The culmination of living according to the flesh is perhaps wanting to store up riches (monetary and others). These will all one day waste away - a testament to our selfish, destructive tendencies. Let's be careful to avoid all forms of self-indulgence and commit ourselves totally to God's Kingdom!

Not only did Jesus come to Jerusalem, He now stands up in the middle of the feast in the Temple and begins to teach. The Jews are amazed that He knows so much even though He had received no formal education. But that is where their interest stops. Those who truly submit to God's will would have recognized and paid attention to the teaching that came from Him.

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When the Ark of the Covenant was about to fall, Uzzah reached out to steady it. God struck him dead on the spot. Why? Simply, God had prescribed how He wanted the Ark to be carried and that nobody should touch it. When we worship God how we think He should be worshipped (according to our will), we make the holy things profane. What about Christmas..?

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The world tells us that we should be proactive, work hard, make money, be successful, plan for the future, and many other things along these lines. While those aren't necessarily bad things to do, we have to ask if we are doing these things for ourselves or according to God's purposes. Ultimately, God's purposes prevail. Instead of boasting in our achievements and abilities, our attitude should be: as the Lord wills!

Last time, Jesus decided not to go to Jerusalem on His brothers' counsel. Now, He does decide to go to Jerusalem by His own plan and purpose. Every small detail like this fits into the fullness of our salvation through Him who accomplished it. Let's live like those who proclaim His truth; not keep Him a whisper like the crowds in Jerusalem.

Aaron's sons offered up what is called strange or unauthorized fire upon the altar. They were killed on the spot. Perhaps this teaches us something about the regulative principle of worship: the idea that we only worship God in the way that He has prescribed. What sort of strange fire do we offer up in worship?

The problem with slander and gossip is that we pass judgement on others when we should be loving and building them up. This is a personal judgement that is unlawful. As such, we effectively take the place of the Law. James is clear: there is only one Lawgiver and one Judge!

Many pastors and impastors declare wild things in the Lord's name for 2025. The truth is that this year will be much the same as last year: ups and downs; good times and bad times; health and sickness. However, as the Psalmist tells us in Psalm 27:23-24: "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." Let this truth from His Word be your message for 2025!

Jesus manages the momentum of His ministry. If it is not according to His timing and purposes, He does not do it. His brothers thought they could encourage Him to make more of a name for Himself. They had a worldly attitude. Jesus was subject to the attitude of the divine will.

We may well be inclined to give in to our carnal desires and start fighting with one another, but God gives a greater grace! Humble yourselves and submit to Him. Humiliy doesn't earn us grace, but puts us in a position to understand how lavish is the gift of God