Grace And Peace To You From God (Colossians 1:1–2)

 Grace And Peace To You From God (Colossians 1:1–2)

Through Mark chapter 1, we studied the beginning and unfolding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, was appointed before the creation of the world to come as the Messiah. When the time had fully come, He came to this earth and proclaimed the gospel that brings salvation through repentance.

Jesus taught the secrets of the kingdom of heaven in the villages and synagogues. His words are truth. The word of truth is like a lamp that reveals the mysteries of heaven, the mysteries of the universe, and the mysteries of sin, the fall, and restoration. It shows us where we came from, where we are going, why we eat, work, and live, and why we experience sickness, conflict, hardship, and struggles. Above all, God’s word has the power and authority to bring forgiveness of sins and lead us into His kingdom. That’s why when we read and meditate on His word, we receive strength, comfort, and encouragement to overcome this world.

Jesus healed the sick. Sickness brings limits and separation. In many cases, sickness also comes from the heart. So, His healing had a greater meaning—it was spiritual healing, reopening the way to God that had been blocked. For example, the blind represented those who could not see the kingdom of God. A person with leprosy was considered unclean, cut off from society, and unable to enter the temple or synagogue. Because of disease, the way to come before God was blocked. By healing the leper, Jesus opened the way for him to come before God again.

By driving out demons, Jesus set people free from the power of the devil, “the father of lies” and “a murderer from the beginning.” The devil is invisible, yet he is a real personal being. He rebelled against God and disobeyed Him, and so he is under God’s curse. His days are numbered, and because the end is near, he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). The devil tempted Jesus, who had fasted for forty days, in an attempt to destroy Him. But the devil is only a created being and can never contend with God as an equal. Still, he refuses to submit to God and opposes Him, and therefore his judgment is certain. When Jesus drove out demons, it showed that the devil’s time is short and his judgment is near.

In Colossians 1:1–2, Paul, in his greeting, prayed that the believers in Colossae would have grace and peace from heaven:

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1–2)

Who was Paul? His Hebrew name was Saul, and his Greek name was Paul. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, outstanding in zeal for the Torah and for God. Out of ignorance and misunderstanding, he regarded Jesus Christ as a lawbreaker and became a leading persecutor of his fellow Jews who believed in Him (1 Timothy 1:13). When Stephen was stoned to death by the Jews, Saul stood as a witness, approving of his death (Acts 7:58; 8:1).

He was one of the sick, not physically but spiritually. He was blind not to see Jesus as the Messiah. While on his way to Damascus in Syria with arrest warrants from the council to seize Christians, Saul encountered Jesus Christ, who appeared to him in a blinding light, and he was converted. His conversion was sudden, powerful, and completely unexpected. From his perspective, he was not at all prepared to believe. Yet, through God’s powerful intervention, he was saved. Writing to the Corinthians, Paul described himself as “one abnormally born” (1 Corinthians 15:8).

This was because he had not sought God’s forgiveness—on the contrary, he had set out to destroy those who believed in God’s Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 8:3). He considered Jesus to have violated the Sabbath law of Moses and to have disregarded the Torah. He rejected the idea that Jesus died for the sins of the world. Most Jews expected a powerful, conquering Messiah, and they viewed the cross as an offense (stumbling block). Saul was no exception.

But Paul’s conversion was not an accident. When the light from heaven blinded him, the Lord told Ananias to go and lay hands on him (Acts 9:11–12). Ananias remembered the harm Saul had done to the believers and that he had come to Damascus with authority to arrest them. But the Lord said to Ananias:

“This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” (Acts 9:15)

Paul also wrote in his letter to the Galatians:

“But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace…” (Galatians 1:15)

As an apostle sent by the will of God, Paul proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ widely throughout Asia Minor, Macedonia, Achaia, and even to Rome (Romans 15:19).

In the same way, every believer has been chosen by God before the creation of the world. God’s power, authority, and glory are infinite and eternal. In Christ, each person is led to the Lord by a unique path. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul prayed that they would understand how great and wonderful God’s love in salvation truly is:

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14–19)

Timothy was a young man Paul met in Lystra during his second missionary journey. His mother was Jewish, and his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). In Christ, Timothy became Paul’s brother and missionary coworker in preaching the gospel of salvation. He later served as pastor of the church in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). In Christ, we are all brothers and sisters—coworkers in proclaiming and bearing witness to the gospel of salvation.

Paul writes to the saints in Colossae to greet them. Colossae was a place Paul had never visited. Epaphras, who is a fellow servant in Christ, had preached and taught the gospel to the church in Colossae (Colossians 1:7). Colossians is one of Paul’s prison letters, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. It is known that he wrote this letter from prison in Rome.

Colossians – Fullness of Christ

Colossians emphasizes the fullness of Jesus Christ, who created all things, including the invisible world, and the importance of faith in Him. The core theme is that Jesus Christ is the supreme Creator over all things, the Redeemer, and the head of the church (Colossians 1:9–23). It also urges believers not to be deceived by false teachings but to stand firm in Christ, continually being transformed and growing in Him (Colossians 2:8, 16, 18, 23). Every Christian is called to a mission, which includes the work they do in their workplace and home (Colossians 3:18–25). For those in Christ, both work and home are mission fields. Therefore, every Christian is a missionary.

Paul writes to the saints in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. A saint is one who is faithful in Christ. “Saint” means “holy people.” How did they become holy? By believing in Jesus Christ, they have been cleansed by His blood and declared righteous. This was God the Father’s will from before the creation of the world. God chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (Ephesians 1:4).

Therefore, a saint in Christ is someone who is faithful to the Lord. In the past, they were slaves to sin, held under the power of darkness and death, but now they serve righteousness under the law of grace and mercy. Once they were enemies of God, in a broken relationship with Him, but now they have been reconciled to God and live in union with Him. Once they could only stand on the side of lawlessness and evil under the power of sin and death, but now they stand with the Lord of life and peace. This is what it means to be faithful in Christ. No longer do they stand with the devil, the father of lies and lawlessness, but with God the Father, the God of righteousness and truth.

In his greeting, Paul prays that they may have grace and peace from God. What are grace and peace? First, grace and peace are gifts from heaven. Grace is a gift from God that we do not deserve, given to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because grace comes from heaven, no one can boast about it (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Grace is freely given, but only to those who believe. Those who do not believe will face trouble and distress (Romans 2:9). Without faith, one cannot enter the world of God’s grace. A family relationship is a good example of this. A child inherits all that belongs to their parents, but if they are not a child, they have no claim at all. In Christ, believers are adopted as God’s children (Ephesians 1:5). As God’s children, they inherit all the blessings of heaven.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17).

Once someone becomes a child of God, they remain under His grace forever. Just as the legal parent-child relationship cannot be dissolved in human law, God’s grace to His children cannot be broken. In the same way, God’s grace continues to pour abundantly on His children like a waterfall, without ceasing.

“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (Romans 5:15).

How do we receive this grace? First, by faith—remembering that we are God’s children. Even if we fall into guilt because of failure or sin, we come to God, who gives generously without finding fault, and repent like the prodigal son. No human sin can surpass God’s grace. No matter the sin, it cannot exceed the depth, height, width, or length of God’s grace. Therefore, from beginning to end, we live and die by the grace of God.

So what is God’s grace? The reward of the kingdom of heaven is God’s love, joy, and peace. It is also His patience. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is to inherit the kingdom of heaven. This means that if we are in God’s grace, it is only fitting that we bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Paul also prays for peace for the saints. Peace also comes from heaven. God’s peace remains unshaken no matter how noisy this world gets—whether in sweltering heat above 100 degrees, in the coldest winter, in stormy seas, floods, or earthquakes. It is unmoved even in world wars, nuclear bomb explosions, stock market collapses, or severe inflation. God’s peace does not waver even when facing a cancer diagnosis or an accident. When a fierce storm raged and rain and wind pounded, Jesus, unlike His panic-stricken disciples, was peacefully sleeping.

But human peace is temporary and very limited. It is like a time bomb—ready to explode into conflict, fights, or even murder at any moment. Small disputes over interests quickly escalate into violence. Therefore, there is no true peace in this world. There are endless conflicts—racial, class, gender, economic, religious, East-West, North-South, national, tribal, and even within families. In 2024, statistics showed that in the UK, 8% of the population—about five million people—had cut ties with their parents or children.

So how do we enter this peace of God? The way into God’s rest is to hear His invitation, listen to His word, and obey. This is the way of the cross that Jesus walked—the way of taking on the sins of the world and dying. And by doing so, we receive the new life of the resurrection.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

August 17, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

The Words Of The LORD Are Pure Words Like Silver Refined Seven Times (Psalm 12:6)

 The Words Of The LORD Are Pure Words Like Silver Refined Seven Times (Psalm 12:6)

The LORD God is our only refuge. All people have come from God and must return to Him. Therefore, there is no other refuge. This world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be truth. They deceive people, seize wealth, oppress, and treat others harshly. But God is the refuge, shield, and very great reward for the poor and needy.

Psalm 12 is a psalm of David, singing of God’s promise to deliver us in the day of trouble and lead us to the safe place He desires.

For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.

1 Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts. (Psalm 12:1-2)

The psalmist cries out to God for help, for the godly have vanished and the faithful are gone. The world is corrupt and depraved—full of lies, flattery, and people with divided hearts who deceive. The temptation of worldly desires is strong enough to devour a person. The media overflows with lies and propaganda.

Who, then, are the godly and the faithful? To be godly means to be after God’s heart. To be faithful means to have faith in God. These are the people who are righteous before God.

Before God, no one is righteous except His Son, Jesus Christ. This is because all have fallen in Adam. There is not one righteous person on earth. We must be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Jesus shed His blood and offered Himself as an atoning sacrifice before God so that we who are under sin might be declared righteous.

The blood of Jesus has the power and authority to cleanse and purify the sins and iniquities of those who are in Adam. Whoever is washed by His blood has put on God’s righteousness and can stand boldly before His holy throne of grace. Truly, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2).

Yet we still stumble, fail, and sin. The forefathers of faith did so, King David did so, and so did the prophets and apostles. But those in Christ Jesus are not condemned. This may sound contradictory—until we remember how we were made righteous. It was not by our own strength, will, or effort, but by God’s grace from above, through faith in Jesus Christ. That grace remains the same from the beginning until now. The way is always to receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith—believing specifically that through the merit of His blood, all our sins are forgiven. Without the shedding of Jesus’ blood there is no forgiveness of sins; without His death there is no salvation. Believing that Jesus died in our place also means believing that we died with Him on the cross (Galatians 2:20). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Without death, there is no resurrection.

Therefore, we can always come boldly before the throne of God’s grace. But to stand before the Holy God, we must be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Being clothed in Christ’s righteousness comes through faith that we have died with Him. At that moment, God sees the blood of the Lamb and passes over our sins and iniquities.

Think of a lamb that has become an orphan. A mother ewe knows her own lamb, and an orphaned lamb cannot nurse from her. But if the skin of her own dead lamb is placed over the orphan, she will accept it as her own and feed it. In the same way, God’s grace is poured out abundantly, like a waterfall, on all who rely on the blood of Christ.

May The LORD Silence All Flattering Lips And Every Boastful Tongue

3 May the LORD silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
4 those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the LORD.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.” (Psalm 12:3-5)

The psalmist appeals that the Lord may rise up and cut off every flattering lip and boastful tongue. They had boasted, “Our tongues will prevail, our lips are our own—who is lord over us?” In Genesis 11, people built a city in the land of Shinar, and a tower reaching to the heavens, to make a name for themselves (Genesis 11:2-4). But God came down, saw the city and the tower, and confused their language—scattering them over the face of the earth so the building stopped (Genesis 11:7-8).

The tongue is a small part of the body, but like the rudder of a ship, it has the power to steer a person (James 3:4). James says, “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:6-8)

The tongue itself is not evil—it is a part of the body God created with purpose. As a means of communication, it expresses thoughts and intentions. The reason it is called a fire and a world of evil is because the thoughts and desires of the human heart are evil. The sin dwelling in us cannot be tamed; it is unceasing evil and poison.

The wages of sin is death. Without death, there is no forgiveness. The problem of sin cannot be solved by education or money, nor by human determination or dedication. That is why our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place, as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. God, seeing our weakness in the flesh, gave His one and only Son as a sacrifice for us.

God overlooks our sins only because of the grace of Christ’s blood. We have no merit of our own. Even after entering the grace of salvation (initial salvation) through Christ, we are brought to completion (fulfillmentin life) only by the grace of His blood.

7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (Ephesians 2:7-8)

The LORD rises to place the oppressed and needy in the safe place He desires

“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the LORD.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.” (Psalm 12:5)

This world follows the principle of the strong ruling over the weak. In it are widows, orphans, and others who are oppressed, groaning in poverty. As the saying goes, the law favors the rich and punishes the poor. For the weak, justice and righteousness seem like luxuries.

But the LORD speaks and promises to hear their sighs and groans, to place them in the safe place He desires. God lets justice roll on like a river.

The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion. (Psalm 11:4–5)

Here, the oppressed and needy are not only those who are physically poor. David is the author of this psalm. We do not know exactly when he wrote it, but there were times when, without doing anything wrong, he became a fugitive, pursued by King Saul’s jealousy, and lived in hardship and want. When the king’s army hunted him like prey, he was in such distress that he even sought help from the Philistine king, Israel’s enemy. In that desperate moment, he turned to the LORD as his refuge (Psalm 11:1).

In the same way, the LORD has compassion on those in this world who are treated unfairly and unjustly, those who are rejected and shunned. God rises to lead them to the safe place He desires. Jesus Christ came as the Messiah, but people did not recognize Him. They treated Him with contempt and finally handed Him over to be crucified. But God raised His Son from the dead on the third day and seated Him at the highest throne in heaven. The safe place God desires is His heavenly kingdom—imperishable, undefiled, and unfading—filled with love, joy, and peace.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever. (Psalm 23:1–6)

The Words Of The LORD Are Like Silver Refined Seven Times

And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.
You, LORD, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race. (Psalm 12:6–8)

The words of the LORD are pure—unchanging truth—like silver refined seven times. The lies, flattery, empty praise, and propaganda of this world will all perish, because they are corrupt and unjust. But though heaven and earth pass away, not one word from God will fail to be fulfilled.

In this corrupt and evil generation, what is vile is exalted and the wicked run rampant. Flatterers and self-promoters are favored. It was the same in the days of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac, and in the days of Noah, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the prophets. From the first century until today, the world has remained full of corruption, injustice, and violence.

But the LORD faithfully keeps the godly from this corrupt and evil generation. Though they are rejected, mistreated, and groaning in this world, He will place them in the safe place He desires, and preserve them from now to eternity. For them, He has prepared a city in heaven, built by His own hand. This is our eternal hope and glory. God rejected Saul but saved David. He opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.

August 10, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

I Have Taken Refuge in the LORD (Psalm 11:1–7)

 I Have Taken Refuge in the LORD (Psalm 11:1–7)    

What is our true refuge? This world offers many so-called refuges, but most of them lead to destruction. They are like wolves in sheep’s clothing—sweet as honey and alluring, but in the end, they bring ruin. That’s why there is no refuge apart from the LORD Almighty. God is truth, and in Him there is no falsehood. He is also full of mercy and compassion, slow to anger, and abounding in grace and love.

So when anyone comes before Him—even if that person is like a "leper" in spirit—He washes them, makes them clean, and opens the gates of heaven to grant them eternal life. This is because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shed His blood and died in our place to fully pay for the wages of sin.

Everyone who comes to Jesus finds rest from their labor and heavy burdens (Matthew 11:28).

In Psalm 11, David confesses that the LORD Almighty is his refuge.

A psalm of David. In the LORD I take refuge. 1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:1–3)

I Am Your Shield and Your Very Great Reward

The psalmist sought refuge in the LORD, because the LORD was his only true shelter. The word for refuge—mechseh—means an unshakable fortress, a picture of divine protection. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Abraham once fought against the coalition of kings led by Kedorlaomer to rescue his nephew Lot (Genesis 14). He was victorious, but the aftermath was full of uncertainty. He now had more enemies, and Lot still remained in Sodom. Abraham had no heir.

At that moment, God appeared to him and gave him a promise—a Word of eternal truth:

"After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

What did it mean for God to be Abraham’s shield and reward? Ultimately, Abraham became the father of faith by faith alone. He also became, in the flesh, an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1), and through him, all nations on earth are blessed (Genesis 12:2).

He was childless until the age of 75. He came from a background of idol worship, yet he followed God’s promise to the unfamiliar land of Canaan, pitched a tent there, and lived surrounded by enemies (Joshua 24:2). But God became his shield. Because of God’s protection, Abraham was safe from his enemies and became a channel of heavenly blessing. Whoever blessed him was blessed, and whoever cursed him was cursed (Genesis 12:3).

When he went down to Egypt during a famine, the king took interest in his wife Sarah’s beauty and brought her into his palace (Genesis 12:15). Yet God afflicted Pharaoh with serious diseases and commanded him to return Sarah to Abraham (Genesis 12:17). Even in Abraham’s weakness, God watched over and protected him.

Abraham died without seeing the fulfillment of all God’s promises in this life (Hebrews 11:39), but God prepared for him a city in heaven (Hebrews 11:10). Abraham held onto God’s Word, obeyed by faith, and God protected him from his enemies and gave him an eternal inheritance—a city made by God’s own hands.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

The LORD God, David’s Refuge

The author of Psalm 11 is David. He struck down Goliath, the Philistine champion, with a sling and a stone and saved Israel from danger (1 Samuel 17:48–51). He served under King Saul and won many victories. The people sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7).

Then Saul’s jealousy exploded, and he became obsessed with killing David. For about ten years, David became a fugitive—fleeing into deserts and even into Philistine territory. Yet David had done nothing wrong to deserve this. He was unjustly hunted like prey. He could’ve complained to God.

But in that place of sorrow, David turned to the LORD, his only place of rest and safety. In reality, there is no true refuge apart from God. Drugs, alcohol, achievements, wealth, or power—these are fleeting.

David had chances to kill Saul, but he refused. Because vengeance was not his refuge—the LORD was.

Everything Exists Through God

Why is God alone our refuge? Because we came from Him and will return to Him. Nothing exists apart from Him. God created humanity in His own image. Even microscopic creatures have a purpose. How much more those made in God’s image?

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). This means He loves and protects what He has made.

The universe operates under gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear forces. If any one of them fails, everything collapses. What holds them together?

Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians:

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16–17)

God created humans in His image for relationship. All creation obeys God in fear and trembling—except for humans, who rebelled after Adam’s fall. Though God sees the evil intentions in human hearts (Genesis 6:5), He patiently waits for people to return to Him, the only true place of rest and safety.

The Prodigal Son’s Return (Luke 15)

Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son. The younger son took his share of the inheritance, went to a distant land, and wasted everything on wild living. When the money ran out, everyone abandoned him. He was so hungry he longed to eat pig food, but no one gave him any (Luke 15:16).

Then he remembered the safety and abundance in his father’s house. He returned, asking to be treated as a hired servant. But while he was still a long way off, the father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. He gave him a new robe, sandals, a ring, and threw a feast. The father rejoiced greatly because the son who was lost had returned.

Clearly, wealth isn’t the true refuge. After wandering far, the son finally returned to the only real refuge: his father’s house.

Enemies Whisper and Deceive

David sought refuge in the LORD. He stayed under God’s guidance and protection. But so-called friends came with deceptive whispers. Verses 1b–3 of Psalm 11 quote their words, and English Bibles mark them with quotation marks:

“Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Even while in hiding, David found refuge in the LORD Almighty. But the enemy urged him to flee elsewhere—essentially suggesting he abandon God.

This temptation was similar to what Israel faced when they built a golden calf while Moses delayed on Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:1–8).

Because God is invisible, the temptation to seek visible solutions can feel convincing. The devil tempted Jesus, after 40 days of fasting, to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:3). Financial pressure, illness, or worldly passion can pull people away from God.

The whisper, “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” is a terrifying one. It plants doubt and despair, as if trusting in God might end in disappointment.

Paul spoke similarly in 1 Corinthians:

“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith... your faith is futile; you are still in your sins... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19)

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20)

He died on a cross in shame and burden of sin and humiliation like a criminal and was buried on a cold tomb. But this is not the end of the story. On the third day, He was risen from the dead, conquering death and bringing the lost into the paradise, the eternal kingdom of heaven.

The Lord is in His holy temple

4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. 5 The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. 7 For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. (Psalm 11:4-7)

David is unshaken in response to others' advice. He saw that the Lord God is in His holy temple, and His throne is in heaven. The ancestors of faith, Moses and the prophets looked toward the kingdom of God and were confident in heart. John, on the island of Patmos, witnessed the majesty, glory, and power of the heavenly throne in a vision:

2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. (Revelation 4:2-5)

David said that God's eyes examine mankind from His throne in heaven. The Lord examines the righteous, but He hates the wicked and those who love violence with a passion. God will judge everyone according to what they have done, whether good or evil (cf. Romans 2:6). He knows everything and sees everything. Especially, He protects and watches over the righteous whom He has chosen. But He does not acknowledge the way of the wicked.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (Psalm 1:6)

He will rain fiery coals, burning sulfur, and a scorching wind upon the wicked—that will be the portion in their cup, the bitter fruit of their deeds. The Lord is righteous and loves justice. The upright will see His face. This means we can stand before God with confidence, not shrinking back (cf. Hebrews 10:39).

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. (Psalm 1:3-4)

The IRS doesn’t exist just for show. If taxes are unpaid, they will find out and enforce collection. How much more before the Creator God, who made and governs all things—what could anyone hide? Absolutely nothing.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13).

Our only refuge is in the Lord God. By the merit of the blood of Jesus Christ, God leads anyone who believes into His rest. Amen!

August 3, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

“I Am Willing, Be Clean!” (Mark 1:40–45)

 

“I Am Willing, Be Clean!” (Mark 1:40–45)

Jesus got up early in the morning while it was still dark and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Jesus was always in the Father, and the Father was in the Son (John 17:21). Prayer is like breathing. It is a pathway to communicate with God. It is an honest conversation that acknowledges the Word of God, as demonstrated between God and Adam after the fall in Genesis 3. Prayer is about asking that not my will, but God's will be done. Prayer is also asking God to forgive our enemies.

Daniel prayed to God, asking Him to bring the Israelites back to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity, just as the prophet Jeremiah had spoken. In the same way, believers are called to be coworkers with God through prayer. Jesus always prayed while He was on earth and offered Himself—His very body—to do the work of God the Father, even to the point of death on the cross.

However, while the disciples were pleased that Jesus' fame was spreading, Jesus didn’t follow their desires. He obeyed the will of His Father in heaven and went on to teach in other villages. Jesus came to this world as the suffering servant. Though the disciples initially struggled to accept Him, eventually, they came to receive Him as the Messiah revealed in the Scriptures.

In Mark 1:40–45, Jesus had compassion on a man with leprosy and made him clean.

A man with leprosy comes and begs on his knees

40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. (Mark 1:40–42)

A man with leprosy came and fell on his knees before Jesus and begged Him. Leprosy was a terrifying and incurable disease. It was even called a divine punishment. The flesh would rot, and the body would become deformed—so much so that eventually the person was unrecognizable. Though it has been removed from the official list of diseases by the UN, leprosy was once a fearful illness, requiring isolation from society. In the movie Ben-Hur, there is a heartbreaking scene where Judah’s mother and sister, having contracted leprosy, live in a cave, shunned from the society.

Everything God created has a purpose. All creation reveals His power, glory, and majesty—whether it be the solar system, the earth, the seas, the animals, grain, vegetables, fruit, or even microorganisms like bacteria. Sunlight and rain are sources of energy for all things. Plants like grains and vegetables are essential. Microorganisms, while some cause illness, also benefit the body by aiding digestion, strengthening the immune system, and breaking down harmful substances.

Leprosy is especially mentioned in the Law as a defiling and unclean disease. Those afflicted were to live outside the camp. They had to tear their clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face, and cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45–46). Miriam, the sister of Moses, criticized him for marrying a Cushite woman and questioned why God only spoke through Moses (Numbers 12:1–2). The Lord became angry and struck her with leprosy (Numbers 12:10).

In Korea, there’s an island called Sorokdo, where people with leprosy used to live together. When I was in middle school, I went there for a summer retreat. The island was divided into two zones—one for less severe cases and one for more severe cases. Most visitors stayed in the mild zone. I remember there were seven churches on the island. We worshiped on a Wednesday evening in the church located in the more severe patient area. As a teenage boy, I was overwhelmed by the disfigured appearances of the severely ill—missing eyes, collapsed noses, and distorted mouths. I couldn’t even look straight at them. Many of them were blind, so they had memorized large portions of the Bible and hymns. The sound of their singing was powerful and awe-inspiring.

The leper in Mark 1 wasn’t supposed to come near Jesus—it was forbidden by the Law. Yet he approached, knelt, and pleaded for mercy. Jesus did not scold him or send him away for breaking the Law. Instead, He accepted him just as he was. God’s compassion and mercy go far beyond the boundaries of the Law. In the same way, God wants anyone—even a leper—to come before Him and plead just as they are.

Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost

That’s why God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world. Consider the story of Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector, regarded as a public sinner. He couldn’t go to the synagogue and was treated by his fellow Jews as a traitor—worse than a dog. The way to come to God seemed blocked for him. Though he wasn’t physically afflicted with leprosy, spiritually he was like a leper.

One day, he wanted to see who Jesus was. But because he was short and there was a crowd, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him (Luke 19:2–3). Jesus looked up at him and said, “Come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Because Jews did not associate with tax collectors, the crowd muttered, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner” (Luke 19:7). But Jesus’ gracious mercy and love became glory and joy to Zacchaeus, who had lived in loneliness and despair like a leper. In this way, Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:9–10)

In Adam, all people are like lepers—defiled by sin. As a result, the path to the Holy God is blocked. We are under the power of sin and death, living in ignorance and darkness. People groan in loneliness and alienation under the heavy burden of guilt and oppression.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (Romans 1:21–23)

The Hope of Humanity Is in Christ Jesus Alone

Yet, even in all these hopeless situations, there is hope. That hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. News about Jesus teaching in the synagogues, healing the sick, and driving out demons had reached this man with leprosy. A ray of hope shone into his soul. In the midst of misery, a spark of faith and expectation began to grow in him—faith in Jesus’ power and authority to heal. Moreover, Jesus was known as the one who did not turn anyone away but received and cared for those who came to him. He is full of compassion and mercy.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost—just like this man with leprosy. God shines the light of salvation brightly into the world through Jesus Christ. For this purpose, Jesus opened his mouth and went from village to village teaching the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. He healed people with various diseases and drove out impure spirits with his word. Just like that, God seeks those who are hiding from his presence and calls out, “Where are you?” (cf. Gen. 3:9).

The man with leprosy was drawn by the loving hand of God. He came and fell on his knees before Jesus and begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Though he had leprosy, he believed that if Jesus was willing, he could make him clean. He sought mercy, just as he was. He came to Jesus with nothing to offer, just as he was.

“I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

Jesus accepted him just as he was and was filled with compassion for him (cf. Korean Bible, NET, ESV). The word translated “had compassion” carries the idea of deeply identifying with another’s pain. However, the NIV translates it: “Jesus was indignant” (Mark 1:41). This does not mean Jesus was angry at the man, but rather angry at the situation—that someone made in God’s image was bound under the curse of sin.

God is a God of compassion and mercy. Throughout the Law, we are repeatedly told to care for the widow and the orphan (Deuteronomy 14:29; 26:12; Isaiah 1:17). This reflects God’s heart of mercy. It’s like the urgency a parent feels when a child is in danger.

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” (Mark 1:41). Jesus could have healed him with a word alone, but instead, he touched him. God does not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick. He is rich in mercy and compassion (cf. Isaiah 42:3). Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed (Mark 1:42). This is God’s heart. God desires to set free those who groan under the power of sin and death and to give them true life. This heart of God remains the same yesterday and today and forever.

No matter what our condition or circumstance, if we come before God just as we are and ask for mercy, he will cleanse us with his love.

God forgave and cleansed King David even after his double sin. That’s because David came before the Lord with a broken and contrite heart and asked for mercy (Psalm 51:17). Jesus had compassion on the woman caught in adultery and did not condemn her but made her clean (John 8:11). In the same way, God had such great compassion for us that he gave his Son Jesus Christ—even to death on the cross (Romans 5:8).

There is no other way to be cleansed from sin except through the blood of Jesus Christ. Without the forgiveness of sins, there is no life—only trouble and affliction. Therefore, God was pleased to crush his Son as a guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10). Through his Son Jesus Christ, God clearly showed and proved his compassionate love to the whole world.

The apostle Paul describes how powerful and sovereign God’s love is. No evil or lying spirit in this world can separate us from God’s love, and no hardship or pain or trouble can overcome it.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)

“Show yourself to the priest”

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” (Mark 1:43–44)

Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. (Mark 1:45)

Jesus strictly warned the man who had been cleansed not to tell anyone. This was because people might misunderstand and think Jesus came only to heal physical diseases. But Jesus’ healing ministry was closely connected to the forgiveness of sins—something that can only happen through his blood. The healing of the leper was a picture of how Jesus, through his blood, cleanses people who have been rejected, trapped in sin, and unable to enter God’s grace—and leads them into the kingdom of heaven.

Instead, Jesus told him to show himself to the priest and offer the gifts Moses commanded as a testimony. Leviticus 14 describes the offerings and procedures required after a person with leprosy is cleansed. In the Old Testament, the only recorded case of healing from leprosy was that of Naaman, a Syrian army commander (2 Kings 5). If this man had gone to the priest, it would have been the first time the Mosaic Law was applied to someone healed of leprosy. It would have served as a witness to the priests that the Messiah sent by God was among them.

However, the man disobeyed Jesus’ command and spread the news widely. Because of this, Jesus could no longer enter towns openly but stayed in lonely places. Even so, people came to him from every direction.

After being made clean, we must continue to live in obedience to Jesus’ words. That is how we rightly receive and live out God’s grace.

Our Lord Jesus Christ earnestly desires that, no matter what desperate situation we may be in, we come before him and be made clean and whole.

Amen!

July 27, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place (Mark 1:35–39)

 Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place (Mark 1:35–39)

Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue, revealing the secrets of the kingdom of heaven—the gospel of the kingdom. These secrets point the way for fallen people to return to heaven. And the only way is through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, through which we receive the forgiveness of sins.

People suffer and groan under the burden of sickness. From something as mild as a cold to something as serious as cancer, disease causes pain. On top of that, the devil—the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning—tries to destroy life in every way possible. But Jesus healed every kind of disease for those who came to Him, and He drove out demons.

Jesus could heal any disease, but He didn’t heal every single person. Sickness can come again. People can fall into temptation again and make mistakes. That’s why Jesus’ healing was a sign pointing to the greater grace of forgiveness. There is no greater gift or glory than the forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ blood. His blood has the power to cover sins—past, present, and future.

No one is completely free from illness, pressure, or stress. It’s part of the human condition. But it’s not a curse—it’s part of God’s prescription for restoration after Adam’s fall. Without God, we can do nothing. But in His love, we find life. The grace of Jesus’ forgiveness remains effective, even in pain and suffering. That’s why, with faith, we look toward our heavenly hope and endure today’s trials.

In Mark 1:35–39, Jesus went to a solitary place very early in the morning, while it was still dark, and prayed there. When the disciples came looking for Him and found Him, He said, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35)

Jesus waking up while it was still dark to pray in a quiet place is a powerful example. As the Son of God, He didn’t need to pray—yet He did. He showed us the way. And if Jesus prayed, how much more should we, as His followers?

So what is prayer? Well, let’s first talk about what it’s not. Prayer isn’t about meaningless repetition or chanting--babbling. Jesus warned us not to pray like that:

"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:7)

Prayer isn’t about being seen by others either. That kind of public performance is not true prayer—it’s hypocrisy. And Jesus said those people already received their reward:

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others... Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:5)

Jesus told us instead:

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)

We don’t need to tell God over and over again as if He didn’t already know:

"Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:8)

That might make you wonder—if God already knows everything, why pray at all? That’s why it’s important to understand what prayer really is.

Let’s go back to the beginning. In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve sinned by eating from the tree, they hid from God. But God called out:

“Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)

This wasn’t about their physical location. God was inviting them to reflect on what had happened—on their fall. He knew everything already. But He asked questions like, “Who told you that you were naked?”, “Have you eaten from the tree…?”

Even then, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. Both said that they ate. But in this short conversation, we learn that prayer is being honest before God. It’s not about telling Him what He doesn’t know. It’s about returning to Him with open hearts.

King David learned this, too. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the death of her husband Uriah, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront him. David didn’t make excuses. He came to God in prayer with a broken and repentant heart. In Psalm 51, he wrote:

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (Psalm 51:16–17)

Also, prayer is also about asking God’s will to be done, not our own. For that, we must know God’s heart and His Word. Daniel is a good example. He read Jeremiah’s prophecy and understood that the exile would last seventy years. So what did he do? He prayed for his people’s return.

In Daniel 9, he prayed:

“Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name... We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” (Daniel 9:18-19)

Now someone might ask: if God already said the exile would last seventy years, why did Daniel need to pray? That’s the mystery and glory of prayer. God chooses to work through the prayers of His people. He invites us to partner with Him in His heavenly work. What a privilege and blessing.

Jesus affirmed this when He told Peter:

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

And in the prayer Jesus taught us, He said:

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

God Answers Without Delay

Another example is the prayer of a widow. In the Bible, a widow—often paired with orphans—represents vulnerability and weakness. This story teaches us the importance of always praying and not giving up. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)

The implication here is that without continual prayer, we’re likely to lose heart. The unjust judge gave in to the widow’s plea just to get her off his back, but God responds without delay. “I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.” (Luke 18:8)

Now, sometimes people misunderstand what “quickly” means. They think it means their pain, stress, or pressure will suddenly vanish. But the reality is, pain and pressure are often ongoing in everyday life. So what does “without delay” really mean?

It’s like how a parent responds to their child—always alert and ready to help, but not always giving what the child asks for. A parent doesn’t hand out candy every time the child asks, even if they love them dearly.

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)

That’s why God doesn’t always remove the stress or pressure right away—because He already knows what we truly need. That’s the proof that He answers without delay. The problem is that we often don’t recognize this and start complaining.

The Prayer of Moses

Let’s look at Moses’ prayer. He went up Mount Sinai and spent forty days and forty nights with God, receiving the two stone tablets of the covenant law. But while he was on the mountain, the people pushed Aaron into making a golden calf idol. They claimed it was the god who brought them out of Egypt, and they started eating, drinking, and dancing around it (Exodus 32:4–6).

God was angered by their stubbornness and said He would destroy them (Exodus 32:9–10).
But Moses interceded—not for his own sake, but for God’s name and righteousness. He pleaded with God to turn from His fierce anger and not bring disaster on His people:

“But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.”’” (Exodus 32:11–13)

And then:

“Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.” (Exodus 32:14)

Moses’ prayer reminds us of the way our Lord Jesus Christ prayed as He hung on the cross. He committed no sin—nothing deserving of death. Yet He bore the sins of the world, lifted high in pain, shame, and humiliation. And while being mocked, ridiculed, and condemned to die, He still prayed for those who wronged Him.

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” (Luke 23:34)

God the Father heard His Son’s prayer. He accepted it. And because of that, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

God withheld His judgment that we rightly deserved. Instead, He poured it out on Jesus. And by the blood of Christ, we have been redeemed, cleansed, and declared righteous. Amen!

Jesus Prayed All the Time

Jesus would go to quiet places early in the morning to pray to His Father. Prayer, like breathing, is how we stay spiritually alive in God. Jesus always tuned His ears to the Father’s voice and responded with sensitivity and obedience.

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
(John 5:19)

Let’s Go to the Nearby Villages

“Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (Mark 1:36–39)

Early in the morning, crowds were already gathering to find Jesus. The disciples rushed to inform Him. But Jesus said, “Let’s go to the nearby villages,” emphasizing His purpose to preach the good news in other places too.

The disciples were excited by Jesus’ growing fame. They had high hopes that He would soon rise as the promised Messiah. But Jesus didn’t come just to heal or cast out demons—those miracles pointed to something much greater: His mission to redeem humanity and lead them into God’s Kingdom.

At that time, the disciples didn’t yet understand the mystery of the cross. Their eyes were on His fame, not His suffering. But Jesus gently redirected them toward His true mission—a suffering Messiah who brings salvation. He continued preaching in synagogues across Galilee, casting out demons, and revealing the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is so that those who hear and see may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

He came to open His mouth and speak the good news first—and through His healing and deliverance, to bless people with the forgiveness of sins. Amen!

July 20, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.