"And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." Exodus 15:23-26

Murmuring or complaining is one of those sins that are overlooked. Sometimes we get so focused on the "big sins" such as murder and adultery that we overlook this sin -- but the Lord doesn't give this sin a free pass -- quite the opposite. It's a hidden killer! This sin unleashed a plague that killed thousands of Israelites! [Numbers 16] In this passage, we read how the Israelites, who were desperately thirsty, looked only at the fact that the water they had come to was bitter and undrinkable. How quickly they forgot their God, who had led them out of Egypt with signs and wonders. They had just witnessed His dividing of the Red Sea and the destruction of those who had enslaved them. And yet, so quickly, they returned to looking only with their natural eyes at the problem in front of them, completely forgetting the miracle-working power of their God! And so they murmured against Moses. But honestly, weren't they really murmuring against God? Once again, Moses interceded for them, revealing the faithfulness of His God to answer every impossible dilemma and provide for every need; and again, setting them the example: they simply needed to go to the Lord! So often, just like the Israelites, we focus on our desperate situation with our physical eyes and not with eyes of faith and then fall into the trap of complaining. And if you're like me, once I start, it can be really hard to stop...until the Lord stops me, right in my tracks, and He reminds me –- aren't you really complaining against me? I have to remember to see that I actually hinder the Lord's answers to my problems by unbelief...which leads to the sin of murmuring! Brothers & Sisters, let's not allow this sin to gain a foothold -- because it can easily become a stronghold! The same wonder-working God that led the children of Israel out of Egypt is still at work today -- but are we hindering Him? If we are grumbling and complaining, the answer is, "YES"! And in so doing, until we stop, we are missing out on His answers and blessings, which are waiting in the wings to meet our faith in Him! BEWARE OF THE SILENT KILLER!

"And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God" Revelation 3:14

The word "Amen" (אָמֵן) properly pronounced in Hebrew "ah-mehn", means "so be it" or "may it be so", and also, "Yes, it is true!" Some scholars suggest a connection with the Hebrew word for truth, "emet" (אֶמֶת), because of the two similar root letters, "aleph"(א) and "mem" (מ). Truth ought to be confirmed. At the end of a prayer, saying "Amen" expresses the desire to affirm and confirm what was requested or proclaimed. Leha'ameen, (להאמין) means "to believe, trust or confide in", and all variations of this root (אמן) relate to "emunah" (אמונה): faith, belief, or faithfulness! While "Amen" is most commonly found at the end of prayers, the Lord Jesus often used it at the beginning of a statement: “Truly, truly, I say unto you …” more accurately translated, "Amen, Amen, I say unto you…" Risto Santala, in his book “The Messiah in the New Testament in the light of Rabbinical writings” shares this insight, “Critics have long considered the words of Jesus, “Truly, truly, I tell you”, to be rather strange. In the Greek original the Hebrew words amen, amen are used, in a way which is not found in either the Old Testament or the Rabbinic literature. ‘Amen’ there is found at the end of prayers and speeches, whereas Jesus used it to introduce what he had to say. In the early 1960’s a fragment from a deed of transaction was found in which a contemporary of Jesus solemnly states “Amen, amen, ani lô ashem”, ‘Truly, truly, I am innocent’. Jesus seems to have borrowed this grave formula of his from a juridical oath. In Hebrew the words for ‘faith’ and ‘amen’ are derivatives of the same root. The word ‘amen’ is indeed the only permissible affirmation: ‘You can believe this; it is true!’" Santala understands by this historical usage that Jesus used "amen" in a legally binding way to convey his authentic spiritual authority, the reliability of His revelation, and the deep spiritual truths He carried based on who He is. For example, in John 8:58, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am”, binding himself by an oath to testify to His identity. Writing to the Church of Laodicea [Revelation 3:14] the John the apostle, by the Holy Spirit identifies Jesus as "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God...”. The use of "Amen" as a name for the Lord Jesus further amplifies the profundity of this one expression. Brothers & Sisters, "Amen" thus may be a word we have taken too lightly. Think about the fact that it is one of the many Names of God's Son and a word with literally endless usages in scripture; then use it with joy, faith, and confidence! TURLY, TRULY!

"Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent." Revelation 3:17-19

Laodicea was known for its Temple dedicated to Asklepios, worshiped as the god of medicine, and associated with a renowned medical school. Most historians believe that the school developed a medicine known as Phrygian power which was used to produce eye salve. The people of Laodicea prided themselves on their wealth, their extensive textile industry which produced black wool, and their eye salve. The Lord rebuked them exactly according to the details of their prosperity. His rebuke directed toward their wealth: “buy gold refined in the fire” so that they could be spiritually rich...toward their black wool industry: buy "white clothes” for covering their spiritual nakedness...and finally, toward their eye salve: to exchange the healing of physical eyes, for true spiritual vision. It is amazing to discover the historical details of Laodicea's condition in connection with the specificity of God's prophetic words to them. Brothers & Sisters he Laodicean church was expressed as a detailed exposure of their sins and a sincere invitation to repentance. He firmly rebuked them according to their true spiritual condition of self-sufficiency, blindness, and pride, and encouraged them in the specific ways they would understand and be able to respond. He encouraged them to return, to be refined, to be spiritually clothed, and to be anointed in a way to truly see. It's clear that He anticipated some genuine repentance, declaring His promise to every overcomer...a place with Him on His throne! OPEN YOUR EYES!

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:38

Laodicea was an idyllic city except for its lack of a water supply. It depended on water from an external source, the city of Hierapolis was located six miles to the north, the site of mineral hot springs which were used for medicinal purposes. These steaming hot waters were piped to Laodicea, arriving there... lukewarm, hence the metaphor in Jesus’s warning to the Laodicean church. Laodicea's lack of a water supply also rendered the city vulnerable to siege. Potential enemies were, therefore, placated, accommodated, negotiated with, or pleaded to compromise, as the city's leaders were desperate to avoid open conflict. A wealthy, pleasure-loving, vulnerable, easily compromised city seems to have produced a congregation of similar character. This combination of features makes it difficult to determine which one contributed most to the miserable spirituality of the Laodicean church. There seems to have been little true, living faith there, much less any demonstration of the power or holiness of God. Rather, the flesh ruled in Laodicea. Laodicea's lack of its own water supply, however, might have been a constant reminder of a promise Jesus gave to all who are thirsty: "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water;" [John 7:37-38]. Brothers & Sisters, Laodicea's lack of water was a living natural metaphor that every Laodicean could have benefitted from, if it was rightly apprehended. The deficiency of water might have reminded them of a deeper need, and the Lord's offer to fulfill it most wonderfully. Remembering the Laodicean church we may all become aware of our own desperate thirst and also, receive His promise... rivers of living (Holy Spirit) water! DRAW FROM THE WELL THAT NEVER RUNS DRY!

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:20-22

The church at Laodicea received a stern warning in chapter 3 of John's Revelation. We would do well to reflect on it. The word "Laodicea" is a compound in the Greek; “Laos” which principally means “people”, and “dike", defined as “principle or decision”. One rendering might read, “rule of the people”, or, in modern terms, “Democracy”. In the western world, we have an affection and even a deep commitment to Democracy. Yet this form of government, "rule of the people" is fatally flawed... because we are fatally flawed by our sin nature, thinking we are self-sufficient and worldly-wise, yet pitifully incapable of ruling righteously. The Laodiceans apparently lived up to their name, trusting in their own resources, wisdom, and capacity, and assessing themselves as quite sufficient. "We are rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing", they said. There are democracies and churches today that may be saying much the same. But trusting in their own sufficiency and judgment became a platform for excluding God so much at Laodicea that the Lord told them He was actually OUTSIDE the church, knocking, and desiring to come in! Think, how did a church become a place where the Lord was outside, looking in? Brothers & Sisters, we are learning of late not to expect too much from "democracy" as a form of government. That being the case, it should be even more evident that "Laodicean" churches (and Christians) are in serious trouble. Self-rule, self-sufficiency, and self-satisfaction are deadly to spiritual life. God says these folks are "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked". But Jesus is standing at the door, longing for repentance and ready and able to deliver from self-sufficiency and lukewarm faith. Can you hear Him knocking...? SOMEONE IS KNOCKING!

"will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing." Genesis 12:2

When we read this passage of Scripture, the first thing that probably comes to mind are all the promises that God gave to Abraham and the nation of Israel. But it occurred to me that there is a bigger lesson that we can learn here. We tend to focus on the part of that scripture where God does the blessing -- but why did He bless Him? The answer lies in the passage! The Lord told Abraham: "I will bless you --- and you shall be a blessing." Abraham was blessed so that he could be a blessing! The same is true today. The Lord has done so much for us! He has blessed us with so many things, the most important of which is His mercy in that He died for sinners like us! He has bestowed us with so much grace! He has allowed us to come into His Kingdom and be a part of the great things He's doing! What we have received should not only be for our own enjoyment but for the salvation of a dying world around us! Brothers & Sisters, God gives freely to us so that we may give freely to others!(Matthew 10:8) Let's not be afraid to give out the blessings God has granted us! Share God's goodness! To whom much is given, much is required! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR BLESSINGS?

"Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Mark 9:50

Salt covenant, we now inquire into our part in the covenant. Jesus as the unique Bread of Life– and His sacrifice our only provision for justification and righteousness. Now remember that the salt was "added" to the bread as it was broken. This added salt provides a picture of our communion with the Living Bread being joined to Him for a life of holiness and good works. Our saltiness represents the influence we carry into the world through our union with Him. This influence is expressed through the savor of our works. That savor is something He exhorts us not to lose. The apostle Paul expresses this compound reality clearly; "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:8-10] Brothers & Sisters, our part in the covenant relationship is to be salt to the world –to be a savor which brings the flavor of our Lord to every encounter; to be a preserving influence in a world of sin and decay; and to be sprinkled around for the gospel's sake. May we remain good salty salt as we walk in all the good works He's prepared for us. UNDERSTAND YOUR PART IN THE SALT COVENANT!