Category: Relationships - Jethro TOOLS

Participate in Fellowship

7/28/2024

1 John 1:6-7
Some years ago I borrowed a canoe from a church member and placed it in front of the church as an illustration of fellowship. So how would an old canoe describe fellowship? Well, the best way to travel in a canoe is with two people. However, two people in a boat does not mean that they have fellowship. They merely exist together without participating in any meaningful activity. But if those two people are in a boat and paddling the same direction they share the experience and are able to benefit from each others efforts as they glide through the water. In Acts 2:42 the early church spent time in fellowship. What is fellowship? Biblical fellowship is defined as participation or sharing, as in sharing in and participating in an activity. In the book of 1 John the author confronts false teaching and beliefs that circulated in the early church by addressing true fellowship. In verse 6 and 7 John challenges his audience to a proper conduct and imitation of Christ that walks as He does. In order to do this we need to align our life and participate in fellowship with Christ our savior. In other words, the correct practice of our relationship with Jesus will impact and direct our correct God honoring relationships with others. Our fellowship with one another is to be a living reflection of our relationship with Christ. Like the early church, we are challenged to live the life changing truth of the gospel in our fellowship with one another. By being in fellowship with Christ and following Him we will see the power of the gospel transform us and transform our relationships with others. Just as we benefit from others being in a canoe and paddling in the same direction with us, so we also benefit others by our walk with the Lord and see the reciprocal effects in our relationships.

For More See 1 JOHN

Walk in Marriage

5/19/2024

Ephesians 5:22-33
A mirage is an optical illusion that appears to be real. However, in reality it is not there. For example, on a hot day, the right conditions in the atmosphere can create an optical illusion or mirage. The surface of a road may look like water. It shimmers and appears to be real, but the farther you drive the more the illusion seems to shift and disappear. In Ephesians 5 Paul provides practical teaching on what the marriage of a believer in Jesus is to be like. This is not to be an illusion that just tricks the eyes of everyone else. In the book of Ephesians Paul is emphasizing the grace of God and how that changes our life. In the first three chapters Paul highlights the theological truths that change us at salvation. Now, in the final three chapters Paul emphasizes how the reality of God’s grace should change the way we live. Our belief in the good news and message of salvation through Jesus changes our heart, while His example provides the model of how we are to live. Paul relates that truth to marriage by illustrating the fact that a marriage relationship is not based on rights, expectations and privileges. Instead, a believers marriage relationship finds its substance in submitting, serving and sacrificing. Those words are hard for self centered people. Yet, when those actions are given with grace and believed by faith, that God will use our actions for His honor, a healthy marriage becomes a reality and not a mirage. Is the message and model of Jesus sacrifice and service reflected in your marriage, or is your marriage just a mirage of what it could be? As Paul illustrates in Ephesian 5:22-33, your marriage is to be a living relational model of a new spiritual reality that displays your relationship with Jesus.

For more see EPHESIANS

Questions of Peace

12/17/2023

Luke 2:14
I have four questions for you. First, Have you thought about the word peace recently? The simple word is often used as a greeting or parting wish. The words that we use show the deep desire for what we seek. Our words reflect our heart desire for what is calm and tranquil, without conflict. We desire our relationships and our world to be peaceful. We desire peace, but all too often it is only temporary.

Second, Have you thought about world peace recently? We are surrounded with all that is not peaceful. There is the tension with the family member, the ongoing problem with the neighbor, the clash with others at the worksite followed by what we see on the news with conflicts between nations. We long for peace within and without, but our surroundings and circumstances seem to keep peace at an unreachable distance.

Third, Have you thought about your peace recently? We all strive for peace. Some may seek peace through escaping society and heading out to the wilderness and quiet of nature. Others may seek peace through their opposition and protest of conflict that has erupted. Still, some others seek peace through their own dominance and tightfisted control, while others seek peace through possessions that will insulate and isolate them from the world. None of these will give lasting peace. To be completely fair, these may bring a form of temporary peace but nothing that is permanent.

So, Fourthly, Have you thought about God’s peace recently? Our desire for peace is not born within us and our own conscious desires for self preservation and comfort. So where does the desire for peace come from? We as created beings are a reflection of God who has made us. He is the one who has made us, and created peace. It is through Him that we can know true peace. In Luke 2:14 the angels are sent to the shepherds to announce the birth of the promised savior who will bring peace (Isaiah 9:6). This is a peace between God and mankind as God gives His peace through His son Jesus. This is based on God’s gracious display of His favor toward all who believe in His son, born as a baby to be the savior of the world. Do you believe that? Are you experiencing His peace in the midst of chaos in our world?

For more see LUKE or SONGS OF CHRISTMAS

How Faith Behaves Under Influence

7/31/2022

James 2:1-13
In the heat of summer going to an Ice Cream shop is a treat. Behind the glass case is wide selection of cold ice cream just waiting for you. There are choices of candy flavors, chocolate flavors and fruit flavors. If you are like me it is hard to make a choice, but we always seem to go back to the certain flavors that we prefer. What flavor would you choose? We like flavors that not only taste good but also in some way make us feel good. Perhaps a specific flavor brings back a memory of a special time or a special place. We choose what we do because we like it and the benefits it brings. However, do we treat people in much the same way? Of all the types and personalities of people which ones are we attracted to? Typically, we like the ones that like us and that benefit us. That problem, favoritism, is the problem that James addresses as he begins chapter 2. He starts with a command to not allow faith to be incorrectly influenced by favoritism (1). Historically this was a problem in the church as people would show preference to the important and wealthy (2-4). James points out that honor based on wealth is incorrect (5-7). Instead, James says, true love is shown without partiality (8). Our service is not to be based on what someone can give. Instead our service is based on the correct understanding and practice of mercy (12-13). The problem is our world promotes that we deserve more of what we like. We must remember that we are undeserving and that our blessing comes from God. We should always seek to elevate Christ and His mercy, and also seek our blessing from God as we serve unconditionally just as Jesus served us.

For more see JAMES

Fellowship: Commitment to God and Others

6/16/2021

1 John 1:1-4
Today’s culture has changed much from what it used to be. One big change is the way we communicate. We no longer have to speak face to face to communicate. Instead we use phones to talk with someone without ever seeing them. This communication may be from across the store, across the street or around the world. The technology of phones and a phone call has made life much easier in some ways but harder in others. When we do not speak face to face it is much more difficult to participate in a project or activity with someone else. It is much harder to build and maintain a relationship from a distance. The same is true spiritually. As we examine 1 John we understand that the important aspect of fellowship is simply a partnership and a participation in the pursuit of common direction. This is a partnership with others who believe in Jesus as savior. In today’s society, people who claim to be believers in Jesus Christ often state that they do not need to be in church. Without the involvement with other believers on a regular basis fellowship is not complete (1 John 1:4). True Biblical fellowship finds its foundation in Jesus who is fully preexistent as God fully living as man. John says that Jesus was from the beginning (1 John 1:1), but also that Jesus was fully man as one who could be touched (1 John 1:1). As John notes in this verse Jesus is not only God’s Word of communication to us, but also He is the Word of life. Through Jesus as savior, God communicates His message of new life and a new way to live. This is life that is connected in fellowship with God and others. This is much more than church attendance. True fellowship with God is based on our beliefs about Jesus as savior, reflected in our words and seen our attitudes. Fellowship is found in more than a distant communication. Fellowship is the committed spiritual connection that we have with Jesus and others who believe in Him as together we pursue a lifelong relationship with Him.

For more see 1 JOHN

Motives for Life and Ministry

5/9/2021

Philemon 12-16
What motivates you to respond to the situations that surround you? Years ago, I had an assignment for a class that I literally took to the streets to see how people would react. I dressed like a homeless person and sat on the sidewalk right outside the main entrance of the Bible School I was attending. As I called out to different ones, they all walked past and even tried to stay as far away from me as possible. Yes, those who did nothing were from the same school I was attending. Most responded out of fear, annoyance, safety or security. One young man had his conscious pricked, and he circled back to double check on me. After a short conversation I told him that I was a student like him and this act was part of a class project. He was shocked that he was the only one to stop. Again I ask, What motivates you to respond to situations you see? As Paul writes to Philemon in verses 12-14 he addresses the motives of service that are based on relationship, function or compulsion. However, in verse 15-16 he emphasizes a motive of spiritual purpose that has an eternal perspective. Paul desires for Philemon to respond to Onesimus as a brother in Christ and seek his best interests. Today, Are we doing what we do out of service and love for God? Are we serving to bring God’s perspective and spiritual change in the lives of others? May a love for God guide our motives and direct our service so we respond correctly, as God would have us, to the situations around us.

For more see PHILEMON

The Cost & Value of Returns

5/2/2021

Philemon 8-11
Have you ever returned an item you had purchased? I have seen people return perfectly good tools for a full refund, after they were used once, because they were no longer needed. It has been estimated that retail businesses world wide lose 600 billion dollars to returns with retail sales in North America making up almost 1/3 of the total amount lost. The numbers are astounding but we should not be surprised because that is a human reaction. When something no longer serves our purpose we seek to remove it in a way that will benefit us. That is exactly what Paul is trying to avoid as he writes Philemon about Onesimus, his run away slave. As the owner, Philemon had a number of options in dealing with Onesimus, including death. Paul makes his appeal for Onesimus who is a new person through his belief in Christ as savior (10) which results in a new relationship and value for this slave (11). Paul could have forced Philemon to do what he wanted (8). Instead, he made his appeal to Philemon that he base his reaction to Onesimus on the love of God (9). Today we face many relational challenges where our world tells us that we have the right to respond a certain way. The question is, how would God want you to respond? God is calling us to find the value in others because He loved us first (1 John 4:19).

For more see PHILEMON

United Through Christ

3/28/2021

Ephesians 2:11-22
Have you ever walked into a room and realized that you did not know anyone? That happened to me the other day. I walked into a room and realized that everyone was looking at me and I knew no one. Did I feel uncomfortable? Yes, I sure did on a personal and cultural level. Did I turn around and leave? No, because I realized that those present were present at a church gathering where they wanted relationships with those present and a deeper relationship with God that would continue to transform their life. As we look at Ephesians 2:11-22 we note Paul highlighting the past relationships that the church had apart from Christ (11-12). They were distant from God, unconnected from others and hopeless. However, Paul states that this past reality is not true in the present because of Jesus (13-22). They have been brought near (13) to live a transformed life through peace with others (14-16), have a relationship with God the Father (17-18), and are unified for spiritual growth with others for God’s purpose (19-22). Like the Ephesian church, we may find others uncomfortable to be around, but God has them in our lives for a purpose. His desire is to interconnect us through Christ and unite us to grow us together. His relationship with us transforms our relationship with others.

For more see EPHESIANS

Prayer for Transforming Knowledge

3/14/2021

Ephesians 1:15-23
After a long, dark, cold winter many people in the north often find themselves infected with Cabin Fever or Seasonal Affective Disorder. These two do not sound like real diseases but they affect many in the population. Each year numbers of people come down with the symptoms of irritability and depression which are the result of hours in a dark house isolated from the world. The cures are fairly simple… get outside and do something or at least turn on all the lights inside and use bright colors to decorate. Likewise, in Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prays that the church will know about God and translate that into a deep relationship with God. He first praises them (15-16), then secondly he tells them what he is praying for them (17-23). He wants them to have the perspective of Godly hope, the value of Godly riches and the power of God’s strength. Paul prays that they will understand what they already have in Christ and that they would implement this knowledge in their life. Like the simple cures for the mid winter blues, Paul provides encouragement and prayer for others who need it. Like the Ephesian church, we also need the encouragement and prayer of others to motivate our spiritual growth. Who is praying for you? Who are you praying for?

For more see EPHESIANS

Dispute Resolution

9/21/2020

What do you do if a misunderstanding escalates into a full blown dispute? Something was said or done quite innocently or even unknowingly and it seems like gasoline was just thrown on a fire. There was a huge explosion and now nothing is the same with pieces of a relationship blown up and scattered all over the place. Where do you begin as you try and patch these broken relationship pieces back together? There are a number of helpful tips that we find in the pages of Scripture. The following are offered as tools to use in the midst of a dispute.

First, try using a mediator. Some cultures find this to be very valuable in avoiding the shame of face to face conflict. A mediator is a wise person that is called in an attempt to reconcile two parties who are in the midst of a conflict. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and sinful humankind (1 Timothy 2:5). We need to model our lives after Christ and be that peace making party. If we are personally involved in an unresolved conflict it is always a good idea to call in a wise elder for counsel and help. They can speak with the wisdom of age and the wisdom of an outside perspective. Ultimately we need to use Christ as our mediator and pray about the situation, our involvement, the other party and ask God to help bring a resolution that would honor Him.

Next, we need to watch out for words of gossip and attitudes that seek to destroy the other person. Gossip is simply uncontrolled conversation that is not true. By using gossip we ultimately seek to tear the other person down and make ourselves look better. Gossip pridefully betrays a confidence (Proverbs 11:3 & 20:19). When we gossip it makes the problem worse (Proverbs 26:20) by spreading it to the larger community and involving others. Gossip in many ways is like a mold that grows on a piece of food. It will continue to destroy what is good unless it is cut off and removed. We need to correct our attitudes of pride that lead to gossip because others and God will see it for the sinful contamination that it truly is.

The third tool is to pray. We often think that prayer is just our conversation with God about us, but God desires that it be so much more. Have you prayed for your enemy, the one you are in conflict with? Romans 12:12 challenges us to be persistent in prayer even for our enemies. Jesus said that we are to love our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:44-45). In some ways, this is the easiest solution and yet it is the most difficult. Why? Well, there is part of us that thinks we are better than the enemy and we portray that to God when we pray. We want God to destroy the enemy rather than see them restored. We need God’s perspective and that can be gained through prayer.

Fourth, we need to act righteously toward our enemy. In Romans 12, Paul challenges his audience and even us today with three practical steps. The first thing he says highlights our sense of justice for being wronged. Paul says that we should not try and correct the injustice by turning around and acting unjustly (Romans 12:17). Our attitude and consistent desire should be one that constantly seeks to live in peace with others (Romans 12:18). Finally, Paul emphasizes the value of acting in a way that is contrary to conflict (Romans 12:20). When we can show grace and give to an enemy what is not deserved that is when we have truly understood God’s grace that He has shown to us.

May God give us the courage and the grace to be problem solvers not problem creators.

For more see CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Solving Misunderstandings

7/2/2020

Joshua 22
Have you ever had a conflict with someone that seemed to come out of no where? It happens to everyone. How do you begin to define the problem and then take steps to solve the misunderstanding. Today, let’s examine some common roots of misunderstanding and see how we can solve issues of poor choices and dumb actions that lead to heated words … hopefully in a positive manner. This example of misunderstanding begins with everything being just normal. The people, under Joshua’s leadership, had just completed the conquest of the land and now they were heading to their homes. The initial hint of a problem slides into the event as Joshua talks with the two and a half of the tribes who had land across the Jordan river.

We pick up the story of misunderstanding in Joshua 22. Everything is is returning to normal and Joshua stops the two and a half tribes before they leave. He reminds them to keep following God (5). There was a peaceful parting of ways as they left with Joshua’s blessing. Then the story takes a turn. Even today we see that sometimes people just do dumb things. That is exactly what happened as the two and a half tribes built an altar (10) almost immediately after the conversation with Joshua. When you are faced with a decision think about the impact of this decision beyond the present moment. Ask yourself, “How will this decision affect others now and in the future?”

Well, to be sure, someone was watching and reported to the rest of the nation what had just happened on the other side of the river. The first response to the problem across the river was to fight (11-12). The rest of the nation was ready to go to war against the two and a half tribes. However, cooler heads prevailed. It was decided that Phinehas the priest and tribal representatives should go and talk with the trouble makers across the river (13-14). The problem was that they accused and attacked the altar builders with their words (15-20). They did not gather information in order to formulate a wise response. The lesson is simple. In solving a misunderstanding we need to listen first and then talk. We need to get the other side of the story, but all too often we rush to judgment just like these leaders.

What do you do when you are wrongly accused? How do you react? All too often our first response is to defend ourselves and our reputation. In doing that the pent up internal emotion boils over into external expression and the fight is on. However, there is hope for this group of Israelites in their wise response (21-29). They first of all include God in the conversation and highlight the fact that God knows their intentions. Second, they emphasize the value they place on their relationships with others and God. Finally, they highlight their previous commitment to Joshua (5) and their loyalty to God. For us, the lesson is clear. When we are accused wrongly the way to solve the misunderstanding is to respond honestly and calmly. Honesty without calmness will only pour fuel on the fire.

We are bound to have conflicts with others. The important thing to keep in mind is, “How do we respond to the misunderstanding?” Solving a misunderstanding is critical to avoiding a costly conflict. We can see reconciliation in our relational misunderstandings as we intently listen, and honestly communicate with calmness.

For more see CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Lighter Load

6/29/2020

Matthew 11:28-30
The backpack was heavy. I had two gallon jars of spaghetti sauce plus several full roles of tinfoil. On their own they may not seem like much, but in a backpack on your back you feel their weight with every step. I carried them for the duration of a multi-day team building wilderness adventure. Through out the time on the trail I only found relief when someone came up behind me slightly lifted the pack as we paused for a break or when I was able to take the pack off at night. When someone else helped with my load I instantaneously felt lighter and energized to take on the next section of trail. In Matthew 11:28 we see Jesus offer an invitation of rest from the heavy loads that we may be carrying. There is a simple exchange of a burden for rest. God wants us to feel the weight of our burdens in life, but He also longs to help us us learn a better way to deal with life as we walk next to Him. The only way to find rest for your soul is to have a relationship with Jesus live under His guidance (Matthew 11:29). So… What do you plan to do with your backpack full of heavy burdens?

Mirror Image

6/3/2020

Genesis 1:26-27
As we look around, we see our world falling apart and most often we try to deal with the symptoms rather than the root problems. So, for a few moments, let’s look briefly at the view of your image. This is not a self esteem talk, but rather an essential conversation from a Biblical perspective.

In Genesis 1:26 God speaks of making humanity, male and female, in His image. What does that word image mean? It simply means that there is a resemblance, much like a baby bears a resemblance of the parents. The Biblical view of image has much to do with the functions of spiritual and moral resemblance. However, the image and its resemblance is ultimately displayed in a functional relationship. In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let Us make… in Our image.” Notice the plural words that are used showing a connection and relationship. This is the God head communicating as the Father, Son and Spirit together in community. You will see this continued communication and relationship as God daily talks, in person, with Adam and Eve until they sinned (Genesis 3:8). Right from the start, God desires to to have a relationship with people.

So, what happened to the image? I want you to imagine a mirror. At creation when God made Adam and Eve everything was very good (Genesis 1:31). But, in Genesis 3, we see the entrance of sin and the corruption of humanity. This is the root of the distortion of the God’s image in humanity. Sin corrupts all of our life so the reflection of God is not clearly seen. Today, we as people still bear the image of God, but its reflection is still distorted by sin. This plays out daily in a lack of morals and lack of relationship governed by a lack of true righteousness in our lives and justice in our actions. To use your imagination again, you can smear butter across the mirror and the reflection is distorted and not clearly seen. In the same way that is what sin has done. Sin distorts God’s image that we were originally designed to reflect.

The spiritual solution is found by dealing with the distortion of sin and the way it corrupts our lives. This is something that only God can do as we trust in Christ to save us from our sin and our self. To begin the cleaning process God uses His grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). God cleans up our mess as we turn to Him in faith. God begins the cleansing and restoration process so we can reflect or display Him through our lives. Righteousness is developed in our lives as our personal response to God’s ongoing purifying work while justice is seen as the practical application of that righteousness displayed toward others.

The outcome is that we who know and believe that we are loved by God (John 3:16) and should be the ones who display or reflect His love to others (Matthew 22:37-40). That means we view others as the image bearers of God that they truly are. When we reflect God’s image we seek to love unconditionally and not based on skin color or geography. When we reflect God’s image we use words of grace. When we reflect God’s image we serve the needs of others and are not self seeking for our own. When we reflect God’s image we love people unconditionally just as God loved us. When we reflect God’s image we treat employees fairly and in turn we seek to benefit the employer. When we reflect God’s image we work to see righteousness and justice established and the redemption of a sin broken world just as God did. When we reflect God’s image we love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). May God give us the grace to be cleaned by Him so we can be a mirror image of Him.

Stitches for Stability

4/29/2020

2 Corinthians 13:11
I slipped and felt the burning, searing pain run through my leg. What do you do when you look at your leg that is ripped wide open and bleeding? In my case I had to jump in the truck and drive an hour to get a number of stitches to close the wound. We have lived in places where there were no emergency services, no fire trucks, no ambulances and no 911 phone calls. It is now a joy for us to be close to a fire house, near a hospital and have the 911 emergency number that actually works. The emergency services exist to bring us as people back to a safe and stable life. In this verse, Paul is closing his second letter to the Corinthian church and he challenges them with five things that will bring stability to their lives and the life of their church. These five are still valuable and needed for us today. If we want to experience the love and peace of God we need to be people of God who first of all are filled with joy that comes from God. This joy finds it roots in a deep satisfying relationship with God that is not shaken by the circumstances of life. Paul desires that they be people that are filled with joy because they know how God has saved them and and are confident in what He continues to do. Secondly, we need to be spiritual growing to be made complete in God. The Corinthians had been corrected by Paul so they could understand and live in a way that pleased God. Third, Paul wanted them to be encouraged by his words. The word encouraged here literally means to call alongside. We can encourage others as we come alongside them by lifting them up with our positive words and the use of Scripture. Next, Paul wants them to be like minded and agree with each other. This is not just being nice to get along. Paul’s desire is that his readers will be united on the truth of God and the practice of His word in their daily lives. This leads us to the fifth and final point of living in peace. His point is to be a peace loving person not a problem making person. The practice of these five things in our relationship with God and our relationships with others will lead us to experiencing the blessing of love and peace from God. To put it simply Paul is saying that if you want to have a life of stability you first must have an intimate fellowship with God and allow that relationship to impact your conduct. Paul had provided some spiritual stitches that he hoped would hold and bring stability to their lives and their church. The same can be true for us today.

Home is where ...

9/1/2011

         A place to relax, rest and hopefully refresh after a long day. We like our homes. This is proven by the home improvement stores and products that we purchase to make our homes more relaxing and enjoyable. Amazing how we spend so much time and effort to shape our lives and our surroundings to include just a tiny bit of heaven.

            On the other hand at various church events and all night singing events one may hear the popular song “This world is not my home I’m just a passing thru. My treasure is laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door and I can’t feel at home in this world any more.” Throw in a country twang and pretty soon the boots are stompin and the hands are clappin. The party is on! The problem is that the party is here not there. If we really believe this then why do we cling to what exists here and now?

            In the world of nature there are glimpses into the joy and rest that God originally designed in the Garden of Eden but was destroyed and corrupted by sin. Several months ago the June 26, 2011 edition of Parade magazine contained an article on unlikely friendships. The article was referencing a book that documented unusual animal friendships. For example there was the kitten in Bali that became the pet of a monkey. Even when given the chance to leave she still returned to the monkey. The brief article went on to give examples and photos of animals that should have been enemies or at best not associate with each other. Now they were living in peace. They are glimmers of normal.

            My thoughts were drawn to Genesis 1 where God spoke everything into existence and it was seen as good. Then there is some thing that God had Isaiah write about the end.

And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the kid, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze; Their young will lie down together; And the lion will eat straw like the ox. Isaiah 11:6-7

The Bible explains that the Garden of Eden was a place of peace and communion with God until it was corrupted by sin. The reality is that what we see around us today is not normal and not the way God intended for it to be. As we see from the context of these verses Isaiah is recording the events of God’s kingdom at the end of time, the millennial kingdom.

            So let us examine the Bible from start to finish. In the beginning and at the end of the story called life on earth we see a calm sense of normal peaceful relations exist with God being the central character. The middle portion shows the corruption of humanity, sin and God sending His son into the mess to provide a way out for sinful corrupted humanity. Our world and its sinful corruption has lead to fighting, killing and even eating in order to be the one that hopefully survives just a little bit longer to live a life that contains a bit of peace. This is nothing less than striving by the animals and people in order to attempt too recreate what God intended for us all along.

            Jesus gives peace internally and helps us live in contrast to an external world that does not understand real peace and rest. Jesus told his disciples about a helper and comforter that would come after His departure. He said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27). Do we understand? Have our minds really been transformed (Rom. 12:1-2)? Do we live as people who have been saved by God’s grace in order to “pursue peace with everyone and pursue holiness” (Heb12:14)? Do we live lives in constant contrast to our world as we earnestly hope for the future and a return to what is really normal?