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What about loyalty?

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

Where our minds stay planted has to do with what we really care about? The link of the heart and mind has to do with our assurance of who Christ is within us. Honestly, we can tell who God really is and who our god is by what we think about the most. I know it has been a while since I have written, but that does not mean I have not been reading my Bible. I have been doing a deep dive in Galatians 5:17-23 and it is taking me some time to get all the good meat that comes from just sitting in these few verses. It really gives you a heart check, of which the Word is supposed to do.

Jonah 2:8 (AMP) Those who regard and follow worthless idols turn away from their [living source of] mercy and lovingkindness.

Jonah 2:8 (MEV) Those who follow vain idols forsake their true loyalty.

I have also been reading the minor prophets and the letters from Paul. Many might not like Paul’s writings, they may have never really read the Old Testament minor prophets either. The Israelites were constantly moving away from God as their heart center because they were selfish individuals. They were self-seeking, they were concerned about their wants, their desires, their pleasures. Taking care of themselves were their primary concern. They were disloyal to the precepts and principles of God because they hated rules, regulations and anything that wanted to put order in their lives. Sounds like what happens today when the body of Christ abuses grace, to give license for our self-life to rule and reign. Nobody likes being told what to do. However, I have found the most mature listen to correction. They truly honor God and their lives show it.

It is impossible for a true believer, a true person given themself over to Christ, to habitually live for themselves. The question that arose out of prayer was about loyalty. Are we loyal to family over Christ? Are we loyal to our jobs over Christ? Are we loyal to our pleasures over Christ? There is a divide happening and it has to do with loyalty. This was foretold by Jesus Himself.

Luke 12:49-53 (AMP) I have come to cast fire (judgment) on the earth; and how I wish that it were already kindled! I have a baptism [of great suffering] with which to be baptized, and how [greatly] I am distressed until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division [between believers and unbelievers]; for from now on five in one household will be divided [over Me], three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

This did not happen with His first coming, so do you think He was talking about His return? There are far more verses in the Bible about His second coming than about the first. If we look at how many were confirmed with His first, I think we need to pay more attention to the ones that talk about His second coming then. Our minds need to be fixed on Him and the mission He gave us, the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (AMP) But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (AMP) For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].

What we treasure is where our hearts are. What we meditate on is our treasure. An alcoholic is going to think about drinking alcohol more than anything else. The same who is going to commit adultery in their marriage. Honestly, that is what God thinks of us when we say we are waiting on Him to come again yet live our lives like we never knew Him. It is what you would rather spend your tithe on rather than honoring God with it. I think of Him when I am in church and serving (so many can be in a house of worship and still think of only themselves). I think of Him when I am driving. I think of Him when I am working out at the gym. I think of Him when I am at the grocery store. I make time to spend with Him during the day at home, especially when I have down time. If I do not think on Him, I am thinking of other things. I can come up with conversations that have nothing to do with reality. Remember the initial verse that started this blog. Go back and look at it. Perfect peace. There is an abundance of peace not for just those who believe in Him, it says for those who keep their minds on Him.

I am at peace even in these last days. There should be no fear with the things happening in the news. God knew. Jesus told us about it. The Old Testament prophets wrote about it. The letters by Paul are filled with it. John got to see it. Why are we worried? Is it because our loyalty is really in question? Read Matthew 25. Do some research on what weddings were like when Jesus was telling His disciples about His return. A marriage contract was written before the bride was taken by the groom. There was weight to it and the bride had to stay prepared for the moment she was taken. She would be caught up unexpectedly. It was a joyous celebration. Her loyalty was shown off after she was taken to the bed chamber. It may have been a year of waiting, but she stayed prepared. Did she say that she was not married before she was taken away, so that she could live how she wanted? Or did she live her life as faithful to the husband that was going to take her up? She was loyal to him and only him, from the moment of the betrothal because technically she was his wife. Put that in perspective, we are His bride. Live like one! Are we loyal to our King and Husband? His love is not empty. Live a life that bears the fruit of that love.

Abba, Father, Creator, You are more Wonderful than we could ever imagine. You are Holy and Worthy of all Honor and Praise. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Teacher. We desire You more than anything else. We repent for the idols that we put before You, whether it was family, jobs, pleasures or ourselves. We are excited to be living in the days that the prophets wrote about and dreamed about. We are so grateful for the grace You have given us to empower us to recognize when we need to shift back to You. You are truly a God of Mercy and Loving Kindness. Your Word says that You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is focused on You. Let us continually keep You and Your Word before us. Let us meditate on You and Your Word. Thank You for opportunities to turn back to You when our focus does veer off from You. Let us check our Peace. Let our hearts be renewed as our minds our renewed daily. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Third Quarter Reads of 2025

Philippians 1:9-11 (AMP) And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].

The third quarter reads are still not as big as the first, but their content was very deep. I have counted and have already surpassed the number of books that I read last year. Along with my daily devotionals, I read chapters of the Bible at a time (sometimes up to five chapters). This quarter I read Jeremiah through the Book of Acts. If you have never read through the minor prophets in the Old Testament, I encourage you to do so. They really highlight the love that God has for His us. Now that I am reading the letters of Paul, they are something that I will probably read together next time as they have the same message to the church. Even in outright rebellion, He is looking and providing a way.

I did complete the 365 Daily Devotions from Psalms by Joyce Meyer, that I began last year. I also read ten books, four of which I purchased and read immediately (the books by John Bevere and Louie Giglio). I will give you an overview of three books, but here is my total list for this quarter:

  • The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn
  • I am a Church Member by Thom S. Rainer
  • A Heart Ablaze: Igniting a Passion for God by John Bevere
  • Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender by Beth Moore
  • Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn
  • The Fear of the Lord: Discover the Key to Intimately Knowing God by John Bevere
  • Goliath Must Fall: Winning the Battle Against Your Giants by Louie Giglio
  • Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio
  • Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation by Jen Schmidt
  • Change Your Words Change Your Life by Joyce Meyer

Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio was a book that I bought this year and read almost immediately. Louie takes the 23rd Psalm and pulls out the verse, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” This is the position of this verse as looking at it from what we allow into our minds. How does God feed us? What is the Bread of Life that Jesus talked about? What we think on will affect us tremendously, not inviting the enemy to a seat at our table has to do with the battle of our minds. There are countless occurrences in the Bible of those who were faced with unfair trials physically and emotionally, from Shadrach, Meshack and Abendego to Paul and Silas. What did they keep before them? I read this verse in this book and when I go to it again in the Old Testament this quarter it has reminded me over and over to keep my focus on Him. When the enemy wants us to listen to lies of others not wanting to be a part or doing everything they can to sabotage, or just do not care about you, that will invite the enemy to your table. Anything that will distract you is the enemy at your table. Here is that verse: Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18) Even though…I will. That needs to be our stance. Not on the circumstance. I will still be joyful and glad because the Lord is my Savior.

A Heart Ablaze: Igniting a Passion for God by John Bevere. John Bevere is one of my favorite authors and speakers. If you have not downloaded their free app, Messenger X, I encourage you to do so. Podcasts, courses and books all right there ready for you to access, for free. This is my go to app at the gym. I picked up A Heart Ablaze and The Fear of the Lord at the same time. John uses the illustration of the Israelites coming out of Egypt in both books, but he gets really into the heart motives why God wants our hearts to be on fire for Him in A Heart Ablaze. There are many illustrations of how we want to live first place in our lives and call that God. Actually, it is little “g,” god. Here are some words from the chapter titled “Intentions or Desires?” “They had not separated themselves in their hearts from the world, which resulted in their inability to separate what was of the world and what was of God. If you desire both the world and the intimate knowledge of God, the image of God become distorted. You do not truly know Him; you know a different Jesus.” That is such a strong statement, “you know a different Jesus.” This is why it is so important that we check the rhema word (personal revelations) with the logos (the written Word of God). “Moses wanted God and would gladly pay any price to know Him. The children of Israel wanted what was best for them. If the benefit of walking in God’s ways was evident to their natural senses, they would gladly embrace it, but if it was not evident, they would gravitate toward what seemed best. To know God will always result in what is best for us, for God is perfect love. However, many times this knowledge will not be evident in the natural senses. Moses loved God for who He is; Israel loved God for what He could do for them. If what He was doing did not meet their desires, they moved toward what they deemed best.” This illustrates the church today; there is a dividing line. There are the true worshippers and there are those who profess Jesus, yet they are still self-seeking. Who do we want to be?

Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender by Beth Moore. This book published in 2000 and really digs deep of the importance of surrender to Christ. Nothing in it talks about self-importance, only that true healing comes from a place of surrender. I know that some may of cringed when you saw that I picked up a book by Beth Moore. I just did a shallow dive into what happened and hope that healing can come. Pride, as she talks about in this book, will only put us back into captivity. We have to take a stand against idolatry, and some of those can be our old belief systems. It is really important to read the Bible for yourself, and she says that over and over again. Her key verse is from Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance and retribution of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: to give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning], the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (AMP) This verse is one I have almost committed to memory; it has come across my readings so much. The book points back to the reason we have been set free, why it is important for us to break free from bondages. It is all for His glory. Pride does not glorify God; it seeks to glorify ourselves. Surrender is the key to our freedom. “Freedom and lordship are inseparable partners in the believer’s life.” “Freedom becomes reality when we yield to the authority of God.” A lot of times we want God to remove the temptations from our lives, that we do not want to have to struggle with them any longer. We want to forget about the suffering. He wants us to lean into Him more, not try more. “God will not release us from anything that enslaved us until we’ve come to the mind of Christ on the matter. We will not be free until we adopt the mind of Christ in the matter that has enslaved us.” “We will think with the mental language we practice the most.” Surrender starts in the mind. This book is 47 chapters, but I was able to read two to three chapters a day and enjoy it.

I am writing this blog about books to encourage you to read. First and foremost, pick up your Bible and read it daily. I am not asking you to start with five chapters, start with one. Start with five verses if you must but start. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His heart to you as you read. Do not skip over the minor prophets. God is not a God of wrath, but of grace and mercy. Yes, He is judge and He has come against the prideful. Humility is a position of the heart. We should not gloat at another’s misfortunes but should seek restoration. Jonah had an issue with that when God revoked the sentence on Ninevah because they turned their hearts back to God. Love always hopes. Obadiah is one chapter. Do you get bored reading the Bible? Ask God to help you with that. I went years without reading it and only doing the verses that accompanied my devotions. It was through my desire to surrender that I picked up the Bible to read. It was part of my quest to desire for more. I do not regret it, and you will not either.