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Captivity and Liberation:

In the complex landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we can observe two distinct forms of captivity that offer profound spiritual parallels. On one hand, Israeli hostages are acutely aware of their captors and yearn for liberation. On the other, many Palestinians live under the oppressive rule of Hamas, often unaware of the extent of their subjugation, being told massive lies for decades, and having been indoctrinated by their leaders. These scenarios mirror the spiritual conditions of humanity: those who recognize their bondage to sin and those who remain oblivious to it.

Hamas, is and has been designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries, including the United States. Hamas not only targets Israelis but also suppresses its own people. We know, with absolute certainty, that Hamas has used Palestinian civilians as human shields, placing military assets in schools, hospitals, and residential areas, thereby endangering innocent lives. This exploitation keeps Palestinians in a state of fear and ignorance, manipulating them to serve the organization’s malevolent purposes.

This is a superb object lesson of the spiritual blindness described in Scripture. The Apostle Paul writes, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Such individuals are “darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them” (Ephesians 4:18). They are captives, unaware of their captivity, manipulated by the forces of darkness. And Hamas is a force of darkness.

In contrast, Israeli hostages are fully aware of their dire situation. They endure physical confinement, extreme mental and emotional suffering, but remain cognizant of their captors and hold onto the hope of rescue. This reflects the experience of individuals who recognize their sinful state and yearn for redemption. The Apostle Paul lamented, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24). Acknowledging one’s bondage is the first step toward liberation. Blindly going forward and believing that you are perfect the way you are, and have no need of a savior will lead to permanent bondage and separation forever.

For the Palestinians under Hamas’s oppressive rule, liberation begins with the revelation of truth. Jesus declared, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The gospel unveils the deceptions of evil powers and offers a way out of spiritual bondage. As John MacArthur explains, “Spiritual blindness is a universal human condition. Every human being born into this world, since the fall of Adam, has been born spiritually blind.”

For the Israeli hostages, deliverance comes through external intervention. Similarly, those who recognize their spiritual captivity find salvation through Christ’s redemptive work. The Apostle Paul proclaims, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25). Just as rescuers must act to free hostages God intervenes to save those who call upon Him.

Understanding these forms of captivity compels us to act. For those unaware of their spiritual bondage, we must shine the light of the gospel, exposing the lies that enslave them. For those who recognize their captivity, we offer the hope of Christ’s deliverance and his Word, and our fellowship as comfort. As C.S. Lewis observed, “The gospel is that Jesus Christ came to earth, lived the life we should have lived, and died the death we should have died.”

 

In a world rife with both physical and spiritual captivity, the message of liberation through Christ remains as vital as ever. Let us be bearers of this truth, guiding the blind and comforting the captive, until all find freedom in Him.

 

Things are as bad as they seem…. Here are 9 reasons.

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overpower it.” Matt. 16:18
The perspective and vantage point of most Christians, especially in the United States, is very limited. We can often only see how God is moving and working in our local congregations and among those around us. Depending on the circumstances, that can be discouraging.
When we expand our vision globally with the 2025 report from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, we can see several trends that give us good news about the kingdom of God. Many of these continue encouraging trends from 2024.

1. Christianity is growing
Regardless of what you may expect, Christianity continues to grow around the world. Currently, there are more than 2.64 billion Christians. Christianity crossed the 2 billion mark this century but will top 3 billion before 2050. The world’s population, at just over 8 billion, has a 0.88% annual growth rate, but Christianity is growing at a rate of 0.98%. Around one-third of the world’s population is Christian.

2. Nones have plateaued globally
In many contexts, it may seem as if people are fleeing religion, but that’s probably no longer the case in the U.S. and is certainly not the case globally. From 1900 to 1970, the worldwide population of the religiously unaffiliated jumped from 3 million to more than 700 million. Since that time, however, growth has slowed dramatically. Today, around 906 million individuals aren’t part of a religion, a number currently growing by 0.19% annually. Projections indicate they will soon start declining, falling to 867 million by 2050.

3. Atheism is declining
While the numbers of religiously unaffiliated people have continued to grow slowly, global atheism peaked with bell bottoms and disco. In 1970, there were more than 161 million atheists, but that number fell to 137 million in 2000. A brief period of growth in the early 21st century brought the global atheist population up to almost 147 million in 2020. Today, however, that number has dwindled to 145 million, falling 0.2% annually. By 2050, atheism is projected to drop to 133 million.

4. Evangelicals are among the fastest-growing Christian groups
Every group within Christianity is growing, but evangelicals are one of the fastest-growing. Currently, 420 million evangelicals are growing at a 1.47% annual rate. Since 2000, evangelicalism has increased by 150 million. In the next 25 years, the number is projected to jump by 200 million to reach almost 621 million by 2050.

5. Christianity is exploding in Africa and Asia
Persecution is often severe in many areas in the Global South, but Christianity is growing in every region. Currently, 2 in 3 Christians live in the Global South. The faith is even increasing in the Middle East. Ancient churches, much older than anything in the west are revitalizing in places like Iran where Thaddeus and St. Bartholemew, both one of the original Apostles of Christ started churches in the 1st century!
Right now, more than 750 million Christians call Africa home, and this number is growing at a 2.59% annual rate. Almost as many Christians live in Africa as in Europe, Russia, and North America combined (823 million). Asia has 416 million Christians, a number that is growing 1.6% each year. By 2050, Africa will be home to more than 1.2 billion Christians, and almost 600 million will live in Asia.

6. Ministers and missionaries continue to be called and sent
The number of national workers or citizens who serve the Christian mission in their context has reached almost 13.6 million people. That number has been growing 0.91% annually. The total number is expected to reach 17 million by 2050.
Missionaries, those who serve in a country foreign to them, are growing by 1.15% and reached 450,000 in 2025. Around 600,000 are projected to be serving by 2050.

7. Martyrdom has fallen
While persecution remains a significant issue for Christians in many areas, the number of believers who are killed for their faith over a 10-year period has declined. In 1970, there were more than 3.7 million Christian martyrs over 10 years. That dropped to 1.6 million in 2000 and is now down to 900,000. Projections do, however, see that number increasing slightly by 2050 to around 1 million.

8. More languages have New Testament translations
In 1900, just 228 groups had the New Testament in their language. Today, with a 2.07% annual rate of growth, around 2,500 languages have the New Testament. With a continued focus on language efforts, missions work, and technological advances, around 4,400 languages will have copies of the New Testament by 2050.

9. The percentage of people without gospel access is declining
In 1900, more than half of the world’s population (54.3%) had no gospel access. Due to the work of missionaries of the past and present, that percentage has fallen to 27% and is currently dropping at an annual rate of -0.45%.

Hast Thou No Scar?

 

Hast Thou No Scar by Amy Carmichael

Hast thou no scar?

No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?

I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,

I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,

Hast thou no scar?

 

Hast thou no wound?

Yet, I was wounded by the archers, spent.

Leaned me against the tree to die, and rent

By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned:

Hast thou no wound?

 

No wound? No scar?

Yet as the Master shall the servant be,

And pierced are the feet that follow Me;

But thine are whole. Can he have followed far

Who has no wound nor scar?

Have you ever suffered—not for doing wrong, not for a mistake or a failure—but simply for standing with Christ? Have you ever faced rejection, loss, or pain because you refused to compromise the truth? Because you chose righteousness over comfort?

Amy Carmichael’s poem speaks to the reality of Christian discipleship: to follow Jesus is to walk a road marked by suffering. Christ Himself bore wounds—deep, cruel, undeserved wounds—and He tells us, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

Paul writes in Philippians 1:29, “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Suffering for Christ is not a burden; it is a calling. It is part of what it means to belong to Him. But in a world that values comfort, success, and approval, it is tempting to avoid the cost of discipleship. It is easy to want Christ without His cross, to want faith without hardship. And yet, Christ was wounded. Christ was scarred. If we are truly following Him, how can we expect to be untouched?

James 1:2-4 tells us to “consider it all joy” when we face trials because they refine and strengthen our faith. We often think of suffering as something to be avoided, but Scripture says it is something to be embraced. Why? Because it shapes us into the image of Christ. It deepens our trust in Him. It proves that we are truly His.

Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Not some, but all. If we have never experienced any form of suffering for our faith—no ridicule, no rejection, no hardship—it is worth asking: Have I truly stood for Christ? Have I truly followed Him?

Amy Carmichael’s words cut deep:

“Pierced are the feet that follow Me;

But thine are whole. Can he have followed far

Who has no wound nor scar?”

 

It is a question we must all ask ourselves. Have we followed Christ at a distance, careful not to stand too firmly on truth, careful not to offend, careful not to suffer? Or have we walked so closely with Him that we bear the marks of that walk? If you have suffered for Christ, take heart. It is a sign that you are His. If you have not, perhaps it is time to ask whether you have truly stepped out in faith, spoken truth when it was costly, or chosen obedience when it hurt.

But do not fear suffering. Christ walks with us in it. And beyond every wound, every scar, every moment of rejection, there is a glory far greater than we can imagine. “If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12).

 

So, dear believer, hast thou no scar?

 “Unhitching Our Faith: The Modern Church’s Dance with the World’s Wisdom”

In the modern evangelical church, there is a curious dance happening—one where the world’s wisdom is leading, and the Bible’s timeless truths are, at times, following. Perhaps unintentionally, we’ve allowed the culture’s tune to dictate our steps.

Stockholm Syndrome, a term coined after a 1973 bank heist in Sweden, describes a psychological response where hostages develop a bond with their captors, sometimes even defending them. In a spiritual context, it might look like Christians adopting the views of a world that doesn’t acknowledge the authority of Christ. As Romans 12:2 advises, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The Wisdom of the World vs. the Wisdom of God:

1 Corinthians 1:20 asks, “Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” Here, Paul highlights the folly of worldly wisdom over divine truth for the Christian.

John MacArthur, in one of his sermons, comments, “The church today is being seduced by the world’s philosophies because we’ve forgotten that our allegiance is to the King of Kings, not the current cultural trends.”

Let me let you in on a little secret, though it’s not really a secret…we will never be accepted by the world system period. Our wisdom is foolishness to the world, and the worlds system is foolishness to God. Here is Paul’s explanation from 1 Corinthians.

“26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26, ESV)

We have always been strange and unacceptable to the intelligencia of the world. No matter how many degrees, or books you write; it’s all foolishness to the world.

When Christian leaders suggest “unhitching” from the Old Testament or downplaying the Bible’s authority in public discourse, we see a tragic scenario where we Christians try to navigate life, especially spiritual life, with one hand tied behind our back. As Psalm 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Without the full counsel of Scripture, how can we see clearly? We have asked “the blind man” to lead us who have “sight.”  Our strength and power come not from this world but from the word of God…it makes no sense to the World. It’s the ultimate square peg in a round hole; and to be clear, when I say “World” I don’t mean the globe called Earth, I mean the worlds system and the philosophy or Zeitgeists that are controlling it at the moment.

MacArthur often reminds us, “The Bible isn’t just part of our faith; it is the foundation of it. We cannot pick and choose what we like.”

Many in the church have become cultural captives, much like the ones described in the Stockholm Syndrome explained above. Another group did the same thing. The Israelites who, in Exodus, forgot their identity and begged Moses to go back to their Egyptian captives when things go a little rough.  In my opinion, God’s chosen people were actually the first to have so-called “Stockholm Syndrome.”  Maybe the real name of this behavior should be “Exodus Syndrome.” We laugh at the irony, but there’s a lesson here: when we start valuing the world’s applause, acceptance, and comforts over God’s approval, we’ve lost the plot.

 

2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” Here, we see a prophetic call to remain vigilant against cultural pressures.

MacArthur has been vocal about this, stating, “The church needs to return to the bedrock of scripture, not because it’s popular, but because it’s true.” And might I add, powerful.

Perhaps we need to see our situation through the lens of humor: Imagine you are on a ship, the ship represents the Church and Christians in the the ship are part of this church. The ocean represents the world and it’s system. Imagine the ship’s captain saying, “Let’s throw away our compass; in fact the waves look friendly today, lets just jump into the ocean, forget the ship and swim with the sharks.” The absurdity is clear, yet isn’t this what we do when we side-glance at the Bible in favor of contemporary thought?

The challenge before us isn’t to become hermits but to engage the world with the wisdom of God, not of man. This dance with the world’s wisdom must end if we are to truly follow Christ. Because after the music changes the world will dump us and leave the party with someone else.  Let’s reclaim our identity as those transformed by the renewing of our minds, not conformed by the patterns of this world, with a smile knowing that the truth, in its essence, is both liberating and, sometimes, hilariously straightforward.

What does it mean to have a true friend?

The Hebrew language offers three words to describe different levels of friendship. First, there is re’a, referring to acquaintances—people with whom we share casual interactions, perhaps coworkers, neighbors, or those we recognize in passing. Psychologists suggest that we can maintain about 200 such acquaintances throughout our lives. Then there is aloof, a closer form of friendship—those with whom we share meaningful conversations, vacations, or deep discussions. These are the friends we may not see for years, yet when we do, we pick up right where we left off. At any given time, we might have about 25 of these close friends. But the deepest form of friendship is ahave, the kind that “sticks closer than a brother.” These are the intimate friends—perhaps only two or three in a lifetime—who not only share in our joys but also wound us in truth when necessary and would even lay down their lives for us.

The world has long sought to define friendship in its highest form. One writer described a true friend as “one who multiplies joy and divides grief,” while another called a friend “a volume of sympathy bound in flesh.” A winning definition in an English competition declared, “A friend is one who comes in when everybody else has gone out.” Others have noted that a friend is someone “to whom one may pour out all the contents of his heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” But the most piercing observation is this: “If you really want to know who your friends are, make a big mistake.” The reality is that friendship, even in its best earthly form, is imperfect. People fail. They leave. They abandon when things get too difficult. The world offers ideals of friendship, but they always fall short.

Yet there is one Friend who surpasses every definition—Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate ahave, the truest companion who is closer than a brother. He does not merely understand our grief—He bears it. He does not simply listen to our burdens—He lifts them. He does not just tell us the truth—He embodies it. And, unlike any other friend, He does not only risk His life for us; He willingly lays it down.

Nowhere is this truer than in John 8, where a woman caught in adultery is thrown at His feet. The Pharisees stand around her, stones in hand, ready to execute justice according to the Law of Moses. She is guilty—there is no question of her sin. The world would say that true friends stand by you when you make a mistake, but these men are not her friends. They are ready to condemn her, eager to see judgment fall. They do not see her as a person—only as a tool to trap Jesus in a dilemma. But Jesus, the Friend of Sinners, does something astonishing. He stoops down and begins writing in the sand, ignoring their demands for an answer. Then, He speaks: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, from the oldest to the youngest, they drop their stones and walk away. He does not say the woman is innocent—He simply turns the mirror of judgment back on the accusers. And then, when the dust settles, when all her accusers have left, Jesus remains. He looks at her—not with disgust, not with condemnation, but with love. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She answers, “No one, Lord.” And He says the words that change everything: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.”

How could He say that? How could a holy God, who cannot ignore sin, simply let her go? The answer is staggering. Jesus could forgive her because He knew He would pay for her sin. At that very moment, He looked into the eyes of this guilty woman, knowing that every sin she had committed—including the very act that brought her to this public disgrace—would be placed on Him at the cross. He did not dismiss her guilt; He took it upon Himself. He did not ignore the demands of justice; He satisfied them in His own body. Every time He forgave, every time He healed, every time He extended mercy, He tasted in advance the bitterness of the cross.

This is what sets Jesus apart as the greatest Friend. He does not abandon the sinner in shame. He does not offer empty words of comfort. He does not overlook sin to spare feelings. Instead, He speaks the truth in love, remains when all others have left, and ultimately, takes the punishment Himself. Sydney Carton, in A Tale of Two Cities, took Charles Darnay’s place at the guillotine out of friendship, but even this noble act cannot compare to what Christ has done. Jesus did not just die for a friend—He died for His enemies. He did not take the place of an innocent man—He took the place of the guilty.

This is why no earthly friendship, no matter how loyal, can ever compare to the friendship of Christ. He does not merely knock before entering—He stands at the door of the heart and calls. He does not only come in when others have gone—He never leaves in the first place. He does not just know our flaws and love us anyway—He bears them in His own body. He does not simply speak the truth in love—He is the truth, and He gives His love fully. He does not just risk His life for us—He lays it down willingly.

The woman in John 8 walked away free—not because her sin was overlooked, but because her Friend had chosen to pay for it. And this same Friend extends His hand to every sinner today, offering not only forgiveness but a friendship that is eternal, unwavering, and secured by His own sacrifice. What a friend we have in Jesus!

 

True Freedom

Friends, real talk time. Ever feel like the world’s gone a little… dystopian? 😬 I was thinking about this the other day, and it’s kinda crazy how much from books like Brave New World and 1984 seems to be playing out in real life. Huxley and Orwell were seriously prescient, right? They warned us about things like mass psychosis, controlled information, and everyone being glued to their screens… sound familiar? Orwell believed that totally controlling every aspect of life would be the way we are enslaved, while Huxley believed we could be totally controlled by drugging us and amusing us with entertainment all the time. Seems they were both correct. We are sooo free now…right?

It makes you wonder, what’s really going on? What’s real freedom, anyway? I used to think I was free when I was, well, let’s just say I was pretty “free” with the bottle. 🍷 Thought I was living the high life, but really, I was just a slave to alcohol. It controlled me, my decisions, my whole life. Talk about not being free. It wasn’t until I finally kicked that habit that I started to understand what true freedom actually meant. That was a HUGE part of my freedom journey, but it wasn’t the whole story.

I learned that true freedom isn’t just about getting rid of bad habits. It’s about something much deeper. It’s about being set free from the power of sin. And that’s where the Holy Spirit comes to break the chains. 🙌 The Bible says that it’s the Spirit who gives us new life (John 6:63). It’s the Spirit who empowers us to overcome temptation and live a life that’s pleasing to God. It’s the Spirit who helps us to know the truth, the truth that sets us free (John 16:13). It’s not something I work harder and harder to do, the Spirit does it to our hearts and minds. He changes us inside and we obey more and more because we want to not because we are forced or feel deprived. I love bread. Growing up it was in our house all the time. In fact, some bread I see it and I just want to touch it, much less eat it. That desire is in me for bread. The Holy Spirit creates that desire in you when you become a Christian. You don’t have to drum it up or force it, all you have to do is obey it. It’s in you, and the more you obey it, the more you have the Joy and fruit of the Spirit which changes you, and sets you free from selfishness and sin. He will send people and circumstances to grow you and teach or test you. Not for his benefit, but yours.

Like marriage. Whoa. Talk about a life-changer. Before I met my wife, I was like a ticking time bomb. 💣 Seriously, I was angry all the time. I was just waiting for something to set me off. But then… she came along. And somehow, she just… diffused me. It was like she pulled the wires out of a claymore mine. 🤯 I don’t even know how she does it. But she’s calmed me down and made me a better man. And honestly, I see God’s hand in that too. Marriage has been a huge part of my journey to true freedom. It’s taught me about selflessness, forgiveness, and unconditional love – all things that the Holy Spirit has been working on in my life.

Kids. 👶🤯  If marriage is a life-changer, parenting is like a whole new dimension of life-changing!  Talk about being forced to confront your own selfishness!  Kids have this amazing (and sometimes terrifying) ability to expose all your weaknesses and push you to grow in ways you never imagined.  Through both marriage and parenting, I’ve learned what it truly means to lay down my life for someone else.  It’s a constant process of dying to self, and honestly, it’s been one of the most freeing experiences of my life.  It’s like God’s saying, “Okay, you think you’re free? Let’s see how you handle this!” 😂  But seriously, it’s through these relationships, through loving my wife and kids, that I’ve experienced a deeper level of freedom from my own selfish desires.

This whole thing makes me think about what real freedom is. It’s not just about doing whatever you want, it’s about being free from the things that hold you back, the things that control you. For me, it was alcohol and anger (and still is, some days!). For you, it might be something else. But the point is, true freedom is about finding the truth, which is found in Jesus (John 14:6). And the Holy Spirit is the one who helps us to understand that truth and live it out. It’s a process, for sure. But it’s a process that leads to true and lasting freedom. 🙌

So, what about you? What does freedom mean to you? Where do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life?

“My Peace I give you….”

 

 

 

In a recent Biblical counseling training class at my church, we delved into the profound benefits of Bible memorization and the importance of embracing the peace that God grants us. One of our teacher mentors passed on a sermon by John MacArthur about Jesus’ assurance in John 14:27: “Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.”

John MacArthur, in his sermon Supernatural Peace, emphasizes that the peace Jesus offers is not something we must strive for or manufacture—it is a gift that has already been given to every believer. He states, “Jesus doesn’t say, ‘I wish you peace’ or ‘I hope you find peace.’ He says, ‘I give you peace.’ It is ours. It has been left to us, granted to us, deposited in us.” MacArthur likens this peace to food that is already in our possession. We do not need to search for it or earn it; we simply need to appropriate it—to take hold of it and live in the reality of what Christ has already provided. This divine peace is not like the world’s fragile, fleeting version of peace. Instead, it is an unshakable, supernatural tranquility that steadies the heart even in the most terrifying circumstances. We must also remember that when Jesus spoke these words, he was in the midst of the most stress any human had ever experienced, and was hours from being mutilated and in agony on the cross…and he knew this was coming.

Another of our mentor/teachers at the counseling class also passed on the powerful real-life example found in the story of Sapir Cohen, an Israeli woman who endured 55 days in Hamas captivity. Though she had not been deeply religious before, in the weeks leading up to the October 7 attacks, she felt compelled to memorize Psalm 27. Unbeknownst to her, she was storing up spiritual strength for an unimaginable trial.

During her captivity, the very words of Psalm 27 became her lifeline. The psalm begins: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” These words met her in the depths of suffering, offering the courage to endure the horrors of her situation. After I went home and read Psalm 27:3, it hit me hard how that psalm must have carried profound meaning for her: “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”

At one point, her captors even noticed something different about her—a light, a peace, that was inexplicable given her circumstances. One of them even asked her to pray for them. What they saw was not human strength but the supernatural peace that Christ gives to His own. Now, as far as I know, Sapir Cohen is not a Christian. But I think (and I pray) she may be close to accepting Christ.

We know that in the last days, the Jewish people will experience a great awakening to their Messiah. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 11:25-26, “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so, all Israel will be saved.” God is at work in Israel, even through unimaginable suffering. The Bible tells us that in the end times, the Jewish people will become the greatest evangelists the world has ever seen (Revelation 7:4-8, Zechariah 12:10). Perhaps what is happening now is part of that preparation—the veil is being lifted. God’s love for His chosen people has never wavered, and He is drawing them to Himself, just as He promised.

Sapir’s story is a striking illustration of John 14:27 in action. The peace that sustained her was not from the world; it was the very peace of Christ. Just as MacArthur teaches, this peace was given to all Christians as a gift I think this peace  was already hers through the living words of God, living in her mind from psalm 27—she did not have to create it or search for it, only to take hold of it in her moment of greatest need, maybe creating a desire or hunger for a permanent residence for her, if it hasn’t already happened . Her experience serves as a powerful reminder: When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, He is preparing us for the trials we cannot yet see. When we claim the peace Jesus has already given, we can endure what seems unbearable. Just as Sapir found strength in the words of Psalm 27, so too can we take hold of Christ’s peace—fully ours, already given, waiting only to be embraced. And as we see more and more Jewish people turning toward God in their suffering, we can pray with hope and expectation that the Prince of Peace is drawing them to Himself. I encourage anyone reading this, to read Psalm 27 in entirety right now.

You can also watch Sapir recount her story in this video:

Hostage in Gaza Remembers Psalm 27 While in Captivity

 

He’s not building a Cottage, but a Mansion. He’s not fixing the hole in the boat, but a whole new one….

C.S. Lewis’s imagery of the old, rickety house being torn apart and rebuilt by Jesus captures the essence of how God transforms our hearts and minds when we surrender to Him. At first, we may expect small improvements—perhaps a patched roof or a coat of paint. But when God starts tearing down walls, ripping out foundations, and overhauling the entire structure, it can feel disorienting. Why would He disrupt the things we’ve grown accustomed to? The answer, as Lewis explains, is that God isn’t interested in remodeling us into something merely functional. He’s building something extraordinary—a palace, a dwelling fit for His presence.

This brings to mind the analogy of the Ship of Theseus by Plutarch. The Ship of Theseus was an imaginary ship that was completely replaces plank by plank, and in the end Plutarch asked “is the ship of Theseus still the ship of Theseus.” Imagine yourself as that ship, with each plank, mast, and sail representing your values, beliefs, and identity. Over time, God begins replacing the worn, broken parts—the worldly patterns of thinking, selfish desires, and false priorities—with something new, better, and aligned with His truth. As the process continues, you might wonder if you’re even the same person anymore. The answer is both yes and no. You’re still you, but now rebuilt by the Master Craftsman, with a heart and mind tuned to Him.

In Kenny Chesney’s song “Better Boat” he speaks to this same transformative process. The song reflects on resilience, surrender, and finding peace amidst struggle:

“I’m learning how to build a better boat.”

I don’t know if Kenny ever read Plutarch, but he hits the same notes, or at least the same key. This process of rebuilding isn’t always smooth sailing. It involves storms that expose our weaknesses, forcing us to lean on God’s strength. Like Chesney’s lyrics suggest, building a “better boat” requires letting go of old habits and mindsets that no longer serve us and embracing the new habits and mindsets God provides—faith, hope, and a deeper reliance on Him.

Just as God led Abraham, Moses,Joshua, Joseph, Peter, Paul and all the apostles to a future far beyond what they could imagine, He also rebuilt their “houses, and boats.” He does the same for us. But this requires total surrender, allowing Him to tear down the old and rebuild us into something completely new. Romans 12:2 reminds us of this:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

In God’s hands, the rickety cottage of our lives becomes a palace. The ship of Theseus becomes a vessel fit for His purpose. The broken boat becomes stronger, ready to navigate life’s storms. When we trust Him with the process, we find that His plans far exceed anything we could have imagined.

 

What is Life? A Journey Through Words and Wonder

Life. Such a simple word, yet it encapsulates the entirety of our existence. What is it truly? A fleeting moment? An eternal struggle? A divine gift? Philosophers throughout history have grappled with this profound question, offering diverse and often poetic perspectives.

Hans Christian Andersen saw life as a “fairy tale, written by God’s finger,” a whimsical and enchanting journey. Robert Browning, with a more pragmatic outlook, believed it to be “probation and the earth is not the goal, but the starting point,” a testing ground for something greater (I Iike that). Thomas Carlyle offered a poignant reflection, describing life as “a little gleam of time between two eternities,” a brief and precious spark in the vast expanse of existence. Goethe, echoing a sense of immortality, viewed life as “the childhood of our immortality,” a stage of growth and preparation for a grander existence.

And then there’s Shakespeare, the Bard himself, who famously declared, “Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”…kinda depressing Bill. Henry Thoreau, in contrast, found solace in a simpler view, likening life to “a stroll upon the beach,” a leisurely and contemplative journey along the shores of existence.

These and others, offer a glimpse into the many ways humans have tried to explain the meaning of life. What does Merriam Websters Dictionary say life is?

Life:

1a: the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body

b: a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings

c: an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction

2a: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual.

Definitions provide a scientific framework, however, they don’t fully capture the essence of the human experience. For those who find faith in a higher power, the Scriptures say many things. Job, grappling with suffering, likened life to “sparks that fly upward,” fleeting and ephemeral. Isaiah, the prophet, compared it to a “flower that fades” and “grass that withers,” focusing on its transient nature. And James, the apostle, vividly described life as “even a vapor or mist, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away,” highlighting its fleeting quality.

Ultimately, the meaning of life remains a deeply personal and elusive concept. It is an  journey of exploration, a quest for purpose, and a constant process of self-discovery and evaluation of our past. It can be a hope for the future or a dread of its ultimate end. Whether we find solace in philosophy, science, faith, or a combination of all three, one certainty remains: life is a precious gift, and its end is inevitable. As we navigate this journey, we should try to live with intention, to cherish our time. Time is made up of “moments” and in those moments we need to find meaning. Those small and often very short pieces of time and experience in every day that make up this extraordinary existence added all together are the gift of life as a whole.

The book of the Bible that is almost entirely about the meaning of life is the book of Ecclesiastes. We cannot be dogmatic about who wrote it but most scholars believe it was King Solomon. If you know anything about Solomon in the Bible he is described as the richest and wisest man that every lived. He also experienced everything the world system has to offer; 700 wives and 300 concubines, palaces made out of gold, horses chariots. He also indulged in all the delicacies the world had to offer; food drink and whatever else was available to man.  The Preacher (probably Solomon) ultimately concludes that true meaning in life can only be found in “fearing God,” which is not quaking in your boots fear, but in the Hebrew means a deep reverence and obedience towards God. Rather than seeking meaning through worldly pursuits which are ultimately futile and meaningless “under the sun” the man who had everything says God is the meaning of Human life…that is who and what we are here for and should live for, because in the next life we will know him face to face and understand He made us for Himself to enjoy, and in that we will be totally full of meaning and complete.

Decisions, decisions….

Every day, we go about our lives making an unbelievable number of unconscious decisions—tiny, split-second choices that happen without us even realizing it. Research shows that the average person makes about 16 conscious decisions a day. Sixteen! That’s less than the number of times most people check their phones before breakfast. Meanwhile, the rest of our actions—thousands upon thousands—are guided by habits, reflexes, and sheer muscle memory. You didn’t think too hard about brushing your teeth this morning, did you? Or whether to step left or right to avoid bumping into someone on the sidewalk? Yet, when you multiply these automatic behaviors by the billions of people in the world, it’s frankly a miracle we don’t all crash into each other like toddlers driving bumper cars.

 

What’s even wilder is how much we’ve upped the stakes by gluing our faces to smartphones. Now, we’re dodging curbs, cars, and each other while scrolling Instagram, replying to emails, or—my personal favorite—trying to outwit autocorrect. The average person spends over an hour and a half deliberating those 16 conscious choices, but the other 1,400 minutes of the day are spent on autopilot. Honestly, it’s like the human race is auditioning for some divine slapstick comedy. And yet, despite all the potential chaos, everything still works—traffic flows, people cross streets, and somehow the world doesn’t descend into a free-for-all. That’s no accident.

 

Let’s be real: someone has to be running the show, and it’s not us. God, thankfully, seems to have taken it upon Himself to manage the countless moving parts of our daily lives. The fact that we don’t accidentally start World War III every morning—or at least spill our coffee—is a testament to His invisible hand keeping us in check.

 

This all reminds me of those hanging pendulum balls you see in science videos. You know the ones—they start swinging all willy-nilly, and you’re pretty sure it’s going to end in chaos. But then, suddenly, these mesmerizing patterns emerge. It’s like the universe just decides, “Let’s impress the humans.” The pendulums keep swinging, and somehow order comes out of what seemed like pure randomness. That’s life in a nutshell.

 

We’re all those swinging pendulums, bouncing around on the edge of chaos, distracted by everything from cat videos to whether we locked the front door. But just like those pendulums, our lives aren’t as random as they appear. There’s a pattern we don’t always see. When we see it, sometimes we invest in the time to think about what we do and say…those are the small ordered times we see in the pendulum video and then it moves on again in seeming chaos. But God,  the one behind the scenes, makes sure we don’t all swing into each other like those balls in a poorly-timed science experiment.

 

And, oh, that final moment when the pendulums slow down and come to rest? That’s the promise of ultimate peace—when all our unconscious chaos gives way to stillness. It’s God saying, “Alright, you’ve had your fun. Time to settle down.” And then someday in the next life we will come to perfect rest and peace, just as the pendulum balls finally do.

 

So, the next time you’re dodging someone who’s walking and texting, or you narrowly avoid spilling your coffee while grabbing your keys, just take a moment to marvel. It’s amazing we don’t all crumble into a heap of unconscious chaos. And maybe—just maybe—God’s chuckling a little as He keeps us moving along, amused at how we think we’re the ones in control. And I for one am glad that He is….