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Aaron’s Golden CALF; A Pattern for false Worship

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THE GOLDEN CALF: HAVE YOU NOT READ…?

While Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days receiving God’s law and the stone tablets, the Israelites grew impatient. They gathered around Aaron and demanded, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.

”Aaron told them to bring their gold earrings, which they did. He took the gold, melted it down, and CRAFTED it into the image of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt!” Aaron built an ALTAR in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” The next day, the people rose early, offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, then sat down to eat and drink and rose up to revel and play in wild celebration (LET LOOSE).

The Lord told Moses to go down, saying the people had become corrupt and were worshiping an idol, breaking the covenant. God was ready to destroy them and start over with Moses, but Moses interceded, pleading for mercy based on God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord relented from total destruction.

Moses descended the mountain with Joshua. Hearing noise, Joshua thought it was battle, but Moses recognized it as singing. When he saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned. He threw down the tablets, shattering them. He burned the calf, ground it to powder, scattered it on water, and made the people drink it.

Moses confronted Aaron, then called for those on the Lord’s side. The Levites stepped forward and, at Moses’ command, and about three thousand FELL of the guilty that day. Later, a plague struck the people because of their sin with the calf.

This dramatic rebellion showed how quickly the people turned from true worship of the living God to false, man-made worship—even while claiming it honored Him.

He CRAFTED from the people’s earrings (Exodus 32:3-4)

In Exodus 32, while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving God’s law, the Israelites grew restless. They pressured Aaron: “Come, make us gods who will go before us” (v. 1). Aaron collected their gold earrings, melted them down, and CRAFTED a golden calf. He declared, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt!” (v. 4). He BLENDED idol worship with claims of honoring Yahweh. What started as impatience ended in outright idolatry—crafting a god in their own image: visible, portable, controllable, and convenient to their desires.

This is the heart of false worship: people remaking God to fit their preferences rather than submitting to Him as He reveals Himself. They took a kernel of truth—the memory of deliverance from Egypt—and mixed it with massive error: a physical idol violating God’s commands (Ex. 20:4-5). It looked religious, sounded familiar, but it was self-made.

Paul warns of the same danger in Colossians 2:23: “These [regulations] indeed have an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion [or self-imposed worship], false humility and harsh treatment of the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (ESV/NIV). Today, false worship often follows this pattern—crafting God after our image by blending a little biblical truth with a lot of human invention. We might add entertainment-driven services, self-centered “experiences,” man-made traditions, or watered-down doctrines that prioritize comfort over obedience, all while claiming to honor God. It has the “appearance of wisdom”—it feels spiritual, looks impressive—but it LACKS DIVINE AUTHORITY AND FAILS TO PRODUCE TRUE HOLINESS.

The golden calf teaches us: True worship doesn’t reshape God to suit us; it reshapes us to fit Him. Let’s reject self-made religion and offer God the pure, obedient worship He commands—in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

An ALTAR was also built for it (Exodus 32:5-6)

In Exodus 32, after fashioning the golden calf from the people’s earrings, Aaron took it further. As verse 5 records in the KJV: “And when Aaron saw it, he built an ALTAR before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.”

Aaron constructed an ALTAR and instituted sacrifices—burnt offerings and peace offerings—typical of legitimate worship to Yahweh. He even called it a “feast to the LORD,” invoking God’s name. Yet this was all directed toward the idol he had made. It appeared devout and sacrificial, but it was corrupt: a man-invented ritual honoring a false god while pretending to serve the true God. God declared the people had “corrupted themselves” (v. 7) and turned aside from His commands.

This pattern persists in false worship today. People build their own “ALTARS”—structures of religious activity—and offer sacrifices that deviate from God’s New Testament pattern. Instead of the living, holy sacrifice God requires, many substitute outward shows: mere attendance, emotional highs, traditions of men, or self-pleasing acts that feel spiritual but lack true submission.

The BIBLE instructs believers in Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” And in 1 Peter 2:5: “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

True worship demands our whole selves—living, holy, and spiritual—offered through Christ, not dead rituals or self-made substitutes. The golden calf’s altar reminds us: Any sacrifice not aligned with God’s revealed will is false, no matter how religious it appears. Let us offer only what He accepts: ourselves as living sacrifices in obedient, Spirit-led worship.

They Let LOOSE (Exodus 32:6, 25)

In Exodus 32, after offering sacrifices before the golden calf, the people descended into indulgence. Verse 6 states: “And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” The Hebrew term for “play” here implies revelry—LOOSE, immoral behavior, feasting, drinking, and frolic that quickly turned the supposed “feast to the LORD” into carnal excess. What began as religious ritual degenerated into unrestrained partying, idolatry fueling sensuality and self-gratification. God viewed this as corruption (v. 7), and it brought swift judgment.

This “LETTING LOOSE” mirrors false worship today, where assemblies prioritize entertainment over reverence. Many modern “worship centers” resemble concerts—with loud bands, dramatic lighting, smoke machines, and performance-style music that feels more like a rock show than congregational praise. Attendees often observe passively, sipping coffee from on-site cafes, scrolling phones, or enjoying the spectacle rather than actively participating in humble adoration. Some churches even incorporate video games, recreation areas, bowling, or themed play zones—especially for youth—blending social fun with claims of spiritual community. These elements create a casual, consumer-driven atmosphere: eat, drink, play, and feel entertained, all under the guise of worship.

Yet Scripture calls for something different. Romans 14:17 declares: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” True worship produces holiness and spiritual fruit, not worldly indulgence. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for turning the Lord’s Supper into selfish feasting and divisions (1 Corinthians 11:17-34), much like the calf’s revelry.

The golden calf teaches that when worship becomes playtime—food, fun, frolic, concerts, and entertainment hubs—it ceases to honor God. It entertains the flesh instead of transforming the heart. Let us guard against this: Assemble to offer reverent, Spirit-led worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24), not to be amused. Flee the LOOSE LIVING of false worship and pursue the holy joy of true devotion to Christ.

3k People FELL that day (Exodus 32:28)

In Exodus 32, the golden calf incident reached its tragic climax in judgment. After the people had crafted the idol, built the altar, offered false sacrifices, and let loose in revelry, Moses descended the mountain in righteous anger. He confronted Aaron, then called out, “Who is on the LORD’s side?” (v. 26). The Levites stepped forward. Moses commanded them: “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour” (v. 27). Verse 28 in the KJV records the outcome: “And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.”

Three thousand fell by the sword that day because of their idolatry and false worship. Later, verse 35 adds: “And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” The sin brought immediate death and ongoing plague—consequences for corrupting true worship.

Paul draws a direct parallel in the New Testament church. In 1 Corinthians 11, he rebukes the Corinthians for mishandling the Lord’s Supper—divisions, selfishness, and unworthy participation that turned a sacred memorial into a selfish meal. He warns in verse 30 (KJV): “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” “Sleep” here means death—some had literally died as divine judgment for profaning the Lord’s table. False or irreverent “worship” brought physical weakness, sickness, and even premature death.

Today, false worship carries the same danger. When assemblies prioritize entertainment, man-made traditions, or self over humble obedience—when people approach God casually, divisively, or hypocritically—they risk spiritual and even physical consequences. God is holy; He does not tolerate corrupted worship. The three thousand who fell at Sinai and those who “sleep” in Corinth stand as warnings: False worship is not harmless fun—it can be deadly.

Let us examine ourselves. Are we assembling in truth, offering living sacrifices in reverence? Or are we risking judgment by crafting modern golden calves? Flee false worship. Pursue pure, obedient devotion to Christ, that we may honor Him rightly and escape the falling that comes from dishonoring God.

BE NOBLE & SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO FIND OUT IF THESE THINGS ARE SO.

Hero of Faith: a little maid

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What would you do if you were a captured slave in a foreign land, living among your adversaries? What would you do if the master of the house suffered from the dreaded, incurable disease of leprosy?

Would you tell your mistress about a possible cure in Israel? “And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, KJV).

Would she even believe you? “And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel” (v. 4).

Would the master believe the secondhand report and pass it on to the king? Would the king believe? “And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment” (v. 5).

Surprisingly, something about the faith of this little maid compelled these people to believe her and take the necessary steps to seek the cure. “And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy” (v. 6).

At the next stage, fear and doubt arise. “And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me” (v. 7).

You may already know the rest: Elisha hears of the matter, summons Naaman, and instructs him to dip seven times in the Jordan. Naaman rages and turns away at first, but his servants reason with him. He obeys, dips seven times, “and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (v. 14).

That’s the familiar part. But did you know Jesus mentions this healing? “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). Notice the key phrase: “none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.” Jesus reveals that, despite many lepers in Israel during Elisha’s time, none had been healed—only Naaman!

The implications are remarkable. This means the little captive maid, who set everything in motion toward God, had likely never seen a case of leprosy cured in her life! Yet she knew. She believed. And she lived with such consistent faith as a stolen child in a foreign land that, when she spoke of the cure, they believed her!

It reminds me of our faith today, as Peter sums it up: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9). Will anyone believe our report?

Agape

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All Spiritual Blessings are IN CHRIST

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3)

From this verse we learn that those who are “IN CHRIST” have been given spiritual blessings. There is a very important distinction being made by this verse; those “IN CHRIST” from those who are “OUTSIDE of CHRIST.”

Paul describes those who are (or were) outside of Christ: “…who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Eph 2:1-3), and “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12, emphasis added seb). There’s more going on in these chapters, but for our discussion we must recognize that there are NO SPIRITUAL blessings for anyone OUTSIDE OF CHRIST! This must serve as a warning for everyone. Living outside of Christ is like standing exposed in the open wilderness during a ferocious storm—far beyond the sturdy walls of a fortified city or the secure shelter of a stormproof refuge.

The winds howl, lightning cracks without mercy, torrents of rain lash, and unseen predators circle in the darkness. Every step is perilous: the ground shifts underfoot, thunder drowns out any cry for help, and the cold seeps into the bones with no warmth to counter it. There is no barrier against the elements, no refuge from judgment, no covering from the wrath to come. There’s only vulnerability, isolation, and inevitable ruin.

Jesus Himself described this danger vividly in the parable of the two builders (Matthew 7:24-27): The foolish man built his house upon the sand. When the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Outside of Christ, life is built on shifting, unstable ground. No matter how impressive the structure appears, the inevitable storms of life, temptation, trial, and final judgment will sweep it away completely.

In stark contrast, the wise man built his house upon the rock. The same rain fell, the same floods came, the same winds blew and beat upon that house—yet it stood: for it was founded upon a rock.

Do you remember what Jesus declared to Peter in Matthew 16:18? “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” That Rock is Christ!

ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS ARE IN CHRIST!

Agape
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who defines good fruit?

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“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

The Bible uses agricultural metaphors to describe spiritual reality: some speak of fruitful branches connected to the true vine (Jesus), bringing glory to the Father and proving genuine discipleship (John 15:8), while others warn of land (or lives) that produce only thorns and briers—unfruitful, rejected, near cursing, and destined for burning (Heb 6:8).

Jesus teaches that true character is revealed by what we produce (e.g., Matthew 7:16–20, no grapes from thornbushes). The contrast is stark: fruitful lives reflect connection to Christ and yield good things (love, obedience, character, good works), while thorn-bearing lives show disconnection, barrenness, or harm.

Here’s a good question; who defines what is fruit and what are thorns? That’s the crucial question, isn’t it? In a world full of opinions, subjective morality, and cultural shifts, who gets to decide what counts as good fruit (fruitful, glorifying to God) versus thorns and briers (unfruitful, worthless, harmful, or rebellious)?

Before we look into bearing fruit, let’s answer the question. The Bible warns about human centered standards that lead astray, and produce unfruitful or harmful outcomes.

Who Doesn’t Define GOOD FRUIT?
TRADITIONS of men can never define good fruit (Mark 7:7). Traditions often elevate above or nullify God’s command. The danger is in the possibility of practicing vain worship that cannot honor nor glorify God.

HEART (“It feels right to me”) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The danger lies in self-deception; what “feels good” can justify sin or error, yielding thorns of pride and rebellion instead of humble submission to God’s revealed will. Our feelings never override God’s word.

OPINIONS of men or of the majority. Naaman is a perfect example of this. Despite his terrible condition, his opinion about how it was to be done turned him in a rage away from the cure. “I thought… Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage” (2Kings 5:11-12). The danger lies in following hapless & happy ignorant mobs into destruction, (Matt 7:13-14; 15:14).

RELIGIOUS performance to be seen of men. Jesus highlighted those who practiced their religion to “be seen of men” (Matt 23:5-7; 6:2,5,16). He went onto say, “Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” The danger lies in that showmanship never produces lasting fruit. Kudos from men is a lousy reward (Galatians 1:10).

NICE in appearance masks the rotten fruit. Paul warned repeatedly about masquerade parties. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2Cor 11:14; 2Pet 2:1-3; Acts 20:29-30). The danger is in the subtle seduction of charming exteriors that hides the destructive heresies, leading souls astray.

SEASONAL TRENDS shift like winds. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). Fads come and go, but the word of the Lord endures forever (1Peter 1:24-25). Chasing novelties yields fleeting, unprofitable results rather than enduring fruit rooted in Christ’s truth. The danger is immaturity and instability.

Good fruit is defined solely by God’s revealed Word. Relying on unreliable sources risks producing thorns (worthless, harmful growth) that leads to rejection. Abide in the doctrine of Christ alone for fruit that glorifies the Father.

Agape
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WILL SILVER HIT $100?

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But there’s something better.

Since January of 2025 silver has skyrocketed from around $30 an ounce to over $90 as of this writing. Most of the gain happening in only the last 90 days.

The 1-year chart for silver prices, spanning from early 2025 to mid-January 2026, illustrates a classic pattern of gradual, persistent upward momentum that eventually culminates in dramatic gains. The metals prices have exhibited a slow, uneven climb through much of the year, with periods of consolidation, minor pullbacks, and steady accumulation. This incremental progress—often just a few percentage points month-over-month—built the foundation for an explosive breakout in late 2025 and early 2026, propelling silver to new all-time highs. The graph resembles many long-term growth phenomena: a compounding curve where small, consistent advances compound into life changing results, turning what seems modest & boring into something extraordinary.

The silver growth chart serves as a powerful metaphor for the value of small incremental growth in any domain—whether personal development, skill-building, financial habits, or spiritual disciplines. Just as silver didn’t surge overnight but accumulated value through persistent upward pressure over time, meaningful change rarely comes from flashy, one-time efforts; it emerges from daily, seemingly minor choices that compound relentlessly. A few minutes of reading Scripture each day may feel insignificant in the moment, yet over years, these habits forge profound transformation. The Bible echoes this principle in passages like Proverbs 13:11 “Wealth gained hastily dwindles, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it,” reminding us that lasting growth often stems from patient, incremental faithfulness rather than shortcuts.

But there’s more…
While people are frantically buying (or selling) to capitalize on this phenomenal growth, there is something far greater than silver and gold combined. The Scriptures repeatedly declare that the Word of God surpasses even the most glittering earthly treasures. As Proverbs 8:19 proclaims, wisdom of God is “better than gold, yea, than fine gold,” and its revenue exceeds choice silver. Psalm 119:72 echoes this, “the law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver,” while Psalm 19:10 describes God’s precepts as “more to be desired… than gold, yea, than much fine gold” and sweeter than honey. These verses remind us that no amount of precious metal—however explosive its appreciation—can match the eternal value, guidance, joy, and life-giving power found in God’s unchanging Word.

Putting it all together, as the markets frenzy over silver’s explosive growth, the Scriptures reveal an infinitely superior treasure that grows through small, faithful, daily habits of reading, meditating, and obedience to God’s word. Little by little we will gain great and precious gems that work in our hearts that compounds into spiritual riches eclipsing any earthly gain. The precious treasures of unshakable wisdom, lasting joy, eternal security, as we “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Peter 3:18).

Agape
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Hero of Faith: Ebed-Melech

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EBED-MELECH

You may never have heard of Ebed-melech. His story is found in the book of Jeremiah. He is known for rescuing Jeremiah from the pit. As a foreigner and a eunuch, his actions reveal profound courage, compassion, and faith in the God of Israel. The prophet Jeremiah had been thrown into a muddy cistern by hostile officials who viewed his prophecies of Jerusalem’s fall as treasonous. Left to sink in the mire, Jeremiah faced certain death amid the city’s famine.

“Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Ebedmelech went forth out of the king’s house, and spake to the king, saying, My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.  Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so. So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.” (Jeremiah 38:7-13)

This rescue was no small feat. In a city gripped by fear and betrayal, Ebed-Melech stood alone as the one willing to defend God’s prophet when even the king wavered.

Before the final fall of Jerusalem, God sends a personal message to Ebedmelech through Jeremiah: “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.  But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey (prize) unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 39:15-18)

Ebedmelech trusted God, and God remembered his courage. By rescuing Jeremiah, he sided with God’s messenger against popular opposition. He didn’t lead an army; he just did what was right. Nothing more is said of him, but the scriptures record for all time this simple act of faith. Ebed-Melech’s story illustrates timeless truths: God notices those who trust Him. This outsider shone as a beacon of faith, reminding us that trusting God includes simple acts often while standing alone for what is right.

Agape

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Happy New Year: 2026 Bible Reading Plan

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BIBLE READING RESOLUTION

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

I asked a fellow one day if he knew why people read the Bible daily. He said that he didn’t really know why. It got me thinking about why we ought to read the Bible.

In a world filled with confusion, relativism, and aimless wandering, we desperately need to immerse ourselves in the Bible, God’s inspired Word. As Ephesians 5:17 urges, we must not live foolishly but understand the WILL OF THE LORD, which is revealed clearly through Scripture. John 17:17 declares that GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH ITSELF; the objective anchor in an age of shifting sand of public opinions, guarding us from deception. Moreover, 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to always BE READY TO GIVE A DEFENSE FOR THE HOPE WITHIN US, a readiness that comes only from knowing and internalizing biblical truth. Finally, recognizing that it is not in man to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23), we turn to Psalm 119:105, where GOD’S WORD BECOMES A LAMP TO OUR FEET AND A LIGHT TO OUR PATH, illuminating our purpose and guiding us safely through life’s journey. Without regular reading of the Bible, we stumble in darkness; with it, we walk confidently in God’s eternal direction.

Get A Bookmark; it’s the easiest Bible Reading Plan.
A simple bookmark can be one of the most powerful tools for staying consistent in Bible reading, even without following a formal plan. Life is unpredictable with busy schedules, unexpected interruptions, and shifting priorities that can easily derail our good intentions to read Scripture daily. But a bookmark quietly solves this problem by marking exactly where we left off, so we know where to go when we pick back up the Bible again. No need to remember the last chapter or verse, no pressure to “catch up” on missed days, and no guilt over abandoning a rigid reading schedule. It allows us to resume right where we stopped, whether that was yesterday, or last week. This simple device keeps the habit alive, allowing steady progress through the Word over months and years. Over time, that humble bookmark becomes a faithful companion helping us build a lifelong rhythm of reading His Word; one verse, one chapter, one bookmark placement at a time.

I have found it most effective to set a time to read each day. In the early years I would read just before bed (a great strategy if you’re trying to avoid screen time at the end of the day). This helped me to go to sleep with God’s word on my heart. Now a days I read in the mornings (Monday – Friday) following a 5-day reading plan to read through the whole bible in one year. May God’s word be a blessing to you as you read in 2026.

Agape
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Gratitude: God expects it

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Gratitude; God expects it.

November’s cozy gatherings and pumpkin-spiced moments spark a flicker of gratitude in many of us. Yet, as Black Friday ads flood our screens and holiday shopping takes over, thankfulness often gets trampled under a scramble for deals. God’s Word, however, doesn’t limit gratitude to a single day like Thanksgiving. Scripture reveals that God expects His people to live with thankful hearts every day.

Gratitude refocuses our hearts toward His goodness. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is no suggestion; it’s God’s clear expectation.

A compelling example of His displeasure with ingratitude comes from Numbers 11:1-6, where the Israelites grumbled about their wilderness provisions, longing for Egypt’s food instead of praising God for their miraculous deliverance. Their complaints provoked God’s anger, and fire broke out in their camp as a consequence. This stark moment shows that ingratitude dismisses God’s provision, and brings on God’s anger.

Today, when we fixate on what we lack (especially amid our seasonal materialistic rush) we risk echoing the Israelites’ error. Ingratitude is among the conditions that invoke God’s anger, (Romans 1:21). Gratitude, as psychologist Robert Emmons notes in his studies, shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance, helping us see God’s hand in every detail, from daily bread to His unending grace. We don’t need science to tell us what scripture already reveals (Matt 6:25-34).

Gratitude in our worship will deepen our connection to God. Psalm 100:4 says, “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” God expects gratitude because it acknowledges His sovereignty and faithfulness. When we thank Him daily, whether for an answered prayer or strength in trials, we are acknowledging His blessings in our lives (James 1:17). This counters the fleeting gratitude of social media posts that fade as holiday sales dominate. By making thankfulness a habit, we fulfill God’s desire for a people who recognize His goodness, drawing closer to Him in a world that often pulls us away.

Finally, a grateful heart is essential to being the light of the world that we are showing others, meeting His expectation for us to live as His light. Colossians 3:15-17 urges us to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” and act “with gratitude.” Thankfulness fuels the brightness of our light and allows us to pierce the shadows of darkness, drawing others to Christ. When we’re grateful, we’re less likely to look like the word (in judgment or envy), and more likely to be a blessing to others. Gratitude strengthens our connection to those around us. In a season tempting us to value “things” over people, gratitude keeps us grounded in what matters.

God expects our gratitude every day, not just on Thanksgiving Day. Start now; thank Him for one thing each morning, big or small. Let’s glorify Him, avoiding the Israelites’ mistake, and let a thankful heart shine His love daily.

agape

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God is not for CALVINISM

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God Is Not a Calvinist

The Bible presents a God of boundless love, genuine invitation, and impartial justice. Yet Calvinism (through its doctrines of unconditional election, limited atonement, and irresistible grace) paints a different portrait: a God who sovereignly chooses some for heaven and others for hell, apart from their response. This article examines nine biblical truths that directly contradict core Calvinist claims. God is not a Calvinist because…

1. He Teaches Man Is Free to CHOOSE

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness… And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:14–15, ESV)

God does not mock His creatures with illusory commands. Joshua’s charge assumes real moral ability to choose between serving God or idols. Calvinism’s unconditional election denies this freedom, claiming the unelect cannot choose God. But Scripture places responsibility squarely on human shoulders.

2. He Desires ALL to Be Saved

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4)

Paul roots evangelism in God’s universal salvific will. Calvinism redefines “all” as “all kinds of people” (i.e., the elect from every nation). But the Greek pantas anthrōpous means every human without exception. God’s desire conflicts with their decree that guarantees most will perish.

3. He LOVES the Whole World

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

Calvinism limits Christ’s death to the elect. Yet “world” (kosmos) here is all-encompassing (every sinner, not a pre-selected subset). Salvation hinges on whoever believes, not whoever was chosen before time.

4. Jesus Is the Propitiation for the Whole World

“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1–2)

John destroys limited atonement in one sentence. Christ’s blood satisfies God’s wrath for every sin of every person. The offer of forgiveness is universal and sufficient—though not universally applied (due to unbelief, not divine decree; see Romans 1:20-32).

5. Jesus Was Willing, but ISRAEL Was Not

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often would I have gathered your children… and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)

Jesus’ lament exposes the myth of irresistible grace. Divine will (“I would”) clashes with human refusal (“you were not willing”). Grace woos, but does not compel. The same crowd that rejected Christ could have repented; if they had been willing.

6. He Is NOT Willing That Any Should Perish

“The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Peter ties God’s patience to a universal hope for repentance. Calvinism inserts “any of the elect” and “all of the elect,” but the text says any and all—period. God delays judgment to give every sinner opportunity (2Peter 3:15).

7. He Warns Believers of the Possibility of Falling

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Calvinism’s perseverance of the saints teaches true believers cannot fall away. Yet Paul warns the Corinthian church—regenerate Christians—of real spiritual danger. Apostasy is possible; perseverance is commanded, not guaranteed. The Bible is full of warnings against apostasy.

8. He Says Baptism Saves

“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience…” (1 Peter 3:21)

Calvinism often treats baptism as a mere symbol with no saving efficacy. Peter disagrees: baptism saves—not magically, but as the God-ordained moment of calling on the name of the Lord (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 10:13; Mark 16:16). It is the normative entry into Christ’s death and resurrection (Rom 6:3–4; Colossians 2:11-12).

9. He Teaches Babies Are Safe—We Do Not Inherit Adam’s Guilt

“The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father…” (Ezekiel 18:20)
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

Calvinism’s total depravity includes inherited guilt—infants are “vipers in diapers,” born condemned. But:

  • David said of his dead infant, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam 12:23)—implying the child was saved.
  • Jesus held up children as models of the kingdom, not objects of wrath.
  • Ezekiel rejects transgenerational punishment.

Sin’s consequence is death (Rom 5:12), but guilt is personal. Babies are safe until the age of accountability.

Conclusion: A God Worth Proclaiming

The God of Scripture loves every sinner, died for every sin, and pleads with every heart. He does not play favorites (Acts 10:34–35). He does not mock with insincere offers. He does not damn the innocent.

Calvinism’s God decrees reprobation before birth of certain individuals and spares selected individuals.


The Bible’s God says, “Choose this day… Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!” (Isa 45:22)

agape

spencer

Evidence for our Faith: Grateful not hateful

The Preacher Leave a comment

Gratitude and Happiness: Be Grateful not Hateful

Imagine waking up to a day where every thought feels heavy, every interaction strained. Now picture flipping that script by choosing gratitude over resentment. I heard a phrase the other day that resonates well with the teaching of the New Testament, “BE GRATEFUL, NOT HATEFUL.”

Paul’s letters to the early church brim with encouragement to embrace thankfulness, not just as a feel-good habit but as a way of changing our life. Paul knew gratitude could reshape our minds, relationships, and faith.

Gratitude rewires our mental health. Paul urges in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” He’s not dismissing life’s struggles but pointing to a remedy: pairing prayer with thanks.

Studies, like those from psychologists at the University of California, show gratitude reduces stress and boosts resilience. When we focus on what’s good (God’s provision, a kind word, a new day) our perspective shifts. Instead of spiraling into worry or bitterness, we anchor ourselves in hope. Paul’s wisdom aligns with modern science: thanking God in tough times doesn’t erase pain but builds a mental bridge to peace, because our mind can only focus on one thought at a time.

Gratitude also affects our relationships. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” This isn’t about ignoring conflict but choosing to see others through a lens of appreciation. When we’re in the midst of a strained friendship or family tension, gratitude can be a game-changer. When we thank God for the people in our lives, even the challenging ones, we start noticing their value. Science is discovering what the Bible already reveals. Research from the Journal of Social Psychology suggests expressing gratitude strengthens bonds, fostering empathy and reducing hostility. Paul’s urging for thankfulness nudges us to replace grudges with grace, softening hearts and healing divides. If we have a complaint, let us also have grace, reminding ourselves of that person’s good qualities that brought us together in the first place and give thanks to God (James 1:17).

Gratitude can also fuel spiritual growth. In Colossians 3:17, Paul says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Gratitude isn’t usually automatic; it’s a decision that draws us closer to God. When we thank Him for His faithfulness, as Psalm 100:4-5 encourages, we’re reminded of His goodness and sovereignty, which can deepen our faith. Unlike fleeting emotions, gratitude roots us in God’s eternal promises, making us less swayed by life’s ups and downs. Paul’s exhortation isn’t about denying hardship but about seeing God’s faithfulness giving us hope and purpose.

So, let’s take Paul’s inspired words to heart. Start small: thank God for one thing today; a sunrise, a friend, His promises. Replace a bitter thought with a grateful one. Be grateful, not hateful, and watch how gratitude transforms your heart and world.

Agape

Sources: Insights drawn from biblical texts (Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Colossians, Psalms) and studies from the University of California and the Journal of Social Psychology.