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The Prophetic Significance of the Stoning of Stephen for Israel

Posted July 23, 2025February 18, 2026
by petebeck3

The stoning of Stephen had tremendous prophetic significance concerning the nation of Israel. Stephen began his final speech to the Jews by giving a short account of Israel’s history with God. Suddenly, he switched gears to pronounce a scathing judgment upon the Jews.

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” Acts 7:51–53 (NKJV)

We must assume that the Holy Spirit prompted him to pronounce this indictment. His death, witnessed by Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, fulfilled the timing found in one of the prophet Daniel’s visions.

Stephen’s wording was exact. He did not use hyperbole when he said the Israelites always resist the Holy Spirit and never kept the Law. Yes, there were significant men and women during her history who walked with God, but the nation as a whole was steeped in idolatry and did not submit to God. We now know that it was impossible for them to do so and still is, apart from being reborn in the Spirit, for no one is able to keep the Law.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:21–24 (NKJV)

The window of opportunity for the entire nation of Israel to repent and confess that Jesus is Lord came to a close when the Jews killed Stephen.

The more complete outworking of that judgment was fulfilled years later when the Roman army sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the temple in 70 AD, thereby ending the sacrificial system forever.

When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Hebrews 8:13 (NASB95)

Daniel’s Vision

I wrote another article about the partial preterist interpretation of Daniel’s seventy weeks, which you can read, if you like, by clicking on the link above. I believe this interpretation better agrees with scripture and history. You can click here to read more about my position regarding dispensational theology. Below I will summarize a section of my article on Daniel’s vision.

“Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. 25 “Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.” Daniel 9:24–27 (NKJV)

A generally accepted convention for interpreting prophecy is making a day into a year. Below is a breakdown of how the partial preterist position interprets the 70 weeks.

7 weeks (49 years) – 457 BC (the decree of Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem) to 408 BC, during which time were the ministries of Ezra (rebuilding the temple) and Nehemiah (rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem).
62 weeks (434 years ) – 408 BC to the baptism of Jesus in AD 27 (The anointing of the Holy One.) He was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit to carry out the work of the ministry.
1 week (7 years)
- AD 27 to AD 31: 3.5 years – The time from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry until his crucifixion. He was the the Anointed One who was cut off. The Messiah will be cut off, but not for himself, ending the need for any more animal sacrifices. He, the Messiah, shall confirm a covenant – the New Covenant.
- 31 AD to 34 AD: 3.5 years from the crucifixion to the stoning of Stephen, after which the door was officially opened to the Gentiles and a door of opportunity shut for the Jews as a nation. Paul was called and commissioned shortly thereafter.
70 AD: the destruction of the Temple by Titus and the Roman army (the people of the prince), effectively ending all animal sacrifices.

The partial preterist view does not put a 2000-year gap between the 69^th and 70^th week, as does dispensational theology. Therefore, Daniel 9 does not predict what will happen at the very end of time just prior to the Second Coming. If we accept the partial preterist interpretation, it is quite understandable why Daniel was so upset by the vision. God showed him that Israel would reject and murder their Messiah and Jerusalem and the temple destroyed!

Jesus’ Prophetic Warning to Israel

Jesus also foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (Matthew 24:2, Mark 13:2, Luke 21:6, Luke 21:20, Luke 19:43-44), which signified the end of God’s purpose for Israel.

Israel had the glorious role of stewarding God’s promises and the scriptures as well as providing the human pedigree for the Messiah. However, just as John the Baptist’s role was concluded when he introduced Jesus to the nation, Israel’s role sadly reached its end when it fulfilled the scriptures by crucifying the Messiah!

In Acts chapter two, on Pentecost, the apostle Peter offered those present in Jerusalem for the great feast an opportunity to repent of this great evil, and 3000 did! Unfortunately, the preponderance of the people and leaders continued to resist the Holy Spirit, just as Stephen said in his last sermon.

Jesus prophesied that all this would happen and that the kingdom of God would be given to another people, one that would embrace him as Lord.

“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. 44 “And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. Matthew 21:43–45 (NASB95)

This new people was later revealed to be the Church, the “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15) composed of elect Jews and Gentiles who are born again by the Holy Spirit, a new nation and people springing forth from the second or last Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)

God’s Plan All Along

The surprising emergence of the church had been God’s intention all along, contrary to the claims of dispensationalism. The church was not a “plan B,” but was God’s original intent as revealed in several places in Scripture.

...to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Ephesians 3:10–13 (NKJV)

From the beginning of Israel’s history, God revealed that he would eventually destroy that nation for its blatant rebellion and raise up another people who would fulfill his will.

The first example was at Mount Sinai. Moses ascended to mountain to receive the ten commandments. Upon his return, he found that the people had quickly abandoned their devotion to God and made an idol for themselves to worship. Here is God’s pronouncement of judgment.

The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10 “Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” Exodus 32:9–10 (NASB95)

Why did God say this? Did he have a “short fuse” which made him prone to utter rash words in anger? Of course not! God knew that the nation of Israel, like all fallen humans, had zero ability to keep his commandments and remain devoted to him.

In the passage above God prophetically foreshadowed his plan to raise up another prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) from whom he would bring forth another people capable of serving him wholeheartedly. This new people would be the New Covenant church, who would be indwelled and empowered by God’s own Spirit. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Again, when the Israelites rebelled against God in the wilderness on their way to the promised land, God pronounced a judgment that revealed his future plan to raise up the church through Christ.

The LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? 12 “I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.” Numbers 14:11–12 (NASB95)

When Israel came to edge of the Promised Land the first time, once again they rebelled against God’s command to enter the land and conquer the inhabitants. Only Joshua and Caleb had faith in God’s promises. The rest were sentenced to die in the wilderness over the next forty years of wandering. Only Joshua, Caleb, and the new generation were able to eventually obtain the promises of God.

The principle is simple, the old fallen fleshly order cannot inherit the promises of God. Only those born of the Spirit can enter by faith.

Interestingly, once Israel heard God’s pronouncement of his rejection of their generation, they rebelled once again and decided they would after all enter and conquer the Canaanites. But it was too late. The door had been shut. Their attempt to enter in their own strength did not have God’s support or blessing. It was doomed to failure. (Numbers 14:39-45)

I believe that the nation of Israel today is like that group of rebels. Until the people of Israel submit to Jesus as Lord, they will not succeed.

When it came time for Moses to die, he again warned the Israelites of what was to come.

Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you. 27 “For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; behold, while I am still alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the LORD; how much more, then, after my death? Deuteronomy 31:26–27 (NASB95)

Once again, God pointed out that Israel was incapable of pleasing him because that nation was of the flesh, born of Adam, and part of the old fallen order. No flesh can inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50), but only that which is born of God by the Spirit. (John 3:5).

Neither the nation of Israel nor any other human institution or people is capable of pleasing God or inheriting his kingdom outside of the New Covenant transformation caused by the new birth.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB95)

Those whom God so transforms from within are part of God’s elect, the church, the Israel of God. (Galatians 3:7, Galatians 3:29, Galatians 6:16, Romans 2:29, Romans 9:6, Philippians 3:3)

When Joshua was near death, he, too, warned Israel that it was impossible for them to be faithful to God, to which they objected, as we all do before God shows us how hopelessly lost we are without Christ.

Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. 20 “If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.” 21 The people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD.” 22 Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the LORD, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” Joshua 24:19–22 (NASB95)

The Jews who reject Christ will be judged by the Law, as will we all. (John 5:45)

The law’s purpose is to reveal how hopelessly lost we are. It was never a viable means for us to save ourselves through obedience to it. It only showed how badly we need a Savior.

But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:22–29 (NASB95)

It is so difficult for us to admit that we cannot save ourselves, but until we come to the end of thinking we can, we are not ready to receive God’s offer of eternal life through his Son. If we reject the Son, we do not have the Father either. (1 John 2:23) Jesus warned the Jewish leaders that, rather than being children of God, they were offspring of the devil. (John 8:44) Later in Revelation, he calls them the “synagogue of Satan” in two different places.

I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Revelation 2:9 (NASB95) 

Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Revelation 3:9 (NASB95)

These are not my words, but our Lord’s. He was not antisemitic, and neither am I. Jesus spoke the truth, and I attempt to follow in his steps.

The nation of Israel today claims to be God’s chosen people, but they are not. God has only one chosen people, the elect, who are known by their faith and allegiance to Christ.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants...11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, Romans 9:6–8, 11 (NASB95)

For us to believe that the nation of Israel is God’s chosen people is to misunderstand the New Covenant.

We cannot have it both ways. There are not two tracks for salvation, one that pertains only to Israel after the flesh and another that pertains to all other humans through God’s Spirit. God has only one way to be saved, which is through the new birth by faith in Christ’s resurrection and by declaring allegiance to him. (Romans 10:9-10)

To back Israel now as God’s chosen people is akin to when the northern tribes backed Absalom against God’s chosen king.

Those tribes were deceived into supporting a rebel and pretender to the throne. It did not end well. Many died in a vain rebellion against God’s true king. We dare not fall into that trap today by supporting the nation of Israel as it attempts to regain what God stripped from them in 70 AD. They will not succeed.

God will be glorified in Christ and his church through all eternity, not in the nation of Israel.

Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:21 (NLT)

Only those descendants of Abraham who acknowledge that Christ is Lord will be included in what is called the Israel of God.

When all the elect Jews and Gentiles are finally born again into the church, the end will come and all Israel (the true Israel of God) will be saved. (Romans 11:26)

The stoning of Stephen was a prophetic marker that closed the door to the nation of Israel. Thereafter, the true born again Israel of God would be assembled from every nation under heaven.

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:9–10 (NASB95)

Click here to go to more articles on Israel, dispensational theology, and the end times.

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Surrender Unlocks the Door to God’s Secret Place

Posted July 14, 2025July 14, 2025
by petebeck3

God has a secret place where we can find refuge from the trials and tempests of life. We gain entrance to that peaceful place by unconditionally surrendering to the Lord. Peace is one of God’s greatest gifts, which can never be enjoyed by the wicked, those who have never received forgiveness for their sins through Christ’s shed blood. Peace comes as a byproduct of being justified or made right with God.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT)

We experience the peace that Christ won for us by placing our faith in his completed work on the cross, declaring publicly our allegiance to our Lord, and surrendering anything that is working actively against our peace to him in prayer.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NET)

In warfare, strife ceases and peace comes when one side unconditionally surrenders. As long as two opposing wills vie for supremacy, there can be no peace.

God’s will must triumph over ours if we wish to enter the secret place of God.

We are surrounded by Satan’s demonic forces who wish to destroy us, but, surprisingly, sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

Any fear or mistrust we may harbor in our hearts toward God can sabotage our efforts to be loyal to Him.

God is working out his plan for our lives, but if we stubbornly and fearfully refuse to go along with that plan, we may find ourselves opposing God and in need of His correction and deliverance.

Surrender to God and His will requires that we lay down our own agendas and our desire to control our lives.

It means that we must be open to the possibility that God will require us to go through something we dread. This possibility does not seem like good news. In fact, some of my readers may be rebuking this idea already, thinking it is outside of God’s will. But consider that Jesus warned Peter that in his latter years he would be required to go where he did not wish to go.

I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” John 21:18–19 (NLT)

History tells us that Peter was martyred for his allegiance to Christ by being crucified upside down. Jesus knew that almost everyone of his disciples would die for their testimony; yet, he was not hesitant to call them to follow him. God is not squeamish about calling us to suffer for his sake.

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Philippians 1:29 (NASB95)

Paul was informed at the time of his conversion that he would suffer greatly for his allegiance to Christ.

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:15–16 (NASB95)

Peter and Paul surrendered themselves to Christ and his call upon their lives. They refused to run from or resist the call to suffer, which allowed them to experience God’s peace in the midst of what otherwise might have made them fearful.

Unless we unconditionally surrender to God, we cannot have unconditional peace.

Wisdom tells us that, no matter what God may allow to come into our lives, we are first to acknowledge His sovereignty, seek Him and His will in the matter, and then engage the enemy as directed.

When the Philistines attacked David, his first response was to seek the Lord, Who gave him specific instructions regarding how to proceed. Too often Christians flail about in sometimes misguided attempts to fend off spiritual attacks, rather than seek the Lord, who may be allowing the attack in order to do a deep work in the believer.

Sometimes the only way we can find freedom is by going through the very thing we fear so that we discover that God is greater.

When Jesus stood before Pilate, our Lord declared that the Roman ruler could only do to Him what God allowed.

So Pilate said, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority to release you, and to crucify you?” ¹¹ Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of greater sin.” John 19:10-11 (NET)

Before going to the cross, at which time darkness would temporarily rule, Jesus first did business with His heavenly Father – the ultimate Ruler in every situation.

When we find ourselves in a test or trial, we should first go to God and be sure our hearts and wills are submitted to what He wishes to accomplish in our lives through the trial.

It is only against that backdrop of trust and submission that we can know more perfectly what other actions we must take. If instead we simply begin to engage in what we might want to call “spiritual warfare,” we may find ourselves unhappily resisting God Himself. Imagine if Jesus had rebuked Satan instead of surrendering to death as God’s Lamb! This is what Peter advised his Master to do, but Jesus rebuked his misguided friend by telling him that he did not have the things of God in mind. Imagine how foolish it would be for us to fearfully rebuke a pending trial that may be the avenue for our knowing Christ as Provider, Healer, or in whatever other way God wants us to know Him!

Check in with God first. Find out what He wants to do in us; then, join His program. This is what it means to have Christ as Lord.

A severe trial will often cause whatever rebelliousness and fear we still may have deeply buried in our hearts to bubble to the surface. God knew it was there all along, but we may be surprised to discover what is hidden inside of us.

The fire of affliction tests and reveals our hidden motives and the nature and strength of our faith. If we know God loves us enough to expose these things in order to deliver us, we will better be able to endure the process by faith.

Unless we go through the fire, we never know for sure what is inside us. Until we face our fears, the strength of our faith may be somewhat of a mystery. Soldiers who have never been in combat wonder what they will do under fire. No one can know for sure ahead of time. Once we go through our first battle, however, we know.

That which we previously dreaded can become for us a gateway into overcoming faith after we have faced it and found that God’s grace is sufficient and his promises are true.

Job had to endure what he feared so that his subtle self-righteousness and pride would bubble to the surface. God was far more interested in revealing Himself in a greater way to Job than in keeping him pain free.

When we realize that character transformation is a higher priority than our comfort and ease, we will begin to better understand God’s ways.

If we choose to be pliable in His hands, the Lord can mold us how He wishes. As long as our peace hinges on our obtaining a certain set of conditions or a certain answer to prayer, we will always be subject to the fear that God will not grant our wish. Being enslaved to our circumstances is a terrible way to live because we can never be completely at rest. What we dread could be just around the corner…and then what? It is no use trying to insulate ourselves from what we fear by “having enough faith.”

Faith was never designed to protect us from trials: rather, it keeps us while we are in trials.

Ponder Christ’s words:

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage — I have conquered the world. John 16:33 (NET)

If we believe that trusting in Christ is our ticket to a trouble free life, we are in for a shock. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are actually appointed to tribulations.

We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, ³ so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NET)

Trials, afflictions, suffering and tribulations work for us. They teach us perseverance and build character. Here is what Paul wrote to the church in Rome.

Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance, character, and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (NET)

When we resolve to use life’s tests and trials as opportunities to trust in God’s love and ability to keep and deliver us, we can experience unconditional peace. I call this “unconditional peace” because it does not depend on any outward circumstance or condition. Whether we live or die, we can have peace. Whether we get the answer we want or not, we have peace.

Peace resides in a Person, and His name is Jesus. As we fully surrender to that Person, we receive all of what that Person has and is.

One of His titles is the Prince of Peace. His peace becomes our peace, a peace that can never be shaken.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. John 14:27 (NET)

Moses wrote about this place of surrender and peace. It is a secret place hidden from life’s storms and the threats of the enemy. It is a place where God’s peace and presence reign undisturbed. We have access to that secret place by surrendering unconditionally to the Lord in every circumstance.

As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the sovereign One, and resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king — ² I say this about the LORD, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2 (NET)

We can only experience this sort of overcoming faith if we are convinced that God loves us more than we can imagine, is faithful to keep his promises, and is working all things for our good and his glory. (Romans 8:28)

You can read more about the secret place of God’s unconditional peace in my book, Seeing God’s Smile When Life Is Difficult, which can be ordered from Amazon. I wrote this to help people through severe trials, but is helpful to all who wish to develop overcoming faith.

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Passing On Three Spiritual Treasures

Posted July 13, 2025July 13, 2025
by petebeck3

God gave us three spiritual treasures in his Son, Jesus. If we receive these by faith, we can give them away to others. When Jesus was transfigured before three of his disciples, they heard God the Father speak from heaven about his Son, Jesus.

While he [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" Matthew 17:5 (NASB)

What Abba Father spoke over Jesus communicated three spiritual truths or treasures that God wants every one of his born-again children to receive. Jesus heard his Father tell him that he is loved, pleasing, and significant. Another way to put this is that Abba affirmed Jesus’ identity as a beloved son. Abba confirmed Jesus complete acceptance in that he was well-pleasing, and that he Jesus is significant and should be given heed.

Abba gave Jesus a secure sense of identity, acceptance, and significance, which all parents, especially fathers, are supposed to communicate to their own children, too.

If fathers communicate these things, it will equip their offspring to succeed in life. If they fail in this regard, it can create a void or wound that will need filling by someone or something else.

Identity

Knowing who we are is a foundation for successful living. We draw our identity from our parents, especially our fathers. We carry our parents’ DNA and are shaped by their example, words, and values. It is important for children to know that their parents “claim” them and acknowledge that they belong to them.

Too many children have absentee parents today, creating a void in their sense of identity. Abandoned children often wrongly deduce that they are unworthy of being loved, which establishes a negative identity and creates a deep wound in the heart. When a father is a poor examples of Abba, it leaves the child identifying with his bad example or trying to be not like his father. To be not something is a poor substitute for a positive identity.

When parents tell their children that they are beloved sons and daughters, it imparts the spiritual treasure that they are treasured and sets them on a solid foundation for future success.

Security

It is one thing for a parent to love a child and quite another for that parent to show delight in him or her. I have heard parents say something like the following: “I love my child, but I do not like him.” Often parents love their children in the sense that they provide for, protect, and claim them as their own, but they fail to act as if or communicate that they genuinely delight in them. Children pick up on this mixed message, and it can create a deep sense of insecurity. It may cause our child to wonder what is wrong with me that makes me so unlovable. It may signal to her that God does not delight in her either. All of us need for someone to delight in us, and, if parents fail to delight in their children, it sets the stage for us to seek for that elsewhere, making us vulnerable to those who might wish to manipulate or abuse us.

However, when we show delight in our children, we impart a second great treasure which can contribute to their being secure as they launch out into life and have to deal with others who may not be so kind.

Significance

All of us want to feel significant, too. We want to believe that we count for something or are important in some way. Abba Father told the whole world to listen to this Son, affirming his paramount importance. Every child wants to know that his parents regard him to be significant in some way. We all are important in God’s eyes; although, how we are important varies and sometimes may be obscured by our obvious defects.

The gift of encouragement is able to see by faith what is hidden beneath the surface and can assist in bringing it forth.

If we as parents are being challenged with identifying a child’s significance, we should ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. If we communicate indifference or even negativity toward our children, it creates a wound and sets up a lie that promotes failure in many cases. Those with a more combative temperament may use such negativity as an incentive to succeed, but not from a secure position.

When we affirm our children and help them to identify their areas of significance, it will help them to succeed.

The Source of All Blessings

The Bible teaches us that God the Father is the ultimate source of every blessing.

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 (NLT)

Those blessings that come through people originate in him. Earthly fathers are meant to imitate Abba by allowing His blessings to flow through them.

When earthly fathers speak blessings over their children, it opens a conduit from heaven in their lives.

When earthly fathers are passive or indifferent, it can prevent the desired blessing from being passed on to their children. If earthly fathers or mothers speak curses over their children, such as “You will never amount to anything.”, it will create a wound and set up a lie that will likely be believed and acted out.

Ideally, natural fathers will bless their children and give to them the three spiritual treasures outlined above. Eventually, earthly fathers will be able to lead their children to put their faith and allegiance in Christ who will reveal the heavenly Abba to them.

The more faithfully we natural fathers imitate our heavenly Father, the easier it will be for our children to receive Abba’s love.

The more we fail to imitate Abba, the more deformed will be our children’s concept of God.

The Remedy

Whether or not we were privileged to have fathers who blessed us, the ultimate blessing always comes from Abba. He gives us all that we need in Christ.

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, Ephesians 1:3 (NASB)

Even if we had terrible earthly fathers, Abba can more than make up for their failures. Jesus came to forgive us for our sins and restore us to a right relationship with Abba. Our Lord promises to reveal Abba’s heart to us. All we have to do is ask him.

No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known]. John 1:18 (AMP)

If there is a hole or wound in our soul, it is important for us to make it a priority to allow Abba Father to speak into our hearts as he did over Jesus. His words bring life, healing, and faith.

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63 (NLT)

His words to us can undo the damage created by the neglect or evil done by our natural fathers.

Abba’s words can put within us a proper sense of identity, security, and significance that will propel us into our God-given destiny.

Jesus was able to endure the hostility and attacks of his detractors because he had complete security in God. So can we with God’s help.

Prayer

Jesus, I did not receive from my earthly father all that I needed. I thank you that you died for my sins and reconciled me to my heavenly Father. I ask you to reveal our Father’s heart to me in a way that I can understand and receive. Help me to receive from him all I need to be all he wants me to be. Amen.

“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27 (NLT)

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Overcoming the Pain of Self-Inflicted Loneliness

Posted July 10, 2025July 10, 2025
by petebeck3

For most people, loneliness is a painful and undesirable condition. We may experience it through no fault of our own, or it may be that we bring it upon ourselves. We may be our own worst enemy, repelling potential friends because we blindly hate in others what we despise in ourselves.

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. Romans 2:1 (NLT)

We may experience self-inflicted loneliness by being critical and judgmental toward ourselves and others.

As anyone who has lived very long knows, most of us do not respond well to criticism. When criticize others, it reveals that we see ourselves as their judge. It is difficult to be the friend of a judge.

Jesus was called the “friend of sinners.”

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. ² This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! Luke 15:1-2 (NLT)

It was a derogatory title pinned on him by the Jewish religious leaders, who held many of those whom Jesus befriended in contempt. Those leaders believed that they were morally superior because of their knowledge of the Law and their imagined adherence to it. The truth is that we all fall short of God’s glory and fail to measure up to his standard of righteousness. (Romans 3:23)

No one is ever in a place to despise other human beings.

Jesus, on the other hand, who was truly superior in every way, gladly chose to be with those whom the religious leaders shunned. Those labeled as “sinners” picked up on Jesus’ love and were attracted to him, at least the ones whose hearts were open to his message of hope and forgiveness. The interesting thing is that Jesus calls us to leave our sin and follow him, but he does it in such a way that draws humble people toward him rather than pushing them away, as the religious hypocrites did.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Criticism breeds criticism. Rejection usually experiences rejection in return, but love draws people.

Only God has the right to condemn people for their sins. Thankfully, he provided a remedy for our guilt in his Son, who died on our behalf in order to provide forgiveness and reconciliation. Those who reject the good news that Jesus took our sins upon himself, can only expect judgment from God when they die and stand before him. However, those who believe the gospel receive and enjoy God’s love. God’s heart is open toward anyone who is willing to admit his or her desperate need for forgiveness and help.

Pride is harsh and unforgiving, but humility is gentle and inviting. Pride inspires us to criticize and judge others; while, humility prompts us to show mercy.

Demonstrating humility is a huge key to overcoming self-inflicted loneliness by drawing and keeping friends.

Mature followers of Christ learn how to make proper assessments of people without descending into thinking we are somehow superior. Jesus completely knows people and their motives, but that did not keep him aloof or prevent him from being kind and merciful toward us. Nothing is hidden from him, but his heart remains open to those who are open to him, regardless of their shortcomings and failures. That is one reason we have hope.

We may find that those we formerly criticized and rejected have much to offer in the way of friendship, if we treat them as we wish to be treated. We can ask the Holy Spirit to take the “log” out of our own eyes, so that we will be able to properly see others through God’s eyes. If we make the effort to be friends with those whom we may be tempted to judge, just maybe someone will decide to be a friend of that other sinner each of us knows so very well.

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Cognitive Dissonance – Gateway to Repentance

Posted July 9, 2025
by petebeck3

Cognitive dissonance describes the unease we feel when we are confronted with new information that opposes what we have always thought to be true. It forces us to decide either to embrace the new truth or reject it in favor of what we previously thought. Repentance is the English word that translates the Greek metanoeo, which means to change the mind. It is easy to see that cognitive dissonance often precedes repentance.

Jesus called Satan the “father of lies” in whom there is no truth at all. (John 8:44) Since the Garden of Eden, his master plan for humanity is to deceive us into joining him in his rebellion against God and thereby destroy us. He cannot directly curse us, but he can trick us into sinning and bringing upon ourselves God’s righteous judgment.

The Bible says that Satan deceives the entire world or inhabited earth (Revelation 12:9); so, we should not imagine we are immune to his lies. The Bible goes on to say that the entire world or cosmos lies in Satan’s power. (1 John 5:19) His lies extend to every area of human thought and activity, not just the religious realm. Morality, science, education, medicine, government, the media, and all human relations also are impacted by the breadth and depth of Satan’s deception.

The purpose of the devil’s lies is to keep us from seeing and embracing God and his truth, which has the power to save and liberate us. (John 8:31-32)

In the church and the world, false teachers feed us lies to set us up to see or understand things incorrectly so that when we encounter truth it seems wrong to us. This was certainly true regarding Jesus’ first coming. False teachers taught the Jewish people to expect a Messiah who would restore Israel to its former prominence and glory, overthrow Roman oppression, and be God’s instrument to rule and bless the world. When the real Messiah showed up, those false expectations kept most people from recognizing him. The cognitive dissonance created by Jesus’ not being what they expected from the Messiah required that:

They repent from their false belief and embrace God’s truth, or,
They reject the true Messiah in favor of a false version of reality.

The Bible gives us clear examples of each. Nicodemus was a Pharisee who was steeped in the pride of being part of the ruling religious elite and who had been indoctrinated to see things from a narrow legal perspective regarding all things spiritual. Nevertheless, when he was confronted by the obvious truth that God was behind the miracles Jesus performed (John 3:2), he was open to changing his mind. He decided to talk one-on-one with the Lord, which apparently led to his conversion (John 19:39). In his case, cognitive dissonance prompted him to further investigate the claims that stood in opposition to his former thinking. This is how cognitive dissonance can become a gateway to repentance.

On the other side, we have many examples of those who experienced cognitive dissonance in Jesus’ presence but chose to reject his claims and hang on to their old way of thinking rather than repent. One of the clearest examples is when Jesus healed the blind man in John Chapter 9. When confronted by the obvious miracle, the Pharisees refused to acknowledge God’s hand in it. The man who had been healed called them out.

We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. 32 “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 “If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out. John 9:31–34 (NASB95)

The previously blind man could clearly see that Jesus was from God, but those who were educated in the Bible refused to acknowledge the obvious. How ironic. And because they refused to embrace truth when confronted with it, their judgment was sealed.

And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains. John 9:39–41 (NASB95)

Cognitive dissonance either opens our hearts to repent and accept the truth or it welds shut the gates of our self-imposed prison of lies. What we do when we are confronted with the truth of God’s Word greatly affects our destinies.

This principle holds for all areas of truth. We are tested in our allegiance to God’s Word above all things. When God’s truth confronts long held false beliefs, we are faced with a choice – repent or worship the false idol represented by the lie. May God grant us repentance and a willingness to let go of everything that contradicts God’s Word.

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Are We Being Loyal to the Truth of God’s Word?

Posted July 8, 2025July 8, 2025
by petebeck3

Every day, when we look upon creation, God intends for us to be profoundly impacted by the truth it reveals about him. What God made reflects who he is. This is called general revelation.

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1 (NKJV)

What do we know about the heavens by observing them? Has God given us a way to penetrate its mysteries? Are we left to our own devices, or has God revealed in his Word what we need to know?

Since the Scientific Revolution, modern man for the most part has rejected the Bible as the ultimate source of truth regarding the creation.

Most of modern astrophysics contradicts what scripture says about the earth and heavens. If we naively accept what Bible-rejecting scientists tell us about creation, we are not being loyal to God’s truth as revealed in the Bible.

The Scripture commands us to affirm that God’s Word is true, even if it means we must call every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)

Our meditations on the general revelation of creation will point us to the Creator only if these thoughts agree with Scripture. How can a lie possibly testify to the glory of God? In a similar fashion, our journey to know God better as a disciple of Christ will only be successful if our path adheres to the truth revealed in the Bible.

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17 (NASB95)

Most people, even Christians, it seems, have yet to come to terms with how much the world system in which we live lies to us.

We imagine that our government, education system, and scientists routinely tell us the truth, which contradicts what our Lord told us about the world system in the Bible.

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:19–20 (NASB95)

Since Satan is the master deceiver in whom there is no truth at all (John 8:44), it should not surprise us that the world system he rules consistently lies to us.

The truth testifies to God; therefore, Satan hides truth in every possible way about everything important.

God has been opening many people’s eyes over the last few decades to the scope and depth of our own government’s commitment to deception. We are at the point now predicted by a former head of the CIA.

I am of the opinion that our government now mockingly shows its hand by making its lies look as ridiculous as possible to test just how gullible and compliant the public has become. We are tested to see if we will embrace that which we know is false, such as the lie that there are more than two genders. Sadly, a huge proportion of the people around the world bought this lie, despite its obvious falsehood.

When we accept the declarations of so-called experts over our own common sense and observations, we become willing slaves to deception.

Once we grasp that those in power routinely lie to us about almost everything, especially the really important things, we must decide who and what we will believe. Is there a source of information that is always true upon which we can completely rely? The Bible is exactly that; yet, so many today distrust the Bible and throw it overboard in deference to what scientists tell us.

I am convinced that God is allowing us to be tested regarding our loyalty to the truth of his Word.

Will we join the Reformers by insisting that God’s Word is the ultimate source of truth (Sola Scriptura), or will we cave to the Scientific Revolution and agree that science trumps the Bible (Sciencia Prima)?

Please keep in mind the warning delivered by our Lord.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26 (NASB95)

This is our time to shine by declaring allegiance to Christ and to his Word, which invariably pits us against the lying world system. Do we have ears to hear and a heart to understand, or have we been seduced by the devil to agree with him and call God a liar? God forbid!

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We Will Never Measure Up in God’s Eyes

Posted July 6, 2025July 6, 2025
by petebeck3

Most of us want some way to measure how we are doing or to learn where we are on the journey called life. That is why most companies set goals and then measure their progress against their ambitions. In relationships, we want to have clear signals regarding how we are perceived or regarded by individuals or groups to whom we relate or belong. The same is true when it comes to God and our relationship and standing with him. Can we measure our spirituality or where we stand with God?

The Law of Moses gave clear standards by which individuals and the nation could judge. It the people kept God’s laws, they were blessed. If they disobeyed them, they came under judgment. How unnerving it must have been when Moses told the nation that they would utterly abandon God in the days ahead. (Deuteronomy 31:29)

From the beginning, God made it clear that it is not in us to be able to keep his righteous requirements. We will never be able to measure up! That is why the old covenant, the Law of Moses, had to be replaced by a new one, which is not based on our performance at all.

Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” Galatians 2:16 (NLT)

Nevertheless, there is something in all of us that desperately wants to be good enough on our own, even after being justified in God’s sight by faith in Christ’s completed work. We fight against any notion that this is an impossible dream.

As long as we hold on to the illusion of being able to be good enough to please God, we will never discover the really good news that we don’t have to be.

Because Jesus was good enough, we do not have to measure up in any way except to believe in and be loyal to him.

Because Jesus met every measurable standard of righteousness, we are not subject to being measured.

When we put our faith in Christ, we were given Christ’s perfect right standing with God, which is called justification. We don’t always appear outwardly righteous or act as we should, but who is measuring? Not God. Nor should we.

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:33–34 (NASB95)

Once we stop worrying about measuring up in God’s and other people’s eyes, we are able to live as a joyful servant of the Lord and others.

What a relief when we fully accept what Christ has done for us!

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)

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How to Escape from the Prison of Bitterness

Posted July 5, 2025July 5, 2025
by petebeck3

Bitterness imprisons its victims and subjects them to demonic harassment, a kind of self-inflicted torture.

Jesus was very clear on this matter.

Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” Matthew 18:32–35 (NLT)

Entertaining bitterness is one of the worst sins that a believer in Christ can commit.

It undercuts the mercy shown to us when we were forgiven by God. Forgiveness is the act of releasing an offender from a debt. In the parable quoted above, Jesus used a financial debt to illustrate the principle. Most of us however, do not owe God a debt of money. Ours is much more serious. The sin debt can never be paid by us. The parable of the unrighteous servant made this clear. The servant owed his master a vast sum. He asked for more time to pay it off, but the master knew that it was a hopeless endeavor and forgave him the entire amount.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 1:7 (NASB)

The servant remained deceived and did not appreciate the mercy extended to him. He thought he only needed more time. As a result, he imagined that he could eventually pay what he thought he still owed. He did not accept or appreciate his being released from debt by his master or he would have acted differently. Instead he roughly treated someone who owed him a minor debt and threw him in prison when he could not pay. When the master heard, his anger flared, and you know the rest of the story.

To forgive is to completely release someone from the debt they owe us.

It does not require us to trust an offender or be reconciled. Forgiveness can be unilateral, but reconciliation requires both parties to participate.

Forgiveness is not the equivalent of saying that what was done to us was no big deal.

It is quite the opposite. We cannot adequately forgive someone until we squarely face the evil he or she perpetrated against us. We should never minimize the offense when offering forgiveness. Instead, we should acknowledge what was done and release the perpetrator from any hatred or resentment we may have harbored against them. In addition, we let go of any demands we have made on them as “pay back”.

When we forgive a person, they are released from owing us anything, but that does not release them from their sin debt against God.

There is only one way to be released from God’s justice – by trusting in Jesus’ shed blood. Jesus offered himself as the Lamb of God to pay the penalty for our sins. We find our personal forgiveness that way, and anyone who sins against God can find the same release from divine justice.

We can release guilty people from the debt they may owe us, but only God can remove guilt and condemnation.

Whoever does not take advantage of God’s magnanimous offer through he gospel will face the awful wrath of God at the last judgment. Vengeance belongs to God, not us. When we release people from our own demand for justice, it puts them in God’s hands, the one to whom vengeance belongs.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:19–21 (NLT)

When we refuse to forgive others, it is tantamount to saying we do not need forgiveness.

People who would perish in hell except for God’s undeserved mercy should not self-righteously refuse to extend mercy to others. In effect, that would be saying that we have a higher standard of justice than God!

Some say that when we forgive it is not as much for the other person as it is for ourselves. In fact, both are true. We release others from our judgment which frees them up to face God directly instead of being distracted by our offense against them. Additionally, we release ourselves from the prison of bitterness, a very painful and lonely place.

It is a scriptural principle that whatever we focus upon tends to control and mold us. The more we focus on what we should not be doing, the greater it dominates our thoughts. Contrariwise, when we focus on the Lord, we are changed into his image.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 (NKJV)

When we focus on sin, it molds us into its image, according to Paul.

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 1 Corinthians 15:56 (NKJV)

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Romans 7:7–11 (NKJV)

Instead, when we focus on the Lord and worship him, we are transformed into his image by the Holy Spirit.

When we hold bitterness against someone, it causes us to dwell on the offense. As we meditate upon our resentment and the evil done to us, we are changed into its image. Ironically, bitterness transforms us the one whom we hate.

When God sees that we have not yet learned the meaning and value of mercy, he may lock us up in our self-made prison and assign demonic torturers to oppress us until we come to our senses. God does this because he loves us.

The Lord knows that we can never adequately experience the joys of forgiveness until we learn to forgive.

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14–15 (NLT)

If we imprison ourselves in bitterness, we may not experience the felt presence of God. Joy tends to dry up. It becomes difficult to hear the Spirit speak to us. Little spiritual progress can be made until we let go of bitterness.

Repentance and forgiveness are keys to open the prison door.

If we change our mind (repent) about holding on to offenses and choose to release anyone who has offended us, the prison door swings upon and we are free to go.

Bitterness can be obvious or very subtle. Sometimes we can be bitter without realizing it. We can be offended with God, ourselves, and others. Those who are offended with God are in deep peril. Jesus warned against this great danger.

Once when Jesus shared a teaching that was hard to understand, many of his followers turned back and ceased to follow him. Observing this, Jesus asked his disciples:

Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? John 6:61b–62 (NKJV)

Sometimes God offends our intellects to test our hearts. He does not explain everything he does. Instead, he asks us to trust him, even during difficult times.

Holding an offense against God is the height of arrogance.

To do so it is to say we are more righteous than he! I have known some people who turned their backs on God because he allowed something to happen that they thought was unloving or unrighteous. God is indeed sovereign, but we must not forget that sin is responsible for the great evils in our world, not God.

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD. Proverbs 19:3 (NLT)

If we are holding an offense against God, it is best to repent at once.

We have no right to accuse God of anything ever. Humbling ourselves before God opens the door to many blessings.

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:6 (NKJV)

Sometimes we might take offense with ourselves, which may make it difficult for us to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. If we are tempted to do this, it means we have never truly understood the depths of our personal depravity. We still imagine that we are not so bad after all. But the Bible teaches us that no one is righteous before God. No one deserves mercy, not even I.

When we understand our spiritually bankrupt state, it frees us to receive mercy from God.

Those of us who still live in the deception of feeling self-righteous have a more difficult time receiving from God. We need to get over it. We are not good people. We need far more mercy than we realize!

Bitterness against other people is usually what we must overcome, however. It is usually pretty easy to spot a bitter person because they continually bring up the offense that is always fresh in their minds.

If we keep bringing up what someone did to us, we can conclude that we have not yet forgiven that person as yet.

Jesus said that we must forgive from the heart, which is impossible without help from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we simply need to admit to God that we need his help to forgive. I remember counseling a person who could not bring herself to forgive someone. I asked her if she were willing for God to make her willing. She was; so, I led her in a prayer to that effect. Afterward she was able to forgive.

Forgiveness is an act of the will. We choose to forgive and trust the Holy Spirit to make it heartfelt… eventually.

When we pray to forgive, it is not enough to ask the Lord to help us to do so. We must declare it aloud and be specific. Lord, I forgive (fill in the blank) for (fill in the blank).

Sometimes we know immediately whom we need to forgive. Sometimes we need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us. We should not become introspective about it. Rather, we should trust the Spirit to show us anyone we need to forgive. He will do it because God takes a vital interest in delivering us from this terrible sin.

We should love to show mercy because the merciful will receive mercy.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 (NLT)

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13 (NKJV)

Only those who humbly acknowledge their own great need for mercy will experience the fullness of God’s love and forgiveness.

The more we understand our need for mercy, the more we will love God and be able to forgive others.

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Luke 7:47 (NLT)

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for arrogantly imagining that I am not in desperate need of your mercy. I humbly receive your mercy and choose to forgive. (Be as specific as necessary.) Now, Holy Spirit, I ask you to release me from all bitterness. I walk out of my self-imposed prison into the glorious freedom of forgiveness. Amen.

You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

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How Strong Is My Anchor?

Posted July 4, 2025July 4, 2025
by petebeck3

When a ship is being pounded in a storm, sometimes the best step is to anchor it until the fury subsides. This can also be our best action when life besets us with storms.

When we are in school, we look forward to the day when we will no longer be subject to pop quizzes, tests, and final exams. Even after graduation, we remain in what might be thought of as the school of life, which is full of challenges and tests. Tests and difficulties are woven into the fabric of life. If we are children of God, he uses them to reveal what is in our hearts and to help us grow in our faith and devotion to him. We can learn and mature as a product of testing, or we can flounder, profiting little.

Jesus gave us some comforting words to help us.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)

No matter what happens to us, we have a promise from Jesus that we can always experience his peace. Some of us have already experienced the fulfillment of this promise first hand. Others of us will eventually, if we keep our faith and focus on the Lord. But what about those times when the storm that comes at us is so severe that we feel as if we are barely able to hang on to God and his promises? What can we do if we feel as if things are hopeless, confusing, and spinning out of control?

When life seems like a violent storm pushing us against deadly reefs, we need an anchor to help us ride out the storm. Consider these words.

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT)

Jesus already successfully navigated the worst storm imaginable at Calvary. He endured the confusion of contradiction, the abandonment and betrayal of friends, false accusations by enemies, injustice, horrible suffering, and a humiliating death. Through the apparent hopelessness of it all, he did not waver in his faith in his loving Father and the promises in the Word of God. He made the decision to enter that vortex of suffering, knowing full well what was ahead, because he fully trusted his Abba Father to be his Keeper.

When Jesus rose from the dead, his’ victory over fear and hopelessness was complete. All who trust in him share in that victory.

When it is our time to enter into testing and trial, it is important for us to make some conscious choices. It is important for us to make a stand against any emotions of fear, doubt, and confusion that may arise in our minds and hearts. The devil, who is the father of lies, attempts to get us to believe his lies instead of God’s truth in order to gain an advantage over us. Satan tells us that God is not there, that he does not even care, or perhaps that he is unable to help us. He tells us that God and his promises cannot be fully trusted. He reminds us of our faults and failings, instilling in our minds the idea that we don’t deserve God’s help anyway. Others may be blessed, but not us. Therefore, faith is useless. We must either give up altogether or take matters into our own hands.

When Satan’s lies line up with our own false interpretation of reality, it creates a powerful pull to abandon our trust in God.

The Bible calls these lies “strongholds,” which are logical arguments we make that nullify the truth and impact of God’s Word. These devilish speculations must be destroyed using spiritual weapons. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Four of the weapons God has given us are:

The truth of God’s Word,
Our faith in God and his promises,
The presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and
Praise.

Unfortunately many of us have at one time or another succumbed to this temptation and have lost hope, surrendered to fear, and perhaps became quite angry at God and life. Perhaps you are in that place right now. There is hope in the Lord.

We dare not fail this test because it will engender negative consequences for us and those we love. Those we love are watching how we navigate life in relationship to our faith in the Lord. Our obedience will positively impact our friends and families, not to mention our own lives.

The Bible encourages us by telling us what will be the outcome for those who refuse to abandon their hope in God and his promises.

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV)

Our ability to survive and thrive in the midst of the strains and confusion of life depends on our holding to the following three convictions or anchors.

God is loving and good. Satan seeks to cut the line to this anchor of faith, and, if he does, we have little to hold us. However, if we maintain our confidence that God is loving and good, despite our circumstances or past experiences, we will be able to overcome adversity. God is glorified when we make this choice.
God is powerful. This anchor of conviction upholds that God is sovereign over all things. He is not in a struggle against evil in which the outcome is in doubt. He is not evenly matched against some evil foe. He is the Supreme Being in whom we can fully trust him at all times. Jesus’ resurrection sealed the doom of Satan and the certainty of our eternal inheritance once and for all.
God is working all things for my good and his glory. This anchor is the logical outcome of believing the first two points above and is where the victory in our minds and hearts is won. Romans 8:28 states that everything is being worked out for our good by a loving and powerful God. He will be glorified in and through us if we maintain our confidence through the test.

These three anchors of faith give us a reason to make the choice to praise God for his goodness, his power, and for working all things out for his glory and our best interests. We can choose to praise God despite our natural inclination to wallow in fear, doubt, and self-pity. We are able to choose to praise him even when our emotions are flat or even depressed. We can praise him for who he is, what he has promised, and what we believe he will do on our behalf!

When we offer to God the sacrifice of praise in the midst of confusing and difficult situations, it is a God-glorifying act of faith and a powerful spiritual weapon.

Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands— ⁷ to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, ⁸ to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, ⁹ to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the LORD! Psalm 149:6-9 (NLT)

Through holding on to the anchor of faith and choosing to offer God praise we can transition from hopelessness and fear to a place of peace and victorious faith.

We can experience what it means to be an overcomer, all because we make the choice to trust God and his promises in spite of all that is opposed to us. We will have an anchor for the soul that cannot be moved!

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Freedom from Shame

Posted July 3, 2025July 3, 2025
by petebeck3

The fear of being put to shame can enslave and prevent us from courageously facing the challenges of life. God understands this and has provided a way for us to walk free of this insidious tyranny.

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalms 34:5 (NLT)

Shame can be either a painful negative emotion resulting from having done something specific that was wrong of foolish, or it can be a general pervasive negative emotional state resulting from a chronic sense of self-reproach or failure. The latter may originate in childhood and is more difficult to alleviate. Some of our shame is well-deserved. If we sin against God and others, shame can be the just consequence. It certainly was for Adam and Eve.

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. ⁷ At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. Genesis 3:6-7 (NLT)

Sin reveals the unseemly side of us that most of us wish to conceal.

When the shame of our sin is exposed, we usually try to hide.

This can make relating to others a big challenge, since we may go to great lengths to hide anything in us is connected to shame. We may anticipate that, if we are truly known, we will be rejected, which is sometimes the case, as it turns out. As a result, sometimes we grow to like or love someone based on the façade presented to us, rather than the real person. This is unnerving to the person who is hiding because of the fear of one day being exposed. This kind of hiding can involve big issues or small. Eventually whatever is connected to our shame will surface, however, and that is when relationships are tested. This process can lead to a necessary disillusionment that forces us to face the truth, which is often a necessary step in building a strong relationship or marriage.

Deep friendships and great marriages can happen when people take down the façade and continue to love one another despite knowing about the other person’s weaknesses and sin.

Conversely, friendships and marriages can rip apart if the deception and resulting disillusionment are too great. This can also happen to relationships in a church.

Most of the time we do not truly know a person until after we have a disagreement with them or go through a crisis together.

How we weather those storms can more perfectly reveal the nature and depth of our relationship. One of my mentors once told me that he never trusted a person until after he had a fight with him. Whenever a new person or family joins a church, it takes a while to get to know them. At first, we do not know if they will prove to be good friends and valuable assets to us or not. Time will tell.

Disappointment and disillusionment are risks we take when we dare to love people.

There are countless numbers of believers who are drifting with no church home because at some point they were hurt and disillusioned by members of some local church.

Part of the problem is that they were not prepared to encounter disillusionment. If we are going to survive and thrive in a very sinful world, we must come to terms with the fact that people are not always who we pretend to be.

One person who is incapable of being disillusioned is God.

God knows us completely and anticipates every thought, world, and action we will ever take. Nothing we ever do surprises him.

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. ² You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. ³ You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. ⁴ You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. ⁵ You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT)

God’s omniscience makes it even more remarkable and encouraging that he chooses people to belong to him even before they are born.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. ⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:3-5 (NLT)

Adoption is never by accident. It is an intentional act of love. Every child, whether biological or adopted, is a treasure. Parents may have some idea of who their biological children are, but the full revelation comes over time. Adoptive parents have less of an idea of who their children may be, since they usually have no clue what family traits may have been passed down. But God knows everything about all of us up front. He will never step back in disgust or disappointment after we make a huge misstep or sin, thinking that he made a mistake in choosing you or me.

God knew ahead of time all we would ever think, say, or do, and still chose to love us. This is a big antidote to shame.

Abandonment and rejection are roots of shame. These two things signify that we are of little value, at least that is what the devil wants us to think. If we experience abandonment or rejection, we may know the reason or may be left to imagine it. Little children and some adults are quick to assume blame, even when it is not our fault, thinking that there must be something wrong with us that is responsible for others rejecting us. Left unchecked, this can lead to the development of a pervasive since of shame mentioned earlier in this article..

Sometimes shame can be associated with sinful things we have done or were done to us. People who sexually abuse others, for example, should feel shame for their actions; that is, until and if they experience the forgiveness and cleansing provided by our Lord Jesus. Children who are preyed upon by these abusers also may experience a sense of shame, even what happened was not their fault. In fact, many predators lay the blame on their young victims, establishing a “lie-based stronghold” of guilt and shame in that young one’s mind. This sort of lie must be replaced with the truth in order for shame to be eradicated.

Whether our shame was earned through our own sinfulness or improperly thrust upon us, Jesus has done everything necessary to set us free.

When Jesus hung naked upon the cross, enduring scorn, rejection, abandonment, injustice, and disgrace, he took that shame on our behalf, along with the shame attached to our sin. Just as He carried our sin and guilt to the cross, He also bore our shame there.

...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)

Because He carried our shame, we do not have to bear it.

Here are some promises.

"Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. The shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood will be remembered no more, ⁵for your Creator will be your husband. The LORD Almighty is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth. ⁶For the LORD has called you back from your grief—as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband," says your God. ⁷"For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will take you back. ⁸In a moment of anger I turned my face away for a little while. But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer. Isaiah 54:4-8 (NLT)

But the LORD will save the people of Israel with eternal salvation. They will never again be humiliated and disgraced throughout everlasting ages. Isaiah 45:17 (NLT) 

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." 1 Peter 2:6 (NKJV)

Did Jesus liberate anyone from shame during his three-year itinerant ministry? The answer is “Yes!” He set free the demoniac, who endured the shame and disgrace attached to his condition. He was forced to live alone in the tombs away from society. Jesus healed lepers who had to isolate themselves and cry out “unclean” whenever they moved about. Jesus allowed the adulteress in John Chapter 8 to walk away forgiven and with dignity after rescuing her from those who would have stoned her to death for her publicly exposed sin. He forgave and restored Peter, who shamed himself and his Lord by denying him publicly three times. Jesus was big on delivering people from shame then and continues to be to this day.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

Therefore, we who follow Christ are able to know that our shame has been carried away by Our Lord Jesus Christ and we no longer must bear it.

We can throw off any oppressive weight of shame by faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross and can so honor the One who was shamed for our sake. We can make it our aim to honor and glorify God by putting our full trust in him and his promises and by boldly declaring the Gospel and name of Christ without fear of any shame the world may attempt to thrust upon us for doing that. If we are proud of our Lord, he will return the favor at the Last Judgment.

Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 (NLT)

Let’s trust the Lord to help us to be bold witnesses for Christ. Whenever we may fall short, let’s quickly repent and receive forgiveness and cleansing from our sin and shame and have another go at it.

See other articles in this series.

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Third Peter

Category: Discipleship Essentials

The Prophetic Significance of the Stoning of Stephen for Israel

Daniel’s Vision

Jesus’ Prophetic Warning to Israel

God’s Plan All Along

Click here to go to more articles on Israel, dispensational theology, and the end times.

Surrender Unlocks the Door to God’s Secret Place

Passing On Three Spiritual Treasures

Identity

Security

Significance

The Source of All Blessings

The Remedy

Prayer

Overcoming the Pain of Self-Inflicted Loneliness

Cognitive Dissonance – Gateway to Repentance

Are We Being Loyal to the Truth of God’s Word?

We Will Never Measure Up in God’s Eyes

How to Escape from the Prison of Bitterness

Prayer

How Strong Is My Anchor?

Freedom from Shame

See other articles in this series.