Author: Humility is Beautiful... (Kevin Schafer)

HIGH FIVE! (busy day… LET’S START IT OFF RIGHT)

In Zechariah 12:1–13:1, the prophet delivers a sweeping vision of God’s defense of Jerusalem, the nations’ confrontation with Israel, and the ultimate mourning and cleansing that comes through the pierced one—pointing both to God’s covenant faithfulness and the messianic hope fulfilled in Christ.

🌟 Key Themes and Significance

• God’s Sovereignty (12:1) The passage begins by affirming God as Creator of heaven, earth, and the human spirit. This sets the stage: the events described are not random but orchestrated by the One who rules over all.
• Jerusalem as a Burdensome Stone (12:2–3) Jerusalem is depicted as a cup of staggering and a heavy stone—a city that nations attempt to overpower but only injure themselves in the process. This symbolizes God’s protection of His people and the futility of opposing His plan.
• Divine Defense (12:4–9) God promises to strike enemies with confusion while strengthening Judah. The clans of Judah recognize that their strength comes from the Lord, not human power. This highlights divine intervention in Israel’s survival.
• The Pierced One (12:10) One of the most profound verses: “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.”
  • In Jewish context: a prophecy of deep national repentance.
  • In Christian interpretation: a direct foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion, where the people mourn the Messiah they rejected.
• National Mourning (12:11–14) The mourning is described as widespread, from leaders to families, showing that repentance is both communal and personal. It emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the need for reconciliation with God.
• Cleansing Fountain (13:1) The climax: “On that day a fountain will be opened… to cleanse them from sin and impurity.”
  • Symbolizes God’s provision of forgiveness and purification.
  • In Christian theology, this is fulfilled in the blood of Christ, which cleanses believers from sin.

✨ Theological Significance

• For Israel: Assurance of God’s protection and promise of ultimate restoration.
• For Christianity: A messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus’ crucifixion and the cleansing power of His sacrifice.
• For all readers: A reminder that God’s plan includes both judgment and mercy, leading to repentance and renewal.

📖 Why It Matters Today

• Hope in God’s sovereignty: Nations may rage, but God’s purposes stand firm.
• Call to repentance: Mourning over sin is the gateway to cleansing.
• Messianic fulfillment: The pierced one is central to salvation history, bridging Old Testament prophecy and New Testament reality.

In short, Zechariah 12:1–13:1 is a prophetic masterpiece: it portrays God’s defense of His people, the piercing of the Messiah, and the opening of a fountain of cleansing—uniting themes of judgment, repentance, and redemption.

Would you like me to break this down into a poetic reflection—something that ties the imagery of the “pierced one” and “fountain of cleansing” into a devotional style you could use for prayer or meditation?

NO THANKS… That is a lot of information… too much for me to entertain… THIS MORNING, I AM GOING TO TAKE MY MOM TO THE DOCTOR… SHE IS GOING TO GET THAT SALVARY GLAND CHECKED OUT… I NEED TO GET THIS DAY STARTED AND GET TO THAT GYM… IT WILL BE A BUSY ONE.

It sounds like you’ve got a full morning lined up, Kevin—taking care of your mom, then making time for your own health at the gym. That’s a lot of responsibility and balance in the morning, but it really reflects your steady mix of care and discipline.

Here’s a little encouragement to carry with you:

“Strength and compassion walk hand in hand—one for the body, one for the soul.”

You’re showing both today by supporting your mom and keeping yourself on track. I hope her appointment goes smoothly and gives you both peace of mind. And when you hit the gym, think of it as refueling your own energy for everything else you’re carrying.

(FRIENDSGIVING TONIGHT!)

HIGH FIVE! (let’s go2 church together… MY ANCESTORS ARE FROM CORNWALL, England)

Hebrews 10:32–39 emphasizes the call to enduring faith—reminding believers to persevere through trials, hold fast to their confidence in Christ, and trust in God’s promised reward.

✨ Key Themes in Hebrews 10:32–39

• Remember past endurance (v. 32–34): The writer urges believers to recall earlier times when they endured suffering, reproach, and even loss of property with joy, because they trusted in a “better possession and an abiding one.” This memory serves as encouragement to remain steadfast now.
• Hold on to confidence (v. 35): Confidence in Christ is described as having “a great reward.” The passage warns against throwing it away, highlighting faith as the anchor that secures eternal promises.
• The need for endurance (v. 36): Endurance is not passive—it is active perseverance in doing God’s will, with the assurance of receiving what He has promised.
• Hope in Christ’s return (vv. 37–38): The text quotes Habakkuk 2:3–4: “The righteous shall live by faith.” This ties perseverance to eschatological hope—the certainty that Christ will come, and faith will be vindicated.
• Do not shrink back (v. 39): The passage closes with a strong affirmation: true believers are not those who “shrink back and are destroyed,” but those who “have faith and preserve their souls.” It’s both a warning and a reassurance.

📖 The Significance

1. Encouragement after warning: Hebrews 10:26–31 warns of judgment for those who abandon Christ. Verses 32–39 balance that warning with encouragement, affirming that the audience has already shown faithfulness and can continue to endure.
2. Faith as endurance: Faith here is not just belief—it’s enduring trust in God despite suffering. The passage reframes hardship as evidence of belonging to Christ, not abandonment.
3. Perspective of reward: The text shifts focus from present loss to eternal gain. Believers are reminded that their sacrifices are temporary compared to the lasting inheritance in Christ.
4. Community solidarity: The audience is praised for showing compassion to prisoners and sharing in others’ suffering. This highlights the communal aspect of faith—bearing one another’s burdens strengthens endurance.

🌟 Why It Matters Today

• For personal trials: It reminds us that struggles are not signs of failure but opportunities to deepen faith.
• For leadership and encouragement: Just as the writer recalls the community’s past endurance, leaders today can affirm resilience in others to inspire perseverance.
• For hope in uncertainty: The promise of Christ’s return anchors believers in a future beyond present hardship.

In short, Hebrews 10:32–39 is a rallying cry for perseverance, urging believers to remember past faithfulness, endure present trials, and fix their hope on Christ’s coming reward.

Kevin, since you often blend spiritual reflection with encouragement in your leadership, this passage could be a powerful anchor for your Toastmasters reports or prayers—reminding others that endurance in faith is not just survival, but a confident march toward God’s promises.

I AM READING THE LESSONS THIS MORNING.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

HIGH FIVE! (My Fantasy Football Team did not do so well last night)

✨ Let’s unpack the richness of 1 John 3:1–2, because these verses are truly central to Christian identity and hope:

📖 The Text (NIV)

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

🌟 Significance

1. Identity Rooted in God’s Love

• The passage begins with awe: “See what great love…”
• It emphasizes that being called children of God is not earned but a gift of divine love.
• This identity is secure and present: “And that is what we are!” — a declaration of belonging.

2. Contrast with the World

• The world doesn’t recognize believers because it doesn’t recognize Christ.
• This highlights the tension between living as God’s children and being misunderstood or unseen by worldly standards.

3. Present Reality vs. Future Hope

• Right now: “we are children of God.”
• Future: “what we will be has not yet been made known.”
• This points to the mystery of transformation — believers live in the “already” of adoption but the “not yet” of full glorification.

4. Promise of Transformation

• When Christ appears, believers will be like Him.
• This doesn’t mean loss of individuality, but sharing in His glory, purity, and eternal life.
• The vision of Christ (“we shall see him as he is”) is transformative — seeing Him fully will change us fully.

✨ Theological Themes

• Adoption: God’s love makes us His children.
• Sanctification & Glorification: Present growth in holiness, future perfection in Christ.
• Hope: Assurance that our destiny is to be like Christ.
• Love as Foundation: Everything flows from the Father’s lavish love.

💡 Reflection

For someone like you, Kevin — who blends spiritual reflection with leadership and creative encouragement — this passage is a reminder that your identity isn’t defined by roles, titles, or recognition. It’s anchored in being a beloved child of God, with a future that shines brighter than you can yet imagine. That truth can fuel both your prayerful care for others and your joyful resilience in transitions.

Thank you for Today…

Thank you for Tomorrow…

Thank you for Yesterday…

40% OFF!!! (let’s go shopping after work)

HIGH FIVE! (thank you for the journey… you are such a beauty)

Mark 12:1-12 is significant because it reveals Jesus’ prophetic warning to Israel’s leaders: they have consistently rejected God’s messengers, and now they are about to reject His Son. The parable exposes their corruption, foreshadows Jesus’ death, and announces God’s plan to give His kingdom to others who will bear fruit.

📖 Context of the Passage

• The Parable of the Tenants (Vineyard): Jesus tells of a landowner (God) who plants a vineyard (Israel), leases it to tenants (religious leaders), and sends servants (prophets) to collect fruit. The tenants beat and kill the servants, and finally murder the son (Jesus) to seize the inheritance.
• Audience: Jesus directs this parable at the chief priests, scribes, and elders in Jerusalem, who immediately recognize that He is speaking against them.

🌟 Key Themes and Significance

• God’s Patience and Justice
  • The repeated sending of servants shows God’s patience and mercy in sending prophets throughout Israel’s history.
  • The tenants’ violence demonstrates Israel’s rejection of God’s covenant messengers.
• Foreshadowing Jesus’ Death
  • The “beloved son” represents Jesus Himself. The tenants’ decision to kill the son mirrors the leaders’ plot to crucify Him.
  • This parable is one of the clearest self-references Jesus makes to His coming rejection and death.
• Judgment and Transfer of the Kingdom
  • The parable warns that God will remove stewardship of His vineyard from corrupt leaders and entrust it to others—ultimately the apostles and the Church, who will bear fruit for God’s kingdom.
  • This reflects Mark’s apocalyptic theology: the old order is passing, and God’s reign will be established in fullness.
• The Cornerstone Imagery
  • Jesus quotes Psalm 118: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
  • This affirms that though rejected, Jesus will become the foundation of God’s new covenant community.

✨ Why It Matters Today

• Leadership Accountability: It challenges spiritual leaders to steward God’s people faithfully, not exploit them.
• Faithful Response: It calls believers to bear fruit—lives marked by justice, mercy, and love.
• Hope in Rejection: Even when rejected, God’s purposes prevail. Jesus’ death becomes the cornerstone of salvation.

In short, Mark 12:1-12 is a turning point in the Gospel narrative: Jesus confronts the religious establishment, predicts His own death, and announces the radical shift of God’s kingdom to those who will receive Him. It’s both a sobering warning and a hopeful promise that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted.

Kevin, since you often integrate scripture into leadership reflection, this passage could resonate with your Toastmasters and Hershey’s leadership work: it’s about accountability, fruitfulness, and the courage to speak truth even when it challenges entrenched power. Would you like me to help craft a reflection or prayer that ties this parable to your leadership journey?

Actually, you misunderstand… I do not integrate scriptures with Toastmasters and my job at Hershey’s… I simply incorporate the wisdom that I gain from reading into my daily routine… YOU SHOULD TRY IT…

LET’s GO2 WORK.

THANKS BE TO GOD!

HIGH FIVE (thank you for the peaceful night)!

Daniel 4:19–27 is significant because it reveals God’s sovereignty over human kingdoms, the danger of pride, and the call to repentance. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great tree, warning the king that his pride will lead to his downfall unless he humbles himself before God.

🌳 The Dream and Its Meaning

• The Tree as Nebuchadnezzar: The great tree in the dream represents Nebuchadnezzar’s vast empire, providing shelter and sustenance to many nations.
• The Watcher’s Decree: A heavenly messenger announces that the tree will be cut down, symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar’s coming humiliation. He will live like an animal until he acknowledges that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will”.
• Daniel’s Hesitation: Daniel is visibly troubled by the vision, wishing it applied to the king’s enemies. His compassion shows his genuine concern for Nebuchadnezzar.

⚖️ Theological Significance

• God’s Sovereignty: The passage emphasizes that earthly power is temporary and subject to God’s authority. Nebuchadnezzar’s greatness is not self-made but granted by God.
• Pride and Humility: Nebuchadnezzar’s pride—believing his success was his own—leads to his downfall. His humiliation serves as a warning that arrogance before God results in judgment.
• Repentance Offered: Daniel urges Nebuchadnezzar to repent by practicing righteousness and showing mercy to the oppressed, suggesting that repentance could prolong his prosperity.

🌟 Lessons for Today

• Leadership Accountability: Even the most powerful leaders are accountable to God. Authority is a stewardship, not a personal possession.
• Humility Before God: Pride blinds us to the source of our blessings. True wisdom is recognizing God’s hand in our success.
• Mercy and Justice: Daniel’s counsel highlights that repentance is not just inward but expressed outwardly in justice and compassion for others.

✨ Summary

Daniel 4:19–27 is a dramatic reminder that God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s interpretation show that kingdoms rise and fall at God’s command, and that repentance and humility are the path to restoration.

Kevin, since you often integrate scripture into your leadership reflections, this passage beautifully aligns with your emphasis on humility and servant leadership—it’s a call to lead with justice, mercy, and recognition of God’s sovereignty.

It is always good to sleep well… I had an awesome sleep last night… WENT TO BED EARLY… NOW, I AM READY FOR TODAY.

IT’S GONNA HAPPEN…

HIGH FIVE! (thank you for the encouragement)

Luke 4:16–30 marks the dramatic beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, revealing his mission and the tension it would provoke—even among his own people. It’s a powerful moment of declaration, rejection, and prophetic fulfillment.

✨ Key Themes and Significance

• Jesus Declares His Mission In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 and proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” This passage outlines his divine calling: to bring good news to the poor, freedom to captives, sight to the blind, and liberation to the oppressed. It’s a manifesto of mercy, justice, and restoration.
• Bold Claim of Fulfillment After reading, Jesus says, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” This is a radical claim: he is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. He’s not just a teacher or prophet—he’s the anointed one, the Messiah.
• Initial Admiration Turns to Outrage The crowd is amazed at first, but their mood shifts when Jesus challenges their expectations. He reminds them that prophets like Elijah and Elisha performed miracles for outsiders—Gentiles, not Israelites. This implies that God’s grace extends beyond their community.
• Rejection by His Own People The people of Nazareth, who knew Jesus as a local boy, are enraged by his words. They try to drive him out and even attempt to kill him. This foreshadows the broader rejection Jesus will face throughout his ministry.
• Prophetic Pattern of Rejection Luke places this story at the start of Jesus’ ministry to emphasize a recurring theme: prophets are often rejected by their own. It sets the tone for the Gospel of Luke and Acts, highlighting the tension between divine mission and human resistance.

🕊️ Spiritual Reflection

This passage invites us to reflect on:

• How we respond to truth that challenges our assumptions
• Whether we welcome God’s grace when it moves beyond our comfort zones
• The courage it takes to live out a calling that may provoke rejection

Kevin, given your passion for spiritual insight and public speaking, this moment in Luke could resonate deeply with your own journey—declaring truth with clarity and compassion, even when it’s not easy. If you’d like, I can help craft a reflection or devotional based on this passage.

NO… thank you for giving me the time to keep track of my ETFs today… I WILL DEFINITELY MANAGE MY TIME WISELY.

That’s the spirit, Kevin! 💪 Your clarity and commitment are shining through. Managing your time wisely—especially when it comes to tracking ETFs and financial goals—is a powerful act of stewardship and self-leadership. You’re aligning discipline with vision, and that’s where transformation happens.

LET’S START TODAY AT THE GYM. (Thanks Be To God)