Thoughts

Chapter 1

John is either shown a vision of Heaven, or he is taken there. We can’t really tell from his description.

And when he is there, a voice tells him to write down what he sees. When he turns to see who was speaking to him, he sees someone who looked like a son of man. He didn’t know who it was, and no wonder. John says, “He was dressed in a long robe with a gold strip of cloth around his chest. 14The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze metal glowing in a furnace. His voice sounded like rushing waters. 16He held seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth came a sharp sword that had two edges. His face was like the sun shining in all of its brightness.”

What would you do if you saw something like that? Probably what John did. He fainted. 

But this awe inspiring person puts his right hand on John and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I am the Living One. I was dead. But look! I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys to Death and Hell.”

It was Jesus! And he told John not to be afraid. Despite His appearance, despite the fact that He holds the keys to Death and Hell, He tells John not to be afraid.

If we are in Christ Jesus, if we are His, we have no cause for fear. We don’t need to fear what is in the past, we don’t need to fear what is in the present, we don’t need to fear what is in the future. We are His. We are in Him, and He is in us. And greater is He that is in us than he that is the world. 

Do not be afraid. 

Chapters 2 and 3

The Lord told John to write to the seven churches which were spoken of in the first chapter as the seven golden lampstands. What does a lampstand do? It brings light into darkness, and the church is meant to bring light into a dark world.

As we read here in Revelation, each of the seven churches is singled out by Jesus, and He has a message for each. Of the seven, only two receive commendations with no negative comments. Those two are the Philadelphian church and the church at Smyrna. 

Jesus says He knows that the church at Smyrna is suffering and is poor. “But,” he tells them, “you are rich!” 

How could they be rich if they are poor and suffering? Because they are faithful. 

This sort of puts the lie to those who say that God wants you to be materially rich, doesn’t it? It puts the lie to those that say that God will bring prosperity to your church if you are pleasing Him, doesn’t it?

The Philadelphian church is similar to the church at Smyrna, in that Jesus says, “I know that you don’t have much strength.” Then He says, “But you have obeyed my word. You have not said no to me.”

Several years ago I read a book by Henry Blackaby that changed my life. It’s actually a Bible study called Experiencing God. And the thing that changed my life was this. Blackaby said that one of the things that we can do to please God is to decide *in advance* to say “Yes” to whatever God asks of you. Don’t wait until He asks. Trust that He is loving and faithful and able to manage your life infinitely better than you can. Then decide that whatever He asks you to do will be for His glory and will be the right thing to do. 

The Philadelphian church might not have had much strength, but they never said no to God.

The remaining five churches all had serious problems, but each were given a “those who overcome” promise,

Thoughts

I love each of these Psalms that we read today. David truly loved God with his entire heart, mind and soul, and these Psalms reveal that very clearly in my view.

I do have some thoughts I’d like to share with you about Psalm 140

There were times in David's life when he was pursued by men that literally wanted to kill him. He was slandered. He was hunted. This is a Psalm that was written during one of those times. 

Do you ever think of the power of your words when you go to the Lord in prayer? David asked God not only for deliverance from evil men who would do him harm, but he also asked for their destruction.

As for the head of those who surround me,let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!Let burning coals fall upon them!Let them be cast into fire,into miry pits, no more to rise!Psalm 140:9-10 ESV

I had a conversation with a man recently who had been the victim of slander. Another person was literally trying to destroy this man's reputation and business. The attacks got so bad that this man, for whom I have tremendous respect, prayed this Psalm asking God to deal with his attacker. And the response from God was so powerful that he told me he would never pray this way again. He told me that this person's life was utterly destroyed. He didn't tell me any details, but based on our relationship I believe him. 

If we are truly being attacked by genuinely evil people, God, our Heavenly Father, has it in His power to come to our rescue. His plan for our life will not be foiled by anyone or anything. If the plans of our enemies would keep us from fulfilling God's plan, I believe He will intervene on our behalf. 

I love the way David closed this Psalm:

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,and will execute justice for the needy.Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;the upright shall dwell in your presence.Psalm 140:12-13 ESV

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 140 ESV, Ch. 141-142 NCV

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Gita Krishnamurti on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening. Sounding the alarm about the insidious effects of identity politics, surveillance technology, psychological manipulation, and more, he equips contemporary Christian dissidents to see, judge,

Thoughts

I love each of these Psalms that we read today. David truly loved God with his entire heart, mind and soul, and these Psalms reveal that very clearly in my view.

I do have some thoughts I’d like to share with you about Psalm 140

There were times in David's life when he was pursued by men that literally wanted to kill him. He was slandered. He was hunted. This is a Psalm that was written during one of those times. 

Do you ever think of the power of your words when you go to the Lord in prayer? David asked God not only for deliverance from evil men who would do him harm, but he also asked for their destruction.

As for the head of those who surround me,let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!Let burning coals fall upon them!Let them be cast into fire,into miry pits, no more to rise!Psalm 140:9-10 ESV

I had a conversation with a man recently who had been the victim of slander. Another person was literally trying to destroy this man's reputation and business. The attacks got so bad that this man, for whom I have tremendous respect, prayed this Psalm asking God to deal with his attacker. And the response from God was so powerful that he told me he would never pray this way again. He told me that this person's life was utterly destroyed. He didn't tell me any details, but based on our relationship I believe him. 

If we are truly being attacked by genuinely evil people, God, our Heavenly Father, has it in His power to come to our rescue. His plan for our life will not be foiled by anyone or anything. If the plans of our enemies would keep us from fulfilling God's plan, I believe He will intervene on our behalf. 

I love the way David closed this Psalm:

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,and will execute justice for the needy.Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;the upright shall dwell in your presence.Psalm 140:12-13 ESV

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 140 ESV, Ch. 141-142 NCV

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Gita Krishnamurti on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening. Sounding the alarm about the insidious effects of identity politics, surveillance technology, psychological manipulation, and more, he equips contemporary Christian dissidents to see, judge,

Thoughts

Cheeky?

In the New Living Translation, this is how verse 19 reads: "Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it."

When I read "...and bless me for it" I raised my eyebrows just a bit. That seems somewhat presumptuous, don't you think?

But then I thought of the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10: “He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.”

Not At All

God granted Jabez's request, which tells us that God did not think Jabez's prayer was out of line. Jabez asked God to give him more, and God did it. Why? We don't have a lot to go on, except for the verse previous to what we just read. Verse 9 says: There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. So now we know that Jabez was an honorable man.

And so was Nehemiah. This we know because everything we read of him here in the book that bears his name testifies to that fact. He did not take on this task of rebuilding the walls for personal gain. He did it to honor God and to help the people. 

God knows our heart, beloved. You cannot fool Him. And if our heart is pure, if our motivations are right and honorable, we can come to God in confidence and humbly ask Him to bless us. 

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 5-6 NLT, Ch 7-8 NIRV, Ch. 9 NCV

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Lasseter Winery on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening. Sounding the alarm about the insidious effects of identity politics, surveillance technology, psychological manipulation, and more, he equips contemporary Christian dissidents to see, judge, and act as they fight to resist the erosion of our freedoms. 304 pages, hardcover from Sentinel.

Thoughts

Cheeky?

In the New Living Translation, this is how verse 19 reads: "Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it."

When I read "...and bless me for it" I raised my eyebrows just a bit. That seems somewhat presumptuous, don't you think?

But then I thought of the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10: “He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.”

Not At All

God granted Jabez's request, which tells us that God did not think Jabez's prayer was out of line. Jabez asked God to give him more, and God did it. Why? We don't have a lot to go on, except for the verse previous to what we just read. Verse 9 says: There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. So now we know that Jabez was an honorable man.

And so was Nehemiah. This we know because everything we read of him here in the book that bears his name testifies to that fact. He did not take on this task of rebuilding the walls for personal gain. He did it to honor God and to help the people. 

God knows our heart, beloved. You cannot fool Him. And if our heart is pure, if our motivations are right and honorable, we can come to God in confidence and humbly ask Him to bless us. 

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 5-6 NLT, Ch 7-8 NIRV, Ch. 9 NCV

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Lasseter Winery on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening. Sounding the alarm about the insidious effects of identity politics, surveillance technology, psychological manipulation, and more, he equips contemporary Christian dissidents to see, judge, and act as they fight to resist the erosion of our freedoms. 304 pages, hardcover from Sentinel.

Thoughts

As I record this episode, beloved, it’s Sunday afternoon. Yesterday the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I worked on the front yard landscape project literally from sunup to sunset. Among other things, we shoveled and placed nine thousand pounds of gravel. That’s no exaggeration. And yes, LeeAnn did some of the shoveling. I tell you this to say that I don’t have any comments after the reading today. I don’t think that there is a muscle in my body that doesn’t hurt, and I am just completely exhausted. So I am truly taking a Sabbath today. I’ll try to be back to a normal episode tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 19 CEB, Ch. 20 GWT

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Nazar Hrabovyi on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening. Sounding the alarm about the insidious effects of identity politics, surveillance technology, psychological manipulation, and more, he equips contemporary Christian dissidents to see, judge, and act as they fight to resist the erosion of our freedoms. 304 pages, hardcover from Sentinel.

Thoughts

As I record this episode, beloved, it’s Sunday afternoon. Yesterday the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I worked on the front yard landscape project literally from sunup to sunset. Among other things, we shoveled and placed nine thousand pounds of gravel. That’s no exaggeration. And yes, LeeAnn did some of the shoveling. I tell you this to say that I don’t have any comments after the reading today. I don’t think that there is a muscle in my body that doesn’t hurt, and I am just completely exhausted. So I am truly taking a Sabbath today. I’ll try to be back to a normal episode tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 19 CEB, Ch. 20 GWT

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Nazar Hrabovyi on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening. Sounding the alarm about the insidious effects of identity politics, surveillance technology, psychological manipulation, and more, he equips contemporary Christian dissidents to see, judge, and act as they fight to resist the erosion of our freedoms. 304 pages, hardcover from Sentinel.

Thoughts

As in chapters 1-3, there are many great truths taught in today’s chapters. But chapter five, verses 16-18 need a closer look, I think.

Let me read it to you again. “If you see another believer committing a sin that doesn’t lead to death, you should pray that God would give that person life. This is true for those who commit sins that don’t lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I’m not telling you to pray about that. 17 Every kind of wrongdoing is sin, yet there are sins that don’t lead to death.

18 We know that those who have been born from God don’t go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one can’t harm them.”

So what is this sin that leads to death, and the sin that does not lead to death?

I read several commentaries, and as is often the case with these difficult passages, there is some disagreement among scholars. But let me give you my understanding of the passage in a somewhat simplified way. Which works since I’m a simple guy.

To give these verses context, in this passage John is talking about prayer. He’s talking about how God hears the prayers of the believer, and how, if we ask according to His will, He will grant our prayers.

But, then John includes this statement that we’re discussing here.

So my understanding of what John was saying is this. If we see a Christian brother or sister sinning, we should pray for them, that God would forgive them. A person who is living for Christ, who loves the Lord, will sometimes sin. We all do. But since we *do* love God, the blood of Jesus covers that sin. And the Holy Spirit *will* speak to our heart and we *will* confess that sin to God and ask forgiveness. This is a sin that does not lead to death, because as we read in the last episode, God is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess.

However, a person who rejects God, who has no relationship with Jesus, is already condemned to death. His sin is a sin unto death already. John is, in this passage, telling us that we should not pray that God would forgive them, because for God to so would be asking Him to circumvent His justice. Scripture says that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Believers are covered by that blood, but those who reject Christ are not, so they cannot be forgiven, and we should not ask God to do so.

We can, however pray that they would soften their hearts and come into relationship with God through Jesus so that *all* of their sins will be forgiven.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 4-5 GWT

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Steve Webb

Thoughts

As in chapters 1-3, there are many great truths taught in today’s chapters. But chapter five, verses 16-18 need a closer look, I think.

Let me read it to you again. “If you see another believer committing a sin that doesn’t lead to death, you should pray that God would give that person life. This is true for those who commit sins that don’t lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I’m not telling you to pray about that. 17 Every kind of wrongdoing is sin, yet there are sins that don’t lead to death.

18 We know that those who have been born from God don’t go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one can’t harm them.”

So what is this sin that leads to death, and the sin that does not lead to death?

I read several commentaries, and as is often the case with these difficult passages, there is some disagreement among scholars. But let me give you my understanding of the passage in a somewhat simplified way. Which works since I’m a simple guy.

To give these verses context, in this passage John is talking about prayer. He’s talking about how God hears the prayers of the believer, and how, if we ask according to His will, He will grant our prayers.

But, then John includes this statement that we’re discussing here.

So my understanding of what John was saying is this. If we see a Christian brother or sister sinning, we should pray for them, that God would forgive them. A person who is living for Christ, who loves the Lord, will sometimes sin. We all do. But since we *do* love God, the blood of Jesus covers that sin. And the Holy Spirit *will* speak to our heart and we *will* confess that sin to God and ask forgiveness. This is a sin that does not lead to death, because as we read in the last episode, God is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess.

However, a person who rejects God, who has no relationship with Jesus, is already condemned to death. His sin is a sin unto death already. John is, in this passage, telling us that we should not pray that God would forgive them, because for God to so would be asking Him to circumvent His justice. Scripture says that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Believers are covered by that blood, but those who reject Christ are not, so they cannot be forgiven, and we should not ask God to do so.

We can, however pray that they would soften their hearts and come into relationship with God through Jesus so that *all* of their sins will be forgiven.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 4-5 GWT

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Steve Webb