In his inspired letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul reminds those believers, as well as us today, that the apostles suffered, but they were not alone. The Lord dispatched His angels to be with them during a time of martyrdom. This verse describes the scene. Several learning lessons emerge:

1. The suffering of the saints is inevitable!
2. We are not alone!
3. Angels or messengers are watching!
4. They are sent by God to minister to the Church!
5. Angels are powerful, personal, and purposeful!

The word “spectacle” is θέατρον, which means a theater, a semicircular stone building, or an open area to the sky. It literally means a spectacle or a show.

Perhaps Paul’s intention here is a reference to the Roman Coliseum—an open theater where Christians were martyred for their courageous faith in Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, both “men and angels” witnessed their death.

Some understand this verse to describe both evil angels as well as elect angels.

Standing at the very top of the Roman Coliseum while filming a video from a cell phone, this Pastor was reminded of this verse of Scripture. Unable to contain my emotions, with a crowd all around, it was both disturbing and disappointing to hear the guide deny the horrendous bloodshed of those martyrs. What a travesty!

Complaining against God does not really help the situation, but that is what the people of Israel did following their miraculous deliverance from the tyranny of the Egyptians. So the Lord instructed Moses that He would rain down “Angel food” from heaven. Once again, He provided.

Jesus is bread for the hungry. Are you hungry? He is water to the thirsty! Are you thirsty? He is rest to the weary! Are you tired and weary?

Jesus made it crystal clear that if a person wants a relationship with Him, he or she must assimilate Him into their very being. Check out His words speaking to those who were following Him for a free lunch—another miracle. This was after feeding several thousand.

(John 6:53) “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”

Here are some OBSTACLES that can be turned into OPPORTUNITIES for spending time with Jesus or not spending time with Jesus. By the way, this should be a daily practice, not just once a week on Sunday. I love what Dr. Luke records in Acts 4:13: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

While Martha was helpful by fixing a delicious meal, she was bitten by both ANXIETY as well as AGITATION! Have you been there? Busyness, distractions, lack of priorities, and short-sightedness are all OBSTACLES that block us from really being with Jesus—quality time. Please note, these are not necessarily “bad things,” but pay attention because they are not heaven’s “best!”

But the Lord called him before he was even born (Jer. 1:5). Amazing, huh? This alone reveals the predestined purposes of our living God. Fast forward: Paul writes to the Ephesian believers—and Christians—of this phenomenal truth:

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” (Eph. 1:11)

Anyway, back to Jeremiah. He began preaching around 20 years old while being instructed not to get married. He faithfully served our Lord for approximately 40 years, even though he faced irreconcilable differences with his nation. Is it any wonder he was called the weeping prophet?

When a nation—whether Israel, Judah, or America—begins to slip down the slippery slopes of apostasy, she can expect the chastisement of the Lord to be executed. However, it will turn out for His glory and His people’s good.

“But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.” (Jer. 20:11-13)

Admittedly, at times, we do not always understand the ways and thoughts of our God (Isa. 55:8-9). But from a PERSONAL perspective, we can have faith in Him to fulfill His Word and will in our lives.

So, in conclusion, our trust in His SPIRITUAL perspective is the key to navigating through this life with contentment and fulfillment until we see Jesus.

Enjoy the journey!

Love y’all,
Dr. Randal Reese

There are a number of people, including this writer {once upon a time}, who feel like we are unworthy of His love. But that is what makes His love so amazing, so refreshing, so contagious!

1. God is LOVE! (1 John 4:8; 3:1-3) – “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

(1 John 4:20) “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

Remember, real LOVE for the God of the Bible is going to SHOW (John 15:13).
In addition, it will GROW (2 Cor. 5:14).

Speaking to those in the Church of Corinth as well as to us today, Paul writes: “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

Through the mighty cross of Jesus Christ, our old self can be rendered inoperative. Because of the substitutionary death of a perfect sacrifice—namely Jesus—our sins are forgiven as we trust Him. Besides that, His blood alone has redeeming, cleansing, and purifying power for every believer. Plus, the great EXCHANGE between our death to self and His resurrected life produces a life that brings forth spiritual fruit.

The believer’s biggest dilemma is how to “get out of the way” and let the Holy Spirit “get in the way”! Do you have the same difficulty that most do? However, once the big “I” goes to the cross, the big “S”—Spirit—can fill.

By the way, being Spirit-filled is ongoing, meaning it is not a once-and-for-all thing. The text suggests—go on being filled.

While we read the Word, it reads us! The Holy Spirit turns on the RED light to stop, the GREEN light to go, and the YELLOW light to slow.

4. The Christian life is an ENLARGED life! (James 4:2; Matt. 7:7-8; Eph. 3:20) – “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Through the vehicle called Prayer, a Christian can discover God’s will.

Remember:

• If the request is wrong, He says NO!
• If the timing is off, He says SLOW!
• But if both of those are right, He says GO!

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

Introduction: How would you complete this sentence? “For to me to live is ____”?

After being a persecutor of the Church and a self-righteous Pharisee, Saul—who later became Paul—discovered life’s most important Treasure: Jesus Christ!

Have you found that Pearl of great price, the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star, the One who was and is and is to come, the Firstborn of the dead, the Lover of our soul, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Rock of Ages, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, the King of Glory, the Chief Cornerstone, the Light of the world, the Word of God, and finally, the One who will come again as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords?!!

By the way, what did he mean when he said, “To die is gain”?

How would many people finish this sentence?

“For to me to live is ____ to make money? To be happy? To have a bigger house? A fancier car? To have another spouse? To fix my children or grandchildren? To get a better job? To not be depressed or discouraged? To live my dreams? To have fun? To travel places? To not have to put up with others? To retire? To be forgiven? To have a better family?”

On and on…

Well, keep in mind, the man who was inspired to write this was incarcerated in Rome while waiting to die. Circumstances did not look good. No doubt, the words of Jesus concerning his suffering probably echoed in his heart.

After his conversion, he was instructed to go to a house where Ananias lived. As he arrived, Ananias questioned our Lord’s will for this persecutor of the Church named Paul. But here was God’s response:

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:15-16)

Suffering is on God’s agenda. Jesus Christ suffered for us; actually, He was crucified for the payment of our sins! Peter wrote to clarify that believers and followers of Jesus will face the same (1 Pet. 2:21-24).

Think about this: Since Jesus Christ bought us with a costly price—His redeeming blood (1 Cor. 6:19-20)—does it not make sense that our life should focus on His will for us?

If we believe that, then we, along with Paul, can say with a clear conscience, “For to me to live is CHRIST!”

Gain what? How about gaining a better body? Truthfully, our bodies are wearing out! But the good news is one day we will have a brand-new body!

How wonderful will it be to have no more hurts, no pain, no sorrow, and no more death?

Besides that, according to the last chapters in the book of Revelation, we will have a brand-new home called the New Jerusalem. Won’t that be wonderful?!

Conclusion: So we can now honestly say, “For to me to live is CHRIST, and to die is gain.”

You know, that makes life worth the living!

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

What was God’s reasoning for bringing judgment and chastisement? The answer is found in their apostasy—politically, religiously, and nationally. When a nation depends upon and boasts of its wealth and intellectual achievements without giving God credit, know this: they are headed for a fall.

After all, it is the Almighty who gives man the ability to gain wealth, along with reason and understanding. The prophet Daniel confirms this truth: “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.” (Daniel 2:20-21)

Furthermore, the Psalmist spoke about man’s riches: “And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.” (Psalm 73:11-12)

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, reveals the danger of not giving God glory because of greed: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Conclusion: Eventually, the nation of Israel learned this lesson. After seventy years of captivity, they returned to their homeland. Yet, in the providence of God, they were overtaken once again in 70 A.D. by the Romans and scattered abroad. However, they returned as a nation on May 14, 1948.

Until this day, they are being blessed, but not without struggles. Futuristically, Israel will be overpowered by the Man of Sin—Antichrist—until Jesus Christ comes in His Second Coming, inaugurating His kingdom, and there shall be no end. Although blinded now, many will look upon their Messiah for their salvation.