5 Ways to Lead Your Family To Ruin - A Brief Look at the Life of Lot

 

            2 Peter 2:4-10 says God “...delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds…” (emphasis added). We know that our righteousness comes from grace by faith in God alone, so the only way Lot could be called righteous is that he put his faith in God. That’s good news, or at least it should be, but I find Lot’s story to be one of the greatest tragedies in all of scripture. Yes, scripture calls Lot righteous, thus securing his place in eternity with Jesus, but to look at his story, we see that Lot most assuredly went home to heaven ALONE. He did NOT take his family with him, and I find it hard to think of anything more painful than knowing those I love the most might spend eternity separated from Jesus in eternal torment. That’s why I believe it is important to take a close look at Lot’s life. Where did he go wrong and how can we be sure to not take those same paths?

Lot was born to Haran, Abraham’s brother. Haran died when Lot was young so his grandfather took over his care. When Grandpa moved Abraham and the family out of Ur to head towards Canaan, Lot went with them. They didn’t get far before Grandpa died too. Abraham (called Abram then) took over Lot’s care from there. Lot was with Abraham when God first gave Abraham His promise of blessing and called him to continue journeying out of the land of ungodliness.

It is after they left Egypt and arrived in Canaan that Lot’s story began to go downhill. (Gen 11:27-13:1)

1. SEPARATE THEM FROM GOD’S PEOPLE 

When Abraham and Lot arrived in the land of Canaan there was strife between Lot’s men and Abraham’s men. Both Lot and Abraham had amassed many possessions and there didn’t seem to be room for it all. Abraham gave Lot the option of choosing where he would like to settle down with his family. Lot chose the best land and pitched his tent close to the city of Sodom. He separated himself and his family from Abraham (the first of God’s chosen people) and his family (Gen 13:11, 14). 

Today as New Testament followers of Jesus, we see God’s chosen people reflected in all of those who follow Him, all of those who are a part of the Body of Christ, the Church. When we separate ourselves from the church we do not lose our salvation, but we do lose the influence of the Holy Spirit working in the heart of others to pour into our hearts. That influence helps to speak the Truth into our lives that our families desperately need.

 

2. IMMERSE THEM IN THE UNGODLY CULTURE

Next we find Lot, no longer pitching his tent near Sodom, but actually dwelling there (Gen 14:12).  

Just as we underestimate the influence the Holy Spirit (through the Church) has on our families, we underestimate the influence the Enemy (through the culture) has on our families. If someone told your toddler the grass is blue over and over again and no one ever told them differently, your toddler would have no choice but to think the grass is blue. The culture teaches them about sexuality, identity, and life itself, but we never teach them what scripture says about those things. We as Christians drop our kids off into the middle of a lying culture allowing the culture to constantly inundate them with lies through media of all sorts. We also expose them to people whom we deem as  trustworthy who speak over our children their scripturally inaccurate opinions, and then wonder why they see the culture as the truth instead of the Truth as the Truth. 

3. DISMISS GOD’S RESCUE AND CALL TO RETURN

Pretty soon the wickedness of the city caught up to Lot and he got captured by it, literally. The kings of the cities were all fighting each other and they decided to take Lot and all his stuff with them when they went off to war. Blessedly for him, God sent his man Abraham to get Lot and bring him back. However after being rescued, Lot went right back to Sodom. (Gen 14:12-16)

When we belong to Jesus, there will most likely be times that we get off track and get caught up in some nonsense or another. Blessedly for all of us, Jesus works through the Holy Spirit to provide a rescue and way home for us. The true tragedy happens when we go right back to what we were just rescued from. Lot didn’t realize that captivity was a result of his own poor choices, and so often, neither do we. His family went right into captivity with him, and a lot of times… so do ours. When God provides a way out, we MUST TAKE IT as soon as possible. 

4. ALLOW THE CULTURE TO DICTATE DECISIONS

Eventually, God decided enough was enough and made plans to annihilate the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham begged for mercy on behalf of any righteous people living there, but turns out there was only our friend Lot. So, God sent His messengers to rescue Lot and his family once again. This time, while the group was having dinner a crowd arrived at the door demanding Lot send out his new friends so the crowd could abuse the messengers. Lot realized this was a bad idea, but he offered his virgin daughters instead. (Gen. 19:1-11)

😖Seriously? I hope you find this as appalling as I do, but we also can’t be too quick to judge Old Lot. He remembered enough from his days with God to know that sending the messengers out to the men would be a bad idea, but his judgment was so clouded by his time in the godless culture that his alternative solution was equally as revolting. The culture began to dictate his decisions. 

The enemy is really good at blurring the lines. Slowly he erases our memory of what is right and wrong until we can no longer tell the difference, and if we as the leaders of our families cannot tell the difference, how can we expect our children to? We begin to look at the world through the eyes of the culture instead of the eyes of Jesus and our decisions will reflect that, often to the detriment of our family. 

 

5. MENTION JESUS SO RARELY, WHEN YOU DO, YOUR FAMILY THINKS IT’S A JOKE

God’s messengers told Lot to go get his Sons-in-law and daughters who lived elsewhere in the city. When Lot got there and told them about God’s coming judgment, they thought he was joking. They refused to come. Lot knew about God. Lot had been with Abraham when God promised him that He would make a great nation that would bring blessing to all the world, but we can assume that he never told his family, or at least not often enough that they believed that he believed. (Gen 19:12-14)

Are you a follower of Jesus? Do you believe that He is our only hope? Have you put your faith in His sacrifice and resurrection? Have you made Him Lord of your life, and taken hold of the promise to spend eternity with Him? If you have, if you truly have, does your family believe that you truly believe that? We have to tell them, over and over again. They must make their own choice about who they believe Jesus to be, but by God’s mercy, may they never doubt who we believe Jesus to be. 

Sad Old Lot. In the end, he was called righteous Lot, but it says that he “tormented his own soul.” The consequences of his leadership of his family were great, and not in a good way:

• His sons-in-law stayed and died in Sodom. They stepped into eternity without placing their faith in God.

• His wife left the city, but quickly looked back, putting her faith in what was, in what she knew, not in the promise God was offering her. (Gen. 19:26)

• His two younger daughters got Lot drunk, and got themselves pregnant by him. They lived their lives through the lens of the culture they grew up in. They kept their faith in their own ability to live on in the future instead of putting their faith in God. (Gen. 19:30-38)

Lot’s story is hard to read, but it's an important lesson in what NOT to do. Leading our families is hard, and as we see by Lot’s example, it is impossible apart from Jesus. 

How do we do better? Bring them to Jesus. Over and over again. Everyday. Loudly. Quietly. Anyway we can… Bring them to Jesus. One day I will go home with Him, and I want to do everything I can to prepare the way for my family to come too.

Thank You, Mama

Thank you Mama, for the curly hair.

Thank you Mama, for skin so fair.

Thank you Mama, for your constant care.

A Mama like you is exceedingly rare.

Thank you Mama, for guidance,

When I wasn’t sure what to do.

Thank you for encouragement,

When I wanted to learn something new.

Thank you for a firm hand,

When I was going the wrong way.

Thank you for walking me through, 

Many long and difficult days.

From my very beginning,

For more than 41 years

You celebrated all my victories

And quieted all my fears.

Now that you’ve gone home,

You are well and whole and at peace

Your pain and hurt and tears

Have completely ceased.

 I can keep walking towards tomorrow

Because it's who you raised me to be

Keeping my eyes on Jesus

Through every mountain, storm, and sea.

As we say goodbye for now,

I’ll remember your voice, your laugh, your face.

Thank you Mama for living life well,

For keeping the faith, and for finishing the race.

My Mother's Story

       

          I have never once told my story without first beginning with my parents' story. The choices they made changed the eternal trajectory of my life. Although it cost them greatly, the reward is invaluable. 

Mom was born the oldest child of what would be eight siblings. The youngest is just a month older than I am. My grandfather served in the Navy and then worked as a truck driver throughout most of Mom’s childhood. My grandmother stayed home and tried to wrangle the very wild and unruly children. At some point during that time, my grandmother became heavily involved in the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. My grandpa, Mom, and her siblings followed suit. 

Dad on the other hand was the middle son of six siblings. They grew up on a small farm in North East Texas. Pawpaw worked in the timber business, and my granny raised kids... her kids, other people’s kids…lots of kids. I know my granny was a committed follower of Jesus. I think my pawpaw was too, but he died when I was only four months old, so I don’t know a lot about him. 

Mom got married young, to a young man who was part of the Jehovah’s Witness group. I don’t know a lot of details, but the marriage didn’t last long. They got a divorce and Mom kind of wandered around for a few years trying to figure out who she wanted to be. She was soon disfellowshipped from the Jehovah’s Witnesses since she wasn’t abiding by their rules anymore. 

Dad lived at home until he was almost thirty, but he did his own thing and made his own trouble at times. I don’t know how they met, but I do know it wasn’t long after they met that they decided to get married. My brother came along a year later, and I followed only a year after that. 

As my brother and I grew out of the baby stage, Mom and Dad agreed that we needed to be raised with a foundation of faith like they were. They started off by attending a few Jehovah’s Witness meetings together. And that is where their story came to a life altering crossroads. After attending the meetings, my Dad recognized that the teachings being presented did not match that of the scripture He had learned as a child. My dad is a super chill, go with the flow, kinda guy, but that day he drew a line in the sand. He told my mom, “You can go back to the meetings if you want, but the kids and I will not be going.” Taking that stand could have cost him his marriage, but Dad knew that there are things even more costly than marriage. 

My mom was then placed on the path of many decisions that would affect her own life and the generations of lives that would come after her. First, Mom had to decide between the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the unity of her marriage. She wasn’t sure which to choose. At that point, she had been told many different versions of who Jesus is and what that should mean for her life. Suddenly, her beloved husband was telling her that many of the things she was taught as a child were not what scripture actually says. Who should she believe? How would she know what was true? 

Somewhere in the midst of this crisis of belief, my mom met a man named Ollen Loven. Bro. Loven did what no one else had done. He sat down with Mom, opened the Bible and taught her the most important of lessons. He taught her to listen, not to what all the people told her, but to look at what God said in scripture. When you aren’t sure what the Truth is, read God’s word. So, Mom read, and read, and read, and studied, and learned, and prayed. What she found there is Jesus. Jesus as Lord. Jesus as “God with us.” Jesus as Savior. Jesus as the lover of our souls. She found and placed her faith in Jesus, and her life would never be the same, neither would mine. 

It wasn’t long before the Jehovah’s Witness group found out that Mom had declared Jesus as her Savior and Lord. That’s when their elders drew a line in the sand. They told her to denounce Jesus, come back to their group, or forever be separated from her parents and most of her siblings. She was unspeakably grateful for the siblings that continued to remain connected with her despite the directives of the Jehovah's Witness group. Being put in the position to make that choice is the kind of thing we hear about happening in countries where being a Christian is illegal. Most people in the American church aren’t put in that difficult position. My mom was crushed. She loved her parents, and her siblings, and their families with her whole heart. She knew that choosing to obey the Jehovah's Witness leaders would make her life easier, but choosing Jesus would make her eternal life possible.

Mom chose Jesus. She chose Jesus because she knew that He was her only hope. She chose Jesus because she knew He is my only hope, and my brother’s only hope. She chose Jesus and for the rest of her life she experienced the joy of redemption and also the sorrow of being separated from many of her beloved family members. 

I remember when I was about seven or eight, my Grandfather had an issue with his heart and had to be hospitalized. I went into the sanctuary of our church where mom worked as the secretary and just fell to my knees praying that Jesus would save him, not only physically, but would save his soul. Mom and I had thousands of conversations over the years about our hope that Mom and her estranged family members would be able to be reconciled to each other, that they would be open to a relationship with her, but more so that they would be reconciled to God, that they would be open to a relationship with Jesus. She missed them terribly. Any time she was able to connect with her parents or the siblings she was estranged from, she talked about it for weeks. She prayed for them without ceasing. 

About the time I graduated from high school, mom began a battle with depression and anxiety. The battle with her mental health took a toll on her physical health as well. Sixteen years ago, when I was six months pregnant with the twins, she had a stroke that changed her ability to process information. To the untrained eye, she didn’t look any different than she had before, but her life became more difficult. She struggled to work. The depression, anxiety, and addictive tendencies became increasingly worse. But even with all that hardship, she continued to love Jesus and love her family with a fierceness that is unmatched. 

As the grand kids grew, she was always involved in their daily activities. Even though we moved three hours away, she continued to call and text often. She wanted to know everything about every aspect of their lives. She prayed for them, checked in on them, guided them, and loved them with everything in her. 

About five years ago, I called Mom on my way home from work. Her health had declined and it was difficult for her to get out of the house. They lived in a long-standing frame farmhouse way out in the country. Mom told me that she’d thought about getting a mouse trap because she had seen a mouse, but hadn’t yet because the mouse was the only one she had spoken to all day. She was lonely, and missed being a part of the outside world. 

From that day on, I called her every single day on my way home from work. We talked about work, the kids, and the things going on in the world. Sometimes she offered advice that I didn’t want to hear, but Mom was always my Mom and told me what I needed to hear whether I liked it or not. Sometimes she would fill me in on bits and pieces of family news that she had heard through the grapevine. Even after all those years, she continued to attempt to reach out and connect with her family. 

Last summer, we had the blessed opportunity of having dinner with several of her siblings. Some of them she had not seen in years. She talked about that event for months. She was so excited to be able to spend time with the family that she loved so much. Over the years, God had worked miracles in the hearts of some of her siblings and they had learned the Truth of scripture as well. I am eternally grateful for that family dinner. It was the answer to years of Mom’s prayers. She was still talking about that dinner up until the week before she left us.

My last conversation with Mom was on my way home from work that last Friday. We talked about Chris’s granddad’s cancer diagnosis and his possible need for treatment. Mom said that if she ever got sick, she would refuse treatment. She didn’t want to go through all that. When it was her time to go, she wanted to just go on home to Heaven with Jesus, without fuss. That’s what Jesus gave her. 

The last day of her life here, Dad came home from work for lunch. They ate sandwiches together, just like they had done a thousand times before and Dad went back to work. My brother texted her and talked about what to buy Dad for Christmas. Mom answered the text almost immediately, just like always. A few minutes later Dad got home and found that Mom had left this life and stepped into eternity quickly and without fuss. 

Goodness, I miss her, but I’m okay, because I know without a bit of doubt that she is okay. Her faith cost her so much during her time here, but because of her faith, I found mine. Because of my faith, my kids know Jesus too. Because of our faith in Jesus, we have been reconciled to God and have been given the promise of eternal life in Heaven. Mom decided to follow Jesus, despite what she would have to give up. She truly surrendered all. Not many people can say that. She struggled mightily with some mental health hardships, but her devotion to Jesus never waivered. I pray that someday, when I go home to heaven, the legacy I leave will be even a morsel of my Mother’s. She is and will always be my hero. 

Well done, Mom, you were a good and faithful servant. I will miss you until I come home too.

Holy Week - Walk with Jesus to the Cross

  

Photo by Daniel Sandvik on Unsplash

Palm Sunday 

Today is the first day of Holy Week. Begin today by taking a moment to read:

[Jhn 12:13-19 ESV] 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him."

Jesus began his ministry when He was about 30 years old. He taught us all about God the Father and performed many miracles. For three years He traveled around preaching and teaching. But it was on this day, what we now call “Palm Sunday,” that His last and most important work on earth began.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all tell the story of the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem. That Sunday was the first day in the most important week of all time. Jesus would change eternity that week! The crowd that welcomed Him to town was a large one. They had heard He had raised Lazarus from the dead, and many came expecting to see a show. It wasn’t long before the cry of the crowd would change.

Each day this week set aside time to step away from work, distractions, and all of the voices that call to you. Take a moment to meditate on how Jesus spent His time on the most Holy of weeks, and know that He did it all for you. 

Hosanna (feat. Kari Jobe) // The Belonging Co

Monday - Holy Week

[Mat 21:12-17 NKJV] 12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " 14 Then [the] blind and [the] lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant 16 and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" 17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.

The Temple was a sacred place of worship. The sacrifices made there were a picture of the perfect sacrifice that Jesus would soon make. The people had taken this holy place and this holy act and made it about themselves and their own gain. Jesus cleared the room of the things that stood in the way of the people’s worship of the Lord. 

Then the people came. They came for healing. They came to worship. Some of those that watched them come were “indignant” or angry and annoyed, but Jesus let the people come anyway. 

What do you need to let go of today? How do you need to let Jesus “clear the room” of things that stand in the way of your worship of Jesus? 

Are you in need of healing, is your soul weary and worn? Come to Jesus and worship. 

Jimmy Needham "Clear The Stage" Official Lyric Video

Holy Week -  Tuesday

[Luk 15:13-32 ESV] 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. 25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Jesus went back to the temple to teach. Jesus knows that we sometimes have a hard time understanding all of His lessons, so He uses stories to teach us. The story of the “prodigal son” is one of the stories He told that day. In this story we see God’s unrelenting grace as he welcomes home his wayward son, and as he reminds his other son that being with the Father is the true inheritance he has been looking for. 

Which son are you? Are you the son that has wandered far from the arms of Jesus? Please, come home. Just as you are. Come home.

Are you the son that has been around the things of God for a long time, but perhaps you’ve forgotten or you’ve never really known God’s love personally. Today is the day for you to come home too. 

You are never too far away. You’ve never been gone too long. Come to Jesus.

 

O Come to the Altar | Live | Elevation Worship

Holy Week - Wednesday

[Mar 12:28-34, 41-44 ESV] 28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32 And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. ... 

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

There are so many important things Jesus teaches us in the week before His crucifixion. One is about what it means to obey His commandments. It is easy to get caught up in the dos and don'ts of what it means to obey, but Jesus sums it all up for us here. Love God. Love People. Obedience in the other areas will flow out of our focus on these two. That is why He declared that these are the two greatest commandments. Let your heart rest on loving God well. Let Him love people well through you. 

Another lesson Jesus taught in this short time was about tithes and offerings. Tithes and offerings have always been a worshipful act of trust. We must ask ourselves in the giving, do we trust in ourselves to provide for our own needs, or do we trust in Jesus?

In these verses, on this day of Holy Week, we see Jesus bringing attention to a widow who placed her full trust in her Lord. The others gave, but their gift was not an act of trust. This principle applies not only to our money but to every aspect of our lives. We want to give to Jesus, but we struggle to give to the point that requires us truly trust Him to be completely in control (or at least I do anyway). 

What does it look like to go “all in” with Jesus? What are you holding back in order to maintain control yourself? I pray you can let Jesus have that today. I promise He will do a better job of handling it than we ever could. 

https://youtu.be/sFC-d9PTusw 

Holy Week - Thursday

[Mar 14:12-26 ESV] 12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us." 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, "Is it I?" 20 He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

The Passover began as a way to remember how God had literally passed over the houses of the Jewish people by the blood of a lamb that was spilt and painted onto the frames of their doorways. The judgment fell upon the Egyptians who did not have the blood of the lamb covering them. 

Jesus and his disciples gathered together to observe the Holy Day, even Judas sat at the table. Judas, who was there and knew all about Jesus, and followed Him everyday with his feet, but never really followed Him with his heart. The story of Judas is one of the most tragic of all. 

Jesus also instituted the ordinance we now call, “Communion” or “The Lord’s Supper.”  He wanted us to remember the sacrifice He was about to make. He would soon replace the imperfect blood of that Passover lamb that could only temporarily cover the sins of the people and free us from the judgment we deserve, with His own perfect blood, that He would pay once and for all, to cover our sins. 

Make sure you follow Jesus, not only with your outward appearance, but truly with your heart, and if you are facing a Judas, a betrayer, know that even in betrayal, Jesus’ plan will not only overcome, but that betrayal can be used as a part of the victory story.  

Vertical Worship - Lamb of God (Official Lyric Video)

Holy Week - Friday

[Mar 14:32-34, 43, 46, 50 ESV] 32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch." ... 43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. ... 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. ... 50 And they all left him and fled.

[Mar 15:1, 15, 20, 32-39 ESV] 1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. ... 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. ... 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. ... 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, "Behold, he is calling Elijah." 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"

In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth… In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word (Jesus) was God. God said our sin would bring death. He is not a liar. He can not go back on His word. Our sin ruined His perfect creation and our sin deserves and has earned us death. We are the picture of imperfection and cannot dwell in the presence of a Holy, perfect God. 

What hope do we have, then? We have Jesus. Both fully God and fully human, His perfect sacrifice, His death paid the debt we owe. The day of His crucifixion didn’t look hopeful though. That day it looked like death had defeated Him. The disciples forgot what He had taught them in the midst of the struggle. 

Have you forgotten too? Sometimes life gets crazy and loud. The enemy tries to convince us that all hope is lost. We must remember the Truth. We must remember that the victory is won.  His death gave us the gift of life. 

Hymns Medley: Cross Medley (Jesus Paid it All, The Old Rugged Cross) | Anthem Lights

Holy Week - Saturday 

I think if there was a way to measure pain that Saturday would have been the worst of all. The darkness the disciples must have felt in their souls must have far outweighed the light of the morning sun.   

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about what happened that Sabbath after Jesus died. We know that guards were placed outside the tomb. The tomb was sealed with a huge stone, because the church leaders wanted to make sure that no one got in and stole Jesus’ body. They knew about the prophecy saying that Jesus would come back to life. They wanted to make sure that didn’t happen.

We know that many of the disciples went back to doing what they did before they followed Jesus, like fishing. They were sad and confused. They didn’t understand what Jesus was doing. They forgot that Jesus told them this day would come, but He also told them that it wouldn't last. He would overcome it. 

 How often do we feel overwhelmed by the darkness because we don’t understand what Jesus is doing? How often do we forget the promise Jesus made to see us through the dark days? How often do we let our fear of the unknown make us forget that Jesus has and will overcome it?

The disciples waited in despair, but soon Jesus would rise and defeat the hold of death once and for all.  I challenge you today to take some time to sit quietly in the darkness and be at peace. Read these verses and remember that Jesus has won. 

[Rom 3:23 ESV] 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

[Rom 5:8 ESV] 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[Rom 6:23 ESV] 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[Rom 10:9-10 ESV] 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

https://youtu.be/DjNZf878ISQ - Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns

Resurrection Sunday

[Mat 28:1-10 ESV] 1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

Victory. Death is defeated. Sin is defeated. Our hope is provided for. We have the opportunity to be set free. 

Jesus died for our sin and rose to life. Our debt is paid, and he offers us eternal life if we are willing to repent, and follow Him. Don’t ever let the reality of that Truth grow dull in your heart. We deserve the most tragic of judgments. We sin and sin brings death. But, Jesus loves us. He loves you. 

Sometimes we hear that so much, we stop listening…really listening. Stop and listen today. Think about what your life would be like without Him. What would your story be like if He were not a part of it? How has knowing Him changed your life?

And if you don’t know Him, really know Him, take a moment to get to know Him now. Today is the day to be set free. 

Then, go share the news with your world. 

Anne Wilson - My Jesus (Lyrics)

Struggling to See - A Short Story

 “Francesca Victoria De La Cruise, get in here now!” Mom yelled from the front room. Francesca preferred to be called Frankie, but Mom wasn’t interested in what Frankie wanted at the moment. Mom using her full name meant trouble. Frankie should have quickly turned off the video game and run downstairs, but she was in no hurry to face Mom. Instead Frankie jumped into her bed and covered up with a blanket. 

It wasn’t long before she could hear mom’s heavy steps, first on the stairs, and then on the wood tiles outside her bedroom. Frankie tried to be as still as possible when Mom burst through the door. “Francesca Victoria! I know you aren’t asleep. Mario Kart is still running on the TV,” Mom said as she came to stand over the bed. Frankie wasn’t ready to give up the act yet. She slowly brought the blanket down below her round, tan face and tried to look confused. “What? What’s the matter? Did you need something?” 

“Yes! I need something! I need to know why you left an entire box of cereal spilled all over the kitchen floor.” Mom stared into Frankie’s brown eyes waiting for a response. Frankie stared back trying to come up with a good reason that would make Mom less mad. “Umm… I didn’t see it,” Frankie finally responded after several moments of silence. “You didn’t see it? There is literally an entire family size box of Cheerios scattered all over the kitchen floor.” Mom’s voice lowered to a tired whisper, “Frankie, this is the third time this week you’ve left messes or broken things and told me, ‘you didn’t see it.’ Can you really not see it, or are you choosing to not see it? Maybe we should get your eyes checked.” Frankie saw this as her way out of trouble. Her eyes were fine. She’d seen the mess, but just decided she would clean it later and never went back to it, but Mom didn’t have to know that... “Yeah! That’s a good idea. Maybe I do need to get my eyes checked,” Frankie agreed. “Alright then,” Mom said, “I’ll make you an appointment.” 

Mom got up and headed to the door with a plan to make an appointment to get Frankie’s eyes checked. “Maybe she did have an eye problem. If not, Frankie definitely had a heart problem,” Mom thought. Mom got to the top of the stairs and turned around, “Francesca, come clean up this mess!” “Yes, ma’am” Frankie called back. This time she got up and followed Mom downstairs. She was grateful that she’d gotten off pretty easily this time. “I’m getting pretty good at getting myself out of trouble,” Frankie thought. 

Two weeks later Frankie crawled into the backseat of Mom’s blue SUV on a Tuesday afternoon. “Why did you pick me up early? We were supposed to do an experiment in science class. I’m going to miss all the fun,” Frankie whined. “I’m taking you to get your eyes checked. Remember?” Mom replied, trying to speak calmly. She’d been praying that God would help Frankie see how her attitude was hurtful, and that God would give herself patience while Frankie learned to be kind. “Ugh! I don’t need my eyes checked. I see just fine,” Frankie spouted off. “Well, I made this appointment for you when we talked about how you told me several times that you hadn’t been able to see things well, including the box of cereal spilled all over the kitchen floor. I looked online to find the very best eye doctor in town,” Mom said as she handed Frankie the printout for the Divine Eye Care Clinic. The advertisement read: We work to improve all sight issues, those of the eyes, mind, heart, and soul. Frankie rolled her eyes. “Sounds like weirdos.” she thought. “Can I at least have some ice cream when we are done?” she asked. “Maybe,” Mom tiredly replied, “It will depend on your attitude.” Frankie growled under breath, crossed her arms, and leaned her head against the window for the rest of the drive. 

When they walked in the doors of the Divine Eye Care Clinic, Frankie knew she was right. The place was weird. The whole giant office sat empty except for one giant man who sat behind a tiny desk at the back. Frankie was pretty sure if she started yelling, it would echo for hours. “Welcome, welcome, welcome!” a deep booming voice burst through the silent room and did in fact echo for a few moments. “You must be my 2:00 appointment. Come in. Come in. Welcome.”

“Good afternoon. I am Molly De La Cruise and this is my daughter Francesca Victoria De La Cruise,” Frankie’s Mom told the giant bearded man.

  “Well, that is a full name, “ the booming voice echoed again as he directed his attention down to Frankie. Frankie glanced up at him just long enough to see his blue eyes twinkle mysteriously. “Yep. This place is strange,” she thought again.

“I am Dr. Roi. Come have a seat at my desk.” The doctor led them both to two small black plastic chairs beside his desk and plopped himself back down into his office chair. “What seems to be the problem? What is it that you are struggling to see?” he asked Frankie. “My eyes are fine most of the time, Doctor. I can see to read and write and stuff like that,” Frankie quickly informed him. “Is that so?" Dr. Roi asked, "Well, then. Perhaps it is not your eyes that are the problem at all,”

Frankie turned her head sideways like a labrador retriever in confusion. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she thought. “What I mean is…” began the doctor.

“Wait! Did I say that outloud?” I’m sure I didn’t ask that outloud,” Frankie thought, becoming even more confused.

“... there are more ways to struggle with sight than just our eyes,” Dr. Roi continued, “Sometimes the issue isn’t with our eyes at all, sometimes the issue goes much deeper. So, tell me what it is that you are struggling to see.”

Frankie just stared at him. 

Mom told him the story of the box of Cheerios as well as some similar stories where things happened and Frankie didn’t seem to see the mess around her. After just a few minutes the doctor nodded his head and without ever looking closely into Frankie’s eyeballs, he stood from his chair and proclaimed, “I think I understand the problem, and I’ve got just the glasses for Frankie.” Dr. Roi slipped back into the shadows of the room and through a door that Frankie hadn’t even noticed existed until Dr. Roi opened it and walked out. Frankie and her mother sat in silence as they waited for his return. Only the consistent ticking of the clock hands could be heard… two, five, ten, fifteen minutes passed before he came barreling back through the same almost hidden door. 

“Here we are, and I believe they are just her size,” Dr. Roi said as he promptly placed the glasses on Frankie’s face. “These are our Chazzat glasses. I believe they will help you to see the things you are missing.” Frankie looked down at the crumpled paper in her hand, suddenly realizing she was still holding the clinic advertisement Mom handed her in the car. She read the words again, “Divine Eye Care Clinic: We work to improve all sight issues, those of the eyes, mind, heart, and soul.” Same as last time… or was it? Frankie looked closer. As she stared at the paper, she noticed a strange twinkling around the words “heart and soul.” It was the same twinkling she had seen in the doctor's eyes when they first arrived. “Weird!” She thought, and quickly pulled off the glasses, shoved them in the case, and slammed it shut. “It will take some time to get used to them,” Dr Roi whispered gently as he shook her hand and bid her goodbye. “I’ll check in on you in a couple weeks. After some adjustments, perhaps you won’t even need those anymore.” 

“Where are your glasses?” Mom asked Frankie later that night. “In the case upstairs,” Frankie replied without even looking up from the show she was watching. “You need to put them on so you can get used to them. Go get them and then help me get supper ready,” Mom told her from the kitchen doorway. “I don’t need the glasses, and aren’t we waiting for Dad to get home to eat?” Frankie replied stubbornly.

“Please just go get your glasses and come help me, Frankie. I’m tired and Dad is working late. I want to get supper done so we can get to bed on time tonight.” Frankie wasn’t listening. Her show was back on and this was a good part. “Francesca Victoria! Go do what I asked you to do.” Frankie looked up and rolled her eyes. “Why is Mom always yelling at me?” she thought. “What did you tell me to do?” Frankie yelled back. “Please go get your glasses and come help me,” Mom answered as she turned and walked back into the kitchen. This time Mom didn’t even have the energy to yell. 

Begrudgingly, Frankie trudged upstairs and put on the weird little glasses. She looked around her bedroom. Everything looked the same. “Such a waste,” she thought. By the time Frankie made it down to the kitchen Mom had moved on to the laundry room. Frankie was clearing her homework supplies off the table so they could sit and eat when Mom walked back in the room. “Mom, these glasses don’t change…” Frankie's voice trailed off into silence as she looked up and saw her mother’s face. Everything else faded into a blur and all she saw was her Mother’s sad, tired eyes. The longer Frankie looked at her mom, the more she saw. She saw her sadness that Dad was working late again. She saw her tiredness from a long day at work. She saw her hopefulness in the possibility of resting soon. She saw her love for Frankie and her worry about Frankie’s attitude. Frankie felt for the first time ever that she was really seeing her mom. “Frankie, are you okay?” Mom’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Were you saying something about your glasses?” “Yeah, um, they are really weird,” Frankie mumbled, still in a state of confusion as she slowly took the glasses off and looked around the room again. The kitchen returned to normal except no matter how Frankie tried, she couldn’t seem to forget what she’d seen in her mother’s face. 

By the next morning, Frankie had convinced herself that what she’d seen last night with the glasses was just a figment of her imagination. “Glasses don’t really change how you see people. Do they?” She wondered, as she dressed for school the next day. “Don’t forget your glasses,”  Mom said as they raced out the door to the car. Frankie had them packed and ready to put on, more to prove to herself that they changed nothing than anything else. When she got to her first class and settled in her seat, Frankie took the glasses out, and laid them on her desk. Before she put them on, she took a close look around. Everyone looked like they always did. Sam looked angry. Angelica looked annoyed. Demarcus looked mischievous. The rest looked like their normal selves as well. Mrs. Hadler looked the same as always, a little frazzled and stressed. The classroom was crowded with papers and charts and books and computers and leftover Spicy Cheetos that someone thought would make a good breakfast and then threw on the floor. “Yep, same as always,” Frankie thought as she slowly lifted the glasses, closed her eyes, and placed them on her face. 

Opening her eyes, even after what she saw last night, Frankie was still shocked by what she saw. She looked around and saw people. All of the stuff in the room faded again into a blur and all Frankie could see was the people, but not just the surface like before. She could really see them, almost like the glasses created a window into people’s hearts and souls. “Nope! That’s weird!” Frankie said as she ripped the glasses from her face. “What’s weird?” her friend Nicole asked as she sat down in her seat across the table. “These new glasses are so weird,” Frankie told her. “I think they are cute. Can I try them on?” Nicole asked as she reached for them. “No!” Frankie yelled. “I mean, they may hurt your eyes because they are prescription.” Nicole pulled her hand back and turned around afraid to ask anything else after being yelled at. Frankie knew she might have hurt Nicole’s feelings, but Nicole was a really quiet person and rarely said anything when people hurt her. Frankie wondered if the glasses might help. She decided to try them one more time.

Frankie put on the glasses and looked at her friend. Again, everything but the people faded away and all she saw was the person sitting in front of her. She saw a deep sadness, a sadness that went beyond just this moment and spoke to Nicole’s deep soul bruises. With the glasses, Frankie could see that Nicole felt lonely and unwanted. Being yelled at by Frankie only added to the pain of being yelled at by her older sister, her grandmother who they lived with, her little sister who she helped care for, and now her friend too. Without the glasses, Frankie saw the yelling as a brief moment, but with the glasses, Frankie could see that her yelling at her friend only added to the bruises on Nicole’s soul. Without thinking Frankie jumped up from her seat and ran around the table to give her friend a hug. When Frankie looked in her friend's eyes again a new light had begun to shine that wasn’t there before, a light that was helping to overcome the sadness. 

Throughout the day Frankie left the glasses on. For the first time in her life she could see people. She could see what made them sad and what made them happy. She could see what made them angry or tired, but mostly she simply saw them. Instead of the people fading into the background of all the things like they used to, with the glasses, all the things faded into the background and she saw people. Frankie became very careful about her words and actions because for the first time she was able to see how her own words and actions affected the souls of others. 

Before she knew it, a month had passed and a call came from the front office. Mom was at the school to pick her up early again. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?” Frankie asked as she hopped into Mom’s SUV. “Yes, Dr. Roi called and said it’s time for your follow-up appointment. I hope you aren’t going to miss anything important this afternoon at school,” Mom replied as she drove out of the school parking lot. “Mrs. Kern is showing a video on how earthquakes happen, but I’m sure she will let me watch it during study hall or something, so it’s okay,” Frankie said contentedly. Frankie’s attitude had changed so much in the last month, her mom couldn’t hardly believe it. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out how glasses could make such a big difference, but she was grateful just the same. 

When they arrived at the Divine Eye Care Clinic, they found it much the same as last time, big and mostly empty. However, there was one difference Frankie noticed immediately. The door that was almost invisible last time seemed to glow blindingly brightly this time. On the top of the door was written the words 

Psalm 27:4 (Psalm of David)

One thing I have asked from YHWH, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of YHWH all the days of my life, To behold [la-chazzot] the beauty of YHWH And to meditate in His temple.

Dr. Roi came bounding out of his chair to meet them. “Hello! How is my favorite patient? Have the glasses helped you to see the things you were struggling to see?” Frankie looked into his big blue eyes and saw the now familiar twinkling. “Yes Sir, I can see a lot better now with the glasses. Thank you,” Frankie whispered humbly. “Good. Good. I’ll just put them back now,” said Dr. Roi as he reached down and carefully took them from Frankie’s face. “Wait! What?” cried Frankie, “but I need those.” “What do you need them for?” asked Dr. Roi. “I need them to see my friends when they are hurting, or sad or angry and to see my parents too. I need them to see  what my words and actions do to my parents and friends. I need them to see the people. I need them,” Frankie begged as fat tears rolled down her face. “Frankie, what in the world are you talking about?” her mother asked. 

Dr. Roi stepped closer and put his giant hands gently on her wet cheeks. He lifted her face so she was looking into his wrinkly sea blue eyes.  “Be still, little one. This is how I know you no longer need the glasses, because now you are able to see the people with your heart. There was never anything wrong with your eyes. It was your heart that needed to be opened. Now it is, and now you are ready to keep growing and loving people better from your heart to theirs.” Frankie understood then. She nodded her head and stepped back. Dr. Roi was right. She knew it wasn’t her eyes that were struggling to see, it was her heart all along. The glasses helped her see what her heart was missing. Now that she knew, it was her responsibility to keep looking. “Thank you for showing me,” Frankie said as she tried to smile. “You are welcome, and you are welcome back anytime you are struggling to see.” 

Frankie took her mom’s hand and they walked out together. “I think I’m ready for that ice cream now. Except how about I use some of my chore money and buy you some?” Frankie asked as she climbed into her mom’s backseat.

Photo by Angus Gray on Unsplash