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Rejection

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 19:12:54 GMT

Rejection

Simply stated, to reject something is to refuse or disown it. I would venture to say that all of us have experienced rejection and the cruel sting it carries. Rejection can come from different places and at different levels. We can be rejected by a job opportunity or a sports team, or we can be rejected by someone we love. Each rejection brings its own level of sadness, disappointment or pain.

I recently read the book of Joshua, where the tribes of Reuben, Gad and part of Manasseh chose to settle not in the Promised Land but instead had asked to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan river. A review of Scripture reveals that this request was not to the Lord, but to Moses. (Numbers 32: 1-5). While we read in that same chapter that it was Moses who granted this request (32:20, 28, 29, 33, 40), it is what these tribes say in verse 19 that impacts me most: “For we will not have an inheritance with them (the other tribes) on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.” To understand this, let’s go back to verse one of chapter 32, speaking of the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad: “So when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead…”. The root of their request is rejection. They rejected the inheritance that God promised and prepared for them, based simply on what they saw with their own eyes. Does this sound familiar? Let’s go back to the beginning, to the book of Genesis. In chapter 2, God gives to Adam and Eve freedom to eat from any tree in the Garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2: 15-17). In chapter 3, we know that Satan deceives Eve to eat the fruit from that particular tree. Verse 6 states “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes…”. Eve saw with her eyes and rejected all that God had given her, to take that which He had not given to her. The tribes of Reuben and Gad did likewise. They each rejected God by rejecting His promise and His gift for that which was a delight to their own eyes. It may seem harsh to say that the tribes rejected God, but by refusing the gift of the Promised Land, they were saying that their choice of land was better than His choice for them. Scripture reveals that God’s people consistently rejected Him through sin and disobedience. We see in 1 Samuel 8 that the Israelites desire a human king to rule over them, not God. God says to Samuel in verse seven that “they have rejected Me from being king over them.”

The rejection of God continues into the New Testament, as we see Jesus being rejected by the very people He came to save. In Matthew 21:42, Jesus repeats the prophecy of Himself from Psalm 118:22 “The stone the builder’s rejected, has become the Chief Cornerstone…” In addition, Jesus prophecies of His rejection in Luke 17:25. I think the most significant rejection of Christ is when Pilate proposes to release Jesus according to custom, and the people instead choose Barabbas while the chief priests exclaim “We have no king but Caeser.” (John 19:15). In chapter one of Romans, Paul writes that people “exchanged (rejected) the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.”

What about today? Can we say that we differ from those in the Bible? Do we not at times reject His promises to settle for what looks good to our eyes? Do we proclaim Christ as our King, yet place others (or ourselves) on the throne of our life? Do we exchange His glory for the glory of created things? Though we know the pain and hurt of rejection, we often reject the One who will never leave or forsake us. The Creator of all, the Infinite One, full of love, grace and truth, is still being rejected by His creation. And yet, He still loves. He still restores. He still redeems. If, like the prodigal son, you’ve rejected the love of the Father to pursue that which is pleasing in your own eyes, come running back to Jesus! His arms are opened wide for you as He waits for your return!

The Veil

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:15:54 GMT

The Veil

Veils conceal, hide, shadow or obscure something from us. I believe that if asked to describe a veil, most of us would speak first of a bridal veil. I still remember the excitement and joy I felt the moment when I was able to lift the veil from my bride’s beautiful face and kiss her. The veil served as a curtain between the now, I could see her, and the not-yet as I waited to lift the veil.

The Bible speaks of veils in both the Old and New Testaments. The most recognized veil is the one that hung in the Temple. That veil hung between the holy place and the Holy of Holies and served to screen the ark of the testimony (Ex 26:31-34; 40:3). The veil tore from top to bottom when Jesus “gave up His spirit” while on the cross (Matt 27:51).

Isaiah 25:6-8 speaks of a veil as well:

“And the Lord of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; a banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, and refined, aged wine. And on this mountain, He will swallow up the covering, which is over all peoples, even the veil which is stretched over all nations. He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.”

What a beautiful, prophetic passage of what is to come! And while the passages in Exodus & Matthew describe a physical veil that separated us from God, the veil spoken of in Isaiah is one that cannot be seen. It is the spiritual veil that separates the peoples and nations of Earth from being in the full presence of God.

We know that a spiritual realm exists. We see that throughout Scripture, notably in Genesis, Job, Daniel and Revelation. Yet there is a veil between the spiritual and physical realms that sometimes feels as imposing as the Temple veil, and other times as thin as a bridal veil. I recently felt how thin that veil can be as I sat beside a friend and brother in the Lord whose earthly life was ending. His glory day was coming as he edged ever closer towards eternity. Prior to his passing, he experienced what some would describe as a ‘near death’ experience. He described a place of beauty, filled with castles and with a radiance of jasper all around (see Rev 4:3). My friend sensed the presence of Jesus, and he desperately longed to see Him, face to face. Yet as the day passed, he was told “No, not yet”. “You’re to go back”. With tears he cried out that he did not want to return to earth, he wanted to see his Jesus, but again was told, “No, not yet”.

What to make of all this? At times, heaven and Jesus can seem so far from us. We long to see Him, to feel His physical touch, to experience His beauty and grace in ways we have never known, and most importantly to see him face-to-face. But instead, we hear, “No, not yet”. Fellow believers, rest easy. That veil is not as thick and impassable as it may seem. Throughout the time of passing for my friend, God revealed His presence of love and grace through dreams, visions and most significantly through the touch and presence of others. The veil was so thin as you could feel Jesus’ presence in the room. You could hear nothing but hope and anticipation as my friend expressed his love for his King and the desire to worship at His feet! Until his last breath, it was Christ’s love and my dear friend’s eagerness to see his Savior that led us all to his bedside. The veil of the ‘now and not yet’ has never felt more sheer or more beautiful to me. We sang hymns as my dear friend led us right up to the throne of grace, but this day, only he would cross over into the “not yet”. For him, the veil was lifted.

We are indeed in the time of, “Now, but not yet”. As God’s children, we are to yearn for His presence. We see and feel all of creation groan under the pain of sin. Disease and despair are seemingly ever-present. But we have this hope and His name is Jesus! Soon He will come, and all will be made right according to His Word. Jesus’ death tore the Temple veil so that we now have access to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Take heart: The remaining veil will be removed as declared in Isaiah! A banquet has been prepared for us. There will be no more pain and no more tears as the radiance of God shines throughout the heavens. I know this to be true as His Word declares it, and my friend experienced it!

I want to encourage you. Rest in His truth: The time is near, the veil is thin and soon, we will see him face to face!

Enough, already

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 22:36:52 GMT

Enough, already

It has become increasingly apparent to me that as a society, we define people and things using narratives that fit our specific belief system. Many of us rely on news media and social media to form our definitions and beliefs about people and events, rather than taking time to investigate for ourselves. By doing that, we allow other people to impact our beliefs to the point where we embrace definitions and descriptions that may not be accurate.

One such example is Jesus. For centuries, people have tried to define Jesus in ways that conform to their beliefs often making them feel comfortable about their choices. Yet often times, these definitions are in direct contrast to what Scripture says about Jesus and what Jesus said about Himself. Why do I bring it up? Because enough is enough . We are at a time and place in history where things are being ascribed to Jesus that are in direct conflict with what He said about Himself. I have heard over these past few years statements such as “Jesus was a radical.” “Jesus was a feminist”. “Jesus was a socialist”. And most recently, “Jesus was woke”.

ENOUGH!

Jesus was, is, and always will be God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1: 1,2). “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Some of us define Jesus to reflect what we wish for Him to be as it will justify our own opinions and beliefs, be they political, social or otherwise. Friends, let me say that not only is that a wrong thing to do, but it is also dangerous as you walk the line of blasphemy. We have the Bible, in which the Lord reveals Himself in both the Old and New Testaments. And we have the One who reveals Christ to us, the Holy Spirit. Of Him, Jesus said, “and He will guide you into all truth… And He shall glorify me.” (John 16:13,14). Yet we persist in using our own definitions that glorify an ideology!

Was Jesus a feminist? NO! Feminism is a man-made definition to describe an ideology promoting the equality of women. We should not take human ideologies and use them to define the Infinite and Perfect. Jesus was clear in His teachings and in His actions that women are equal in His sight, but that does not allow us to define Him as a feminist to serve our own purpose. Was Jesus radical? NO! While His teachings were counter-cultural, the eternal One who formed the universe should not be humanly defined by labeling Him as radical. Being fully God, Jesus came to demonstrate the true nature of God which had become corrupted through the administration of man-made rules. That isn’t radical, it is Truth. Truth that rights wrongs. Moses brought forth the Law- grace and truth were realized in and through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14,17). The truth of Jesus can be called radical only to someone who follows their own truth and elects to mold Jesus into his/her own beliefs.

What about Jesus being ‘woke’? “Woke” is a derived African-American Vernacular Term (AAVT) dating to the 20 ^th Century that initially described being alert, well-informed and awake to racial prejudice and unequal treatment of people in society. More recently, “wokeism” has been broadened to incorporate the promotion of liberal-progressive ideology and policy. John 1:3 states that “All things came into being through Him (Jesus) and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being.” Is it possible that the One who is all-knowing and who created all things would need to become alert, aware or well-informed about anything? Of course not! Again, it is another way by which people seek to conform Jesus into their own ideology to justify their words and actions.

But what did Jesus say about Himself? Great Question! Scripture records seven key statements from Jesus as to who He is- they are called the seven “I am” statements:

1. I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)

2. I am the Light of the World (John 8:12)

3. I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7,9)

4. I am the Good Shepherd (John 10: 11,14)

5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)

6. I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)

7. I am the true vine (John 15:1,5)

So, when I say, “Enough, already”, I am exhorting people to stop defining Jesus in their manner and instead look at His words as to how He defined Himself. Stop conforming Jesus into our likeness! Yet people in positions of authority and prominence continue to promote false definitions. So when you hear or read of people saying that Jesus was ‘such and such’, before accepting it as truth and repeating it to others, examine Scripture to see if it aligns with what He said about Himself. If it doesn’t line up, discard it! “Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good”. (Romans 12:9)

Jesus said: “I am the Alpha and Omega” “…who is, and was, and is to come, the Almighty”. (Rev 1:8).

That’s my Jesus!

The Heat is on

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:01:56 GMT

The Heat is on

The Heat is On

Dross. Dross is not a word commonly used unless a person is into metalsmithing. Webster’s Dictionary defines dross as: scum or unwanted material; waste or foreign matter. In figurative terms, dross is described as trivial or inferior. As defined, dross is undesirable and if we are honest, it exists within all of us.

Proverbs 25:4 states: “ take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith. ” Intuitively, we understand the interpretation here as God is the “Smith” and we are the vessel. God refines us, removing the impurities so that He can form us and shape us as He desires. Seems simple. Wrong! It is simple until you understand the process used to refine silver in biblical times. That process is known as cupellation.

Cupellation worked by heating the metal mixture in a porous bowl called a cupel. The refiner would place the impure metal into the cupel and heat it to approximately 1,000° C (1,832° F). During this process, many impurities would drain through holes in the cupel, while others would either burn off or be scraped off the surface. The result would be that a small amount of silver, called a ‘button’, would remain at the bottom of the cupel which would be removed after cooling. This is the useable product the smith is looking for.

While many applications from cupellation are obvious to our Christian walk, there are others less obvious. The use of intense heat for purification certainly applies to periods of our life where God will apply heat or pressure to draw out elements within us that are not from Him. This type of purification often feels like it is more than we can bear but if we dial in to the heart of God, we can tell He is in the middle of our circumstances. We recognize that through the refining process, it is God removing the impurities from us, just as the refiner scrapes the dross from the top of the molten metal.

There are differences, though. A refiner will apply the intense heat until he is satisfied that what he has left is the purest of silver. While a refiner works with inanimate material, God works with his beloved creation. A chief difference is that an inanimate material remains in the fire until removed; humans often try to temper the process by removing themselves from the fire as to minimize the pain. And unlike metal, once removed from the fire we may resist another refining moment as we think that it should be a ‘one and done’ process. Often that is not the case. A quick glance through Scripture will confirm this to be true. Consider the lives of Moses, David, Paul and Peter, just to name a few. Each of them went through several seasons of refinement. You see, unlike metal, once removed from the fire we have free will to choose for ourselves to further invite impurities by what we entertain…by what we see, hear, do or say.

So, while Holy Spirit sanctifies us, we can choose to continually pollute ourselves by being both in the world and of the world. It’s a choice we make moment by moment, day by day. And when we choose to be of the world, we fail to understand why God cannot do all that we had hoped He would do in and through us for the Kingdom.

There is something very important to understand when comparing the cupellation process with sanctification: Cupellation does not “make” silver. The silver already exists in the mixed metal. The work of the refiner is to draw it out through the removal of impurities. Though we were born in sin through the fall of Adam, we have God’s image in us. Holy Spirit does not need to form that or create that- it already exists inside of us! We simply need to let Him take us through the cupellation process and remain there until He removes us. It is this time consuming, yet purposeful process that the impurities drain out from inside us and the foreign matter removed from the surface. This is the process God uses to make us more like Him. It is with each choice we make that we either choose to be holy or to be part of a world opposed to God. It is God’s good desire to conform us to be more like Him!

While I am not eager to experience a temperature of 1,800° F, I know that it is His desire for me to fully surrender to the will of the Master Craftsman. I can impact my time spent in the fire by adding impurities to my life through my own choices. You and I have pure silver inside of us. Let us press on towards holiness and willingly allow God to bring forth that pure silver for His desires and for His own glory.

“ I urge you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and well-pleasing and perfect. ” Romans 12:1,2

The Devil Does Math

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 04:00:14 GMT

The Devil does Math

No doubt, one of the greatest challenges of a church is to know and understand its mission and purpose amid a diverse culture such as ours. In pursuit of this, it is not uncommon for a pastor or congregant to describe their church as an “Acts 2” church or say that they model their church after the 1st Century church. But what exactly does that mean?

Looking at Scripture, the answer is math. It is about multiplication. At the end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus commissioned the disciples to “ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit …” (Matthew 28:19). Jesus told them to go and make more disciples- to multiply themselves. And where were they to do this? In Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and even the remotest part of the earth (Acts 1:8). This is noteworthy not simply due to geography, but also because of the cultural diversity of the people that Jesus set before the disciples. It would have been easier for the disciples to reach only the people like themselves. We like to congregate with people who look like us, walk like us and talk like us. But that isn’t the way of the King. Think about the diversity of His disciples: There were fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot and a traitor. There were two sets of brothers and some were former disciples of John the Baptist- not exactly a homogenous group! Once filled by Holy Spirit though, this diverse group who had argued with each other over who was greater became united; they became one. In Acts 2:14, we see Peter standing with the eleven. Not apart from them or in front of them, but with them as one. He then preaches the gospel, and three thousand people are saved! The 12 became 3,000. That is multiplication!

Our enemy also knows math. Satan knows that the way to counter multiplication is through division. We see division in the Old Testament when, because of sin and idolatry, Israel is split into two kingdoms, north and south. This division led both kingdoms into bondage, then dissolution. God had taken the 70 people of the family of Jacob into Egypt, multiplied them into a nation and 400 years later, brought them to the Promised Land. Five hundred years later and again through sin, Satan was able to divide what God had multiplied.

But what does this have to do with the Church? Everything! Israel was one people group, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who allowed themselves to become separate and divided. The 1st Century church consisted of Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free people coming from Judaism or paganism, who became one people group in Christ. According to Luke, the “Acts 2 Church” quickly became of one mind and had all things in common (Acts 2:42-46). Imagine that! And what was God able to do with such unity? Math. He multiplied their number day by day! Yet just a few years later, Paul had to admonish the church in Corinth about becoming divided based on who had baptized them (1 Cor 1:10-13). In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses numerous challenges and questions, the first and foremost being division! Through pride, division crept into elements of spiritual gifts and ministerial callings such that Paul used the human body to illustrate how the church will be comprised of parts that look different but must operate as one body.

The 21st Century Church carries similarities to the 1st Century Church. It is a blend of people from many cultures and nationalities. Jesus is professed to be the head of the Church and His Great Commission is its primary objective. Yet, like the Corinthian church, we remain divided. We are divided by the dozen or so main denominations across the Protestant church, and within those denominations there are sub-groups, along with independent and non-denominational churches leading to further separation or division. We divide ourselves based on style of worship, liturgical or casual services, and we categorized churches (and people) as being Pentecostal, charismatic or fundamental. These groupings can work to divide, sub-divide and categorize the Church such that we move not as different members of one unified body, but instead as many members operating independent of one another. Paul instructs the Corinthians “…that there should be no division (schism) in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another”, and that “they are Christ’s body, and individually members of it” (1 Cor 12:25, 27). Not divided but unified in and through Christ so that through the power of Holy Spirit, we can multiply!

Brothers and Sisters, the clock is ticking. Can you hear it? Each day, we draw closer to the Lord’s return and each day, people leave this world and enter eternity without their names being written in the Lamb’s book of life. We have been commissioned to make disciples, to multiply. Satan knows this and has worked these past centuries to offset multiplication through division. We can spend our time dividing ourselves and debating with one another other about style of worship, use of spiritual gifts or how often to serve communion. Or we can yield to Holy Spirit and seek to remain unified as one body in Christ. Together as one body, we are called to glorify the name of Jesus and to “go therefore and make disciples….”

When The Untouchable Touches Us

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:35:26 GMT

One of the most difficult things to grasp is the idea or concept of holiness and a holy God. Too often, we associate the words ‘holy’ or ‘holiness’ with something or someone who is distant or remote. Some, like me, may have grown up in a faith or religion that promotes a God so holy that He is unattainable, unreachable, untouchable.

Without full understanding of early passages in Scripture, we can find that perceived distance is difficult to move past. Take for example Moses. God chose Moses to deliver His people from slavery. In chapter 33 of the book of Exodus, Moses speaks to God, “Then show me your glorious presence.” Moses has been in such close contact and communication with God that he desires to see Him in His glory. God responds by saying that He will make His goodness pass before Moses and proclaim His name, but then He tells Moses this: “You cannot see My face, for no man can see me and live!” Imagine for a moment being told that. The God whom you serve cannot be seen by you, or you will die.

In 2 Samuel chapter six, King David instructs the priests to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. The Ark was where God’s presence resided. It was holy. Hundreds of years earlier, God had instructed how the Ark was to be moved: With poles inserted through rings and carried on the shoulders of priests. The priests who were moving the Ark failed to move it in the manner instructed. Instead, they placed the Ark on a cart, pulled by oxen. During the move, the Ark began to fall and Uzzah reached out to stabilize it. This was against God’s instructions, for no one was to touch the Ark. What a costly mistake as Uzzah was struck down by God and died.

Unseeable. Untouchable. Holy.

Moses asked to see God’s glory. In chapter 14 of John’s gospel, Philip makes a similar request of Jesus and asks Him to “show us the Father”, to which Jesus replies “He who has seen Me, has seen the Father.”

Uzzah died because he touched the Ark of the Covenant, the very presence of God. We read in chapter nine of Matthew’s gospel the account of a woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years. She had spent her resources seeking healing, and in desperation and in faith, believed that if she could touch just the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. She touched Jesus and instead of death, she received life. (Mathew 9:20-22)

In Mark’s gospel, we see a blind man being brought to Jesus, God made flesh, and Jesus spits on his eyes, lays hands on him, and brings him sight (Mark 8:22-25). This man doesn’t touch Jesus, but is touched by Jesus, and now he sees because Jesus, God in the flesh touched him.

The Pharisees and religious leaders could not see Jesus for who He was, because they had been blinded by religion. They rejected the concept of how a Holy God could simply walk amongst them, touching, healing, loving and restoring people. Many of us today still cannot see God for who He truly is as we are blinded by religion or bound up in wrong thinking. Yes, God is holy. God is infinite and we are finite beings. This side of heaven His holiness is beyond our full comprehension. But we have Jesus! Jesus walked this Earth as fully God and fully man to reveal to us the full nature of God; a holiness that not only can be seen and touched, but one that sees us and touches us.

God became flesh because He desired to be with us and have us be with Him. Much as the woman with the bleeding in the story in Matthew, some of us may have been suffering with pain or a need for years and years. Like her, we need to come to the end of ourselves and find the boldness and faith to reach out and simply grab hold of Jesus. He will not reject you. Or perhaps as with the Pharisees, our flesh and our past have blinded us such that we cannot see Jesus for who He is. If that is you, let God touch you to help you see Him clearly in His fulness and His holiness. No matter where you find yourself, know for certain that God not only sees you, but He desires for you to see Him.

What’s In a Name?

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:56:07 GMT

Those who read the Bible (and even those who don’t) are familiar with the names of the more prominent people found in Scripture. Most people are familiar with Adam & Eve, Noah, Joseph and his coat of many colors. We know of King David along with Mary & Joseph, Peter, John the Baptist and the Apostle Paul. And while each of those mentioned play significant roles in the Bible and in history, there are others whose names hardly recognized and yet play critical roles in God’s plan for Israel, the Church and His Kingdom.

Take for example Barnabas. The name ‘Barnabas’ is not a common name and when you do a name search on the internet, very little comes up. Readers of the Bible likely associate Barnabas as a man who was a companion to the Apostle Paul but may know little more about him beyond that one fact. In actuality, Barnabas was a hero of the Bible and was instrumental in the start of the New Testament Church. But the key thing to know about Barnabas is the meaning of his name: Son of exhortation or encouragement .

Most of us know the story of Paul, and how he persecuted the Church (Acts 8). We know also that Paul experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus, for he no longer persecuted the Church. Instead, he began to preach the gospel wherever he could, at first in the synagogue to other Jews. Initially many Jews, including the disciples, remained afraid of Paul because of his past persecution of followers of Jesus. This is where Barnabas steps into view.

Barnabas’ true name was Joseph, but the apostles called him Barnabas due to his encouraging nature (Acts 4:36). Barnabas hears Paul preach in the synagogue in Damascus after his conversion and personally vouches for him before the apostles (Acts 9:27). This personal validation launches Paul into his ministry, but not all goes well for Paul as he creates an uproar among the people and receives death threats. This is disruptive to the work of building the Church so eventually the apostles pull Paul out of ministry and send him away to his home in Tarsus, for nearly 14 years (Acts 9:29-30). How significant was this? Just read verse 31, after Paul is sent away: “So the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace…and continued to increase.” (Acts 9:31). So once Paul was sent away, peace reigned in the Church, and it began to grow. Imagine what that did to Paul and his reputation amongst the apostles and Church leaders. But what does all this have to do with Barnabas? Remember his name: Son of exhortation and encouragement.

By chapter 11 of Acts, we see that despite persecution, the Church continues to grow, notably in Antioch. When the apostles hear of this growth, who do they send? Barnabas the encourager, of course! (Acts 11:19-22). And what does Barnabas do? He goes to Tarsus to search for Paul. He brings Paul to Antioch to teach these new believers, where they stayed for a year, teaching a multitude of people. It was there that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts11:26). This was the beginning of the Gentile Church! Paul would travel far and wide, preaching the gospel, planting churches and writing the majority of the New Testament, but were it not for Barnabas risking his reputation by taking a second chance on Paul, Paul might never have left Tarsus.

True to his nature, Barnabas doesn’t focus only on Paul. Barnabas had a younger cousin named John-Mark whom he brought along on their early missionary journeys (Acts 12:25). Later we read that John-Mark left them, much to the displeasure of Paul. This creates a split between Paul and Barnabas, but true to his name, Barnabas retrieves John-Mark and brings his cousin on his own journey to Cypress (Acts 15:36-39). While we read that Paul later sees a more mature John-Mark and requests him to accompany him (2 Tim 4:11), it was Barnabas who believed in and restored John-Mark. And it is this John-Mark, known also as Mark, who eventually writes the first gospel, the Gospel of Mark.

So, what is our take-away here? It is that at some point we all need a Barnabas in our life. Someone willing to take a risk on us, to vouch for us, to come find us when others have given up on us. Or perhaps we need to become a Barnabas ourselves: One who reaches out to encourage and exhort others. One who sees in others what only God sees at first: A life worth taking a risk on. So, while many of us wish we were a David or a Paul, or maybe even a Peter, imagine what the Church would look like and what influence we would have on the world if we tried to be more like Barnabas?

Consider The Source

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:56:07 GMT

Throughout our lifetime we will have numerous words, thoughts and opinions spoken to us, about us and over us. Words and thoughts that come from family and friends, teachers and peers, society, media and even ourselves. And whether we recognize it at the time, those words will play an influential role in shaping both our identity and shape our self-value.

I recall from my early childhood that my teachers, year after year, would make the same comment on my report card: “ Mark does not work up to his full potential .” School was easy for me then. I never felt challenged and it was more important to me to enjoy the fun side of school, rather than the scholastic side. I’d gladly do minimal work, have more fun time and settle for a ‘B’ than to take extra time to study and do homework to pursue an ‘A’. With each report card, my parents would read those same comments and laugh, so I laughed too. Words that should have challenged me to pursue excellence, instead gave me permission to be content with average. What I did not realize then was those written comments, and my parents’ response, became a mantle which I wore throughout much of my life. This mantle soon permeated other aspects of my life beyond school. We read of another young man who had things spoken over him that greatly impacted his life. His name was Gideon.

In chapter six of the book of Judges, we read of Gideon as he is threshing wheat in a wine press. Now if you are not familiar with the background of the story, wheat was to be threshed on a threshing floor, not in a wine press. The threshing floor was outside, in open air so that the wind would blow and separate the wheat from the chaff. Gideon was in a wine press as Israel at this time was in disobedience to God, and neighboring countries would come and raid Israel during harvest time to steal their food. Thus, Gideon was hiding in a wine press out of fear . Suddenly, Gideon is surprised by a divine visitor- the Angel of the Lord, who most scholars agree is the pre-incarnate Jesus. The Angel of the Lord greets Gideon by using the Hebrew word ‘Hayil’, meaning a man of valor or of great stature. That is quite a greeting to someone who is hiding, right? But Gideon, so wrapped up in fear and shame, does not hear it or receive it. In fact, he complains to the Lord! What is most noteworthy is Gideon’s response in verse 15. Gideon questions the Lord “How can he be this man of valor, a deliverer of Israel, when his family is the least of the tribe of Manasseh, and he is the least of the family?” Now where do you think he learned this? Most certainly, this was something ingrained into Gideon from his youth. Whether this came from his father, his extended family, the community, we do not know. But for Gideon to immediately speak this out tells me that not only has he heard this for so long, but he has replayed the words in his mind over and over, such that it was his first response to the greeting from the Lord. “I am the lowest of the least” truly became the mantle which Gideon wore, causing him to reject the declaration of valor spoken by the Lord because he had embraced what was spoken over him by others. While Gideon goes on to accomplish great things for the Lord, we continue to see evidence of his timidity, uncertainty and fearfulness throughout his time as a Judge over Israel. Mantles are hard things to shed.

Perhaps you can recall things spoken over you that not only shaped your self-image and identity but became something you carried with you- something that was not of the Lord. I know from my own experience that Satan and the world will want to use their words to define you and to hold you back from all that God has for you. Don’t let that happen! Consider the source! Shed those mantles! Spend time in God’s Word to read repeatedly that you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), that you are “the apple of His eye” (Psalm 17:8) and that “you have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). Those words are life-giving mantles that God has for you to wear daily. Afterall- consider the source!

A New Identity

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:56:07 GMT

Throughout Scripture, we see where God reveals new identities to His people. One of the most powerful identity changes occurs early in the Old Testament, in the book of Ruth. In the book of Ruth, we read of a woman who fully surrenders to the Lord as she chooses to turn from her culture to follow God and in doing so, she adopted her new identity.

In the first chapter of the book of Ruth, we are introduced to a handful of characters, none more important than Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi, a Jew, is living in Moab, a place that God has declared as being off limits to Israelites. While there, tragedy strikes Naomi through the loss of her husband Elimelech, and her two sons, Mahlon & Chilion. This leaves Naomi, Ruth and Orpah, Naomi’s other daughter-in-law, as widows. Naomi declares her intention to return to the land of Israel, and Ruth insists that she go with her. Naomi tries to discourage Ruth from coming with her on the dangerous journey, but Ruth is determined to remain with Naomi and makes a most incredible declaration: “Where you will go, I will go and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”

WOW!

Ruth makes a declaration of conversion. She converts from a life of paganism to one of Judaism. To fully appreciate what transpired, one must understand the true paganistic culture of Moab and Moabites. Making Ruth’s conversion more incredible is her paganistic culture is all that Ruth had ever known since birth. She likely has heard of Israel and of their ways, but given the disdain that Israel held towards Moab, she would have felt their disgust. In addition, Ruth declares her separation not just from a paganistic lifestyle, but also from her very own people and family by stating that Naomi’s people (Israelites) would now be her people. Ruth has determined that she will no longer be part of the Moabite culture and no longer be part of her family. She belongs now to Naomi and her people. The most amazing declaration is when Ruth declares that Naomi’s God, the God of heaven, the One true God, will now be her God. Ruth had to be willing to walk away from all that she knew, to be positioned to receive something entirely new. This is an amazing conversion: A conversion of life, of culture, of family and of great faith.

I recall that when I surrendered my life to Jesus, I too had to make some declarations. From the age of 19 to 26 years old, “my people” used and abused drugs and alcohol. I lived in addiction. This was my culture and those were “my people” and like Ruth, the things we did were part of our custom and our ways - it was all that I knew as a young adult. Just as Ruth declared that God would be her God and that the ways of God’s people would now be her ways, I too had to declare those same things. I would now follow Jesus, not my people. His ways would now be my ways. I had to make a conversion of my lifestyle, my culture, my family and my faith. I did not know it then, but my destiny awaited me in the new identity that God had for me !

Perhaps your story is like mine, or like Ruth’s story. Perhaps you have been in a culture and lifestyle that was not or is not Jesus centered. Ruth could not remain in Moab and still be part of Naomi’s people. She could not remain in Moab and have the God of Israel be her God as the culture would drown out God’s truth. When we choose to follow Jesus and be baptized as a public declaration of our faith and obedience to Him, we will have to say ‘no’ to some things of the past. I had to leave the culture of my past as my old friends did not support my new life. I had to remain committed even when I was questioned by family members about my new life and faith. Though they did not understand my conversion and, in some cases, refused to receive it, I remained determined to keep walking forward in faith.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that we have become new creations in Jesus. It is nearly impossible to become new when you choose to remain part of the old. The old wants to grip you; it wants to keep you from being new. The familiar voices of the old want to convince you that you don’t have to walk away entirely- that you can walk with one foot in the old while keeping one in the new. That is a lie! Ruth could not have received all that God had for her had she remained in Moab, or had she kept part of her paganistic background- she had to walk away from it all. Was it hard? From my personal experience, I know that it was hard. But through her declaration of faith and her perseverance to come underneath God’s wings, she became someone new. She was no longer a poor widow known as “Ruth, the Moabitess”. She married a great man and became the great-grandmother of King David and is named in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). A new identity indeed!

What lure is pulling you back into the past? What of your old identity seeks to keep you from the new things God has for you? I encourage you, make the declaration that Ruth made and then start the journey out of old and into the new. Your destiny awaits you there.