There won’t be a full post today. Life has been a whirlwind—major changes at work, make-up baseball games from all the rain, and of course, Tax Day. But before the day slips by, I wanted to leave you with a thought that’s been heavy on my heart.
The Lord is coming back. Judgment Day is not a myth or a distant theory—it is a certain reality. We don’t know the day or the hour, but it will happen. And it’s very possible that we are the generation who will see the Son of Man returning in the clouds.
The world around us keeps drifting further from godliness. Is it worse now than it was in the past? That’s a fair question. History is full of atrocities—world wars, genocide, and unspeakable evil. But today, something feels different. Evil isn’t just something we can point to in distant nations or corrupt regimes. It seems to have taken root deep in the hearts of individuals—on a level that is open, unapologetic, and even celebrated.
People aren’t just sinning in secret anymore. They’re parading it in the streets. Judges and leaders defend the guilty and punish the innocent. And while many good men and women are still standing up to the darkness, the fight is no longer hidden. It’s front and center.
Brothers and sisters, we are the light in this dark world. Our King offers something the god of this world never can. Every human being was made for more—created in the image of God, made to dwell with Him forever.
But many are trading that royal inheritance for a cheap imitation, a mess of pottage. Violence over petty disagreements. Life taken without remorse. Excuses made for evil instead of accountability. The heartache we see around us reminds me of the days before the flood.
“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6 ESV).
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe that generation makes ours look tame. But it’s hard to shake the feeling that we’re getting close to a time when the thoughts of many hearts are only evil continually.
I fear we are living in a time when the patience of the Lord is being tested. And so I believe this must be at the forefront of our minds: are we ready for the return of the Lord? Are our lamps trimmed and burning, prepared for the sovereign moment when He returns to judge the living and the dead?
That day could be today. Or tomorrow. Or a thousand years from now. But it’s coming. And if the condition of our hearts has anything to do with how soon that day comes… it could be sooner than we think.
So here is my prayer:
That we bend the knee to King Jesus today—willingly, joyfully—as His servants, rather than wait until tomorrow when we may be forced to bow as conquered foes.
That we are ready for the Master’s return, our eyes fixed on Him and not on this fading world.
That we don’t let the god of this world lull us into a false sense of peace, whispering that we’ve got more time, and that we can hold on to our old ways just a little longer.
These are the thoughts that weigh on my heart as I witness what image-bearers of God are doing and saying to one another in ways that once would’ve shocked society.
Let’s stand with King Jesus today so that no matter what happens tomorrow, we will be found in Him, where life and light dwell eternally.
Interesting fact. I am in the book of Judges in my daily Bible reading. In chapter 3, we read about God raising up the first judge of Israel, Othniel, Caleb’s nephew.
“But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
The Spirit of the LORD was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim.” (Judges 3:9-10 ESV).
Think about this for a moment. Since Joshua and Caleb were the only men over 20 years old permitted to enter the Promised Land after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, Caleb’s younger brother—Othniel’s father—must have been under 20 when Caleb came back from spying out the land with Joshua. Caleb stood boldly in faith, trusting God’s promises, despite the discouragement and unbelief that surrounded him.
Imagine what Caleb’s younger brother must have felt seeing his older brother courageously standing firm when nearly everyone else faltered in fear. He watched Caleb live out his faith, trusting completely in God’s promises. Caleb’s faithful example left an impression not only on his brother but also on the next generation—his nephew Othniel.
Years later, Othniel stepped forward with that same spirit of boldness and trust, becoming the first judge of Israel. Caleb’s example of faithfulness didn’t end with him; it rippled into his family, inspiring courage in the hearts of those who followed him.
There’s a powerful lesson here for all of us. Our daily faithfulness matters deeply—not only for our own walk with God but for those who watch us closely. The younger generation around us is shaped profoundly by our faith, our courage, and our trust in God’s promises.
Today, let’s commit to setting that same kind of example in our own families and communities. Who knows how our actions today may inspire the Othniels of tomorrow, equipping them to rise confidently when God calls them?
Let’s live lives of courage and faith, knowing that God uses our quiet faithfulness to impact generations to come.
I am in the book of Judges in my daily Bible reading. Today, I read again about Gideon, a man whom God transformed from timid and uncertain into a powerful instrument of deliverance. God chose just 300 men to save Israel under Gideon’s leadership, intentionally demonstrating that victory came from Him alone, not from human strength or numbers.
In Judges chapter 8, after witnessing such an amazing victory, the people approached Gideon with an offer:
“Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.’” (Judges 8:22 ESV).
We often shake our heads at the Israelites in Samuel’s day who demanded a king, but this desire existed in their hearts long before Samuel. Here, generations earlier, they already sought a king—someone visible, tangible, and powerful in their eyes.
But Gideon understood the heart of the issue and humbly refused their request, responding clearly:
“Gideon said to them, ‘I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.’” (Judges 8:23 ESV).
Gideon’s words remind us of an important truth. It is human nature to trust what we can see and touch rather than rely on God, whom we cannot physically see.
Do we sometimes place more trust in the wealth we can hold rather than the invisible God who provides it?
Do we rely more on the security of our jobs than on the God who sustains us each day?
Do we chase after power and influence found in leaders, presidents, or armies rather than fully trusting the God whose throne is far above every earthly authority?
Perhaps we are not as different from ancient Israel as we think. Like them, we can struggle to give our total allegiance to a God we cannot physically see.
May we take Gideon’s wise words to heart today, remembering that it is enough that “the LORD will rule over us.”
I’m in the book of Judges in my daily Bible reading, and today I was reminded how quickly vengeance can spiral out of control.
In chapter 15, Samson’s story takes another dark turn. His Philistine wife had been given to his best man, and in response, Samson takes vengeance into his own hands. Listen to his words:
“And Samson said to them, ‘This time I shall be innocent in regard to the Philistines, when I do them harm.’” (Judges 15:3 ESV).
This is how the cycle begins—something deeply personal, something unfair, and it lights a match in our heart. We convince ourselves that we’re justified. That we’re innocent. That vengeance belongs to us this time.
Samson responds by burning their fields. The Philistines retaliate. And just like that, a chain reaction is unleashed.
“And Samson said to them, ‘If this is what you do, I swear I will be avenged on you, and after that I will quit.’
And he struck them hip and thigh with a great blow, and he went down and stayed in the cleft of the rock of Etam.” (Judges 15:7-8 ESV).
But it doesn’t end there. It never does when vengeance takes the reins. The Philistines march into Judah, looking for Samson, and now the people of Judah are caught in the crossfire.
“Then the Philistines came up and encamped in Judah and made a raid on Lehi.
And the men of Judah said, ‘Why have you come up against us?’ They said, ‘We have come up to bind Samson, to do to him as he did to us.’” (Judges 15:9-10 ESV).
Did you catch that? “To do to him as he did to us.” That’s the language of vengeance. The same pattern we see in the world around us every day. Hurt for hurt. Blow for blow. It always feels justified in the moment, but it never leads to peace.
This story leads to that dramatic scene where Samson kills a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey. It’s a moment we remember for its might—but what led to it was nothing but a fiery trail of escalating revenge.
This was how people viewed justice for generations—until Jesus came.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39 ESV).
Jesus taught a different way. A better way.
And Paul, following the lead of his King, wrote:
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” (Romans 12:19 ESV).
Samson’s story warns us what happens when vengeance burns unchecked—it spreads, consumes, and destroys. But Jesus invites us to break the cycle. He calls us to self-control, to grace, and to forgiveness.
It’s not easy. It’s not natural. But it’s holy.
When we turn the other cheek, we don’t just avoid conflict—we show the world that Jesus lives in us. We shine a light in the darkness. We live the Gospel, not just preach it.
And maybe, just maybe, instead of returning hate with hate, we’ll turn an enemy into a brother.
I am in the book of Revelation in my daily Bible reading. After reading the letters Jesus sent to the seven churches in Asia, I’m struck by how personal they are. It gives me chills to realize that Jesus is not just watching from a distance—He is fully aware of what is happening among His people in local congregations.
Even in the churches on the verge of losing their lampstands, Jesus knows every heart. He knows who still walks with Him. To the dead church in Sardis, He says this:
“Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:4-5 ESV).
Isn’t that comforting? Even if we find ourselves in a congregation that is growing cold, if we stay faithful, we are not forgotten. We are not lost in the crowd. Jesus sees the faithful few. He knows us by name.
And to the saints in Philadelphia, He says this:
“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8 ESV).
These weren’t the powerful, the influential, or the well-connected. They had little strength—but they were faithful. And because of that, Jesus lifted them up and gave them a door no one could close.
There are many lessons in these seven letters, but one thread runs through them all: Jesus knows His people. Intimately. Personally. He knows when we are standing firm, even if we’re standing alone.
He knows us.
And if we keep walking with Him—quietly, faithfully—He promises to remember us. Not just in passing, but before His Father and before the angels.
My God knows me. He sees my walk. And He will not forget to confess my name when the time comes.