Author: Jacquelin Stoner

Jacqui is a writer, teacher, life coach, and an encourager. She walks alongside of individuals who need help navigating to the better place God has envisioned for their lives. She has discovered that God is central to genuine lasting life change.
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OUR ROUGH TRIP HOME

We were caught in last weekend’s Nor’easter that roared up the seaboard. The storm didn’t take us by surprise, but the floodwaters did. We were supposed to stay in Wildwood Crest, NJ, through Sunday, but we could see the tides growing stronger and the water rising. We prayed before leaving the hotel. Bill and I had no idea how rough the trip home would be.

CLOSED BRIDGES

Three primary drawbridges connect the Wildwoods to the mainland of Cape May County. We pulled out of the hotel, knowing emergency services planned to close down the bridges at 2 PM. Leaving at 10:30 AM, we drove through flooded streets toward the closest bridge. Quickly, we discovered that all the side streets leading to that bridge were closed and underwater. Change of plans. We proceeded very slowly on the central street toward the bridge north of Wildwood. The water grew deeper and deeper.

ONLY ONE DRIVER

One more complication. At this point, I was the only driver. Before we knew we would be leaving that day, Bill took his prescription for his back pain. He is not permitted to drive with that med in his system. Hence, Bill was out of commission.

HIGH STANDING WATER ALL AROUND

At the wheel, all I could envision were those videos of cars unexpectedly floating away in a pool of high standing water. How high does it have to get? For several blocks we followed a vehicle with New York plates. We figured if anyone knew the way out, they would. We knew we were in trouble when even he turned around.

AN ANGEL AT WAWA

What to do? We prayed. In the pouring rain, we found a WaWa open and inundated by customers. In the coffee line, I kept asking, “How can we find a bridge that is still open?” God sent his angel. A dear man replied, “Go over to Pacific Avenue, follow it straight for miles, and it will take you to the Cape May bridge, where you can catch the Coastal Highway.”

COUNTERINTUITIVE DIRECTIONS

It seemed counterintuitive. He was telling me to travel south (further into the storm) to find a bridge that might not be open. Without any other options (my GPS was of no help), we made a right out of the parking lot and followed Pacific Ave. for the next several miles. I began to doubt the man’s directions as I saw many cars approaching us and very few heading the same direction we were.

a bridge in sight

Eventually we drove by the marshland where we saw debris from earlier waters covering the road, but the waters were receding. We didn’t have to drive through flooding as in Wildwood. Then there was the bridge!!!! We crossed and made it to the Coastal Highway and eventually home.

presence of god

God was there with us during our entire trip. He knew about the floodwaters in Wildwood. God sent an angel to stand at the WaWa coffee bar. Even when my GPS kept angrily telling me to turn around, God kept us on the right path. My husband kept praying and encouraging me when all I could envision was our car floating away. We had no idea how rough the trip home would be, but God knew and He cared.

god’s gift

As Paul reminds Timothy, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (II Timothy 1:7). God is the Giver of good gifts regardless of the tide!

Click to read more about the Spirit of Power and Endurance.

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MY BLURRED VISION

Due to my vision impairment, I often can’t see objects right in front of me. It is embarrassing to stumble and fall. The Disciples also tripped a lot, but usually over Jesus’ teachings. Sometimes they asked Jesus what He meant, but if their blurred spiritual vision didn’t welcome it, they ignored or rejected what was right in front of them. Peter envisioned a King who would grant Peter’s wishes, not a crucifixion. He tripped over God’s plan and had the nerve to rebuke Jesus. Can you hear the exasperation in Jesus’s voice when He asked the Disciples, “Don’t you understand yet?” (Mark 8:21) The Word was amongst them, but their spiritual vision was blurred, at best. They tripped all over the place.

SPIT IN THE EYE

To an extent, the Disciples believed Jesus; after all, they kept accompanying Him even when times were tough. In Mark 8:22-26, at Bethsaida, they witnessed the spitting incident. The blind man’s friends brought him to Jesus for a unique encounter. Jesus took the man by the hand, guided him out of the village, where Jesus did the unthinkable. He spit in the man’s eyes. I’ve had friends pray for my deteriorating vision, but no one has offered to spit in my eyes.

NO LONGER BLIND, BUT STILL NOT CLEAR

A fog still obscured the blind man’s physical vision. The small group witnessing this were the Disciples, the same group whose spiritual vision was blurred, at best. Some call this a parable/miracle; a miracle which also illustrates a biblical truth. In step two of the miracle, the formerly blind man’s vision was fuzzy. Just as fuzzy as the Disciples’ spiritual vision.

BLURRY NOT GOOD ENOUGH


The Disciples often saw only what they wanted to see. They rarely let Jesus be their spiritual lens. Jesus refused to stop there. Remember the blind man? The man first admitted he was blind and then confessed (after the spit) that his sight wasn’t clear. He didn’t say, “You know what, blurry is good enough.”  Jesus was not satisfied with semi-healed, blurred vision. The same applied to the Disciples’ blurred spiritual vision.

TIME FOR CONFESSION

As a believer, how often do I honestly confess before both God and men that my spiritual vision is fuzzy? I desperately need my eyes opened by the Holy Spirit, but I don’t admit my need. I may show up and do all kinds of religious activities, but lack honesty in asking for a consuming thirst to know God. My prayers dry up, and my vision remains blurred. Is this your current condition?

SYMPTOMS OF LACK OF CLARITY

“Jesus laid His hands on his eyes; and the man stared intently and [his sight] was [completely] restored, and he began to see everything clearly.” That’s what Jesus wanted for the man and for us: complete clarity in vision. The Disciples, along with us, suffered “Spiritual Dry Eye Syndrome”. Symptoms are: a dry prayer life, spiritual apathy, lack of meditation in the Word, confusion regarding God’s Word, and lack of concern for others and those who don’t know Christ. It can be healed. God wants to purify and renew our spiritual vision. Don’t settle for less. Run to Him!

For further encouragement, click to read Calvary Hanford’s thoughts on this passage.

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LAND OF DOUBT

I’m preparing to lead two different classes. Under pressure, I have a recurring nightmare and wake up in a sweat. In the dream, my classroom is not stocked, the students are wildly out of control, and I have forgotten to bring any of my teaching materials. Even though God has repeatedly supplied over the years in countless high-pressure situations, I still experience an undercurrent of doubt whenever I face a new project. In my recurring nightmare in the Land of Doubt, I forget Who God is.

SPIRITUAL AMNESIA

In Mark 8:1-21, the Disciples also experienced spiritual amnesia. The clock is ticking, and the crucifixion is less than a year away. Jesus leads the 12 into the territory of their enemies: the Gentiles. The Gentile mother’s daughter is healed, and Jesus provides a miracle meal for over 4,000 Gentiles. The leftovers from feeding of the 5,000 were 12 small baskets, but the leftovers from the 4,000 are 7 large hampers. Jesus is preparing the Disciples for the Great Commission: to go outside of Judea and to the ends of the earth. Their faith must stretch, but the 12 often dwell in the shadow of the Land of Doubt.

DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FAITH

Mark’s record reveals different levels of faith. The Gentile woman shines. The Disciples’ faith appears jumbled, often responding in confusion. At the bottom of the pile are the Pharisees. They track Jesus down, choose to ignore all His past miracles, and demand an astral miracle. Remember the story of Pharaoh? God kept piling up the plagues and the miracles, and Pharaoh’s heart grew harder. The Pharisees’ hearts are rock hard. John MacArthur writes, “When confronted by the light, they ran deeper into the shrouded gloom of their self-righteous traditions.” Most of the Pharisees lived in total darkness, well beyond the land of doubt.

MUDDLED FAITH

Have you ever experienced confusion in your faith? Do you think that clarity relies on you and your own abilities rather than the God Who hung the stars in place? In the boat, the disciples sat with the One Who had just fed 4,000 Gentile men. However, “they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread.” They are next to the One Who supplied manna for forty years to the Israelites, but their faith is muddled because of the state of their bellies. The last thing they had to worry about was food, yet doubt came to play.

Can you hear Jesus sigh? “He directed nine rapid questions to them. The first five reproved them for their obtuseness. The last four rebuked them for worrying about the supply of their needs as long as He was with them. Had He not fed 4,000 with 7 loaves, leaving 7 hampers full over? Yes, He had. Then why did they not understand that He was abundantly able to supply the needs of a handful of disciples in a boat? Didn’t they realize that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe was in the boat with them?” (Believer’s Bible Commentaryby William MacDonald).

WHO IS IN THE BOAT?

Thank God, the Sustainer of the universe is in the boat with me as I commence to teach my new classes. I work to prepare, but the ultimate conditions and results are all in His hands. Continually, I ask God to remind me Who He is and all the paths He has led me through.

Do you remember Who God is when you face your worst nightmare? Remember, He is in the boat with you. God never turns down the prayer of one who honestly prays, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

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DON’T PUT DEPENDENCE IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR

Read: Mark 7:24-37

“Sharon” is a new mother. At the end of our conversation, I asked how I could pray for her. Thus began her list: “I try to pray and don’t pray enough. I try to read my Bible and can’t concentrate enough. When it comes to service, I don’t serve God enough. I try to attend every church service, but don’t try hard enough.” And the inventory went on and on. I asked, “Sharon, do you realize how many times you have used the word ‘try’ and mentioned your set of rules? The Pharisees were experts regarding bad behaviors and rule-breaking. What about God’s forgiveness and grace (especially with a new baby in the house)?” All Sharon could see was that she broke the rules and didn’t have the strength to obey. In her rearview mirror was God’s grace and forgiveness. In her desire to obey, she forgot that dependence on God is essential.

HOW FAR DO GOD’S GRACE AND FORGIVENESS EXTEND?

How far do God’s grace and forgiveness extend? Jesus made travel plans to the geographical area chock-full of Gentiles considered beyond the grace of God. Jewish tradition taught that a faithful Jew would have nothing to do with Gentiles and would never enter a Gentile’s house. In Mark 7, Jesus walks to the Gentile region of Tyre. A multitude chock-full of Gentiles tracks Him down. Among the crowd is a lone woman desperately concerned for her demon-possessed daughter, and willing to lay everything down at Jesus’ feet. How far will God’s grace and forgiveness extend?

PRIDE ABANDONED

The woman abandons her pride. She lives in a culture steeped in idolatry, but somehow she has heard about Jesus. There is no reason why He should ever hear her plea. She has nothing to offer Him. However, she does not relent in begging Jesus for help. To our Western ears, you wonder where this story is going. Jesus reminds the woman that the children (the Jewish people) get priority over the dogs (Gentiles like her). At that time, His duty was to the people of Israel, not to the Gentiles (Matthew 15:24). Taking His attention from Israel, in violation of His mission, would be like a father taking food from his children to throw it to their dogs (Matthew 15:26). But in the original language, Jesus did not use the word for mongrels. Jesus softened it into “little dogs” (house pets, rather than wild street dogs). This foretells the expansion to the Gentiles being grafted into the Kingdom of God.

FAITH COUPLED WITH HUMILITY

The woman responds with great faith. She accepts her low place before Jesus and doesn’t argue about the reference to dogs. She asks Jesus to deal with her on her own low level: “Lord, yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Her humble, faith-filled submission to Jesus brings the victory: healing for her daughter. Nothing appealed to Christ more than faith coupled with humility. Remember, in the previous chapter, Jesus dealt with the religious leaders blinded by pride. They didn’t think they needed God’s grace. Their faith and strength were in themselves, their rules, and their family connections, rather than submission and dependence on God.

FAITH IS NOTHING MORE THAN DEPENDENCE

“Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly” (Matthew 15:28). Megan Fate Marshman writes, “When you boil it down to its essence, faith is nothing more than dependence. It is acknowledging that God is God and we are not, and that we need Him for absolutely everything. It is relying on God for what we are tempted to rely on ourselves for.”

DEPENDENCE FOR MORE THAN JUST SALVATION

To all of us Sharons, God is more than enough to depend on minute by minute, regardless of what stage of life we are in. Depend on the Holy Spirit for every breath, not just salvation.   

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TRUSTING IN THE LITTLE THINGS

I have glaucoma, which puts pressure on my optic nerve. As a result, seeing in unlit places is a trial, even on my best days. Small things can be challenging. When I look into my dark closet, I often must find my garments by touch rather than sight. Looking for small items is even more of a trial. Often, I talk with God about the things I cannot see because I feel blind as a bat. I choose to trust His eyes.

I wear a toe separator daily, a small piece of plastic that is vital to me. It keeps my big toe from smashing my other toes. Without the separator, walking is highly uncomfortable. This morning I lost my toe separator. Alas, Bill, my other set of eyes, wasn’t home. He is good at finding the small things I lose in dark places. After searching futilely, I prayed and left my problem in God’s hands. God saw what was lost.

THE MIRACLE OF THE TOE SEPARATOR

God cares even about the little things. Within the hour, I pulled a load of wash out of the dryer. Reaching in the back of the dryer, I pulled on something that was definitely not clothing. I opened my hand, and there was the toe separator. Last place on earth I would have ever looked, but God knew where it was. When I am blind, God sees.

GOD CARES ABOUT THE DETAILS

God cares about the little things and the big things of life. Even a toe separator matters to Him. I leave my eye condition to God as it ebbs and flows. He cares about every detail of life.

ACTIVELY TRUSTING IN EVERYTHING

Do you actively trust God with both the great and small things of your life? Choosing to know God better and discovering He is trustworthy is a choice worth pursuing. He cares about all of you, even if it is just a lost toe separator.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121)

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WHAT KIND OF GOD DO YOU BELIEVE?

Read: Mark 7:1-23 (NLT) (ESV)

Mama sat through church (she never missed a service). On the way home, she complained about the preacher’s sermon, the family with the noisy kids, and the choir director’s lack of skill. Over Sunday dinner, Mama bowed and prayed. Daughter Sally had watched Mama that entire morning. As they passed the food, little Sally piped up, asking, “Mama, did God hear you when we left church, and you were angry about the sermon, the family, and the choir?” Mama’s face turned a little red as she said, “Yes, Sally, God heard me.” “Well, Mama, did God hear you when you prayed for the food right now?” Mama said, “Well, yes, Sally, He…He…He heard me.” Sally asked, “Mama, what does God think?” What kind of God did Mama believe?

What kind of God did the Pharisees believe? The Pharisees strictly followed the Talmud (also called the Oral Torah). They thought it offended God more to teach anything contrary to their oral traditions than to contradict Scripture itself. In horror, they saw Jesus’ disciples eating with hands not first ceremonially cleaned. The Pharisees proudly had a hand-washing prayer: “Blessed be Thou, O Lord, King of the universe, who sanctified us by the laws and commanded us to wash the hands.”

DID GOD REALLY CARE HOW THEY WASHED THEIR HANDS?

Did God sanctify them because they followed the Talmud? Was God more concerned with washing hands while Israel died spiritually? The Pharisees believed in a transactional God. The premise being: I follow our rules, and God will bless me.” Sadly, the Pharisees couldn’t personally obey the 600+ laws they lay on the people. Jesus commented on the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. They “tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger” (Matthew 23:4). The Pharisees didn’t know the holy God they were to love more than life itself.

WORSHIP THAT’S A FARCE

Their attitude highly offended Jesus. It’s ironic that Pilate ceremonially washed his hands before he handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus quoted Isaiah, “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God. For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.”

NICE OUTSIDE BUT ROTTEN INSIDE

Outward appearance was everything to the Pharisees. Jesus summed up their inner heart condition: “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Tragically, the Pharisees thought their sins were hidden from God.

Is your heart like Mama’s? Like the Pharisees? Are you a religious person, one who looks nice and healthy on the outside, but your inner world is quite different? How about a test? How did your heart respond this past week, if and when you saw the thousands who lost their lives in the flooding in Nepal and Tibet? Did you get on your knees and pray for a nation where believers are few and far between? Did you care? Mama wouldn’t. The Pharisees wouldn’t.  Neither of them believed in the God Who can change one from the inside out. What kind of God do you trust in?

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what is CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY

Yesterday I was mesmerized listening to an interview with Granger Smith. On June 6, 2019, Granger’s youngest son, River Kelly Smith (age 3), died following a drowning accident at his family’s home. It happened the evening before Granger and his band (country western) were supposed to leave on tour. Up to that point, Granger had a relaxed attitude towards Christianity. He describes his pre-tragedy life as “culturally Christian”.

JUST A GUY DOING WHAT HE LOVED BEST

Granger grew up in the church, was very involved in Young Life, and told his mama at age four he was going to become a preacher. As the years went by, music took over his life, and Granger relegated God to a speck in his rearview mirror. It’s not like Granger became a drug addict, led a wild life, or had a prison record. He was just a guy doing what he loved best. Occasionally, when he wasn’t on the road, he attended church. Granger was happily married, had three children, and didn’t give God much thought.

THE “MAN UPSTAIRS”

Granger was a country western music writer and performer. It is so easy and safe when writing lyrics to give “thanks to the Man Upstairs” and mention going to church. At venues, bands would often offer a word of prayer before going on stage. The atmosphere was pretty wholesome. Granger clearly labels all those years before the tragedy as his being lost in “cultural Christianity”. He said he could explain the Gospel easily to anyone. He knew the expected behaviors, but Christ didn’t occupy a significant part of his life. However, cultural Christianity came up short when they lost River. Life hit the fan.

SELF-HELP CAME UP SHORT

Granger was great on self-help books, and he thought he could get himself out of most difficulties. The torment of losing his son dropped him into a pit that seemed bottomless. On his downward spiral of grief, a longtime friend challenged Granger to start reading the Bible.

TRANSFORMED BY TRUTH

God gradually pulled Granger out of the spiral as he began devouring God’s Word. For the first time, Granger developed a hunger for God. His relationship with God now ran much deeper than a nod to the “Man Upstairs”. Granger was no longer a cultural Christian; the friendly good guy comfortable to be around. He became a child of God, transformed by the Truth.

Granger notes that at the end of this life, a good percentage of many faithful church people won’t find themselves in heaven. They know about the “Man Upstairs”, but don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How about you? Are you living the life of Granger, pre-tragedy? Are you just a cultural Christian?

Click to listen to his story or read his book “Like A River”.

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MY ANXIOUS LIFE

Ever since Bill’s illness made landfall in November 2026, I’ve battled a lot of anxiety. Right now, he has stayed out of the hospital since the end of May; however, nothing is guaranteed. Every day, my dear husband has a ritual. He records his weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood oxygen. All are indicators of whether his meds are still assisting his kidneys and heart to work together. It’s an extremely delicate balance. There is a lot to get anxious about.

TRIGGERS FOR ANXIETY

Every morning I get up and look at the numbers Bill has already recorded. Bad numbers usually trigger my anxiety. A wall of fear rises when his numbers go up. Instantly, I go through a checklist of everything he has eaten in the past day. Too much salt? Too little exercise? Forgot to take his meds? Am I panicking, or should I take him back to the ER?

BEST THINGS TO DO

Not a healthy initial response. I say I believe God, but I mentally go everywhere else first. Not good! Very slowly I am learning that when the tides of fear and anxiety flood my mind, the best thing I can do is:

  • Slow down
  • Examine the influx of emotions
  • Figure out what exactly I’m afraid of
  • Seriously think through what my response says about Who God is in my life.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Do I trust that I can be broken and honest before Him?

Is He really my Father, the one who has patience with my waywardness?

Does He totally care regarding all our messy details?

BRINGING MY WILL TO HIS

What do my prayers say about my honest beliefs about God and His character? I love the Puritan prayer: “Let me know that the work of prayer is to bring my will to Yours, and that without this it is folly to pray” (Valley of Vision). I’ve prayed many prayers full of folly. This is not what God wants.

CANNOT ACCOMPLISH IT ON MY OWN

My new approach may seem counterintuitive, but I am slowly learning it is healthier. I cannot accomplish a trusting relationship by trying to be better, do better, or live better. Christ’s work on the cross solely saved me, and only Christ can keep me. My job is to keep bringing everything to Him and letting Him work on my stubborn, anxious heart.

ABBA FATHER!

For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory” (Romans 8:14-17)

WHAT TO DO FIRST

He has it covered, even when I don’t know how to pray. My job is to bring it to Him FIRST! Let God carry it all, even my anxiety.

Great reading: “Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing” by Megan Fate Marshman

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WHERE’S YOUR FOCUS?

Ever been anxious for a break in schedule? Coming off their months-long personal ministry tour, Jesus suggested He and the Apostles take a break. “‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.”  The Disciples were focused on rest, food, and time away from crowds.

NO REST IN SIGHT

But wait, word about Jesus gets around FAST. Possibly around 50,000 people rushed to where Jesus was headed. The Gospels count 5,000 men, but that doesn’t include all the women and children. This doesn’t look like much of a break for the Twelve.

NIGHT IS COMING FAST

Did the Disciples moan and mutter when they saw “Jesus had compassion on them [the multitude], because they were like sheep without a shepherd”? Furthermore, “Jesus began to teach them many things.” Matthew adds that Jesus heals many. Do you think the disciples kept focusing on their lost vacation, especially as night approached?

SEND THEM AWAY!!

The feeding of the 50,000 is the only miracle (besides the resurrection) recorded in all four Gospels (Mark 6:30-44 ESV & AMP, John 6:1-13, Matthew 14:13-21 & Luke 9:10-20). Combining all four perspectives: “His disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away [the crowd] to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” Were the Disciples focused on clearing the area as fast as possible?

NO FOOD IN SIGHT

Then, “Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’ (He said this to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.)” Notice the pivot. The disciples automatically focus on their own resources. “Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii[about 8 month’s wages] worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.’”

Andrew pipes up, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”  “Loaves” are small flatbread biscuits, and the 2 little fish are pickled. After all the miracles the 12 witnessed and the wonderful ways God empowered the disciples on their personal ministry tour, the Disciples focused on what they didn’t have: a giant food truck. A kid’s meal just would not cut it.

FOCUSING ON WHAT I DON’T HAVE

Often, I also focus on what I don’t have, whether it is finances, physical calamities, or interpersonal relationship crises. Exhaustion distorts my focus. I don’t run to Jesus first and bring it totally to Him. Instead, I focus on my own resources (or lack thereof), or the resources of others. Along the way, I may ask some people to pray about the need. I focus on my anxieties about a situation instead of my Savior. Only Jehovah-Jireh, the “Lord Who Provides,” can deliver what God alone can provide. Did it occur to any of the Twelve to focus on the God of Creation Who lived in their midst? Like us, the Disciples focused everywhere else.

FOCUSING ON RELAXED LIVING

Megan Fare Marshman authored “Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing”. She urges: “Go to God, don’t go to yourself. Don’t go to your own understanding; go to God. Go to God, not moralism [an emphasis on proper moral behavior to the exclusion of genuine faith]. Don’t go to another podcast about God; go to God. God is our guide, and He knows His best plans. Don’t focus on your needs and anxieties, but do your fastest dash to the only One Who is sufficient.”

The Disciples couldn’t, and I can’t feed 50,000. Only Jesus can. Laser focus on the Savior first.

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EVIL IS NOT THE WINNER

In our culture, we don’t like the word “sin”. Instead, we politely use the words “mistakes” or “shortcomings”. How about the infamous excuse, “I misspoke”? But Jeremiah 17:9 declares: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” The concept that our hearts are filthy with sin does not bring comfort. CS Lewis summed it well: “We want, in fact, not so much a Father in Heaven as a grandfather in heaven—a senile benevolence who, as they say, ‘likes to see young people enjoying themselves’” But God is holy, eternal, and definitely not senile. Evil does not win. God wins!

HEROD’S TRAIN WRECK OF A MARRIAGE

In Mark 1:14, the first mention of John the Baptist is “Now after John was arrested.” Sounds like evil is winning. Mark 6:14-29 continues John’s story. We learn about Herod Antipas, the puppet ruler from Rome. Herod Antipas’ personal life is both confusing and obscene.  He had an affair with his niece, Herodias, who was formerly married to Antipas’ brother. Herod’s newest wife, Herodias, is both his niece and his former sister-in-law. Both incest and adultery blacken Antipas’ marriage to Herodias. What an evil mess.

EVIL NEVER HAS THE LAST WORD

John the Baptist never soft-pedaled the Word of God. He publicly called out the religious elite, the Pharisees and Sadducees, as a “brood of vipers” and told them they needed to repent. (Matt. 3:7-9). John also does not shy from publicly exposing Antipas for his immorality. God is holy (not a senile grandfather). He will not be mocked. Herodias thought she could successfully silence John with a blow of an axe. Herod ordered John’s execution. Evil exists, but evil never has the last word.

GOD KEEPS SPRINGING UP

Truth tellers often are persecuted. John the Baptist followed in the footsteps of the fearless ones described in Hebrews 11:37-38. Yet, evil does not win. After John’s martyrdom, Antipas began to hear rumors about the latest Bible teacher on the scene: Jesus. “Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” …But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” Antipas may have thought, “You no sooner kill one preacher of repentance than another pops up to stir up the masses.”  But God keeps springing up, and He has judgment on evil. Hell is real.

THE ONLY TRUE LIBERATION FROM EVIL

Jonathan Edwards wrote: “Almost every natural man that hears of hell, flatters himself that he shall escape it; he depends upon himself for his own security; he flatters himself in what he has done, in what he is now doing, or what he intends to do.” But without Jesus Christ, there is no escape. Jesus provides the only liberation from the evil of sin.

EVIL DOES NOT WIN!

Evil does not have the last word. Dr. David E. Leininger declares: “Herod does not win. Herodias does not win. EVIL DOES NOT WIN! With joy we can shout out that God’s world does not end with either the whimper of a starving child or the blast of a nuclear bomb; it ends with Jesus Christ, the Lamb upon the throne. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. And He shall reign forever and ever.” Evil is not the winner! Have you bowed your knee to the only Victor, Jesus Christ?

Click to read a great article on the problem of evil.

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