First of all, what is the greatest commandment?

“⁵You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your might.” – Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)

Here that commandment is identified and it is again identified by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, so there is no question as to which is the greatest. But, when should we be teaching that commandment?

“⁷Youu shall teach them diligently to you children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” – Deuteronomy 6:7 (ESV)

I spend additional free time studying leadership, change, and service books and philosophies in an effort to always be learning and growing. In those studies, one thing that is constant with is the idea that you should be in constant repeat and reiteration of those thing that you would have people know. Those things that are important should be shared early and often so that they are at the front of mind at all times and can be recalled quickly and thoroughly so that action can be take on them.

When is the time to be teaching the greatest commandment, NOW and ALWAYS.

God granted me the opportunity and privilege to raise two boys for Him. That did not come as the means to just keeping them warm and safe for Him, but I am tasked with helping them to learn and grow as they mature into followers of Christ. That means that I have to be diligent in the action of teaching them what are the important things to carry on with in life. The greatest of these is the greatest commandment to, “love the LORD your God” fully and completely and display that love for Him in their own lives so that they become teachers to those around them and their own children if/when they are given the opportunity to take that role as God directs.

NOW and ALWAYS we are to be teaching the greatest commandment and living by it each and every day.

When you think about what it is that you are teaching those around you, what is it that comes to the forefront? Can those you teach recall and act on those teachings at a moments notice? Are you focused on teaching the greatest commandment NOW and ALWAYS?

“¹⁹Go is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” – Numbers 23:19 (ESV)

God does not have it in Himself to lie. It is not in His character and frankly would go against everything that we know and trust in Him. When God says something I have the belief that He will come through with that in due time. I know that He will be true to His word and it is my duty to do as He commands.

“²⁰Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.” – Numbers 23:20 (ESV)

Those last four words are the ones that I have to hold on to each day. God gives my commands and I am to follow them regardless of the consequences of man. And, I cannot go against those commands. When I follow the Lord, I have an obligation to follow Him to the end and not go back on my words in His name.

God gives me commands and actions to complete and I have an obligation to follow through with them. It is/would be easy to just simply say the thing that gets me rewards here in this world. Balaam had 3 opportunities to win with Balak in this passage and if he would have done so, Balak would have blessed him, but Balaam listened to the Lord each time and found his reward from God to be better in the end.

I am not a great man, but I am a child of God and as such, I have the obligation to follow Him. I must stay strong with what He tells me and give me to accomplish in His name. When I do, I will find my reward greater than anything this world may have to offer.

When you go about in this world, where do your allegiances lie? Are you following the lead of God and sticking to what He gives you? Are you avoiding the lies and following through with what God has for you?

“¹¹You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” – Leviticus 19:11 (ESV)

What harm can a little white fib do? Well, in the eyes of God, it is still wrong and sinful. You can see here that lying falls in the same context of stealing from and dealing dishonestly with others.

That seems very harsh considering how we sometimes use fibs to spare feelings. I know that I have had in my own dealings with people that have lied to me because they have said they did not want me to worry based on the pressure I was under or other things going on in my life at the time.

In my own experience, lying does not make it better. In fact, once the lie is discovered, there is a greater sense of anxiety, disappointment, and realization of lack of trust with the other person. Wouldn’t it just be easier to get it out in the open so that it can be dealt with as opposed to suppressing the issue and letting fester and grow out of control. Wouldn’t it ease the mind and heart to just deal with the consequences as opposed to putting it off until it is so bad that it creates more problems and anxiety.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks on lying in verses 33-37 of Matthew 5. Here He reminds us that yes and no mean just that, and any other meaning is falsehood.

“³⁷Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” – Matthew 5:37 (ESV)

I am glad that I have the reminders in my life that lying is a sin, and I know that I am still a sinner and will lie. I have Jesus on my side each day to forgive me of those sins as I repent of them to Him. I have to remember that repentance is a daily action and something as simple as a fib counts as those that I need to repent. I shall not lie.

Have you lied to spare the feelings of someone? What if you just took the approach that your “yes” and “no” mean just that? What if you took the approach that you shall not lie?

I ask this question as I finish my study of the word “gather”. I have come to the passage in Matthew where Jesus speaks of His return. Here He speaks of those that mourn and those that will gather.

“³⁰Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” – Matthew 24:30-31 (ESV)

As I have studied, reviewed, and learned, those “tribes of earth” are those that are the unbelievers that at the return of Christ, they have missed their opportunity to receive the gift of salvation and are now subject to the consequences of their choice of the world over Christ. Those that gather are those that have accepted Christ as their savior and will join Him in the fight.

I am glad that I have chosen to accept the gift of salvation and when He comes again, I will gather with Christ and fight along side of Him. So to answer the question, yes, I will gather.

Where are you today, have you accepted the gift of salvation? Will you be one that mourns at the return of Christ? Will you gather with Christ when He comes?

I have heard the statement “if you are not with me, then you are against me”. I always felt as though that was a bit extreme, and then I read the verse in Matthew.

“³⁰Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” – Matthew 12:30 (ESV)

I still look at this verse and think of it as an extreme way of thinking. And then I look at who the words are from, Jesus, and what a difference it makes. I have studied and written that we are commanded to follow Christ and accept whatever consequences might come from doing so. In so much that when we are following God’s law, we are above the law of man and if following God’s law is contrary to man, then so be it and I am liable for the consequences of breaking the law of man. In this verse, Jesus makes it clear where our allegiance lies, with Him.

I have to look closely at the context to make sure that I am not putting more into the verse than it says on its own, and that is why I read and and review the full passage of verses 22-32. Here I find that if you are not in line with yourself, then you are acting against yourself and why would you act against yourself.

If we are true to Christ, then we will be true to ourselves and be alignment with Him. When we are in alignment with Him, we will gather with Him and not drift away on our own. When we gather with Him, then we are with Him.

I work daily to be with Christ in all that I do, although I admit that I have my slips and falls. Thankfully Christ is there to pick me up as He continues to be with me. If I am not with Christ daily, then I might as well be with Satan, for as Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me”.

Are you with Christ each day? What do you believe it would be like if you were? If you are not with Him, were you aware that you might as well be against Him?

This morning as I study the word “gather” I am reminded of the passover where the houses of the Israelite people were spared allowing them to escape Egypt. It was their obedience to God that allowed them to be spared. Here this morning Zephaniah advises to gather again.

“¹Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation,” – Zephaniah 2:1 (ESV)

Here is a simple verse to advise actions that have great reward. But it does not stop just there in the direction. There are a number of times to gather and in the following verse Zephaniah explains when this gathering should take place.

“²before the decree takes effect—before the day passes away like chaff—before there comes upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD.” – Zephaniah 2:2 (ESV)

Gathering should take place now. There is no time to wait, no time to put it off. I don’t know when the LORD is coming back and as such, I should be repenting and gathering with my fellow Christians to fellowship with God.

“³Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands, seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.” – Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV)

As I am gathered with my brothers and sisters in Christ in fellowship with Him, I am to lead a life of righteousness and humility. I am to seek those qualities and live them out each day. As I do, I just might be passed over and accepted as a child of God and allowed to enter into heaven as God is passing judgment on this world.

I know that I have accepted the gift of salvation, but I am a sinner and continue to sin every day. I have the opportunity to gather with my brothers and sisters in Christ each day and demonstrate my salvation through righteousness and humility and I continue to work doing the will of God in my life.

When you are in the world, are you seeking righteousness and humility? Are you seeking the council of your brothers and sisters and in fellowship with God? Are you gathering together and repenting to escape the destruction in the world?

We are all children of God, regardless of where we come from or what we look like or how we were brought up.

“¹⁷At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart.” – Jeremiah 3:17 (ESV)

The reference to “all nations” here is just that, ALL nations shall gather at the throne of the LORD. And who is it that is a part of those nations but ALL people, regardless of where we come from or what we look like or how we were brought up.

How is it that we all come, well we have to do as we are instructed in the first part of verses 12, 13, & 14 in the the same chapter of Jeremiah.

“¹²…Return, faithless Israel,…¹³Only acknowledge your guilt,…¹⁴Return, O faithless children,…” –Jeremiah 3:12, 13, & 14 (ESV)

In order for all of us to gather, we must first return and acknowledge our sins and repent of them. Once we have and have accepted the gift of salvation provided by God, we will gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ at the throne if God, regardless of where we come from or what we look like or how we were brought up.

I as well as you are permitted to accept the terms of salvation, and it all starts with our repentance.

Will you repent of your sins and come back to God? Are you willing to return and acknowledge your failures to Him? Will you accept salvation and gather with me at the throne of the LORD?

After attending our Sunday morning service this week, I was led to begin the study of the word “gather”. As members of God’s family, we should gather together for many occasions.

“⁴⁷Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” – Psalm 106:47 (ESV)

Here I find a reference to an occasion we should gather together, praise and glorification of God.

Now it does seem as though that should be a given, but when I look at the context of the full passage, I am still in wonder of just how loving God is. In this passage, there are many references to the rebellion of the Israelite people as Moses led them out of Egypt. They were delivered from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. They were provided for in the wilderness, yet at each turn, they continue to turn away from God. They wanted to turn back because it was hard. They worshiped metal idols. They were discontent with living in tents. Yet, God never left them. He punished them, yes, but never left them.

“⁴⁴Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. ⁴⁵For their sake he remember his covenant, and relented according t0 the abundance of his steadfast love.” – Psalm 106:44-45 (ESV)

Regardless of the difficulty thrust upon them, God never gave up on the the Israelite people, and they came back to Him. He would rescue them and provide for them. God loved them just as He loves us today.

“⁴⁸Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say ‘Amen!’ Praise the LORD!” – Psalm 106:48 (ESV)

I am only a man and will continue to fail in that capacity. God will not give up on me though and when we, as sinners, gather together to give thanks to the Lord, He will hear our cries and deliver us from the hardship we are facing.

When you are facing hardship, where is it that you take your difficulties? Are you gathering with other Christians? Will you gather up and praise Him with all glory and praise?

The passage I study this morning is in the first part of Revelation and the letter to the church of Ephesus. The church is commended for the perseverance of standing firm and consistent against those that go against the gospel. They are lifted up for their unwavering endurance.

“²I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. ³I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.” – Revelation 2:2-3 (ESV)

This is a great example of speaking to the behaviors of the church and how they are doing well.

Following there is a rebuke as to a behavior that is not in the interest of God.

“⁴But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the lover you had at first.” – Revelation 2:4 (ESV)

Again an example of the speaking tot he behavior lost by the church, one of love. There is no reference to the people, only the bad behavior of falling away from the act of love. And then there is the coaching to be better.

“⁵Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” – Revelation 2:5 (ESV)

Here you see the directions given to get back to where they were in behavior and stay in the favor of God. Without this, there will not be the ability to heed the directions and get back to the beginning where there was full alignment with God.

What happens when we heed and get back?

“⁷He has an ear, let him here what the Spirit says to the churches. Tho the one who conquers I will gran to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” – Revelation 2:7 (ESV)

And there you have it. I am tasked with hearing from God. I have to take it all in, the commendations and the rebuke. I need to be aware that God loves me regardless, He only wants the best for me. When I hear I have to remember to heed the coaching and get back to where I belong, in the favor of God. When I do, I am rewarded with eternal life with God in heaven.

Are you still doing all of the work of God? For what has He commended and rebuked you? Will you hear, heed, and get back the actions that maintain your favor with God?

“¹⁴How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” – Romans 10:14 (ESV)

Now that is a serious series of questions that lead to what I am called to by God. I am called to “preach” the good news and of God. I may not be a preacher in occupation, however I am a disciple tasked with taking the gospel to all that I come in contact with. I have to take it on personal account to be the one to speak of God through my words, behaviors, and deeds.

I know that I will not be able to reach everyone in this world, and thankfully that is not what I am tasked. I am simply tasked to do the work of God as he instructs me. That may be at the office, the ball game, the department store, the street, or right here in my publishing. I am to take the Word of God to the people that He has me take it to.

The people will not hear if no one is there to give it to them. I am that one. I am to speak so that others have the opportunity to hear, and yes, the opportunity. I cannot make anyone truly hear the Word of God. They are responsible to open their ears and their heart to receive. And once they receive, they have the opportunity to believe and call on the name of God.

“¹⁰For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹³For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” – Romans 10:10 & 13 (ESV)

I bring the gospel to the people through speech and they hear, believe, confess, and are saved.

What is your role in bringing the gospel to the people? Have you thought about your task and how to accomplish it? Are you out there speaking so that others have the opportunity to hear?