Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

 

When I committed to writing a blog every day, I fell into a trap I have observed and judged in others. I found myself studying or reading to find something to write. I have heard many sermons based on this kind of thinking and they usually are either without much spirit or the message wonders off to some favorite teaching or understanding. That also is misleading or second best.

In Matthew 16:6 Jesus says to the disciples, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”

I prayed about this statement, and what I came to understand was that it is a warning against performing to be seen and not from sharing what I have heard to be and encouragement from the Spirit of God.

To my surprise this verse corresponds directly to a verse I am hoping to write a little about soon in Luke 17:3, where in the beginning of the verse Jesus is quoted as saying, “Take heed to yourselves.”

I thank God that in a very strong way I am hearing to pay less attention to what others are doing and pay more attention to my own walk, as I am learning to follow Jesus.

Therefore, I will try to limit my sharing to the things I am hearing for my own life. Hopefully that will be an encouragement to others.

 

 

Without Charity I am nothing

 Thank you, my Father, for the truth of 1 Corinthians 13.  Thank you that I can hold my life up to that chapter and see where it doesn't fit, and then come to you in prayer and pray confidently for grace to conform my life to your truth. 

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord

 

Oh, give thanks to the Lord,

For He is good!

For His mercy endures forever

Psalm 136:1

 

One of the things that has been a very real encouragement and help to me is to start my day, by writing three reasons or things that I am thankful for. Jeannie says that I have been someone who journals for as long as she has known me (that’s a while). Even so I didn’t get much from it for a long time, until I came across the idea of using that habit to give thanks. First.

This is a very simple thing to start doing. Get a notebook or some paper, and a pen or pencil. Every morning when you wake up just write 3 things that you are thankful for. This doesn’t have to be big things, in fact it is probably better if you start recognizing the really small things; the paper and pencil that you have for this exercise. Be thankful.

I find this really helpful to use complete sentences, and to address it to, “my Father” or “Abba”, or even “Papa”, however you’re comfortable.

The point is to get into the habit of starting your day with thanksgiving.

 

If anyone has had any similar experience, or even comments of any kind please feel free to make them. I need help also.

 

Thank you,

Be faithful

Rick

 

Go therefore, and make disciples

 

Sixty-six years ago, in a Quaker church in Springfield Ohio, I asked Jesus to be my savior. Soon after that I was baptized, by immersion (I was not Quaker). I attended church and youth group regularly, and after high school I went to Bible college to become a minister. Apparently, I was not suited for Bible college, and I flunked out. Then I was drafted and ended up in Viet Nam. Since that time, I struggled at being a “Christian”.

In 2001 circumstances were arranged to change my life completely.

Yesterday (Sunday, August 24, 2025) I was at a rally where there were people sharing about “making disciples”, and the fire was rekindled in my heart and mind. The introduction that I saw seemed to emphasize the urgency of assuring people that they are “saved.” Which was proven with scripture verses ripped out of context, “Proof Texts.”

This is not what I read in Jesus’ words when he gives the command to his disciples. This is what it says in Matthew 28:18-20.

And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Shortly after the events of 2001, I was challenged to discover what this commandment meant, and how to accomplish it. This resulted in the creation of a beginning discipleship course, which I have offered to share in the past. The response has been unspectacular. I did this by faith, believing that I was led by God to do it. I am again motivated by that same faith to work harder at promoting what I see as discipleship according to what Jesus said.

I intend to do this from now on, hopefully daily in FB and blog posts, until I see that this is not what God desires me to be doing.

 

As always, Be Faithful

Rick

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

 

For the last few weeks in my “prayer time”, “morning meditation” or whatever you call it, Psalm 19 has been very significant. Especially when mornings were early and warm, I could go outside as twilight grew to sunshine, and watch and listen to nature waking up and starting a new day. That is exciting and very stimulating for me because,

“The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the firmament shows forth knowledge

Day unto day pours forth speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge

There is no speech, nor are there words:

Their voice is not heard.”

                                                (Psalm 19:1-3)

It seems to me that people who get pleasure from mocking things they don’t understand, would have a ‘hay day’ with these verses. First it says things are being declared and shown, it says speech is pouring and knowledge is revealed. Then it says there is no speech or words and nothing is heard.

Over the last several years, I have developed a habit of writing in the morning. This has proven to be very beneficial for me an a few ways. One way is that writing requires thought. Thought stimulates questions. Therefore, while I am writing questions come to the surface of my mind, and sometimes they are very troubling questions. I have developed the practice of simply including these questions in my writing. Often as I am writing the question, (a form of prayer, for me) the answer comes to my mind.

“There is no speech, nor are there words:

Their voice is not heard.”

And the answers settle the question for me.

The mockers and the Bible scholars can probably rip this argument to shreds. I hope I am not a mocker, and I am sure I am not a scholar, but I am learning to be a disciple of Jesus, and this is a help for me.

Be Faithful.

Mercy:

This week I seem to be thinking about MERCY.

Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 13:37-John 14:3)

 

It is good to remember that when the Bible was originally written there were no chapter and verse notations. This section is only part of a larger conversation.

Here is something that I saw as I considered this passage.

Jesus was giving final instructions to his closest followers, in the verses that come before and then he begins to talk about his departure and the disciples are upset. And Peter declares his devotion to Jesus, in his usual enthusiastic way. Jesus, very lovingly, shows Peter what and how he is.

It seems to me that this is a lovely example of Jesus and our Father’s mercy. Here is what I mean, as I understand this.

·         MERCY: It is the mercy and the very great Love of God that shows me my sin.

·         SIN: Sin is how I live outside of connection/relationship with the Father. (Romans 14:23b) all that is not of faith is sin.

·         GRACE: Father gives grace to live a life of faith. (Hebrews 4:16) Therefor let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that me my obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

A life of Faith is a life of listening in order to obey.

What I believe

 

I believe in God the Father, Almighty,

The creator of Heaven and earth

Of everything seen and unseen.

 

I believe in Jesus the Christ,

The only begotten son of God,

Our Lord and Savior.

 

He was conceived by the power

Of the Holy Spirit of God,

And born of the virgin Mary.

 

Jesus grew from an infant to a man,

And was tempted in every way, just as we are.

He chose to live in humble obedience, to his Father

And did not sin.

 

In humble obedience, by example and words,

He taught and teaches us,

How to obey God and enter the kingdom of God;

Loving one another.

 

He was persecuted by the religious leaders of his day,

And, in co-operation with the government,

Was prosecuted and executed by crucifixion

 

Three days later

 

He rose from the dead,

Proclaiming himself,

Lord of ALL.

 

And leaving us instructions

To bring all of mankind

Into the kingdom of God.

 

He ascended into Heaven

And will come again,

To judge the living and the dead.