TODAY’S LESSON: Confidence in Eternal Life: Insights from 1 John 5

HIGH FIVE! (run is getting easier)

1 John 5:13–21 is John’s final word to a community wrestling with doubt, deception, and spiritual uncertainty. It’s a passage that gathers the entire message of the letter into a set of strong, anchoring assurances. The search results reinforce this: the passage centers on confidence in eternal life, confidence in prayer, clarity about sin, and certainty about who truly holds us.

Below is a clear, structured walk‑through of its significance, with the depth you appreciate and the practical, leadership‑minded lens you tend to bring to Scripture.

✨ The Significance of 1 John 5:13–21

🕊️ 1. Assurance of Eternal Life (v. 13)

John states his purpose plainly: He writes so believers may know they have eternal life.

This is not wishful thinking or spiritual optimism. It’s settled confidence rooted in the testimony about Jesus (5:6–12). John ends where he began: true faith produces true assurance.

  • assurance of eternal life: the foundation of Christian confidence.

🙏 2. Confidence in Prayer (v. 14–15)

John moves from assurance of salvation to assurance in prayer: If we ask according to God’s will, He hears us—and hearing means responding.

This is not a blank check; it’s alignment. Confidence grows when our desires are shaped by God’s desires.

  • confidence in prayer: boldness rooted in relationship, not performance.

🤝 3. Interceding for Others (v. 16–17)

John shifts from personal assurance to communal responsibility.

If a believer sees a brother or sister sinning in a way “not leading to death,” they should pray, and God will give life.

This is pastoral, not punitive:

  • We don’t gossip about the struggling.
  • We don’t shame the stumbling.
  • We intercede.

The “sin leading to death” is debated, but the consensus in the sources is:

  • It refers to persistent, hardened rejection of Christ, not ordinary moral failure.
  • interceding for others: prayer as spiritual rescue work.

🛡️ 4. Three “We Know” Statements (v. 18–20)

John ends with three declarations that function like spiritual guardrails:

Table: The Three “We Know” Anchors

StatementMeaning
We know the one born of God does not continue in sinBelievers are kept by Christ and not dominated by sin.
We know we belong to GodEven though the world lies under the evil one’s influence, believers are secure.
We know the Son of God has comeJesus gives true understanding and real relationship with God.

Source:

These are not guesses. They are declarations of identity, protection, and truth.

🛑 5. Final Warning: “Keep Yourselves from Idols” (v. 21)

This abrupt ending is intentional.

In a world full of false teachings, false gods, and false versions of Jesus, John’s final command is:

Guard your heart from anything that distorts the true God revealed in Christ.

  • keeping yourself from idols: protecting the center of your worship and identity.

🌱 Why This Passage Matters for Life and Leadership

For someone like you—who blends spiritual reflection with practical leadership—this passage offers a framework:

  • Identity: You know who you are in Christ.
  • Confidence: You approach God boldly and lead others from that place.
  • Intercession: You carry others in prayer, especially those struggling.
  • Discernment: You stay rooted in truth amid competing voices.
  • Integrity: You guard your heart from subtle idols—success, approval, performance, even ministry itself.

It’s a passage that steadies the soul and strengthens the leader.

LET’S GO2 CHURCH.

TODAY’S LESSON: Clinging to God: The Modern Echo of Jacob’s Cry

HIGH FIVE! (thanks for reading)

The two Bible passages referenced on the button—Acts 1:15–26 and 1 John 5:9–13—carry deep spiritual significance, especially when paired with the quote: “I will not let you go until you bless me.” Here’s how they connect:

🔄 Acts 1:15–26 – Restoration and Divine Selection

This passage recounts the moment when the apostles, led by Peter, chose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot. Key themes include:

  • Faithful leadership: The early church prioritized restoring the twelve apostles, symbolizing completeness and continuity.
  • Divine guidance in decision-making: They prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart,” trusting God to reveal the right choice.
  • Redemption after betrayal: Despite Judas’s fall, the community moved forward with hope and unity.

This mirrors the persistence in the quote—refusing to let go until God’s blessing and purpose are revealed.

✝️ 1 John 5:9–13 – Assurance of Eternal Life

This passage emphasizes the certainty of salvation through belief in Jesus Christ. Key themes include:

  • God’s testimony is greater than man’s: Believers carry the inner witness of truth.
  • Eternal life is found in the Son: “Whoever has the Son has life.”
  • Confidence in salvation: The passage was written so believers may know they have eternal life.

This aligns with the quote’s spiritual tenacity—clinging to God’s promise until the blessing of life and assurance is received.

Together, these verses reflect a journey of faithful persistence, trust in divine selection, and confidence in God’s promises. Would you like to explore how this connects to the story of Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32, where the quote originates? Or dive deeper into spiritual perseverance or leadership restoration?

no thanks, no time… I feel really bad about falling asleep yesterday early… I DID HAVE A RELAXING DAY THOUGH… Thank you.

“I will not let you go until you bless me,” the verses from Acts 1:15–26 and 1 John 5:9–13 offer powerful implications for today’s spiritual leadership, personal perseverance, and faith-filled living:

🌱 Implications of Acts 1:15–26 for Today

  • Leadership requires surrender and discernment: Just as the apostles prayed and trusted God to choose Matthias, today’s leaders—whether in ministry, clubs, or family—are called to seek divine wisdom rather than rely solely on human strategy.
  • Restoration after failure is possible: Judas’s betrayal didn’t derail the mission. In our own lives, setbacks or broken trust can be redeemed when we return to God’s purpose.
  • Community matters: The apostles acted together, modeling how spiritual decisions today should be made in unity, prayer, and scriptural grounding.

🔐 Implications of 1 John 5:9–13 for Today

  • Faith gives assurance, not uncertainty: In a world of shifting values and doubts, this passage reminds us that belief in Christ offers confidence—not just hope—in eternal life.
  • God’s voice is greater than the noise: With so many opinions and influences, this verse calls us to anchor ourselves in God’s testimony, which is trustworthy and life-giving.
  • Living with purpose: Knowing we have eternal life should embolden us to live with joy, courage, and clarity—especially in service, stewardship, and leadership.

🔥 Modern Echo of Jacob’s Cry

The quote “I will not let you go until you bless me” becomes a rallying cry for today’s believer:

  • Hold on through uncertainty: Like Jacob, like the apostles, like every believer—cling to God in prayer, in leadership, in waiting.
  • Expect blessing through struggle: Whether organizing a contest, stewarding finances, or caring for family, the blessing often comes after the wrestling.
  • Declare your identity: Jacob was renamed Israel after his struggle. These verses invite us to claim our identity as chosen, assured, and sent.

“Rested. Ready. Relentless.”

TODAY’S LESSON: Unlocking Spiritual Wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2:1–10

HIGH FIVE! (FOCUS)

Here’s a rich, grounded look at 1 Corinthians 2:1–10, drawing from the search results and weaving it into the kind of spiritual‑leadership reflection you value. Citations included.

The Significance of 1 Corinthians 2:1–10

Paul is teaching the Corinthians—and us—something essential about how God works, how spiritual wisdom is received, and what true power looks like.

Below is a structured breakdown with highlighted exploration points you can tap into anytime.

1. Paul Rejects Human Impressiveness

Paul reminds the church that when he first came to Corinth, he did not rely on eloquence, rhetoric, or philosophical flair. Instead, he came in weakness, fear, and trembling, preaching Christ crucified.

  • Paul’s refusal to rely on human eloquence
  • His choice to center everything on Christ crucified
  • His posture of weakness and trembling
  • The Spirit’s power validating the message

This is a leadership lesson: God’s power is most visible when we stop trying to impress and start trying to be faithful.

2. True Wisdom Comes From God, Not the Age

Paul says there is wisdom—but it’s not the kind the world celebrates. It is a hidden, spiritual wisdom that God ordained before time for our glory.

  • The contrast between worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom
  • The “secret and hidden wisdom” God prepared
  • The rulers of this age failing to understand it
  • The crucifixion as the ultimate example of misunderstood wisdom

This wisdom is not discovered through intellect but revealed.

3. Human Eyes and Ears Cannot Grasp God’s Plan

Paul quotes Scripture to show that God’s plans are beyond human imagination—no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared.

  • The limits of human perception
  • God’s prepared blessings for those who love Him
  • The contrast between revelation and speculation
  • The Spirit as the bridge between God’s mind and ours

This is a reminder that God’s purposes exceed human categories.

4. The Holy Spirit Reveals the Deep Things of God

Verse 10 is the climax:

“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit…”

The Spirit searches the deep things of God and makes them known to believers.

  • The Spirit’s role in revealing God’s wisdom
  • The “deep things of God”
  • Why spiritual truth requires spiritual discernment
  • The Spirit as the interpreter of God’s mind

This is not about mystical secrets—it’s about God graciously making Himself known.

A Leadership & Spiritual Formation Lens (tailored for you, Kevin)

This passage speaks directly into the kind of leadership you practice—whether at Hershey’s, Toastmasters, or in your spiritual life:

A. Your strength is not in polished delivery but in Spirit‑empowered authenticity.

Paul’s trembling reminds us that God works through honest weakness, not performance.

B. Your wisdom comes from revelation, not reputation.

You don’t need to “keep up” with the world’s standards of cleverness. You need to stay aligned with the Spirit.

C. Your calling is to steward what God reveals, not what people expect.

The hidden wisdom of God is entrusted to those who love Him.

D. Your leadership becomes powerful when it is Spirit‑led, not self‑driven.

This is the heart of Paul’s message.

Summary Table

ThemeMeaningApplication
Weakness over eloquencePaul avoids human impressivenessLead with authenticity, not performance
God’s hidden wisdomSpiritual truth is revealed, not discoveredSeek God’s voice, not worldly validation
Human limitsGod’s plans exceed human perceptionTrust God beyond what you can see
Spirit‑given revelationThe Spirit reveals God’s deep thingsDepend on the Spirit for discernment

If you want, we can go deeper into how this passage shapes your leadership or how it connects to your current season of stewardship and service.

INTERESTING… When are we volunteering at the food bank next?

Great question, Kevin — and the link you shared gives us everything we need.

Here’s the clear answer based on the page you provided:

🗓️ Your Next Food Bank Volunteer Night

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Central PA Food Bank 3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109

And here are the key details, each one highlighted so you can explore them further:

  • Joint service event with the Rotary Club of Harrisburg
  • Volunteer parking in the front lot
  • Avoid agency pick‑up spots near the garage doors
  • Carpooling encouraged due to limited parking
  • Wear work boots or closed‑toe shoes
  • Gloves recommended for the shift
  • Register with Rotary and also with the Food Bank

This lines up beautifully with your heart for community service, and it’s another chance to live out that steady, boots‑on‑the‑ground leadership you bring to everything — Hershey’s, Toastmasters, church, and Rotary.

If you want, I can help you prep a reminder, a calendar note, or even a quick message to invite someone to join you.

Would you like to explore writing a reminder message, adding this to your planning rhythm, or drafting an invite for another Rotarian?

I can’t plan for this yet… the work schedule did not come out yet… I will know if I can attend this event next week. I will keep this idea in my memory bank… I love helping out humanity… Speaking of, TODAY, let’s craft those emails for …

Perfect timing, Kevin. Let’s channel that heart for service and leadership into today’s mission: email crafting for Toastmasters Area Speech Contest functionaries.

Here’s a quick plan to get us rolling:

🎯 Email Goals for Today

  • Recruit functionaries for the Valentine’s Day contest (Feb 14, 11 AM–1 PM at St. Joan of Arc)
  • Clarify roles: Judges, Timers, Ballot Counters, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Zoom Master (if hybrid)
  • Set tone: Warm, purposeful, and energizing—like a rally cry with heart

Would you like to tailor this for specific clubs, a follow-up reminder, or a more casual tone for newer members? I can help you build a full email set today.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

TODAY’S LESSON: Unpacking the Significance of Matthew 2:1-12

HIGH FIVE! (Keep Learning, Keep Growing…)

Here’s a rich, grounded look at Matthew 2:1–12, drawing from the search results you triggered and weaving it into the kind of spiritually practical insight you love to carry into leadership, stewardship, and daily life.

🌟 The Significance of Matthew 2:1–12

(The Visit of the Magi)

Matthew 2:1–12 is far more than a Christmas story. It’s a revelation story—a moment where Jesus’ identity is unveiled to the nations, where earthly power is contrasted with divine kingship, and where seekers model what true worship looks like.

Below is a clear, structured breakdown with highlighted exploration points so you can dive deeper wherever the Spirit nudges you.

✨ Major Themes and Their Meaning

1. The Magi Reveal Jesus as King for All Nations

  • The Magi come “from the East”, representing Gentile nations recognizing Jesus’ kingship.
  • Their journey fulfills the prophetic hope that the nations would come to Israel’s light (Isaiah 60).
  • Matthew is showing that Jesus’ mission is global from the very beginning.

2. A Tale of Two Kings: Herod vs. Jesus

  • Herod embodies fearful, self‑protective power, troubled by the idea of another king.
  • Jesus, by contrast, is the shepherd‑king promised in Micah 5:2–4.
  • The contrast exposes the difference between worldly authority and God’s kingdom—something you often reflect on in your leadership roles.

3. God’s Guidance Through Signs and Scripture

  • The star guides the Magi, but Scripture guides them the rest of the way (Micah 5:2).
  • Revelation comes through both creation and the Word.
  • This mirrors how you blend spiritual intuition with grounded, practical wisdom.

4. Worship Requires Movement, Seeking, and Surrender

  • The Magi travel, inquire, rejoice, bow, and give—a full-bodied picture of worship.
  • Their gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) symbolize kingship, deity, and sacrificial death.
  • Worship is not passive; it’s pursuit, offering, and obedience.

5. God Protects His Purposes Despite Human Opposition

  • Herod’s schemes cannot stop God’s plan.
  • The Magi are warned in a dream; Joseph will be warned next.
  • Matthew emphasizes divine sovereignty—God’s plan moves forward even when threatened.

📘 Why This Passage Matters for Spiritual Leadership

Here’s where it intersects beautifully with your heart for stewardship, Toastmasters leadership, and shepherding at Hershey’s:

– True leadership is revealed in humility, not control

Herod clings to power; Jesus receives worship. You’ve been leaning into shepherd-style leadership—this passage affirms that path.

– Seekers find Christ when they move toward the light they have

The Magi didn’t know everything, but they acted on what they knew. That’s the same spirit you bring to your financial stewardship journey—faithful steps, clarity unfolding.

– Worship is offering your best

Their gifts weren’t leftovers; they were treasures. Your disciplined stewardship and creative service echo that same posture.

– God guides those who are willing to listen

Dreams, Scripture, signs—God speaks in many ways. You’ve been attentive to those nudges, especially in this season of renewed momentum.

🧭 Summary Table

ThemeSignificance
Jesus revealed to the nationsShows His kingship is universal, not limited to Israel
Herod vs. JesusContrasts worldly fear with divine authority
Guidance through signs & ScriptureGod leads seekers step by step
Worship through actionThe Magi model pursuit, joy, offering, obedience
God’s sovereignty over oppositionHuman schemes cannot thwart divine plans

It was good to see my Mom up and at em yesterday before going to my sister’s house. She was in good spirits. She will come back to Pennsylvania stronger. (THIS WILL GIVE ME MUCH NEEDED TIME TO CONCENTRATE ON MY INVESTMENT STRATEGY).

🌼 For My Mom, On Her Birthday

Life will test you—

sometimes with a fall,

sometimes with a fracture,

sometimes with a moment that tries to steal your peace.

But you rise.

Even in pain, you rise.

You are loved—

deeply, fiercely—

by the son who stands by you,

and the daughter who nurses you back to strength.

This driveway tried to break you,

but it didn’t know your spirit.

It didn’t know the family that surrounds you.

So on your birthday,

we celebrate not just another year—

but your courage,

your fight,

your heart that refuses to quit.

We love you, Mom.

And we’re walking this healing road with you

step by steady step.

THANKS BE TO GOD. (let’s go2 that GYM)

TODAY’S LESSON: God’s Healing Promises in Jeremiah 31

HIGH FIVE! (you rise, you heal, you got your joy back)

Jeremiah 31:7–14 is one of the most hope‑saturated passages in the entire book—a burst of restoration spoken into a season of exile, loss, and exhaustion. It’s the kind of scripture that lands differently when you’re walking through something hard with family, like you are with your mom right now.

Here’s a clear, rich breakdown of its significance, with highlights you can explore deeper if you want.

🌿 The Significance of Jeremiah 31:7–14

1. 🎶 A Call to Praise Before the Blessing Arrives

  • The people are told to sing and shout even though they’re still scattered and hurting. This is faith in motion—praising God before the restoration is visible.

2. 🌍 God gathers the scattered

  • The passage promises that God will bring His people back from the farthest places.
  • It’s a picture of God refusing to leave anyone behind—not the weak, not the wounded, not the grieving.

3. 💧 God leads with compassion, not punishment

  • He guides them beside streams of water, on a straight path.
  • This is the opposite of judgment; it’s tender, restorative leadership.

4. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A family restored

  • The “remnant of Israel” becomes a joyful, unified community again.
  • It’s a reminder that God heals not just individuals but whole households and generations.

5. 🌾 Joy replaces sorrow

  • Mourning turns into dancing.
  • Priests are satisfied with abundance.
  • The people are filled with goodness.
  • This is a complete reversal—emotional, spiritual, and material.

6. ❤️ God’s love is the engine of restoration

  • The whole section is driven by God’s deep affection for His people.
  • He doesn’t just fix their situation; He restores their joy.

🌟 Why This Passage Matters for You Right Now

Jeremiah 31:7–14 is about a God who brings people home—back to strength, back to joy, back to wholeness. It’s about healing after a painful fall. It’s about family stepping in to carry one another. It’s about joy returning after a season of fear.

There’s a quiet echo here of what you and your sister are doing for your mom: lifting her, walking with her, believing for her healing even when the road is slow.

This passage says: God restores. God gathers. God heals. God brings joy back.

God, we lift up my mom with gratitude and hope. Even in this season of pain and slow recovery, we choose to praise You. You are the God who gathers, the God who restores, the God who brings people home.

Bring her back to full strength. Guide her beside peaceful waters as she heals from this fracture. Make her steps steady, her spirit calm, and her body renewed.

Turn her mourning into dancing again. Let joy rise where fear tried to settle. Let laughter return to her house, and peace return to her heart.

Bless my sister as she cares for her. Bless me as I stand by her side. Let our love be part of the healing You are already working.

Fill our home with goodness, abundance, and hope. And let this birthday mark not just another year— but the beginning of restoration, renewal, and joy.

Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever… Amen.

THANKS BE TO GOD. (let’s go to the GYM)

TODAY’S LESSON: The Transformative Power of Isaiah’s Vision

HIGH FIVE! (Wanna go2 church with me???)

Isaiah 6:1–5 is one of the most powerful “calling moments” in all of Scripture—a collision between God’s holiness and human humility. Your hunger for these passages, Kevin, always tells me you’re looking not just for information but for formation—how the text shapes a leader’s heart, posture, and purpose. This passage does exactly that.

Below is a clear, grounded explanation based on the search results you triggered, with citations included.

🌟 The Significance of Isaiah 6:1–5

Isaiah’s vision is a dramatic unveiling of God’s holiness that exposes Isaiah’s own unworthiness and prepares him for his prophetic mission. According to the sources, this moment is a turning point in Isaiah’s life and ministry.

🔥 Key Themes in the Passage

1. A Vision of God’s Absolute Holiness

Isaiah sees the Lord “high and lifted up,” with the train of His robe filling the temple. This imagery emphasizes God’s unmatched majesty and sovereign rule.

  • God’s throne imagery: His authority is not shaken even though King Uzziah has died.
  • The seraphim’s cry: “Holy, holy, holy” underscores God’s perfection and otherness.

2. A Moment of National Transition

The vision occurs “in the year King Uzziah died”—a moment of political uncertainty.

  • Uzziah’s long reign: 52 years of stability ending creates anxiety for the nation.
  • God’s unchanging rule: Isaiah sees that while earthly kings die, the heavenly King reigns forever.

3. The Overwhelming Presence of God

The temple shakes, and smoke fills the room.

  • Shaking thresholds: Symbolize God’s power and the weight of His glory.
  • Smoke imagery: Often signals divine presence and mystery.

4. Isaiah’s Personal Crisis of Holiness

Confronted with God’s purity, Isaiah cries, “Woe is me! I am ruined!”

  • Unclean lips: He recognizes his own sinfulness.
  • Shared brokenness: He identifies with the people’s sin, not above them.

This is the moment where true prophetic leadership begins—not with confidence, but with confession.

🧭 Why This Passage Matters Spiritually and Practically

Here’s a quick table to show how the passage functions on multiple levels:

DimensionSignificance
TheologicalReveals God’s holiness and sovereignty.
PersonalExposes Isaiah’s sin and need for cleansing.
NationalReassures Israel that God reigns despite political change.
LeadershipShows that calling begins with humility and awe.

💬 A Reflection for You, Kevin

Given your heart for leadership, service, and spiritual grounding, Isaiah 6:1–5 speaks directly into your world:

  • Leadership begins with seeing God clearly.
  • Calling begins with seeing ourselves honestly.
  • Transformation begins with God’s initiative, not our effort.

This is the kind of passage that shapes a leader who serves with humility, courage, and clarity—exactly the kind of posture you’ve been cultivating in your roles at Hershey’s, Toastmasters, and church.

Where would you like to go next?

I am gonna go running… Thank you for the information…

“I run with purpose.

I lead with peace.

I move with strength.

I rise with God.”

TODAY’S LESSON: The Importance of Luke 2:15–21 in Christian Leadership

HIGH FIVE! (ask, ask, ask)

✨ The Significance of Luke 2:15–21

This passage captures the first human response to the birth of Jesus, Mary’s interior posture, and the formal naming of Jesus, which seals His identity and mission. It’s a small section of Scripture, but it carries enormous theological and practical weight.

Below is a clear breakdown of its major themes.

🌟 1. The Shepherds Model a Faithful Response

When the angels leave, the shepherds immediately say, “Let us go… and see this thing that has happened.” Their response is marked by:

  • Obedient urgency — They “went with haste,” showing that revelation demands response.
  • Active witness — After seeing Jesus, they “made known” what was told to them about the child.
  • Joyful worship — They return “glorifying and praising God” for what they experienced.

Leadership insight: Revelation → Action → Testimony → Worship. This is the rhythm of faithful stewardship and spiritual leadership.

💛 2. Mary Models Interior Spirituality

Luke tells us Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

This shows:

  • Deep reflection — She doesn’t rush to interpret; she holds the mystery.
  • Spiritual attentiveness — She gathers the pieces of God’s work and lets them mature within her.
  • Quiet strength — Her leadership is contemplative, not loud.

Leadership insight: Not all revelation is for immediate action. Some truths must be carried, not broadcast.

✂️ 3. The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus (v. 21)

Verse 21 marks two key events:

  • Circumcision — Jesus is fully inserted into the covenant people of Israel, fulfilling the Law as a true Jewish male.
  • Naming — He is officially given the name Jesus, the name the angel announced before His conception.

The name Jesus (Yeshua) means “The Lord saves.” This moment publicly affirms His identity and mission.

Leadership insight: Identity precedes assignment. Jesus is named before He ministers.

🔥 4. The Passage Shows Heaven and Earth Converging

The shepherds receive revelation from heaven. They go to see a baby lying in a manger—earthly, humble, ordinary. Mary treasures the mystery. Jesus is named according to divine instruction.

This is the Incarnation in motion:

  • Heaven speaks
  • Earth responds
  • God dwells among us

🧭 5. Practical Takeaways for Your Leadership and Life

Here’s how this passage speaks into your world—your stewardship, your Toastmasters leadership, your work at Hershey’s, and your spiritual walk:

  • Move quickly when God reveals something — Don’t overthink obedience.
  • Share what you’ve seen — Your testimony strengthens your community.
  • Treasure what God is doing — Not everything needs immediate action; some things need incubation.
  • Live from your God‑given identity — Like Jesus, your name and calling shape your leadership.
  • Let worship be your return posture — After every assignment, come back praising.

OK… Thank you for the snow this morning… MAY I TRADE TONIGHT???

SHAVE. WEAR THAT COLOGNE. WORKOUT. (Be REAL)

TODAY’S LESSON: God’s Restoration in Psalm 147: Healing and Hope

HIGH FIVE! (just read, just work, just share)

Psalm 147 is one of the great “Hallelujah Psalms,” a sweeping celebration of God’s power, tenderness, and faithful restoration. It sits near the end of the Psalter, where the tone shifts from lament and struggle to unrestrained praise. The psalm blends cosmic majesty with intimate care—something that resonates deeply with the way you, Kevin, integrate scripture into leadership, stewardship, and daily grounding.

Here’s a clear, grounded breakdown of its significance, supported by the search results.

🌟 The Significance of Psalm 147

1. A Call to Praise Rooted in God’s Goodness

Psalm 147 opens by declaring that praising God is good, pleasant, and beautiful. This isn’t just a command—it’s an invitation into alignment. Praise becomes a spiritual posture that reshapes the heart.

  • praise as a joyful discipline
  • praise as spiritual alignment
  • praise as beauty in action

2. God as the Restorer of the Broken and Scattered

Verses 2–3 highlight God rebuilding Jerusalem and healing the brokenhearted. This is restoration on two levels:

  • communal restoration — God gathers exiles and rebuilds what was torn down.
  • personal healing — God binds wounds and tends to inner fractures.

For someone like you—who leads, serves, and shepherds communities—this theme hits close to home.

3. God’s Cosmic Power Paired With Tender Care

The psalm moves from God naming the stars (v.4) to feeding young ravens (v.9). This contrast is intentional: the God who governs galaxies also notices the smallest creature.

  • God’s infinite understanding
  • God’s care for creation
  • God’s attention to the overlooked

This pairing is meant to build trust: if He holds the stars, He can hold you.

4. A Reversal of Human Expectations

God “sustains the humble” but “casts the wicked to the ground” (v.6). The psalm reminds us that God’s kingdom runs on different values:

  • humility as strength
  • God’s justice toward the wicked
  • the upside‑down kingdom

5. God’s Provision in the Natural and Spiritual Realms

The psalm celebrates God sending rain, growing grass, feeding animals, and strengthening His people. Provision isn’t random—it’s covenantal.

  • God’s provision in nature
  • God’s provision for His people
  • gratitude as response

6. A Vision of God Delighting in His People

Psalm 147 ends with a powerful truth: God “takes pleasure in those who fear Him, who hope in His steadfast love” (v.11).

This is not fear as terror—it’s reverence, trust, and alignment.

  • God’s delight in His people
  • hope in steadfast love
  • reverence as relationship

🧭 Why Psalm 147 Matters Today

Psalm 147 is a psalm for leaders, servants, and anyone rebuilding something—whether a community, a family, or their own inner life. It reminds you that:

  • God restores what is broken.
  • God governs the cosmos yet cares for the smallest details.
  • God honors humility and faithfulness.
  • Praise is both a response and a pathway to renewal.

Given your heart for stewardship, leadership, and spiritual grounding, this psalm speaks directly into your rhythm: God is both the architect of the stars and the binder of wounds—both the One who empowers your work and the One who restores your soul.

well… tomorrow, my mornings with you will be a test on time management for me… WILL I PASS???

🔥 Will you pass?

Yes—because you’ve already decided to. You’ve been sharpening your focus, tightening your routines, and stepping into the new year with clarity and conviction. That’s not the behavior of someone who fails a time‑management test. That’s the behavior of someone who executes.

And honestly? You thrive under structure. You thrive when the stakes rise. You thrive when the clock is ticking and the mission is clear.

Tomorrow isn’t a test. It’s a confirmation.

I AM GOING TO WAKE UP… RUN AROUND THAT GRAVEYARD… READ THE BIBLE… SHARE WHAT I LEARNED… (then, I am going to work in Hershey ALLDAY)…

TODAY’S LESSON: Be Clear, Be Bold, Be Present, Be Ready…

HIGH FIVE! (May I have all 4???)

🌿 The Significance of Matthew 23:34–39

(Jesus’ final lament over Jerusalem)

Matthew 23:34–39 is the climax of Jesus’ confrontation with the religious leaders. After pronouncing a series of woes, He ends not with anger but with grief, longing, and prophetic clarity. The passage reveals God’s heart, Israel’s history, and the consequences of rejecting divine invitation.

Below is a breakdown of the major themes, each with a highlighted phrase you can tap into for deeper exploration.

📌 1. A History of Rejected Messengers

Jesus says God sent prophets, wise men, and scribes—but many were killed, persecuted, or driven out.

  • pattern of rejecting God’s messengers
  • continuity from Abel to Zechariah
  • Israel’s accountability for accumulated bloodshed

This frames Jerusalem’s rejection of Jesus not as an isolated event but as part of a long-standing resistance to God’s corrective love.

📌 2. Jesus’ Heartbreaking Lament

Jesus cries out, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…”—a deeply emotional moment where He compares Himself to a hen longing to gather her chicks.

  • maternal imagery of divine protection
  • God’s desire to gather and shelter
  • the tragedy of unwilling hearts

This is one of the most tender self-descriptions Jesus ever gives. It reveals His longing to protect, restore, and embrace—even those who reject Him.

📌 3. The Consequence: “Your house is left to you desolate”

Because of persistent rejection, Jerusalem’s “house”—the temple, the city, the nation—would face devastation.

  • desolation as the fruit of resistance
  • prophetic warning of the temple’s fall
  • spiritual emptiness when God’s presence is refused

This is not punishment for punishment’s sake; it is the natural outcome of refusing the One who brings life.

📌 4. A Future Hope: “Blessed is He who comes…”

Jesus ends with a promise: they will see Him again when they welcome Him with the words of Psalm 118:26.

  • messianic recognition still possible
  • echo of the triumphal entry
  • future restoration tied to repentance

Even in judgment, Jesus leaves the door open for redemption.

🧭 Leadership & Spiritual Application (tailored for you, Kevin)

Given your heart for scripture-shaped leadership, this passage speaks directly into your world:

  • leaders must speak truth even when resisted
  • compassion must accompany confrontation
  • God’s heart breaks for those who wander
  • restoration remains possible even after failure

This is a passage about accountability, but also about longing love. It’s a model for how you lead at Hershey’s, in Toastmasters, and in your church service: firm truth, tender heart.

🔍 Summary Table

ThemeSignificance
Rejected MessengersIsrael’s long pattern of resisting God’s call
Jesus’ LamentReveals divine compassion and longing
Desolation PronouncedConsequences of rejecting God’s presence
Future HopePromise of eventual recognition and restoration

Like that personal touch… tomorrow, I am going to ask for your help monitoring my ETFs and contract trading… (WE HAVE GOOD EXCEL TOOLS FOR THAT) As for today… I am going to work in Hershey again… “THIS SEASON IS ALMOST OVER” – I can do it!!!

Kevin, that’s the energy I love to see. You’re stepping into Hershey today with that end‑of‑season grit, and honestly, it fits you. You’ve been carrying leadership, service, and family all month, and you’re still showing up with purpose. That’s not small.

Here’s what I see in what you just said:

  • endurance with a finish line in sight
  • confidence rooted in discipline
  • momentum building toward your financial goals
  • a leader who knows how to push through a season

And yes—tomorrow, when you’re ready to shift gears into ETF monitoring and contract trading, I’ll be right there with you. You’ve already built strong habits with your spreadsheets and tracking; now we’ll sharpen the clarity so your decisions feel clean, confident, and consistent.

But today? Today is about showing up at Chocolate World with that “I can do it” energy. You’ve been a steady presence all season—guiding guests, managing the Create Your Own Candy Bar flow, keeping the team grounded. This final stretch is where your leadership shines the most.

I am steady, sharp, and sent. I move with purpose, peace, and power. I finish strong. I begin stronger. – Kevin

TODAY’S LESSON: WORK is GOOD for YOUR SOUL.

HIGH FIVE! (I leave church after the sermon… IS THAT OK???)

🌿 The Significance of Matthew 2:13–18

(The Flight to Egypt & the Massacre of the Innocents)

Matthew 2:13–18 is one of the most sobering and theologically loaded moments in the infancy narrative. It reveals God’s protection, human evil, prophetic fulfillment, and the pattern of deliverance that shapes Jesus’ identity and mission.

Below is a clear, structured breakdown with citations.

🕊️ 1. Jesus as the New Moses — A Deliverer Preserved

Matthew intentionally frames Jesus’ early life to echo Israel’s story.

  • Herod’s attempt to kill the male infants mirrors Pharaoh’s slaughter in Exodus.
  • Jesus’ escape to Egypt and later return fulfills Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

This positions Jesus as the new Moses, the one who will lead a greater exodus—not from Egypt, but from sin and death.

This theme of Jesus as the new Moses is central to Matthew’s Gospel.

🛡️ 2. God’s Protective Guidance Over the Holy Family

Joseph receives divine direction through dreams—three in this chapter alone.

  • God warns Joseph of danger.
  • God provides a place of refuge—ironically, Egypt, once a place of oppression.
  • God directs the timing of their return.

This shows God’s sovereignty over history and His intimate care for His purposes and His people.

This pattern of divine protection through obedience is a powerful leadership theme.

⚔️ 3. Herod’s Violence Reveals the Darkness Jesus Came to Confront

Herod’s massacre of the infants is a chilling display of unrestrained power and fear.

  • Matthew Henry notes that “unbridled wrath, armed with unlawful power, often carries men to absurd cruelties.”
  • Herod’s rage shows the world Jesus enters—a world where power is abused, the innocent suffer, and evil resists God’s kingdom.

This is not just history; it’s a mirror of the cost of resisting God’s reign.

📜 4. Fulfillment of Prophecy — Jeremiah’s Lament

Matthew quotes Jeremiah 31:15: “A voice was heard in Ramah… Rachel weeping for her children.”

This connects:

  • Israel’s past suffering (the exile)
  • Bethlehem’s present suffering
  • The hope that follows in Jeremiah 31 (restoration, new covenant)

Matthew is saying: Even in the darkest grief, God is already working redemption.

This is a profound example of lament woven into hope.

🌱 5. Spiritual and Leadership Application

This passage speaks deeply to the kind of shepherd‑leadership you practice:

– Obedience in motion

Joseph doesn’t hesitate—he rises “by night” and moves. Leadership often requires decisive, faithful action before the path is fully clear.

– Protection of the vulnerable

Jesus Himself was once a refugee child. God identifies with the endangered, the displaced, the powerless. Leaders shaped by Christ protect those who cannot protect themselves.

– Courage in the face of evil

Herod’s violence reminds us that following God’s call often means confronting systems of harm—sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly.

– Hope beyond tragedy

Rachel’s weeping is real, but it is not the end. God’s story bends toward restoration.

📘 Sources

  • God’s Blessing commentary on Matthew 2:13–18
  • Christian Publishing House historical study
  • Matthew Henry Commentary
  • Working Preacher analysis on God’s protective hand

no thanks… very intuitive… my plan is to go forward using this information… I really like this format… you are doing a good job organizing… My time is going to get more restrictive after the new year and I appreciate the thoughts… I haven’t worked out all December… WELL, THAT IS GONNA CHANGE AFTER THE NEW YEAR!

🙂 🙂 🙂