September 22, 2026

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 cor 2:14 nkjv  Why do you think Yeshua [Jesus] told Nicodemus that he must be born again? Nicodemus was a “teacher of his people.” He was a good man, not a religious zealot. He did not understand the message of the new birth. I expect it was because of too much “church tradition.” Yeshua told his companions [religious leaders] their traditions made the Word of God of no effect. mk 7:13 nkjv  From what I can understand, this people group pretty much all had the same “heard” affliction… they seemed to me to follow their leaders because of fear and for favors that agreeing with them might bring to their interest. How do some of modern “church goers” seem to resemble these folks… and their habits? What do they seek, comforts of “fellowship” and satisfaction with their opinions of themselves when their inching ears are soothed by “religious” activity and dead homilies?

After Paul established the church in Corinth [Greece’s primary city of commerce and pagan culture], he later spoke to them, in his first Corinthian letter, concerning their divisions and skirmishes about who they were following, and the disputes they were reported to demonstrate… according to Chole’s “household.” So much of today’s religious community is divided for numerous reasons and factually, I think, we fit right into Paul’s concerns for his brethren… and with the people who had their own ideas about who Yeshua should be, not who He was, which they did not know or accept, so they crucified Him. Seems that today, so many characterizations of Yeshua are represented that the message of the cross is lost in looking for a “Jesus” that wants to please everyone, sadly. It is all backward, WE should seek the real Savior and seek to please Him.

This brings me to the point I wish to make in this week’s devotional… I think we are caught up in an illusional storm of complacency and pleasures of life, and most are not really aware, or worse unconcerned, of the mess our culture and society is actually in. Two years ago, Pastor Rob Pue, publisher of “Wisconsin Christian News,” posted an article [“Babylon is Coming.”] It is even more relevant today than it was two years ago… it is a serious matter. We need to understand the surrounding spiritual condition of our society and the implications it will bring upon us. The link to Rob Pue’s Christian News [website is here].

Paul even warned the Corinthian brethren to come out of the disgusting paganism surrounding them. While they (we) can’t escape the environment around us, we must distance ourselves from its spiritual corruption that otherwise will certainly dull our senses and separate us from our Savior. The time of the end includes the time of a “great falling away.” We must discipline ourselves and not be swept away in its fury.

The next thing I want to address is that of who we are, as children of the faith, where we came from, and how we need to examine ourselves to see if we have allowed any traditions and institutional church doctrines to disfigure our true Christ-like identity. I have been studying my faith walk much more deeply for the past 23 years and I have tried to refine my walk to align with the first century believers, who’s identity began to get redefined by the Roman Constantine era religious practices. I could write a substantial tome on it, but I think it better to ask you to look at an outstanding teaching by Tom Bradford… here is a video link and a transcript, both at [this link to his website:]

In summation, the main message is the cross and Christ crucified… and with all the misinformation and confusion being pushed at us, to stampede us into the arms of evil options and ungodly choices, we need the “mind of Christ,” and to keep our eyes [heart and mind] focused on the message of truth… God’s Word which sanctifies us and preserves us for His purposes. Remember, your body [you], are the temple of the Holy Spirit… Yahweh requires us to be good housekeepers, he does not like disheveled dwellings.

Shalom, John