Got Plans?

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Dean W.

Happy New Year!

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I don’t.

I’m not a terrific goal setter. But I do like having something to work toward, targets on which to focus my energy, and upcoming events to anticipate.

Goals Can Make You Sick

There are lots of opinions about goal-setting. Some propose a perfect formula for setting goals – like SMART goals. Others will tell you it’s the tools that make goals achievable – the best planner or the most effective scheduling software. But every proponent of goal-setting agrees that setting a goal is the only way to achieve anything worthwhile.

I know people who consider goals and proper planning an essential of life, and nothing satisfies them more than a well-planned project completed on time and under budget. I agree that a project’s completion is enjoyable, but I know that no project ever goes how you expect, and it’s not always because of poor planning. Some things happen that you cannot anticipate. Project managers call them the “unknown unknowns”.

That idea alone is enough to give some people nausea. The idea of not achieving a goal because of something beyond your control is unsettling, and sometimes triggers barrages of blame-shifting, fault-finding, and “not-my-job-ing”.

God’s Goals and Plans

As a Christian, I am a fan of processes and planning because God reveals Himself as One who uses processes to execute His plans. Read Genesis 1. The whole creation week was a series of repeated processes (then God said…) to execute a plan (God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.)

It’s good to remember that Jesus becoming flesh and dwelling with us was part of God’s plan to redeem us from our sin.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will… Ephesians 1:3-5

“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. ” Acts 4:27-28

While God perfectly executes all his plans (Isaiah 14:27,25:1) and never says anything that doesn’t happen (Isaiah 55:11), humans tend to not execute their plans and say we will do things that we don’t do. In our fallen world, our sin makes our plans and executions imperfect.

Set That Goal, Flex That Plan

But that doesn’t mean we should not plan, but our plans have to be flexible because our world is fallen, and so are we. So make your plans for 2021, set your new year resolutions, start that next project. Work hard to achieve your goals.

Remember that God has a greater plan that you don’t understand, and that some of his plans may override your plans, for your benefit.

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

The Families from the Beginning newsletter provides twice-monthly insights and ministry updates. Click here to sign up for this email newsletter. Previous newsletters are here.

The Families from the Beginning newsletter provides twice-monthly insights and ministry updates. Click here to sign up for this email newsletter. Previous newsletters are here.

You can check the website for The Story Farm to see when it’s ready for you to purchase. Here’s a link to an excerpt from the chapter about planning ahead: Boar Names.

Posted in Thoughts about Scripture | Leave a comment

Merry Christmas, Until He Returns!

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Dean W.

A quick reminder amid all the holiday hustle and bustle:

The death and resurrection of Jesus is the reason for His birth. Our sin is the reason we must be redeemed by His death and justified by His resurrection.


…believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. Romans 4:24-25

So, the real reason we celebrate Christmas is sin. Our sin is the need. God’s Son is the answer.

“She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:11-14

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

When we celebrate Christ’s birth, we recognize His death and resurrection, and also His return!

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Easter, until He returns!

Dean

The Families from the Beginning newsletter provides twice-monthly insights and ministry updates. Click here to sign up for this email newsletter. Previous newsletters are here.

*All Scripture quotations in this article are from the World English Bible (WEB).

Posted in Lessons from Scripture, Thoughts about Scripture | Leave a comment

Easter in December

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Dean W.

Happy Easter!

I know, it’s almost Christmas. But that’s why I want to remind you that the purpose of Jesus’ birth was His death and resurrection. Without the resurrection, Christmas has no value.

As we go through the various Christmas-related events with our families, friends and churches, remember that the resurrection is the real reason for the season. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we would not be celebrating Christmas.

Is Easter More Important Than Christmas?

Paul emphasized the importance of Jesus’ resurrection like this:

Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19*

Apparently there were some who were teaching the church a materialistic view of the gospel. The idea that there is no resurrection was a relic from the doctrines of the Sadducees (Acts 23:8, Matthew 22: 23-33). Materialism1 is still one of the strongest doctrines of the enemy, combining with many other false beliefs to corrupt belief in Jesus.

Paul’s message to the Corinthian church is that without the supernatural power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no reason to be a Christian, all hope of eternal life is lost.

The Resurrection Proved Jesus is the Son of God

While angels proclaimed to the shepherds that Jesus was the Christ (Luke 2:11), and told Mary and Joseph that He was the Son of God (Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:20), Paul told the church in Rome that the resurrection declared Jesus to be the Son of God:

…who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord… Romans 1:4

Jesus explained to the disciples the importance of His death and resurrection, and that it would be their central message:

He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:46-48

The resurrection of Jesus was the single truth that made Paul’s imprisonment unusual to the Romans. Festus, the governor, pointed to it as Paul’s single assertion:

When the accusers stood up, they brought no charges against him of such things as I supposed; but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Acts 25:18-19

Festus knew Jesus had been crucified, it was in the Roman Empire’s records. But the idea that He was alive again is what set Paul at odds with both Jewish and Roman authorities.

Born to Die and Rise Again

The whole Christmas season points to the fact that the baby whose birth we celebrate will grow up to die for our sins, and be resurrected for our justification. (Romans 4:24-25) Without the truths of Easter, why celebrate Christmas?

What Should We Do?

Last week I challenged you to use your pandemic mask to reach others with a message. Here’s my newest mask message:

My Christmas season mask.

I will wear this message through the rest of the Christmas season. When others ask about the unseasonal message, I can tell them the real reason for Christmas.

Two days ago in the hardware store, the clerk pointed out my message to another clerk behind the counter. My response was simple: “Without Easter, we don’t have Christmas.” They both acknowledged the truth of what I said. I paid for my items and left, but their thoughtful looks made me believe they were thinking about it as I walked out the door.

Will you wear an Easter mask for Christmas? Tell me about the conversations in response to your mask messages in the comments.

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

P.S. A couple years ago I taught a men’s group about looking at Christmas through Easter. Some men from that group still respond to “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Easter!”
I created a list for that lesson that cross-referenced the Christmas traditions with scriptures about the crucifixion and resurrection so they could review them with their families. If you want to share the connections, or study them with your family, click here to sign up for my newsletter and download the list: Viewing Christmas from Easter

Sign up for our email newsletter and receive updates on my new book, The Story Farm.

Our first book, Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design, is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. (The Kindle version is currently FREE!)
Follow this link to see a preview:  Families from the Beginning sample.

*All Scripture quotations in this article are from the World English Bible (WEB).

Pop-up scripture references are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

1the doctrine that nothing exists except matter and its movements and modifications; a theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter

Posted in Mask Messages, Other stuff, Thoughts about Scripture | Leave a comment

The Mask Message Challenge

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Dean W.

Are you wearing a mask?

As the pandemic mask mandates continue, I find myself strangely fence-straddling. The two sides of the fence can be categorized as

“Oh, my! We’re in a pandemic, so we need to do everything the ‘experts’ tell us to do and follow all government mandates to save lives!”

and

“No way! I’m not giving up my right to live independently just because some ‘expert’ says so.”

There is a lot of room on the continuum between these two extremes, so I’m stuck between my general dislike of government overreach and my desire to protect the weak and elderly.

My in-laws are both nearly 90 years old, so my family is pretty careful about exposing them to sickness of any kind. But on the other hand, I understand from scripture what the writers of the U.S. Constitution understood, that governmental authority is properly limited to specific areas (Genesis 9:5-6, Deuteronomy 17: 14-17), and a government that reaches beyond those ordained powers is likely to become despotic (1Samuel 8:11-18).

The most recent mask mandates in the state of Ohio are an example of government overreach. The most troubling part of these rules is that they force retail establishments to be agents of the state’s health board, and make them accountable to anyone who decides to call the Department of Health, whether there is any proof of violations or not.

My Reasons

As a Christian, I understand that my health and life are ultimately under God’s control. I also know that my liberties should not infringe on the spiritual safety of another person. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)

So I will wear a mask in stores and businesses, not because I believe they are effective, and not because I believe the government has proper authority to make me wear it.

I will wear a mask in stores and businesses because I don’t want my liberty to cause that business to close.

But since I am wearing a mask, I will also use it for God’s kingdom, and so can you.

The Opportunity

Have you noticed that masks are now a fashion statement? People are coordinating their masks with their clothes, and some clothing manufacturers are starting to produce outfits with matching masks. People notice each other’s masks. A few days ago I heard one lady complement another with “I love your mask!”

I don’t wear fashionable cloth masks; I wear disposable masks. You can’t be stylish wearing one of those blue paper masks. But you can make a statement with them. Here’s how:

Think of your mask as if it’s a bumper sticker. Use it to make your point. It’s easy to write a message on your mask with a permanent marker. If you write across the top fold, just below the nose bridge, it will be visible to others just below your eyes.

I chose to write scripture excerpts on my masks. The first message I wrote was “Jesus holds all…” with the reference Colossians 1:17. I also have masks with “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” (Proverbs 3:5) and “It’s by grace…” (Ephesians 2:8).

The first cashier who commented on the “grace” mask caught me off guard because I didn’t remember what was on my mask. Then I remembered, and I asked her if she knew the verse. She did not, so I quoted it for her (For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.) I had an encouraging conversation with a cashier in another store later that day. These quick interactions showed me the potential of message masks.

A couple of my mask messages.

The Challenge

Here’s my challenge to you: Use your mask to reach others for Christ. Inspire, encourage, and evangelize. If you have an evangelistic heart, use your mask to start spiritual conversations.

If bold evangelistic messages are not your style, try simple questions or statements. People cannot see your face behind your mask, so try something like,

“Are you smiling? I am.”

This will get them to smile under their mask whether you can see it or not. Or use this to start a conversation:

“Ask me why I’m smiling…”

The Cost

This is not an expensive challenge. The ink may eventually run from the moisture in your mask, or your used mask will need to be replaced, so you can switch verses or messages. An ultra fine tip Sharpie markers is less than two dollars, although you probably already have a permanent marker at home. You can buy the paper masks by the box for less than twenty cents per mask, but a lot of businesses have free paper masks available for customers. Remember to print clearly so others can read it from a distance.

Here’s a note of warning, though: You will have to get used to people looking at you strangely and intently as they read your mask. And if you are making a point, you should be ready to defend it.

So get your mask ready. You can also carry a gospel tract for those who show interest in your mask message. And be ready to answer anyone’s questions, like Peter says,

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear, 1 Peter 3:15 (WEB)

So let’s do this challenge together, use your masks to reach others.

Send me your Mask Messaging stories. Email me at dean@familiesfromthebeginning.org

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

My next book, The Story Farm, will be published soon. Final editing and illustrations are almost finished. Here’s one of the newest illustrations by Deborah:

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Christmas Reminders

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Dean W.

What is your favorite Christmas story?

Does it go something like this?

A struggling professional lady travels to her hometown to see family and runs into an old boyfriend, who may or may not be successful. He has a dog. A young child sees the obvious attraction between the old flames and encourages them to work through their hurts and disappointments. A grandparent, aunt, or uncle works with the child and dog to arrange a romantic interlude, which fails miserably. The professional lady and the old boyfriend have separate moments of serendipity which lead to a complete and enduring reconciliation on Christmas Eve, and it snows.

How about this version?

A pregnant young lady and her fiancé travel to his family’s hometown, only to find out that the town’s inn is too full for them to stay. Their baby’s birth is proclaimed by angels to local shepherds who then tell everyone else they meet. A couple years later, some dignitaries show up at the family’s house and give a bunch of expensive gifts to the toddler. The story ends with a sudden trip to another country.

Christmas Scriptures

When we talk about Christmas, do you ever ask people about their favorite Christmas scriptures? Those who read the Bible will usually point to passages in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. They both give us information about Jesus’ birth.

Matthew emphasizes the Kingship of the Child. He tells us about angels talking to Joseph, the Magi coming to see Jesus, Herod’s decimation of Bethlehem, and the flight to Egypt. Matthew wrote to Jews who were looking for the promised God-King and Messiah, so he cites Old Testament scriptures that are fulfilled by these events.

Luke emphasized the impossible circumstances and the humanness of Jesus’ birth. He tells the story from Mary’s perspective, describing Gabriel’s message and her amazement at being chosen, the frustration of not having a crib, the angel’s announcement to the shepherds, and the joy of Simeon and Anna at seeing Jesus. Luke wrote to believers who received Jesus as a very human Savior and Redeemer.

I love the Christmas accounts, they tell of God’s love for us, displayed in his care for the young family whom He chose to create the home in which He would grow up.

My Favorite

My favorite Christmas scripture is not in Matthew or Luke, but in John. John doesn’t give us any details surrounding Jesus’ birth, but he points out who He was before His birth. Matthew starts with Jesus’ genealogy starting from Abraham, and Luke lists His ancestry back to Adam. John goes further back, simply stating,

In the beginning was the Word. John 1:1*

John emphasizes the sovereignty of Almighty God’s Word – the thoughts and intents behind the written and spoken words of absolute truth; the life-giving, creative word that is the source of all light and life, sent to save us from our sins. Then he proclaims:

The Word became flesh, and lived among us. John 1:14a

That’s my favorite Christmas scripture. The all-powerful God’s essence, intent, and words became the image of God and the image of man, took on our flesh, and lived with us. It was so evident that he was God In the flesh that John said,

We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14b

Why Christmas?

The whole point of the Christmas season is to emphasize that Jesus was Emmanuel, God With Us (Matthew 1:23). Paul describes the importance of the Incarnation (Christmas) to the Philippians:

…Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 1and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

The great God put aside all his heavenly glory to save us by offering his own human life as the full payment for our sin. Then he was (and still is) highly exalted above everything else, and everyone will acknowledge Him as Lord.

I love Christmas because it reminds me of the love that paid everything to allow me to enter into fellowship with the holy and righteous God. (Hebrews 10:19-23)

Christmas reminds me of my heinous sin that requires a punishment that only a holy sacrifice could cleanse. (Hebrews 9:13-14)

Christmas also reminds me that the reality of my sin is overcome by the truth of his grace, and for that I am grateful, and celebrate.

My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47

May you be blessed by all the Christmas reminders this year.

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

The Families from the Beginning newsletter provides twice-monthly insights and ministry updates. Click here to sign up for this email newsletter. Previous newsletters are here.

*All Scripture quotations in this article are from the World English Bible (WEB).

Pop-up scripture references are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

Posted in Lessons from Scripture, Other stuff, Thoughts about Scripture | Leave a comment

Still Thankful

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Dean W.

Are you still giving thanks?

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day. It’s a national holiday that was recommended by George Washington in 1789, instituted by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, and made into law by Congress in 1941. The story that the “first Thanksgiving” was observed by the Puritans in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 is partly based on William Bradford’s description in Of Plimoth Plantation of the people’s wish to praise God for his goodness in giving them an abundant harvest after they humbled themselves before Him in response to a long drought:

For which mercie (in time conveniente) they also sett aparte a day of thanksgiveing. *

Thanksgiving is not a new idea.

The concept of thanksgiving goes back even farther in history. The Apostle Paul exhorted his mentee, Timothy:

first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men… 1 Timothy 2:1 **

Before Paul, Jesus expressed thanks to God His Father multiple times (Matthew 11:25, 15:36, and 26:26 are just three examples).
More than a thousand years before Jesus, David wrote about giving thanks to God in 41 different Psalms (this assumes David wrote all those psalms, and that my count is correct).
Over 400 years before David, God prescribed that the Israelites sacrifice thank offerings as part of the peace offering laws in Leviticus 1:.

The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning. Leviticus 17:15

Thanksgiving is a daily walk.

An interesting aspect of the thanksgiving peace offering is that it had to be eaten on the same day. Like the manna the Israelites collected in the wilderness, thank offerings were to be consumed on the same day. Other peace offerings could be eaten on succeeding days (a lesson about lasting peace for another blog), but the thank offering could not be left uneaten overnight. Imagine not allowing leftovers from our Thanksgiving feasts.

Our thankfulness to God must be expressed daily. Paul told the Thessalonians that consistent gratitude is God’s will for us:

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thanksgiving glorifies God.

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church, he exhorts them to prepare their alms for the Jerusalem church, which he later carries with him (Acts 24:17). Then he explains how that gift was going to glorify God through thanksgiving.

Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God, seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all, while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:10-15

Here’s my synopsis of Paul’s lesson: When you are generous with all the things God supplies, others thank God for your giving, glorifying God for your obedience and generosity, and they lovingly pray for you. This mutual blessing is God’s gift, which we cannot express, and for which we are thankful.

Thanksgiving in all we do.

The habit of thanksgiving should affect everything we do. Think about your most disliked tasks… what if you expressed thanksgiving for them? Jesus told us to rejoice when we are persecuted(Matthew 5:11-12, Luke 6:22-23). James said our trials are a source of joy (James 1:2-4). Paul celebrated his infirmities because God’s grace was sufficient (2Corinthians 12:9-10). Can we be thankful for everything, every day?

Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. Colossians 3:17

So, as we move from Thanksgiving through the Christmas holiday season and into next year, remember to keep giving thanks, no matter what day it is. May God bless your “thanksgiveing“.

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

The Families from the Beginning newsletter provides twice-monthly insights and ministry updates. Click here to sign up for this email newsletter. Previous newsletters are here.

*Bradford, William, Of Plimoth Plantation. Boston: Wright and Potter Printing, 1898, footnote AZ, accessed from: Bradford, William, Of Plimoth Plantation. Boston: Wright and Potter Printing, 1898, footnote AZ – http://www.gutenberg.org/files/24950/24950-h/24950-h.htm#Footnote_AZ_52, 11/25/2020, 11/25/2020

*All Scripture quotations in this article are from the World English Bible (WEB).

Posted in Lessons from Scripture | Leave a comment

Family Beginnings

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Dean W.

What’s your family’s history?

After my dad quit farming, he and my mom traveled to Germany with his sister. The goal of that trip was to meet some distant cousins with whom they were corresponding, and to research their genealogy as far as they could in the town from which their grandfather had emigrated.

It was an enjoyable trip. The connections with family were strengthened by lots of family meals and gatherings. The genealogy search was fruitful to a point. It ended at the local church records, where a Wickert was registered as marrying a girl from the neighborhood in the 1600’s. There was no previous information on this Wickert, only lists of his descendants’ baptisms, marriages, and deaths. It appears he showed up in town and fell in love. For our Wickert line, that is where our family history begins.

But that’s not where your family history begins. Yours is likely very different from mine. Every person’s family history is different because each person is unique. While my siblings and I have the same Wickert history, our histories change with us, because we are very different from one another, even my twin brothers.

Not everybody can trace their family history back through four centuries. Many Americans cannot trace their roots back beyond their grandparents, or their ancestors were brought to America against their will. Most slaves lose contact with their families when they are taken.

Our inability to track our family histories doesn’t mean we don’t have them, just that we can’t track them. If I am allowed to skip a few generations beyond the 1600’s, I would judge by location, skin tone and language group, that the Wickerts can able pick up our genealogy with Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, or Dodanim, the great-grandsons of Noah. There are a lot of assumptions in that supposition, but there we are.

The Bible give us the rest of our genealogy from Noah to the first man, Adam, in Genesis chapter 5 and repeats it in 1 Chronicles 1 and Luke 3. This genealogical claim depends upon my presupposition that the history in the Bible is true and accurate.

Bodie Hodge, an author and speaker at Answers in Genesis, can trace his genealogy back to the royal families in England (he’s a 42nd cousin to the Queen). Because many of the royal families of Europe kept meticulous ancestry records, the Queen’s family traces itself all the way back through Japheth and Noah to Adam. So by Bodie’s calculations, he is the 87th generation from Adam. It’s an interesting genealogical history that most of us don’t have.

Does Ancestry Matter?

Should we care about our ancestry? Does it really effect us today? Most people would say, “No, it doesn’t matter.”
However, I suggest that it matters more than we realize, for three reasons:

1. Everybody has a History

Recognizing that EVERYBODY’s family history goes back through Noah to Adam means that we all have something in common. Since Adam was given a family before he sinned, the best principles for family life were established while humans were sinless. I examine those principles in my first book, Families from the Beginning. Read a sample HERE.

2. Our History Includes Sin

Because we are all descendants of Adam, we all inherit Adam’s sin nature.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned… Romans 5:12

Even so, because we are all descendants of Adam, we are all given the opportunity to be redeemed by Jesus’ obedience.

…For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19

When we recognize that our family is fallen, we can see why we struggle with sin in our daily lives, and we can understand our need for Jesus. Paul described the presence of Adam’s sin in his life like this:

I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:21-25

3. Our History Affects Us

Considering our more recent family histories, I discuss their power in my newest book, “The Story Farm”. In the chapter about my family’s mixed heritage, I state:

“Our ethnicity ties us to families in other nations and gives us a canvas on which to paint the pictures of our lives, but the background that provides context to our pictures is the United States.”

    (You can preview this chapter’s draft if you sign up for my newsletter HERE.)

I fully believe that our family histories, both genetically and culturally, are a part of who we are. We should understand those histories, both the good and the bad, because they contain lessons for our futures. If you don’t know your immediate family history, you can certainly rely on the parts of your family’s history that are recorded in the Bible.

Remember the days of old,
Consider the years of many generations.
Ask your father, and he will show you;
Your elders, and they will tell you:
When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations,
When He separated the sons of Adam,
He set the boundaries of the peoples…
Deuteronomy 32:7-8

    Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.
    Follow this link to see a preview:  Families from the Beginning sample.

    Click here to sign up for our email newsletter and preview a chapter from my new book, The Story Farm.

*All Scripture quotations for this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

Posted in Book Discussion, Lessons from Scripture | Leave a comment

Grace for Grace

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Dean W.

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17

What does it mean to receive grace? How do we receive grace? What is “grace for grace”?

Matthew Henry defined grace as

…the good will of God towards us and the good work of God in us.

This highlights two aspects of grace: grace as a gift, and gifts as grace.

Grace as a Gift

Grace as a gift is the God-given availability of salvation for anyone who has faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. This grace is a token of God’s love for us and is the only mechanism by which we can be saved. We are entirely unable to earn it or deserve it.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Gifts as Grace

As we are totally undeserving of salvation, we are also totally unable to be used by God for good works. But He gives us gifts and talents to do the good works which He created us to do.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:10

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them… Romans 12:6

The gifts of prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy are all given by grace. (Romans 12:7-8) None of them are talents we can claim to own because of our own merit, but we can learn to use and develop them for God’s glory.

Grace for Works

Matthew Henry continues:

God’s good will works the good work, and then the good work qualifies us for further tokens of his good will.

We can only desire to do good works because of God’s grace in us:

…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Even the ministers to the church are gifts of grace. None of the offices in the “five-fold ministry” are self-appointed, or self-realized. Anybody operating in those callings are only able to use the gifts because of the grace of God in their lives. Faithfulness with the gifts of God qualifies us for more gifts. See the parable about talents in Matthew 25.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. …And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers… Ephesians 4:7,11

Grace to Reign

The book of Revelation tells us that we will be reign with Christ during the millennium. (Revelation 5:10, 20:4,6) But Paul points out that reigning with Christ is also simply an outcome of grace:

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

Grace for Glory

God’s grace in our lives glorifies Him, not us. It is because our works are grace-empowered that God gets the glory.

How often have you thanked God for something a human did? It’s because we recognize that God works all things together that we thank Him (and we also thank the people involved, hopefully). Paul tells us that grace in our lives glorifies God and the Lord Jesus Christ:

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

…that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:12

When we receive God’s grace in our lives, it’s not just for us, but for all the people that he will touch by our work. We should not trust in ourselves, but in His grace working in us. Our works are by His grace, so grace may abound to others. Paul used himself as an example to explain what our attitude should be:

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

Jesus hinted at this when He foretold how we should respond when we are done with our works on earth:

“So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” Luke 17:10

Our challenge is to receive God’s grace in a way that is profitable for His kingdom, for His glory. Our works should encourage others to also receive His grace. If they see how our works glorify our Father in Heaven, they will be encouraged to receive His grace themselves.

Our grace encourages more grace. It’s “grace for grace”. Don’t waste the grace you received. Others need it to work through you.

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1

[1] Henry, M. (1 Mar, 1996). Commentary on John 1 by Matthew Henry. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Jhn/Jhn_001.cfm

[2] Ibid.

    Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.
    Follow this link to see the first chapter:  Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 .

*All Scripture quotations for this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

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Living Stones

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Dean W.

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5*

I ran across this quote from Charles Spurgeon, and it made me stop to consider”

“Each individual believer is being prepared, and polished, and made ready for his place in the temple; but Christ’s own hand performs the preparation-work. Afflictions cannot sanctify, excepting as they are used by Him to this end. Our prayers and efforts cannot make us ready for heaven, apart from the hand of Jesus, who fashioneth our hearts aright.” Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

When we feel like we are being cut, chiseled, sanded, and ground by the trials in our lives, we must remember that we are actually being formed into the shape and image of our Lord. It makes us fit to be inserted into place in His building. Every gouge, crack and disfigurement is allowed by the foreknowledge and care of our loving Father so we will exactly mesh with those around us in His living spiritual house.

The stones in the temple complex at Puma Punku in Bolivia give us an picture of how this spiritual house can be fit together. From Wikipedia:

In assembling the walls of Pumapunku, each stone was finely cut to interlock with the surrounding stones. The blocks were fit together like a puzzle, forming load-bearing joints without the use of mortar.

Solomon built David’s temple with similar precision, in fact, the stones for the temple were cut with such precision that when they were installed in the building, no tools were used.

And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built. 1 Kings 6:7

Referring back to Puma Punku, the article continues to describe the work of the stone masons:

(The stones) …were initially pounded by stone hammers… creating depressions, and then slowly ground and polished with flat stones and sand.

Think about the work of Christ in your life, carving you from the rock quarry by grace and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, pounding the hard stone of your life into shape with biblical teaching and the counsel of wise friends, then refining the shape by grinding and polishing with hard times and abrasive people.

Imagine the hands of a stone mason, bent and swollen from the repetitive pounding and pushing, the hammering and sanding. Imagine the malformed fingernails on the tips of fingers that have learned by suffering such strength, precision, and passion.

Now imagine that those hands have nail prints…

Why would Christ Jesus go through so much trouble, pain, and potential disappointment? It is for you to be cut, shaped, and polished to fit exactly where you were created to fit. Remember, it’s not just you in this building project, your brothers and sisters in Christ are also designed and shaped to fit with you. So when His project is revealed, the glory and honor of the nations can be brought into the city He builds. (Revelation 21:24-26)

…for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:10

*All Scripture quotations for this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

    Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.
    Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.
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The Mind of Christ

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Dean W.

But we have Christ’s mind.
What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? Paul claims this for himself and his readers in his first letter to the Corinthian church, but do we understand what it means to have the mind of Christ? Maybe not, and there is a reason. Here’s a little more context:

Chapter 2 begins with Paul’s reminder to the church of how he first came to preach the gospel to them. (vv.1-2) He was a pathetic public speaker, and I am guessing that his sermons may have been hard to follow, (v. 3)but he relied on the Holy Spirit to confirm the word with miracles. (v. 4, see also Mark 16:20, Acts 4:29-33 and 19:11-12)

Paul was content to be overlooked by men as long as they put their trust in the power of God to save them through Jesus Christ. (v.5)

Then Paul explains that God’s wisdom is mysterious (v. 6-9), and must be revealed by the Holy Spirit (v.10). Because the Spirit, who knows the things of God, reveals spiritual things to us, Paul taught spiritual things by the Holy Spirit (v. 11-13). Then he says this:

Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one.“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 WEB*

Spiritual knowledge is incomprehensible to the natural man, who is unsaved, non-believing, or carnal. Truth is spiritually discerned; those who trust and walk in the Holy Spirit will understand, but must not conform to anyone else. Paul uses Isaiah’s words to remind us that no one can question God’s motives, nor should we.

Then he says it: “But we have Christ’s mind. ”

Seriously? In all my human arrogance and pride, I’d never claim to have the same thoughts as God. God tells us pretty clearly that we can’t think like Him in Isaiah 55:7-9.

What is Paul telling us? What does it require to have Christ’s mind?

Christ’s mind requires the Spirit of God, because the carnal mind chafes against the law of God and the Spirit (Romans 8:6-7). Our minds must be transformed and renewed, not thinking like the world. Paul challenged the Romans to present themselves as living sacrifices, then told them this:

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. Romans 12:2-3 WEB

Renew your mind, think reasonably (or sanely), and not too highly. But reasonable thought (the mind of Christ) requires faith.

Paul also told the Philippians how to think:

Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 WEB

To have the mind of Christ, you must humble yourself and think obediently. You cannot think like Christ on your own, you must acknowledge that only the Holy Spirit in you can give you His thoughts (John 14:17, 26).

What does the Spirit think about? Paul gave us a clue later in Philippians:

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 WEB

Here’s another clue: the Holy Spirit will always confirm what the Bible says:

However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you. All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you. John 16:13-15 WEB

To renew our mind, we need to fill it with the word of God so the Spirit can align our thinking with His. David wrote his longest Psalm about this idea. Here’s an exerpt:

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:9-11 WEB

Jesus emphasized the importance of His words in our minds:

If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. John 15:7-8 WEB

Paul emphasized the importance of Christ’s words in us directing our actions. He wrote to the Colossians:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. Colossians 3:16-17

How do you get and keep the mind of Christ? Occupy your heart and thoughts with the Word and the works that edify yourself and others. That will sustain the mind of Christ in you.

    Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.
    Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.

*All Scripture quotations for this article are from the World English Bible (WEB).

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