in times of suffering we can continue following God’s commands and live righteous lives.

To be a follower of Jesus during the time 1 Peter was written meant being obedient to God instead of fitting in to the world around them. These Christians understood what true persecution is. Peter wrote this letter to encourage them to keep living lives for God in the midst of trials and persecution. However, it encourages all Christians to keep the faith in spite of hardships.   

Living hope

Peter first wrote that Christians are set apart and chosen. God understands all our circumstances and every difficulty we have been through and will go through. He has redeemed us through Jesus and sanctifies us through the Holy Spirit. God also calls us to live in obedience. As Paul wrote in Romans 6:6, “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”

We have a living hope in Jesus. Our hope is not dead, but is alive because Jesus is alive. Our hope is in Jesus to cover us with his grace, in the present, the past and the future. We need this hope now to spur us on to live as he desires. We have this hope even in times of difficulty, because we know one day we will be one with him forever.

Revelation 21:4 tells us: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” This is relevant for all believers especially in times of hardship or trouble, because when confidence cannot be found in anything else, it is found in the grace and power of God.
 
In the midst of difficulties, we must focus on, cling to, and put our confidence in what is truly important: our inheritance as God’s children. That includes heaven as well as God’s grace and strength for today. We should not compare our lives with the lives of those living in the world, nor should we put our faith in worldly things.

Unshakable faith

One becomes a Christian by having the faith that Jesus is Lord and that he died to save sinners. Faith is the central theme in our lives. Genuine faith is not wishful thinking; it is a deep conviction that God is who he says he is. Genuine faith enables us to courageously meet the challenges of the world because we know our inheritance is secure and that our suffering will last only a little while. Through 1 Peter 1:6-7, God assures us the trials and tribulations we face while walking with him will be used for spiritual growth.  

Our entire social system, culture and way of life revolve around money. Unlike money, faith will last for eternity and it will never perish. Peter compares our faith with money or gold, by saying that our faith is of greater worth than gold and that through trials our faith will be strengthened.

Glorious grace
    
To live a holy life in times of difficulty does not mean we cannot make mistakes. For we all know that when the pressures surround us and we feel the stress of the circumstances, we are more capable of slipping up. Christ redeems us from our past sins and the ones in the future. He covers us with his blood so that our souls can have rest and so we can live with freedom in his grace. He walks with us in our trials and promises to never leave us.

As sinful creatures, we know it is impossible to be completely perfect and obedient to God. We somehow always mess up and can never quite live up to the holy standards of a perfect God. However, God has given us a way to be holy and clean from sin.

He sent Jesus to be the blood sacrifice, so that we can live clean lives as he desires. Jesus gives us a new birth, so we are no longer slaves to our sinful desires, but we are born of the spirit and now belong to God’s family.

1 Peter 1:3,4 says: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

So, what more shall we do when we undergo suffering or trials, but rejoice and walk through them with joy? Knowing that Christ went through many trials, understands our pain and he has chosen us to live the lives we have. We also can rejoice because we know in the end that our faith will be strengthened and our trials will result in greater praise and glory to our God.  

Questions for reflection
 
• Why is it more difficult to be obedient to God during times of hardship or struggle?

• What are some things you can do to live a more Godly life in difficult situations?

Do you know what it means to be satisfied? Webster says to be satisfied is to supply fully with what is desired, expected or needed. To please; gratify. To free from doubt or anxiety; convince. To give what is due.

The Hebrew word for “satisfy” means the same thing. Take a moment to see what God says about his people in Hosea 13:6. He fed them, they were satisfied and then they became proud.

How satisfied are you with your walk with Christ? Being satisfied is a dangerous place to be; it leads to apathy and pride. It also makes you lazy and dulls you to what’s going on around you because you become only concerned with you being satisfied and no one else.

And what about the two way street our faith is supposed to be. We always are ready to receive all we think we are due—that we are entitled to—from God, but isn’t he due something as well? Being satisfied can cause us to live within a bubble. Christianity should give us great comfort, and yet it should also stir within you a certain level of discomfort. How—or will—you go about finding the healthy tension that exists between these two?

The people of Hosea’s time were experiencing the exact same thing we as Christians, experience today, and in that time, God encourages them to return to him. Hosea tells the people to approach God and say “receive us graciously.” This is to let God know they know who he is—the God of grace. He loves it when his people acknowledge him for who he is.

Throughout Scripture we see an ongoing theme of God asking—even begging—his children to return to him. The writer of Hebrews encourages readers to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so we can receive mercy and find grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

If you want to find mercy and grace, you have to go to God for it, because it all comes from him. Sure, you and I can try and find it in other people and things, but they will never satisfy what you’re looking for. And although you may feel like you’ve found mercy and grace somewhere besides God, you haven’t. You’re being lied to and lying to yourself. Return to God.

But Hosea isn’t done. He also tells the people to offer God the fruit of your lips. What does he mean? Essentially that they would go to God with praise and admiration that is so powerful and deep inside them that it pours out of their mouths as adoration, telling God how great he is.

When was the last time you went to God for the sole purpose of telling him how wonderful he is? I wonder at times why we don’t have worship services set aside for the sole purpose of worship. I mean, they’re called “worship services” right?

But Hosea still isn’t done. When God’s people return to him with the hope of finding grace, telling God how great he is, they (we) need to acknowledge nothing in the world can save us, only God. Oh sure, they tried it with a big nation like Assyria and war horses and power and it just didn’t work. I’m sure it seemed like a good idea to them at the time but what they didn’t realize was that God was not in those things.

What do we look for salvation in our own times? Our country? Our ability and technology as a world power? It’s easy to see how we are very much like our forefathers in the faith isn’t it? And yet, God continues to say the same thing to us as he did to them back then. “Return to me. Only in me will you find what you’re looking for and be loved.”

Hear God’s response to their pleas. Look at God’s “I will” statements in verses 4 and 5: “I will heal you and love you; I will refresh you and give you strength.”

Understand that God is waiting for us to do our part; and when we do, he will do his part. However, he won’t do his part unless we do ours.

So there we go, we know what it takes to make it happen. But will we do it? Think of it like this, we have seen and read the very simple fact that for the most part losing weight is about simple math—addition and subtraction. When you consume more calories than you burn throughout the day, your body will store the leftovers. If you want to lose weight, you burn more calories than you consume.

We know this, it’s a common fact. However, just knowing it doesn’t cause fat to fall off our bodies. If only it were that simple! We have to move and change our minds and habits on some things.

Looking to be fruitful in your life? It comes from God and he says so in verse 8. I have to remember that if I want to be more productive, effective and fruitful in my life, it starts with God.

Keeping hope alive in the middle of severe and difficult circumstances is not an easy task. In our text, we read the account of the surrender and eventual destruction of Jerusalem, the forced exile of the city’s population to Babylon, and King Jehoiachin’s imprisonment and eventual release.  

These passages encourage readers to can keep hope alive in the midst of personal and/or national tragedy.  

In the last eight chapters of 2 Kings, we see how Judah declined spiritually between the reigns of King Hezekiah and King Jehoiachin. The period between Hezekiah and Jehoiachin was a time of rebellion against God through the worship of false gods. The chronicler noted, with the exception of the reformer Josiah, all the kings and their spiritual leaders refused to call for or lead the nation to repent of their collective sin and follow the living God. Instead, they encouraged and demanded their people to continue their hedonistic path.  

Because of this rebellion, we read in 24:2-4 that the Lord sent the nation of Judah’s enemies against them “in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh … and the Lord was not willing to forgive.”

The writer tells us in 24:12-14 that Nebuchadnezzar took into exile King Jehoiachin, his household, the soldiers, all of the treasures of the temple and the palace, the elite soldiers, craftsman, artisans, civic leaders and government administrators—close to 10,000 people. Nebuchadnezzar then installed Zedekiah as king, who would reign 11 years. Zedekiah was as evil as those whom he followed.

Even with these great losses, there remained a remnant of believers who kept hope alive although they had lost most, if not all, their treasures, including their freedom. This should encourage believers to keep alive their hope in God no matter what precious things they lose.  

In 24:19-20, we see where God’s patience ends. King Zedekiah’s evil actions against the Lord and his rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar resulted in the Lord’s decision to use the king of Babylon to destroy Judah and send its people into captivity. In doing so, the Lord banished them from his presence.

Believers are reckless if they count on God’s repeated forgiveness when they continually reject his instructions. God is patient and longsuffering, but there comes a point when he brings judgment according to what his people deserve. The Lord’s warnings are meant to preserve the believers’ relationship with him and to prevent his judgment.

When the Lord decides that he must bring judgment on his people for their persistent disobedience, believers still can keep alive their hope in God.

In 2 Kings 25, we read of the total destruction of Judah’s military, political and spiritual leadership. First, Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem for a period of two and one-half years. It is at this time that the last of the food was gone, the Babylonians broke through Jerusalem’s wall and Zedekiah tried to escape.

After leaving the city, the king’s men deserted him which made the Babylonian army’s mission of capturing Zedekiah easy. Upon his capture and Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment, Zedekiah was made to watch his sons killed, then his eyes were gouged out and he was led away to Babylon.  

Later, the Babylonians burned down the temple of the Lord, the royal place and every other building in Jerusalem.  Then, they tore down the walls of Jerusalem. These actions were taken by the Babylonians to discourage any further resistance or insurrection by making the city defenseless.  

The Lord allowed this because the Jews considered the temple to be a sign of his presence. The destruction of the temple signified to the Israelites God’s presence was no long with them. After the destruction of the city, the Babylonians took the majority of the population into exile.  

Even in the midst of the chaos and loss that overwhelmed these residents/exiles, we can see in the words of Jeremiah to them that they should keep their hope in the Lord alive because he still is in charge. “‘For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you … plans to give you hope and a future … you will call on me … you will seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity’” (Jeremiah 29:11-14).  

This should encourage modern-day believers when confronted with chaotic situations causing many to experience panic and hopelessness to remember there is hope to be found in a living God. Thus, we are able to keep hope alive.

2 Kings unexpectedly ends with a story about Jehoiachin, who had been in prison 37 years, being released by Nebuchadnezzar’s successor, Evil-Merodach, and given a place of honor among the other exiled kings in Babylon. With Jehoiachin being of the linage of King David, the Holy Spirit-inspired author held out a glimmer of hope to the people of Judah by recording the release of their king.

The hope for a better future still remains because neither the Lord nor Israel’s remnant are dead. God’s word and his promises to David remain in effect even though the signs of the relationship between the Lord and Israel, such as the temple, no longer existed. The writer is telling his readers, then and now, to trust the Lord and find hope in him. Believers can keep their hope in God because he will give evidence he is working in the course of human events for their benefit.

Christians—by definition, and more importantly by faith—have put their ultimate hope in the Lord. Still, they or their loved ones may experience long-lasting, hard circumstances that put their hope and faith to the test. They may contract terrible illnesses, lose their possessions or be victims of violence. They may wonder whether God hears their prayers and, if he does, why he hasn’t helped.

Every Christian goes through challenges like these during their walk with God. This passage gives encouragement and hope to the readers the Lord is at work to fulfill his plan for their lives. They can keep hope alive.

After more than 2,000 years, is the work Jesus did on the cross still significant? What does it mean for the modern believer to have a Savior who died for us centuries ago?

The early church believed Jesus would return quickly and adjusted their lives accordingly. It’s easy, when you expect someone to arrive at any moment, to remain vigilant. I’m sure the early Christians carefully obeyed Jesus’ teachings, urgently sharing their faith so none of their friends would be left behind.

As the years passed, however, it may have become difficult to remain focused on their faith. Perhaps it even faded somewhat. Life became less about living for Jesus and more about preparing for tomorrow.

The significance of faith

When Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to all the disciples except Thomas. Let’s be honest. Thomas’ only experience with a man being raised from the dead was Lazarus. But Lazarus didn’t raise himself. It was Jesus who restored him to life, and Jesus was now dead. Needless to say, Thomas was skeptical.

After Jesus showed himself to Thomas and allowed the disciple to touch his wounds, Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Faith extends beyond experience. It believes even without the evidence of sight or touch. It also nurtures itself over time, growing stronger, not weaker, throughout the years.

It was easy for the early church to believe. Their memories of Jesus were fresh. If they hadn’t seen Jesus personally, the person telling them about him had likely seen him. Or they knew someone who knew someone who had seen the Lord. Their faith could be strong because they had personally experienced the Light of the World.

The light that cuts through the centuries

Our faith is more pure—if we truly believe. We believe without seeing the Lord or touching his wounds, and according to Jesus, we are blessed because of it.

In today’s reading, Jesus says, “The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light” (John 12:35-36).

The fact is, Jesus’ light is so strong and shines so brightly, it’s possible to believe without having seen the man Jesus. We experience him personally on a spiritual level, which creates a relationship that extends beyond our sight, touch or even time.

This makes our relationship with Jesus extremely significant, if not downright miraculous. This is a man who lived centuries ago, yet he offers relationship as real as if he were sitting beside us right now. Why is this?

“If I be lifted up”

Jesus tells the crowds that follow him, “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:31-32).

Jesus allowed himself to be lifted high on a cross so all people would be drawn to him. Because of his selflessness, we can overcome sin and death and rest in the certainty of eternal life.

As Paul says, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” (Romans 6:8).

Now, as sons of light, we must continue to lift Jesus up. By living with him and allowing him to change us, we demonstrate his power even now, 2,000 years after he walked the earth. By allowing our lives to reflect his glory, we help him accomplish his will, which is that everyone believe he is the Son of God.

Is Jesus significant for your life?

In your daily life, is it apparent you belong to Jesus? We all struggle with the old sin nature. One of our greatest responsibilities as believers is to daily rip more of ourselves out of the grip of our sin nature and give it to Jesus to be remade and renewed.

Can it be discouraging never to achieve our goal of being perfected? Of course. But our faith must be strong enough to carry us through. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Renewal doesn’t occur by itself, though. We must commit to relationship with Jesus and work on that relationship every day. Don’t read the Bible once a week for church. Read it daily. Study it and memorize it. Don’t pray only at church or when others are watching. Pray without ceasing, as Paul instructs in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Allow God to transform your heart, mind and attitudes. Then let your light shine as a true child of the light.

Food for thought

What is it about relationship with Jesus that makes it significant for you? Have your life changed because of him?

What is the foundation of your faith in Jesus? Has your faith growth throughout the years? Why?

Have a Little Faith: A True Story by Mitch Albom (Hyperion)

My wife rarely insists I must read a book, but Have a Little Faith was the exception. Before that, I heard hear laughing and occasionally sniffing as she occupied her typical-evening spot on the loveseat, reading. When she finished, she passed it on to me. I’m glad she did.

Mitch Albom tells the story of two very different clergymen—Albert Lewis, his childhood rabbi, and Henry Covington, the African-American pastor of a barely-hanging-on church in inner-city Detroit. It’s a story about resilience and perseverance and faith. It’s a story about abiding love.

The story takes eight years to tell, but it begins with a simple, yet daunting, request: “Will you do my eulogy?” the aging, ailing rabbi asks the young sportswriter. As the tale is told, Albom walks alongside his old friend, the rabbi, and his new friend, the preacher. Before it’s ended, he writes that eulogy and very nearly pens a requiem for the Detroit congregation.

Albom, best known for his prior book, Tuesdays with Morrie, polishes the tiny details of his friends’ lives until they glow—which is what you’ll be doing when you close this lovely book.

Marv Knox, editor

Baptist Standard

Dallas

Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola (Thomas Nelson)

The church should be more than purpose-driven or cause-driven; it should be person-driven—the person of Jesus Christ, according to popular authors Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola. The subtitle of their latest book spells out its lofty goal—“Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ.” To see Jesus Christ as a social activist or moral philosopher is to shortchange him. Instead, Christians should recognize him as all-sufficient Lord of the universe.

Too many churches today suffer from “Jesus deficit disorder,” the authors assert. Social justice, moral behavior and orthodox doctrine all have value, but they should not be at the center of the church’s identity. Christianity is all about Christ—nothing more and nothing less. The life of the church should be the life of Christ.

Furthermore, the individual Christian’s life should be more than aspiring to imitate Christ, Sweet and Viola insist. The believer should not wear a veneer of Christ-likeness; Christ should indwell the believer and exercise lordship over every aspect of life. Sweet and Viola write in an approachable, easy-to-read style, but resist the temptation to breeze through this book. Instead, take the time to let its insights soak in.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard

Dallas

Back on Murder by J. Mark Bertrand (Bethany House)

In Back on Murder, J. Mark Bertrand pens a gripping mystery within a mystery.  Unexplained to the reader, veteran detective Roland March has been moved from homicide to mundane, on-the-way-out tasks within the Houston Police Department while his relationship with his wife crumbles. His boss temporarily puts him “back on murder” when March discovers overlooked evidence at a shoot-out.

About the same time, Donna Mayhew reports her teenaged daughter missing. Her father, a prominent Houston megachurch pastor, died several years earlier in a plane crash, but her mother continued his ministry at Cypress Community Church. The more Roland March investigates, the more his experience tells him the incidents are connected. Together with Cypress Church member Theresa Cavallo, March attempts to connect the dots. But those efforts lead them into danger and a scandal that shakes the upper echelon of the Houston Police Department. Along the way, the detective learns the power of forgiveness as he observes people who live their faith under difficult circumstances.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas

Waco

Have you ever loved someone that didn’t love you back? How about if that person didn’t love you back the way you wanted to be loved? Frustrating isn’t it?

Even now, those of you who have experienced this at a very deep level probably are having some old feelings try to come back. Why? Love is a powerful emotion and state of being (there’s the understatement for this article).

Now imagine—we can’t, but try—how God must feel. Love is  who he is; it’s not an emotion to him, but intrinsically who he is. And think about all he has done for you and me; all he’s given, to the point of offering up the life of his only Son, because of his great love for you. And yet, how do we love him back?

Let me say this is going to be a terrible analogy, but have you ever seen a dog that was just neglected and abused and yet kept going back to its owner, tail wagging, desperately longing and hoping for love and acceptance? It blows our minds, doesn’t it? Why doesn’t the dog just run away? I mean, it could easily find a better home, right?

Sure, because we live in such an “I’m a victim” society, we’d like to believe we are the dog and God is the owner, but the exact opposite is true. God is the one who gives himself totally and completely to us even though many times we have nothing but neglect for him. And yet he continues to stay. Why? Because unconditional love is who God is, he simply won’t leave you, he loves you too much.

Remember the understatement about love? It’s about to get even crazier. It’s one thing to pour out love for another person, the chance for your love to be reciprocated is certainly there and that hope is what keeps us hanging on sometimes. But what if that love isn’t for someone, but for something. What if that same kind of driven love isn’t even focused on a person but on an inanimate object that doesn’t even have—nor ever will—have the ability to respond to or give back that love? Would that not be the height of lunacy?

And yet, how many times do we find ourselves pouring ourselves into things that will never give back to us? Homes, cars, clothes, electronics. All those things have the capacity to draw your love out of you and to keep you from directing it where it should be going, to God, your family and others.

What will your funeral look like? We’re all going to have one. What are they going to say about how you loved? Sure, no one is going to have someone stand up at their funeral and say, “Ol’ Tom, here loved golf more than anything on earth, including God and his family.” Or, “Laura here loved clothes and shoes more than her Savior or her children.”

But people will know what or who you loved and how you loved them. God help us all to have someone stand at our funeral and say, “Tom/Laura here was loved by God and he/she loved God with all that they had.” And then have all in attendance nod their heads in agreement because they know beyond the shadow of a doubt that it’s true.

One of the glaring questions for us as Christians is, “What do you and I need to get rid of to help us love God more completely?” Let me say this, it will be a dangerous question to ask God because he will show you what that is, and he will expect you to do the right thing.

Think about it, because we love in degrees, our love is negotiable or conditional but not with God. His love is 100 percent all the time. He will never love you more or less than he does at this very moment. What an amazing Father we have. Maybe it’s time to take a moment or two and be thankful of that.

Hosea 11:4 is a beautiful picture of how God leads us. Sometimes when we think about being slaves and servants, we get the image of chains and shackles. And quite honestly, if you are enslaved to the world, then that’s exactly what you have.

However, Hosea gives us a much different picture. God “enslaves” his people with kindness and love, then goes a step further and lifts the burden from off our necks and feeds us when we’re hungry. I don’t know about you, but sign me up for that kind of slavery.

And continuing on with our theme of lunacy, how utterly crazy is it when we walk away from God’s idea of “slavery” and return to the cold iron shackles and weight around our necks? We would all agree that it’s totally nutso. But the changes are so subtle we don’t notice it until things get so bad that we notice we’re wearing the wrong shackles and carrying a burden we were never meant to carry.

Feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Maybe it’s time to return to your Master who will love you enough to trade your shackles for kindness and love, because that’s the kind of Father he is.

When our world is falling apart and there seems no way out of the situation in which we find ourselves, there is a tendency for believers to turn to the word of God. As one studies the Bible, there is a word, an emotion, a conviction that reaches out to us in our desperation.

The Bible calls it “hope.” The psalmist testified, “Blessed is he … whose hope is in the Lord” (Psalm 146:5). Emil Brunner is quoted as saying, “What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.”  

Even though Judah’s King Hezekiah had made several mistakes during his reign, he instituted religious and spiritual reforms that pointed his subjects back to God. He was able to make these changes by developing a powerful prayer life through a growing, personal relationship with God. It was his faith and hope in God that brought about the results of 2 Kings 19-20.  

In this week’s passages, we find the nation Judah in a desperate and dangerous situation. The nation had been invaded by the Assyrians and their king, Sennacherib. There seemed to be no hope at all for Judah and Jerusalem to survive an assault by Assyria’s army.

Although Hezekiah had made peace overtures and paid a high tribute to Sennacherib, the Assyrian army advanced to take the land, the cities and exile the people to another land. In a pre-battle negotiating session between Sennacherib’s and Hezekiah’s representatives, the Assyrians spoke with volume and authority as they strived to destroy the forces of Judah’s hope in their king, their God and their future.

However, we find Hezekiah’s subjects resisted the temptation to distrust those who had brought revival and purpose back to their nation. They remained loyal to their leaders and the hope of their future.  

A lesson to be learned from this temptation is that no matter how desperate our circumstances may become, as believers, we can have hope by trusting the Lord knows about our situations and will help us persevere.

In the days after Hurricane Ike struck Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, there were great emotional, spiritual, physical and financial struggles that faced everyone who lived in the area. In most cases, the basic utilities were not available to meet needs. However, the lesson we learned and preached each day to all who came was God knows where we are and he knows our difficulties and in him we have hope. In the middle of the temptation to distrust and blame, we turned to faith and hope in the One who had brought us this far.

When he received the report from his servants concerning the dismal picture painted by Sennacherib’s representatives, the Scriptures tell us Hezekiah “tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went to the temple of the Lord” (19:1). Hezekiah then sent his servants to Isaiah the prophet and asked for the prophet to intercede with God.  

After a time of prayer, Isaiah sent the servants back to the king with a message of encouragement. The prophet quoted God, “Do not be afraid … I am going to put such a spirit in him … he will return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword” (19:6-7).

When our faith is being tested, and we are in the path of losing hope, as believers, we can gain strength from other believers. We can bolster our hope for the future by encouraging one another to relay one the Lord’s saving power.

After the great reassurance from Isaiah, Hezekiah once again is threatened by Sennacherib as he quoted the histories of other kings who had stood against the army of Assyria and how each one had been conquered and destroyed. Sennacherib warned Hezekiah not to trust in his God to deliver Jerusalem.

At this time, the king of Judah went up to the temple of the Lord, prayed for himself and his nation and their deliverance from the Assyrians. However, his request is not only for their deliverance but “so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone are God” (19:15-19).

We read in verses 35-36, God powerfully answered Hezekiah’s bold request for His help. That night the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. With this intervention from the Lord, Sennacherib withdrew his army and the siege of Jerusalem was broken. A hopeless situation was overcome by a God who responded to a bold prayer of a desperate and obedient king.

Throughout our lives, we spend much of our time thinking about, planning for and working toward the future.  Yet because we realize the future holds uncertainties, we spend a lot of time worrying about the future.  To live with an enduring sense of peace and purpose—whatever the future holds—as believers, we need to base our hope on the Lord and his saving power.  We need to analyze challenges by basing our hope for the future on the Lord—no matter how hopeless the situations might seem. As the psalmist says, “Blessed is he … whose hope is in the Lord” (Psalm 146:5).