Today, we transition from history to wisdom. Before thinking specifically about this passage, I encourage you to use a Bible dictionary such as Strong"s.  I use an ESV Strong's e-Bible.  So the words that are in the dictionary show up and all I have to do is click to see the word in Hebrew or Greek and its definition. Today, I noted Satan and here is what Strong's said  śâṭân; from 7853; an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) Satan, the arch-enemy of good: — adversary, Satan, withstand. I guess I didn't know or didn't remember that "satan" is actually a Hebrew word.  So names are important especially in the OT.  For example, Isaac means laughter.  Both Abraham and Sarah laughed when they were told they were going to have a son, so they named their son Laughter.  God has many names even though He is only One God.  Anyway, the particular aspect of Satan's nature here in Job is as The Accuser or Adversary.   The LORD said to The Accuser

 Good morning brothers and sisters, My practice is to select one of the four readings and meditate about it.  One of the readings for today is Genesis 33.  Verse 8-11 is what impressed me this morning. May you grow in grace today. Jeff Jacob wants to find favor in Esau's sight despite the fact that Esau had ran to him and wept on his neck. Esau had already accepted Jacob.  But Jacob insists on trying to buy his favor. He couldn't really add anything to Esau. Just like the Arminian that thinks his good works can tip God's scales in his favor. Reflect on how much greater God is than Esau.  If we think we can impress God, we are actually insulting Him.   A- The Son who is preeminent in all things (Col 1:15-20). C - I can add nothing to You Lord, but I still try. Let me find my rest in the finished work of the cross. T - including the complex relationship been Esau (the older brother) and Jacob (the younger brother) in scripture.  Jesus is the better elder brother. S - my r

 Good evening friends, During the original blog, we didn't get the blog going for 30 days.  So when I finished, I went back and added the things I had written during that time.  This is the last of that first month.  So once again, If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me in person at church, make a comment, call me at 860-381-9557 or email me at bisthefish@gmail.com. Blessings, Jeff So why don't I fast?   How does this fit with John passage that it is better for us that Jesus leaves so  that the Spirit will come?  In that sense, believers still have the bridegroom and would not fast.  John Baptist was still around, so his disciples were fasting for another reason.  The disciples of Pharisees were presumably just following tradition without understanding meaning or purpose. The old and new garment and wineskin  argument seems totally unrelated to the original question.  Our Father - the author of creation, maker of heaven and earth, visible and invi

 Good afternoon friends, I continue to be amazed at how short these early devotions from last year were.  Maybe I knew that they were not going to be in the blog for awhile and didn't spend as much time as I should have. I think I was reacting to much of the "identify politics" issues that have become more and more prominent over the past year.  I was also listening to MLJ sermons on Romans where the only two options are being "in Adam" (under the law, spiritually dead) or "in Christ (under grace, spiritually alive).  Now we have all the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer plus options, the various ethnic options.  All playing into intersectionality where the degree of oppression is the source if identity.   This passage shows that there is nothing new under the sun.  God is at center stage, but people try to force Him out of the way.  Thankfully, He will have none of it. Blessings, Jeff The concept of identity being "in somebody" is on ful

 Good afternoon friends, Well today's devotion is really dated.  Looking back on what I thought before the election last November is a challenge.  Obviously, the January 6th insurrection has come to a low point in the American experiment in ordered self government.  Yet this was not the revolution I was thinking about.  As a political movement, Black Lives Matter is essentially Marxist.  And Marxism and constitutional representative democracy are not compatible.  And reference to fleeting power is the French Revolution.  No one was safe from the scaffold. Finally, our first revolution was against the crown, the second was against the union.  So the next one will be the third.  However, using this passage as a basis for political analysis is really not valid. So what have I learned?  I think I am still learning. Blessings,  Jeff The submission of Esther in the midst of trying time.   Suppose that a third revolution occurs as a result of upcoming election. What lessons doors Esther t