NEVER ON A SUNDAY

DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

CAR WASH by D.J. Martin

After early Sunday morning worship services, I often pass by a car wash full of people. During a Sunday afternoon conversation, I thought I had an audience of agreeable ‘mature’ Christians with whom I could express my dismay. However, one of the ministers gently challenged me. Admittedly, I couldn’t justify my rebuke of that practice. I had no religious or biblical premise to validate my complaint. I deemed it sacrilegious. In my unwritten book of rules, washing cars was something you didn’t do on Sunday. Nevertheless, after listening to the minister, I became aware of my religious and judgmental attitude. It was offensive to me, but I couldn’t biblically argue that it was offensive to God.

I realized that my perspective was limited and shaped by my own personal beliefs and traditions. This experience taught me the importance of humility and open-mindedness when it comes to understanding and interpreting religious practices. It challenged me to reevaluate the basis of my convictions and to approach differences in religious observance with empathy and understanding. Ultimately, it encouraged me to engage in meaningful dialogue with others, even when our perspectives may initially seem at odds. This encounter served as a powerful reminder of the complexities of human interpretation and the need for compassion in navigating theological differences.

I remember, one Sunday morning my brother was singing a secular song and I responded, “This is the Sabbath, keep it holy.”  Much like a hypocritical Pharisee (Luke 13:15), I had a ridiculous, unwritten list of things people should never do on a Sunday: don’t iron, wash cars, sing or listen to secular songs…

With all the commandments that the Pharisees observed, keeping the Sabbath was the one charge (John 5:16) they relentless made against Jesus. Oh my, they were so outraged when His disciples took corn from the stalk to eat on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-2)! Observing the Sabbath became their measuring rod and premise of justification for accepting or denying the legitimacy of Jesus Christ.

On one Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue when a man with a withered hand was there. The Pharisees, intending to accuse Jesus, asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:10). Jesus’ reply posed a better question, “Is it lawful to ‘do good’ on the Sabbath (Mark 3:4)?” Then He commanded the man to stretch out his hand, and when he did, his withered hand was whole. I imagine they couldn’t charge Jesus with working on the Sabbath, because they couldn’t prove whether He healed the man or if God in heaven did.

Jesus, full of compassion (Matthew 14:14), often healed and performed miracles on the Sabbath. I’m sure that, to the people, any day was a good day to receive healing.

Since His resurrection, most Christians celebrate Sunday as their Sabbath. Jesus set the captives free and broke chains with His death, burial, and resurrection. He got up with all power in His hand and set us free from rules and bondage (Galatians 4:4-5, Isaiah 61:1). Therefore, we are free to worship and free to revere our relationship with the Father more than observing a day. However, like the religious Jews, some denominations, pastors, and elders have adopted a set of rules and regulations to place next to the Bible. They bemoan cults, but the only difference between them and cults is that cults are strict enforcers, overtly controlling enslavers, and disproportionately worshipers of religious rules and regulations more than worshippers of God.

Paul scolded the religious Jews because they were insisting that the Gentiles observe Jewish rules or traditions that require circumcision and avoidance of certain foods. Paul explained to them that it was heartfelt faith in Christ not traditions and laws that was the determination of their relationship in the family of God (Galatians 4 & 5).

The Pharisees also judged the disciples by the washing of hands. How about you? Do you or your church have a rule or measuring rod by which you justify one’s piety or Christianity? Do they measure up to your religious standards? Is it how they comb their hair, the way they dress; such as wearing jeans while preaching on a Sunday morning, tattoos on their body, or a man wearing earrings? Is it what they eat or who they dine with? Is it their non-religious interpretation of the Word or their non-religious speech? Is it that they prophesy, heal, or speak in tongues during Sunday Morning service? Here’s one; is it that they are naked hanging on the cross, next to Jesus, publicly confessing their sins and welcomed by Jesus into His kingdom?

It’s not by outward appearance, but by the heart that God judges.

Which ingratiates you to God: wearing a white suit, pure white ankle length dresses, white head covering, and lily-white gloves on a Sunday or a clean heart? Admittedly, I have looked at people and what they do or wear, on a Sunday, which I wouldn’t do or wear, and questioned their thinking but never their relationship with God. How could I? Only God can see their heart.

Hmm. Wonder what God will reward more for; religiously obeying denominational rules on Sunday or faithfully pursuing a relationship with Him daily?

And He said unto them, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath…” Mark 2:27

That’s Today’s Single Focus

Even If You Are The Only One

by DJ. Martin (Singlefocus ®)

‘LIGHT IN THE NIGHT’ by D.J. MARTIN

Have you heard your child, or you say as a child, “But Mom, everybody is doing it!” Teenagers, of every generation, have the desire to be accepted by their peers. So, to be popular and not shunned, they dress according to the trends and do things their peers do (good or bad). Unfortunately, for some, that kind of craving continues into adulthood, the good or the bad. Thankfully, one day my mom replied, “You are not everybody!” That clicked inside of me. It was a revelation that it was okay to be me. I did not have to be a clone of the best-dressed or most popular. Who I was, and my preferences were fine.

With all that aggressive attempt to fit in and be in step with the custom of your generation, have you ever thought about being the best at being all that is good in you so that others would desire to emulate you? That’s what some celebrated singers are trying to do (more bad than good). Have you ever considered yourself becoming a trendsetter (Romans 12:2)?

You know the murder story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8). Cain went into exile after killing Abel, leaving                  Eve with no son. After one hundred and thirty years, God provided Eve with another son named Seth               (Genesis 4:25). Then, men began to worship God through seven generations. Noah was the product of the seventh generation. At some time, within the five hundred years of Noah’s life, unearthly beings began marrying the daughters of men, creating giants and wicked offspring (Genesis 6:2). The world grew increasingly sinful and caused God to regret that He created man (Genesis 6:6). However, there was one man who found grace in the eyes of God. One man righteous in the entire world. Noah had a wife, three sons, and three daughters-in-law. But the scripture says that only one person found grace, Noah. Noah did not crave popularity from people or beings. Noah did not regard the world’s customs, changing trends, religions, or traditions. He continued the pursuit of God’s good pleasure. Since Noah deliberately chose to be different, God and his family were probably his only company and friends. The wicked didn’t hang around him, and he didn’t socialize with them. Noah was okay with being Noah and not one who imitated the world. In the whole world, Noah was the only one that reverenced God, His will, and His ways. One man (Genesis 6:8)!

Amid the evil going on in the world, Noah continually walked upright before God. The unholy mating produced offspring who carried unrighteous DNA (Genesis 6:4-5). Therefore, God told Noah of His plan to flood the earth, destroy the world and its inhabitants, and start over with him and his family (Genesis 6:13). The mandate He gave Adam He would now give to Noah (Genesis 6:18; 9:1). He told Noah to build an ark that would house his family and the animals as shelter from the flood. So, Noah began to build the boat. Though it had never rained, Noah believed God. As five years went by, ten years went by, Noah kept obeying and honoring God even though it didn’t rain. Certainly, he was ignored and ridiculed but did not waver from his faith and trust in God. I imagine that he didn’t shop at the same shops for clothes. He probably didn’t play the world’s music but sang worship to God. He remained different and faithful in his walk with God. Noah, though it was now hundred years passed, did not compromise nor stop doing the work of the Lord. All indications are that he did not seek reasons to stop building the ark or dismiss saying what God said. I imagine the giants laughed because they believed they were high enough that no mist from the ground or heaven could drown them. Noah never stopped being the one righteous man. He didn’t say, “Oh, this is a nice custom of the world; let me try it.” Years passed, but he didn’t start looking, acting, or talking like the world. He persevered, not as a reflection of the world but of obedience and trust in the living God. Noah never wavered. He was a single light in the darkness of the world. Noah was okay with being Noah in an increasingly wicked world.

There are Christians in the sports world, but they, like Noah, don’t conform to the world. Unfortunately, some Christian athletes do mimic the world. Noah spent hundreds of years in a wicked world, but he did not emulate the world. There are different Christians in the entertainment world, but then there are those who compromise and walk and talk like the world. There are Christians in the world of business or politics, etc. And those Christians are different and deliberately do not blend in with the world culture, morally or ethically (Ephesians 5:1). But then there are Christians who are the spitting image of the world.

These are crucial days of decisions: whether you will pursue the favor of God or the favor of the world, whether you will walk with God or walk with the world. Noah chose the way and favor of the living God (Hebrews 11:7). The world did not, and the world did not survive. The world you pursue more than the pursuit of God will falter and not be able to save you nor desire to save you. God is looking for some Noah’s in every genre; families, government, media, sports, arts and entertainment, religion, business, education, etc., even if you are the only one. (1Peter 2:9)

We know how the story ended. We are a part of that ending. Men live because God found one man righteous in the entire world. Thankfully, there is now more than one man who has found grace in the eyes of God. It is tremendous because the only living God, from the beginning, decided to make the ultimate sacrifice. He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to bear our sins and take the punishment for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross. And whoever confesses and believes in Him and His sacrifice “shall be saved” (Romans 10:9). One man, perfect in all His ways, gave His life so that we might become saved.

Whatever world you are a part of, persevere in the pursuit of the favor of God, even if you are the only one.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

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Laws of God or Laws of Man?

Frequently, one of the lessons in Sunday School classes would pose the question,

“If the law of the land was contrary to the law or will of God, which would you obey; the laws of God or the laws of man?”

Looking back at the Supreme Court reversal on baby killings (June 24, 2022), it occurred to me that throughout the years, some local churches faced that decision. Though many fervently prayed and relentlessly protested, unfortunately (for millions of babies), too many local churches, in their silence, failed the test. We always said we would obey God, but too many corner churches left that lesson on the pages of the Sunday School textbooks.

In the beginning, self-proclaimed leaders of the Black community vehemently cried out in protest

(https://nypost.com/1999/10/10/the-racist-roots-of-pro-abortionists/ ). They have since changed their tune. Choosing money and position (Matthew 26:15), they loudly support baby killing over obeying God’s law (Exodus 20:13).

There are many events told in the Bible; like Daniel praying in plain view (Daniel 6:11) though it was unlawful, three Hebrew boys standing (Daniel 3:17) rather than obeying the law of bowing before the government’s graven image, and the time Pharaoh ordered midwives to kill the Hebrew baby boys upon their birth, but the midwives chose to obey (Exodus 1:17) God’s law rather than Pharaoh’s law. I think that at times we “Christians” have sadly treated those examples as enriching readings of no relevance today.

Josephus recounted in Jewish Antiquities 18:3 the time that the Romans occupied Jerusalem. One night, Pilate rolled into Jerusalem erecting the ensign of Caesar. The Jews made an outcry that it be removed because it was against Jewish law. Pilate refused. So, the people protested relentlessly. Pilate threatened to kill them all if they continued their protest. Here we had a dispute between the government and their law with the Jews and God’s law (the Sunday School lesson come to life). As the Roman soldiers surrounded them with drawn swords, at Pilate’s threat to kill them, they did an extraordinary thing. They all lay on the ground and exposed their necks, giving the Roman soldiers a clear view for the blades of their swords. Rather than accommodating the laws of government, they preferred death over breaking the law of God. Wow!

It may pale in comparison, but when the southern government said that it was unlawful for Black Americans to eat at the same lunch counter as White Americans, or it was unlawful for them to position themselves first in line or sit in the front of the bus, the ministers and the congregations relentlessly publicly protested. They had prayer meetings, staged sit-ins at lunch counters, and faced firing, jail, and some even death. But when the government said that it was unlawful to pray in the schools, unlike Daniel, too many ministers and churches were silent.

I had a disturbing dream one morning. In the dream, people had assembled in a Bible study classroom. The minister was trying to teach us how to survive our captivity and be comfortable in an anti-Christ ruling administration. Finding it unacceptable, I began running and fleeing the area. As ghastly demonic beings chased me, they collapsed. They no longer had breath in them. I yelled back to those still in the classroom,

“This is How You Defeat Them! They Have No Breath!”

The dream was disturbing because, sadly, that is the attitude of some ministers in the corner churches. They teach their congregation how to be comfortable with ungodly laws rather than resist them.

I don’t know if many of us would be as brave as the midwives in Egypt or Daniel facing the lion’s den, the three Hebrew boys facing a fiery furnace (you might say that they staged a stand-in), or those who exposed their necks to the Roman soldiers. Heaven knows how many ungodly laws we all obey and have obeyed without protest. We face a dilemma today, and the stark-naked truth is that too many of us don’t give enough thought to whether “we or government laws” offend God. Some of us choose where we stand, based on church leadership, popularity, culture, traditions, trends, or whether we maintain our lucrative status or position. Sadly, religion has quietly, softly taught us a life of submission to the ungodly rather than resistance (James 4:7). Consequently, many end up not only obeying but also defending unrighteous laws though offensive to God.

We can and should repent and give God thanks for His grace. It truly is as Jesus expressed.

“…for we know not what we do. (Luke 23:34).”

Thankfully, He is faithful to forgive us (1John 1:9).

When did pulpits suddenly go silent about abominable unrighteous laws or decisions? Tiptoeing around the issues, religious pastors’ passive sermons leave their congregation ignorant and with no apparent reason to actively resist evil laws. There is one thing we can do and are doing without much deliberation: pray. We can each bombard heaven with our prayers for righteousness and justice.

Something Happens When You Pray. Daniel prayed and emerged from the lion’s den unharmed, and his enemies perished instead. Isn’t it obvious why the government doesn’t want you or your kids to publicly pray in government-run schools? Things change and enemies of righteousness and the unrighteous perish when the righteous and the children of the righteous pray. If we at least do that, we change things; nationally and locally. Friday, June 24, 2022, is a day that exemplifies what resistance and prayer, individually and collectively, can do.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”  James 5:16

That’s Today’s Single Focus

Too Evil To Be Forgiven?

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

THREE CROSS HILL

It has been written about, talked about, and often repeated; “There’s nothing too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17; Mark 9:23).” Something else has been written and talked about but not repeated enough; “There’s nothing too hard for God to forgive.” Interestingly, Ahab was an example. He was the wretched king of Israel, who married a callous woman named Jezebel. Enemy of God’s prophets, she was a Baal worshipper, which means that the ceremonial killing of babies was routine. Killing prophets of God was a small thing to her! Ahab did wickedly at the influence of his wife. He behaved “…abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. (1King 21:26 KJV).”

Ahab desired to enlarge his farm by purchasing the vineyard next to his field. So, he offered to pay the owner, Naboth the Jazreelite, or give him another vineyard in trade. But, Naboth refused, because it was his family heritage. Disappointed with Naboth’s answer, Ahab went home, stretched out on his bed, and pouted. Jezebel noticed that something was wrong and asked him, “Why are you too sad to eat?” After Ahab explained what happened, Jezebel responded, “You are king. Get up and eat. Don’t be sad, be happy; I’ll get you the vineyard.” Without asking her how she would, Ahab did as she said.

Now, any other sinful “sane” person would have tried cunning Naboth out of his land or done something unsavory without bloodshed. Not Jezebel! She promptly planned murder. Jezebel wrote a letter detailing the plans to kill Naboth and signed Ahab’s name to it. They honored Naboth to set him up for a fall. Then, as she instructed, they sent men to accuse Naboth of blaspheming God and the king. The Israelites believed their lie and stoned Naboth to death (1Kings 21:13). After Ahab heard about Naboth’s death, he delightfully took possession of the vineyard which he coveted so much.

The LORD then sent Elijah, the prophet, to confront Ahab (1Kings 21:18-19) about the murder of Naboth and the theft of his vineyard. Elijah told Ahab of his awful fate because of his wickedness. After the prophet revealed the word of the LORD to him, Ahab fasted, put on sackcloth, and then laid on sackcloth. He was mournful and remorseful. When He observed Ahab’s reaction, God said to Elijah, “Look at that! Ahab has humbled himself before Me.” And then the LORD said, “Because he humbled himself before Me, I will not bring this punishment in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring it upon his house (1Kings 21:29).”

That is a mouth opener! This man married a Baal worshipper and was an idol worshipper himself (1Kings 16:31), which involved child sacrifice (1Kings 16:34). Ahab even built an altar to Baal (1Kings 16:32). God held him responsible for the death of the innocent Naboth and the theft of his vineyard. Nevertheless, Ahab received forgiveness after a fast of repentance.

Do you think you have done something too horrible or evil for the LORD to forgive??? If the LORD can forgive Ahab, you can receive forgiveness also!

It is not because there was a time that Ahab was so good that he deserved a second chance. No, it is because it is the LORD’s nature to forgive a repentant heart. It is as if the LORD looks for an opportunity to forgive. God is a merciful God. His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 100:5). He could have said nothing and immediately let Ahab slide into the deadly consequences of his wickedness. Especially since he did more evil in the sight of the LORD than any king before him (1Kings 16:30, 33)! The LORD sent His prophet and allowed Ahab the opportunity to do what he did: humbled himself, repented, and fasted.

That all happened years before Christ went to the cross (Psalm 103:12). Christ paid the price for our sins (“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23) by shedding His blood on Calvary (John 3:16). Therefore, forgiveness is accessible by anyone who has done anything such as theft, idolatry, and murder which is what Ahab did. Because Christ willingly died on the cross, it is, even more, assuring that if we sincerely repent, there is nothing too hard for God to forgive no matter the sin.

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…” Ephesians 1:7

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Blessing For Year 2022

UNEXPECTED ON EAGLE 

In this New Year,

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.

May you abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

ROMANS 15:13

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope.”  Psalm 16:9

That’s Today’s Single Focus 

What Did I Say?

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

After eating the last of a delicious store-bought watermelon, I decided to do what we always did as kids: throw the seeds into the backyard. However, instead of haphazardly tossing them, I placed the seeds in a crudely dug hole in the flower garden at the end of the patio. Then, expecting no fruit except by chance, I patted dirt on top with the bottom of my shoe to cover the seeds. While on one of my furloughs, after weeks and months of traveling, I looked out the French doors and saw, growing at the end of the patio, a pale green vine with tiny yellow flowers on it. It was a mystery to me! Delighted to see any resemblance of flowers in my neglected garden, I gave it little thought. To my surprise, on my next furlough, I saw emerging from now dense vines, a beautiful green watermelon sitting neatly on the patio. I had forgotten sowing watermelon seeds there. To my delight, I reaped a magnificently tasty watermelon.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21) 

Have you ever deliberately said something and forgot about it? Words, thoughts, and actions are like forgotten planted seeds. The only problem is that all seeds do not reap good tasting fruit. I heard the story of a man always saying with a laugh, for about twenty years, “I’ll see you tomorrow if I don’t get killed by a train before midnight.” It was his running joke. One night around 11:30pm he decided to go to the store. As he approached the railroad crossing, the streetlights were out. He didn’t see the train coming. Two minutes before midnight, his car was hit by a train. His words were ill-fated seeds that produced deadly fruit.

Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. (Job 4:8)

Photo by Anthony Shkraba on Pexels.com

As Issacs’s sight grew dim, at his mother’s urging, Jacob disguised himself as Esau, his brother, and received the blessing meant for the eldest son from his father. He tricked his dying dad and stole his brother’s blessings (Genesis 27:35). Then, he ran for his life because, naturally, Esau was not pleased. He eventually fled to stay with his mother’s brother, Laban. While there, he worked for seven years to marry Rachel whom he loved; but the seed his actions planted began to bear fruit. At the urging of Laban, his older daughter, Leah, disguised herself as Rachel and tricked Jacob into marrying her instead of the love of his life. Like Esau was hurt and dismayed when he discovered the deception, Jacob was also. He spent the next thirteen years reaping the harvest of the seed he planted (Genesis 31:41).

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts… (Mark 7:21)

Job was a godly man who avoided iniquity. One day the devil went to the LORD and made a bargain. He believed that he could get Job to curse God if he took his stuff. He wanted to get Job to plant an ill-fated seed with his mouth. So, in one day, Job’s cattle, camels, servants, and children were gone. Job did not curse God but fell on the ground and worshipped (Job 1:20). Then, the LORD gave the devil permission to afflict his body but not allowed to kill him. Though his wife urged him to do so, Job did not curse God (Job 2:9). However, while cursing his own birth, Job revealed the seed he had planted; “What I feared has happened.” Job never said, “I fear…;” he thought it. He sowed a seed with his thoughts. (Job 3:25)

Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7-8)

Sowing and reaping is a consequential law written into creation (Genesis 1:11) which we don’t pay enough attention to. We go around with a mouth full, handful, and mind full of seeds. Whether we reap good or bad fruits depends upon the seeds we plant. Problem is, we are opening our mouths, hands, and minds haphazardly tossing seeds all over the place. Throughout our lives we go about planting seeds and forget about it, until it bears fruit. And then it is a mystery why the fruit is there. If it’s good fruit, we attribute to the grace of God. When its bitter fruit, some attribute to God’s plan to teach a lesson, which is what ‘church folk’ too often erroneously (James 1:13) say. Some things we do, say and think are habits we get from TV, friends, family, teachers, cultural traditions, etc. It is a lifestyle, like breathing. For example, “My back is killing me” or “Scared to death” or “I barely have enough to get by,” or “They won’t hire me because…” These are seeds best never spoken. Notice that Job never blamed his misfortune on God. The mystery of the fruit is all about the seeds sowed without thought or belief that it will produce fruit except by chance. It is the LORD God that gives harvest according to seeds sowed.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)

If we considered the law of the harvest, we would actively deliberately plant more seeds according to the fruit we want. When you get paid, like most people, you usually plant it into a Savings Account to collect interest. Nowadays the interest is exceedingly small. But look at what the LORD says about planting according to the Spirit; “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10).” The LORD reveals that if you plant 10% of your money in Him, you will gain exceedingly great interest; more than you can hold.

Now, suppose that same principle is deliberately applied to words, thoughts, and deeds. What is it that is good and prosperous that you want? What benefits the kingdom and fulfills the will of God and brings Him glory? Say it and meditate on it. Sow positive righteous seeds in words, actions, and thoughts. Some plant good seeds without thought but imagine what a greater harvest could be had if seeds were deliberately sowed according to desired harvest.

A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. (Proverbs 18:20)

In the gym, as athletes worked out, I’d hear the trainers saying, “You can do it!” and they do it; they meet their goal. If sowing to the flesh reaps good, how much more will sowing to the Spirit reap? Let the Holy Spirit be your trainer or coach and sow the words of the LORD, not words of the devil or the flesh. Instead of saying, “I can’t” which produce inability; sow the Word, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)” which will produce abundant ability and the benefits thereof.

Think before you say it. Self-pity words produce depression. Angry words produce a wicked brew. Frighten words reap fear. Witty words reap laughter. Kind words reap kindness. Encouraging words reaps encouragement. Positive words produce positive outcomes.

Certainly, some of us have already sowed bad seeds. After the LORD confronted him, Job confessed and immediately repented. Then, he sowed a different seed: he prayed for his friends. As a result, he reaped a doubly good harvest; “And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).” It is not too late to reap a good harvest. Repent, and change seeds (1John 1:9).

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth and said, “Let there be…” and it was, and it was all ‘good’ (Genesis 1:1-25). God made us in His image; so, when we say, “Let there be…” and it is, is it all good?

If not, could it be something we said?

That’s Today’s Single Focus

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Time to Give it a Rest!

DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

How many years have passed since you have been so bitter that you served notice that your son or daughter is not welcome back into your house until they repay a debt or until they come back and help run the family business?  Has it been years since you’ve been angry with your children for leaving you to stay with your estranged spouse?  How long has it been since you vowed to disinherit them if they married someone you disapproved of and they married them anyway? Have you extended the bitterness toward your estranged grandchildren too?

Everybody that knows you is aware that you are still angry with your children, because you can’t stop talking about it. Just the very mention of their name subjects anyone within the sound of your voice to the verbal prosecution of your children’s’ offense towards you. I don’t know how long you’ve kept the fire of bitterness to your bosom, but I bet it shows up in your human and spiritual shaky relationships, suboptimal business affairs, and perplexing health issues.

You’ve worked very hard to do well in your chosen vocation or occupation. You have a home, transportation and money in your pocket. You have done very well preparing yourself to be in reasonably good financial shape. Though he is talking about agriculture and financial status, I think that Moses gives an excellent command to seriously consider for more prosperity of your health and your soul (3John 1:2).

“But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.” Exodus 23:11

This is a new day. To paraphrase Moses, “It’s time to give it a rest!” Let it go. You’ve been toting that bucket of bitterness too long (Ephesians 4:31). Put your kids back in the will or at least back in good fellowship. No doubt, they are saddened by the separation. Now is a good time to bless the poor in spirit.

Is it difficult for you? Is it hard to apologize or say, “I’m sorry”? Are you having problems forgiving them?

Let God help you to bless the poor in spirit. That’s you and that’s your children. God wants to bless you all. Therefore, I have no doubt that He is willing and able to help you reconcile. He will help you to forgive (Matthew 6:14) and He will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Just pray and ask Him to help you; if you are sincere, I guarantee that He will.

Now is a good time to turn it over to Christ and let Him heal you of bitterness.  It’s a new day; forgive (Luke 17:4) and “let it rest!”

I pray that this is the day that you lay aside bitterness and give it a rest.

“…thou shalt let it rest” Exodus 23:11

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Tragedy and Triumph

Reflecting on Passover and Resurrection Sunday

DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I have heard talk of tragic ‘Friday’ and I have heard shouts about triumphant ‘Sunday.’ But quiet is the voice of ‘Saturday.’

I know what went down on Friday, I know what went down on Sunday, but what is the 411 on Saturday, the day between Friday’s tragedy and Sunday’s triumph.

Most illuminating and a little shocking; it was all so human. Surely, it is why there was no chattering.

Matthew 27 tells of Judas, the betrayer, already dead; with his own hands; he died by hanging. But the Pharisees and the Priests did on Saturday visit Pilate, who sentenced Jesus to death– Friday’s tragedy. (verse 62)

Jesus’ prophesy they repeated, “After three days I will be rising. Secure the stone that covers His grave,” they were pleading. “Until the third day, give us soldiers to guard the tomb where Jesus lay, so the Disciples, His cold body they will not be taking, a resurrection hoax proclaiming.”

“Yes,” said Pilate. So, the stone was sealed; and the tomb, the soldiers on Saturday, were watching. (verse 63)

So very natural and very human, the Disciples did (Mark 16:10) mourn the death of Jesus on Saturday, and in a room, they were also hiding (John 20:19). Their leader, Jesus the Christ was dead. Surely for the Disciples, they were coming.  In dismay, they saw it all happening. It was for their own lives they were fearing, like people who witnessed a tragedy, which is what the Disciples did on Saturday.

Jesus, down the road all the way to being nailed to the cross they were following, and from His lifeless body taken from the cross into the tomb, His placing. On Saturday, the women were resting. (Luke 23:56)

On the very night that He was betrayed Jesus to the Disciples repeated, He would die and after three days from the grave, He would be rising. And, “After I am raised again, in Galilee, Me you shall be meeting (Matthew 26:32).” Yet, preparations to go to Galilee they were not making.

While the Priests and Pharisees preparations for the resurrection they were making; the Disciples to steal His body they were not even plotting.

After Jesus said He would die and rise again, strange talk came following. (vs 33-36)

The Disciples, on the tragedy and betrayal, not the resurrection, began focusing. The Resurrection part of Jesus’ prophesy clearly, they were not hearing.

The tragedy, their weariness, and the power of their enemies, the Disciples of Jesus Christ were focusing. It was the Priests and Pharisees, on the triumphant resurrection, they were focusing.

By how the resurrection on Sunday they were reacting; that He would arise from the grave, the Disciples clearly were not believing.

With anointing oils in hand, to look at an empty tomb early Sunday morning, the women were not seeking. (Mark 16:1; Matthew 28:5-6; Mark 16:3; Luke 24:5-6)

When Jesus’ rising, the women were reporting, thinking them delusional the Disciples were not believing. Though He told the women to tell them to meet Him in Galilee, to go to Galilee the Disciples clearly were not preparing. (Mark 16: 11; Luke 24:11)

When to them in the room Jesus made His appearing, a ghost the Disciples thought they were seeing. To them His nailed scarred hands and feet He was showing. And still, a ghost they thought they were beholding.

When He ate fish and honeycomb, they began believing. Then, reminding them of His teaching and prophesy, the scriptures Jesus began explaining.

Shockingly, the Priests and the Pharisees were, but the Disciples for the resurrection were not preparing.

How can this be? That Thomas was not the only one doubting is most illuminating and a little shocking. It was all so human, surely its why, about Saturday, from the preachers there was no chattering.

For the weary, fearful, and those mourning, what happened on Saturday is encouraging and from it a valuable lesson we are learning.

“O fools, and slow to believe all that the prophets have said!” To two unbelieving Disciples, Jesus was responding (Luke 24:13-24). Not to Galilee, but to their home they were heading. The other Disciples, in the room, were remaining. 

The Priest and the Pharisees believing that His rising, Jesus or His Disciples would make it’s happening. But the resurrection happening, the Disciples seem to be not believing.

What most do on dark days, the Disciples were experiencing. And when on the tragedy you are most focused, means not that you are less a Disciple, but like the Disciples back then, you are growing.

How different the time of tragedy we are mourning will be on Saturday if on the resurrection triumph we are focusing. When Jesus living, they were realizing, the change in attitude they began making. Focused on the tragedy of Friday, on Saturday they were mourning, but now the triumph of resurrection they are rejoicing. For a change in countenance and attitude, do not stay in tragedy mourning; focus on the triumph is all I am saying.

Disciples’ Saturday teaches us that focus we should be changing. Though the Pharisees and Priests’ disappointing acts cause mourning, or shelter seeking we are experiencing; live preparing for and the victory anticipating.

Though resurrection Sunday, the Priests and Pharisees tried stopping; and the Disciples on Friday’s tragedy they were focusing; the resurrection, the victory, resurrection triumph was still happening! Jesus Christ, from the tomb, was still rising. Tragedy on Friday and mourning on Saturday may be along the journey, but victory in Jesus Christ, He is promising.

Throughout our entire journey, on triumph, we can be focusing. Just like He said He would, He is not dead, He is alive! He arose!

In times of mourning, we can be rejoicing. Because for us, every day, the Son is arising!

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said…” Matthew 28:7

That’s Today’s Single Focus

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Independent Woman

D.J. Martin  (SingleFocus Ministry®)

Fireworks by D.J. Martin

Too fast, too slow

Too short, too tall

Too big, too small

Too fat, too thin

That’s how it’s been!

Too good, too bad

Too happy, too sad

Too bold, too timid

Too strong, too weak

That’s what man thinks of me!

Now, I’m too over that!

Since Jesus is my Lord

I’m too glad to be bound

By what people think of me

Too independent to be conformed

I’m an independent woman since Jesus set me free!

Too loved, too blessed

Too loosed to lose

Too changed, too reborn

Since Jesus set me free

To think what ‘He’ thinks of me

Too forgiven to fear

No longer conformed,

Now transformed

I’m an independent woman since Jesus set me free!

Free to sing

Free to dance to heaven’s ring,

Jesus love song to me

I’m an independent woman since Jesus set me free!

Too happy, too free

Not bound by what man thinks of me

Too grateful, too saved

To be dependent on what others say of me.

Free to believe what Jesus thinks of me

Too overwhelmed by God’s unwavering love for me

Too free to be bound by shackles of conformity

To the image of what people think I should be

I’m His independent woman, gloriously free

To believe what Jesus thinks of me!

 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

Double Portion Prayer for the New Year

D.J. Martin  (SingleFocus Ministry®)

SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN YOU PRAY by D.J. Martin

I pray that we each Love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.”            Matthew 22:37

When we stand praying, may we forgive so that our Father which is in heaven may forgive us our trespasses. Mark 11:25

I pray that our passion will be to do the will of God and to finish the work He has given us to do. John 4:34

I also pray that our God will count us worthy of the calling He has on our lives, and we fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in us and we in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Though we may face uncertainty and challenges in the New Year, I pray that we examine ourselves and put away sinful disobedience so that we do the work God has called us to, and we each focus on and pursue His will & purpose.

I pray that this New Year brings a double portion of blessings, ‘good news’, breakthroughs and triumphs. I also pray that we each experience a double portion of the delivering, all providing, forgiving, healing and victorious grace, mercy and power of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ!

In Jesus Name, Amen.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”   3 John 1:2

That’s Today’s’ Single Focus

911

D.J. Martin  (SingleFocus Ministry®)

Annually, I go to see the family Physician for a regular check-up. And every year I have to fill out the same papers. However, I noticed a change in the forms. There are the standard questions, but now there are additional questions. Like, “Have you been out of the country recently?” However, there is one question that remains constant; “Who do they call in a medical crisis or emergency?” And we put down the name of the usual: parents, brother or sister, wife or husband, etc. Today, I got to thinking; when we have an emergency, who is the first person we call?

When my house caught fire, my first call was to 911. I know that it would have been unwise to call anybody else first. But, I was thinking about how, when in a crisis, God isn’t always who we reach out to first. I mean; when I saw the fire in my house, I don’t remember saying, “Lord please help,” before I called 911.

Further examination reveals that we encourage others that God is a very present help in time of trouble, but, too often, we have to say that because they had not called on him yet. Come to think about it; God is not often the very first person we call in a crisis. I’m not saying that as an indictment, it’s just an observation. I thank God for the first responders and the medical professionals, and the mechanics, plumbers and remodelers, and counselors and family and encouragers who are there responding to our 911. But, we don’t have a habit of acknowledging God first (silently or audibly) before we pick up the phone. In Proverbs 3:6, we are admonished to acknowledge God in all our ways. That’s something we really should work on.

by D.J. Martin

There is an account of a crisis experienced by the rebellious son of Ahab, who was now the king of Judah in 2Kings 1:1-17. Ahaziah fell through a lattice of his upper room. The injury became more than a bruise. It looked as if the wound was becoming a deadly crisis. So, the first thing he did was send messengers to Ekron to ask their idol god Baalzebub if he would die of his wound. God observed all of this and sent Elijah, the prophet, to turn the messengers back with a question from Him; “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to ask of Baalzebub god of Ekron?”

Because of the king’s action, God answered his inquiry, though he hadn’t asked Him.“Therefore, you will not come off your bed, but you shall surely die.” Ahaziah did everything to annul that prophecy. He continually sent troops to bring Elijah to him but failed. Finally, God allowed Elijah to say it to the king face to face. Indeed, as God had said he would, King Ahaziah died. He never heard from the god of Ekron.

Hmm…I’m just wondering what the prognosis might have been if Ahaziah called on God first.

In your time of crisis, who are you going to call first?

 

“In the day of my trouble, I will call upon You, for You will answer me.” Psalm 86:7

 

That’s Today’s Single Focus

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After the Soldiers Prayed

D.J. Martin  (SingleFocus Ministry®)

In December 1944, during World War II, General George Patton’s Third Army prepared to cross the Rhine River for an offensive against Hitler’s Nazi Germany. The problem, however, was the rainy weather. Therefore, General Patton requested, from the Army Chaplin, a prayer addressing the weather condition. Within the hour, the Chaplin presented a written prayer to the General. After receiving it, General Patton had the following prayer expeditiously distributed to every soldier in the Third Army:

“Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.”

The day after they prayed the distributed prayer, the weather cleared and remained cleared long enough for the allied armies to deliver an overwhelming defeat for the enemy.

A cynical world will most likely say that it was all happen-chance. However, there is no denying that these things happened after the soldiers prayed.

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26

That’s Today’s Single Focus

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