Musing – What is Church? How important is Fellowship?

 Hebraic Musing – What is Church?  How important is Fellowship?

A friend shared his Sunday’s “Church” experience in His 2,000-member Fellowship.  He always sits in same section and therefore knows the folks in that section because of the traditional “meet & greet” time during the service.  Is that what “Church” is about?  What is “Church”?  What’s the purpose of “Church”?  Why do we go to “Church”?

In Christian doctrine, the “Church” is the Christian religious community as a whole, or a body, or an organization of Christian believers.   It is people assembled for a religious purpose such as hearing the Law or fellowshipping:  “Then the LORD delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.”  Deuteronomy 9:10 NKJV   In the New Testament the word “Church” is used in reference to the entire body of believing Christians throughout the world.  “I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…”  Matthew 16:18.   

And what is the purpose of a “Church”, or of “Fellowship”, especially when it is part of the church’s name? 

·      Building Community & Partnership:  In the very beginning, God said, “It is not good that man should be alone.” Genesis 2:18 NKJV   Known as koinonia, fellowship is more than socializing; it is a partnership where believers share life together, accountable to one another.  It helps members grow in their faith, offering a sense of belonging that confirms they are not alone.

·      Mutual Encouragement and Support:  Fellowship allows Christians to bear one another's burdens, offering comfort and encouragement through both happy and difficult times.  It is a means of grace that prevents believers from feeling isolated and helps sharpen one another spiritually.

·      Growing in Faith and Truth:  Regular, intentional interaction helps Christians grow with believers learning from each other and holding one another accountable to live in accordance with God’s word.

·      Glorifying God Together:  A major purpose of fellowship is to unite in worship and mission, showcasing God's love to the world through a united community.  Example - “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:22

·      Using Spiritual Gifts:  The fellowship provides the environment for members to exercise their spiritual gifts to serve each other, rather than acting independently.

In other words, the purpose of fellowship in the church is to foster deep, accountable, purposeful, and mutually beneficial relationships among believers, rooted in their shared union with Christ.  It serves to encourage spiritual growth, provide support during life’s challenges, and build up the community through shared faith, prayer and study.

It’s interesting that the word ”Church” is mentioned almost 100 times in the NT; and “Synagogue” is mentioned over 40 times in the NT; but neither is mentioned in the OT!?!? 

A road sign entering Bella Vista reads “The Churches of Bella Vista Welcome You”.  Shouldn’t that sign say “The Church of Bella Vista Welcomes You”?

Points to ponder

How well does your “Church” fulfil all the above purposes?   What’s your role?

Why do we call our fellowship a “Church”, not recognizing the Christian Community as a whole?

How much “accountability” do we have in our traditional “churches”?   Or in your church?

What us the purpose of “Church”?  Why do we go to church?

I wonder if we could convert the whole world if all the “Churches” worked together in unity?

“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,” Ephesians 1:22

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              June 9, 2026   

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – How Well do We Understand the Far Left Agenda?

 Hebraic Musing – How Well do We Understand the Far Left Agenda?

Pastor Emeritus, Erwin Lutzer, of Moody Church in Chicago has declared on behalf of us Christians that “We Will Not Be Silenced; Responding Courageously to Our Culture’s Assault on Christianity.”*  His book is said by me and by others to be a must read for all Christians. “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.’” Psalm 2:1-3  NKJV   Lutzer’s book expounds on the forces that seek to dismantle the core values that built up America.  Let me tease you with chapter headings, introductions and a few of my salient snippets from the book.

Rewrite the Past to Control the Future - The strategies being used to delegitimize our Judeo-Christian past to make way for a wholly secular and Godless society.   What’s happening?  Destruction of History by burning books, toppling statues to delegitimize the Founding Fathers and our America’s Judeo-Christian heritage.  After History is erased, then erase the constitution and Judeo-Christian heritage.  “If a person loses his memory, he does not know who he is.  When a nation loses its history, it becomes whatever people say it is. Based on the loudest and angriest voices.”  BTW – Notice how our NT gets meaning from the history in the OT.

Use Diversity to Divide and Destroy - How harmful cultural ideologies are keeping races in perpetual, endless conflict.   Using Diversity with Victimology to Divide Races, Genders, White Privilege, etc.  In contrast, 1 John 17:22 says “…they may be one just as We are one.”  Victimization justifies Government dependency, providing “free” stuff for the “victims.”  But Prov. 14:23 says “In all labor there is profit,…”  NKJV

Critical Role of Families in Our National Struggles - Biblical Marriage** What percentage of school children go home to both original parents!?!?  Ask school teachers that question. (I suspect it’s only about 10% !?!?)

Freedom of Speech for Me, but Not for Thee - The growing trend to stifle and shame those who uphold conservative or Christian worldviews, And Using Slogans to Mask Evil.  So they twist definitions to sell their agenda as a Civil Right or as Love and/or Compassion by using Gaslighting to change Language to lower Crime Rates.  At first the Left applauded free speech; now it is deemed unfair, unjust and insensitive.  Ok for some groups, but not others.  Free speech for Christians is criminalized or shamed or mocked!  Defund the Police.  And calls from BLM to destroy images of Christ and deface houses of worship… (p.63)

Sell the Noble Cause - How propaganda is used to shape a population’s perception of reality so they will not change their minds even when confronted by compelling counterevidence.  The Importance of Climate Change.       “They” believe the earth cannot support more than about a billion people (not the 7 billion we have now), so abortion & euthanasia are needed.  Under the banners of compassion and justice, “Equality” is the banner for Same-sex Marriage and Economic Socialism.  The Focus is now on “Individual rights” instead of “love your neighbor.”  All these issues are not to help the poor, but to organize for power.  Social Justice, Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality stress inequality and assign blame and victimhood.  Their focus is on matters of diversity – gender identity, race, sexuality, ethnicity, class, etc. and ends with controversy about “White Guilt.”  BTW - Theirs is not a method to make people both free and equal.   “The Church is a Toxic Culture.”  The tone of “social justice” and CRT make it difficult to have Biblical discussions about race and gender.

Sexualize Children - How school curricula and popular culture are leading our children into sexual confusion and warped ideas of personal identity.  The Corrupting Influence of Our Public Schools.  Christian Colleges Submit to LGBTQ Values.  The Demonic Nature of What’s Happening in the Transgender Phenomenon.  Explicit curriculums subtly promote the LGBTQ agenda.  Thus, the Destruction of the nuclear Biblical family.**   Promotion and legalization of drug use and pornography.

Capitalism is the Disease; Socialism is the Cure - Why socialism is initially attractive yet ultimately leads to failure, and how capitalism can create wealth that furthers Christian work everywhere.   Capitalism is blamed for evil in society, charged with greed, materialism, selfishness, etc.; all leading to financial inequality.   BTW - Is Karl Marx still ruling from the grave?

Join radical Islam to destroy America - Why and how two very different worldviews are willing to set aside their differences to eradicate Christianity and capitalism.   

Vilify! Vilify! Vilify! - How disagreements today are no longer resolved with mutual respect and civility, but through shaming and outrageous denunciations.   “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” – Thomas Jefferson.

Wake Up!  Strengthen What Remains! - Jesus, speaking to a New Testament church, gives a warning that applies directly to us today, and His assessment is the only one that matters.   “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.”  Revelation 3:2-3   Was Jesus speaking to us?

Points to ponder

Is Jesus our Lord, or has the world become our lord?  Whose judgement matters?

Can the Culture be Reclaimed without reclaiming the CHURCH?

How are we to protect Family, Friends and Ourselves from brainwashing?

“The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD…” Ps.2:2 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          June 2, 2026    (Modified reprint of June 8, 2021 Musing)

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      Insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

* Inspired by “We Will Not Be Silenced” by Erwin Lutzer, Pastor Emeritous of The Moody Church in Chicago.

** Recommended reading - “Biblical Marriage” by Yosef (Amazon search – “Biblical Marriage Yosef”)

Musing – Is Your Salvation Testimony Ready? On the tip of your tongue?

 

Hebraic Musing – Is Your Salvation Testimony Ready?  On the tip of your tongue?

Have you written out your Salvation Testimony?  Could you spontaneously deliver it?  Can you tell it in a 30-minute speech; or in a two-to-three-minute opportunity; or to someone in an elevator in 20 seconds?  Why might that be handy, or important?  When you share your Salvation Testimony, who benefits?

Let me propose a simple three-part outline:
(1) What was the sinfulness in my past life that I had to confess?   
(2) What did I experience the day I made Jesus my Lord? 
(3) What’s my life with Jesus been like ever since that day?   

Paul had a three-part testimony when he witnessed King Agrippa in Acts 26.
(1) What was Paul’s past life?  "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus … I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them … I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. … I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” Acts 26:9-11 NIV
(2) What did Paul experience when he encountered Jesus?  "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus … as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, … I heard a voice saying …  'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?....'    Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'   'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting … Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you …  as a witness ….   the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes …, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'” Acts 26:12-18
(3) What has Paul been doing since then?  "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”  Acts 26:19-20

The impact!?!?  Festus interrupted Paul's defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane.” Acts 26:24   And then Agrippa said to Paul in Acts 26:28 “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"  We will learn the result when we get to Heaven!   Interesting!  “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” 1 Cor.1:18

Can you tell your testimony in a similar three-part outline?  Why is it important to write it out?  A - So you are ready to deliver it whenever or wherever the Holy Spirit asks you to.  “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

When Jesus commanded us, he also empowered us.  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, ...”  Matthew 28:18-20

There are more examples of the importance of Testimonies.  In Acts 22 – Apostle Paul’s defense before the Jerusalem Mob.   In Acts 7 – Stephen‘s address before his execution.   And in Mark 5:19 Jesus said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

People disagree with my preaching; they even argue with my teaching; BUT they cannot argue with my testimony.  It is real and it is the truth!   And each time you share your Testimony you remind yourself!!!

A good friend of mine outlined this Musing – “I screwed up. I gave up. I made up.”

Points to ponder

Have you ever shared your salvation testimony?   What happened?

Who do you know who needs to hear your testimony?  Who would relate to your past life?

To fulfill the “Great Commission” how might our personal salvation testimony help?

BTW - You can also “testify” about how God blessed you in a special way recently!

   RSVP

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Matt.10:32

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          June 26, 2026 (Originally published 8/6/19)  
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing - Do we kick against the Goads?

 Hebraic Musing - Do we kick against the Goads?

Ever heard of someone being Goaded on?  I recently read the familiar description of Paul’s conversion in Acts.  We’ve all read it many times but this particular reading caused a single word to jump out at me.  We should never sit down with the Word of God without first asking the Holy Spirit to help understand and clearly see what Scripture is trying to say.  Sometimes I have to read a passage several times and patiently meditate on it for a time, sometimes days.  But the answer faithfully comes forth. 

In this instance, the word in Acts 9:4 of “Me” caught my attention.  This is also repeated in Acts 22:7 and Acts 26:14.   We all know that Saul of Tarsus was journeying to Damascus to persecute and imprison followers of Jesus, the Nazarenes whom he was convinced were blaspheming Jehovah and corrupting the Law of Moses.  Saul’s fervent and sincere passion to defend his God came from a deep love and commitment to the holiness of the Jewish faith and temple.  He thought he was doing the right thing!

Here is Saul plodding along a dusty road in broad daylight when a bright light suddenly hits him, blinding him, and a voice addresses him saying, “Saul, Saul!  Why are you persecuting Me?” Acts 9:4 NKJV   Jesus was speaking directly to him.  What struck me was that Jesus didn’t ask him, “Why are you persecuting my followers?” which is exactly what Saul was engaged in doing.  Rather, Christ took the persecution personally.  Why?  The answer forthcoming from the Holy Spirit was that Jesus was claiming all who believe upon Him as His own.  He possesses and claims personal ownership of us.  Scripture tells us frequently in Saul’s/Paul’s later letters that we are “in Christ” and Christ is “in us.”  Christ owns us -- every bit of us from the air we breathe to the cells in our body and the life force that inhabits them.  When we claim Him, He claims us.  Jesus once taught His disciples/us that whatever they would to the “the least” of them… “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did unto Me.” Matthew 25:40.  So, Jesus took it very personal!

We are adopted.  We are part of His family, with the same Father.  Christ shares an allegiance with us that is sealed in covenant and cannot be broken.  Hence, he takes the persecution of His followers as an attack upon Himself.

There is one more part of this Scripture in Acts that is often sidestepped -- Jesus’ comment about it being “hard to kick against the goads.”  In Acts 9:5 “Then the Lord said, ’I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’”NKJV  A goad is a sharp, pointed prod used to steer and motivate cattle and sheep along, giving rise to our expression of “goading someone into it.”  Jesus was saying to Saul that when you resist the Lord’s prompting and interfere with His plan and efforts, you will find it difficult.  Saul, sitting there, blinded, had just gotten a taste of what happens when one “kicks against the goads.”

Do we “kick against the goads” that God has placed in some of our experiences?  Have we discovered that it’s just easier to trust Him and let His promptings unfold in His way and His time in our lives?  Paul found out that it was just easier to trust and go along with God’s directions through the Holy Spirit’s quiet guidance than to try to create his own path and run into difficulties and resistance.  To be sure, Saul ran into many obstacles and problems in his ministry, but those were the enemy’s doing, not God’s.  The Lord’s power guided Saul through all of them and at the same time allowed him to preach the Gospel to all he encountered, including his enemies, fulfilling his divine purpose.

How many “goads” are we kicking against in our daily walk?

Points to ponder

When we kick against the goads, do we recognize the goads are there for our benefit?

Who is goading us into stubbornness, laziness, non-compliance, etc.?  

How are we goaded by His Holy Spirit?

♫  Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                            May 19, 2016

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – How to distinguish between Critical and Arguable ‘Truths’?

 Hebraic Musing – How to distinguish between Critical and Arguable ‘Truths’?

Christianity has certain foundational doctrines to determine if a person, church, denomination is truly Christian.  I propose that the only critical doctrinal belief issues are – (1) Full deity and humanity of Jesus; (2) Authority of Scripture; (3) Justification by Faith; (4) Triune nature of Our God; and (5) Birth, Death, bodily Resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  Folks may disagree with some of these, but I hold these as non-arguable, foundational truths.  They represent the undeniable, unarguable, defining distinctives of Christianity.

However, Denominations, Pastors and even some Churches hold some other distinctive beliefs or tenets that are defended, debated, argued and become strongly held beliefs.  These beliefs become known as Denominational Distinctives; and they become cause for division in fellowship among Christians.  But should they?  “But God has combined the members of the body … so that there should be no division in the body….” 1 Corinth. 12:24-26 NIV

Denominations have been known to differ on issues of Beliefs, Practices, Social issues, Ethical issues, Theology and Worship Styles.  Here is just a sample of Denominational Distinctives.  Are any of these worth losing fellowship over?

·         Baptism as infant or adult

·         Baptism by sprinkling or immersion

·         Ordinations of Women pastors

·         Confession to Priests as intercessors

·         Significance of Mother Mary

·         Infallibility--of Pope or Denomination

·         Teachings of a Mega-Church pastor

·         Torah as Law or guide or irrelevant

·         Sabbath or Sunday worship

·         Pre or Mid or Post or Pan-Trib

·         Salvation – Secure or worked out

·         Which Bible version is Authorized

·         Role of the Holy Spirit (or Ghost)

·         Nature and role of Angels

·         Views toward other denominations

·         Alcohol consumption

·         Rules for Communion

·         And on and on the list goes….

I repeat the question - Are any of these worth breaking fellowship over?  I am not trying to diminish the importance each of the above issues, but maybe we should spend more time understanding where our Brothers in Christ are coming from.  Being multi-denominational myself, it has been an adventure!  If you disagree with someone, can you state their position and reasoning?  That is only being fair.

At my Father’s funeral, I became the patriarch of the family.  My siblings, seven of them, represent a variety of denominations and sought me out for understanding.  While flying home at 35,000 feet, I thanked the Lord for all the different denominational ways He gave me to bless Him.  Then the Lord spoke to me almost audibly – “Joe, those are all the ways I have to bless you.” 

My son has suggested that each denomination reflects the different characteristics and nature of Our Almighty God.  So, in a multi-denominational Bible study we had each person share their denominational background – and we identified the strength, blessing and Godly nature of each their denominations.  How uplifting it was to experience God’s perspective!

Points to Ponder

Can we have Christian Unity while discussing non-critical, non-salvific differences?

BTW - If you do find the perfect church, it will no longer be perfect when you join!

Do any Denominations or Churches live in ‘glass houses’? 
Besides ‘Crystal Cathedral’    :<)

I really would like to hear your opinion on these points!

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                         May 12, 2026   (First published February 18, 2014) 

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”     www.InsightsByYosef.com

 

Musing – Do we still have Pharisees in Our Churches?

Hebraic Musing – Do we still have Pharisees in Our Churches?

Are there Pharisees in our Churches?  How would we know?  Or, how would we know if we are one of them?  To stir our thinking – would we have also become frustrated with Jesus when we saw Him hanging out with hookers, criminals and other morally sketchy people?  I would probably have questioned him as well; which puts me in the company of the Pharisees.  How about you?  (BTW – The Sadducees were even more self-centered!  That is why they are sad, you see.)

I’ve come to realize that maybe I am one of the chief Pharisees?  Here are some signs I have to watch for –

I like to show off; whether it’s the number of FB friends, the car, the fashions, musical or other skills, etc.  Do we find ourselves in church drawing focus on ourselves instead of serving God and His people?

I tend to think my theology is better than theirs.  We know we are right and they are wrong.  When we contend we are less sinful, or got it more together, or smarter and wiser than the other guy or his church, then we might have become a Pharisee!  Remember, the Pharisees insisted they were right.

My love of money and the control of “My Money” messes with my priorities. How?  Have you ever found yourself excited about what the money is doing for you, and lost sight of what it could be doing for one of God’s mission efforts?   If so, we’ve crossed a line.  Whoops, I forget who the money really belongs to!

I have too little compassion, while forgetting that Yeshua’s act of compassion is why I am a Christian. Jesus was frequently moved with compassion, and he rebuked the Pharisees for their lack of it.  Matt 9:11-13 starts with “When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?..."   All too often I find myself listening to the popular radio station WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) instead of caring for others.  I once defined “others” as the 7 billion people in the world; and my pastor publically corrected me by saying – “No Joe, “others” is 7 billion minus one.”

I expect others to do what I don’t always do?    Do I practice what I preach?  Do I “Walk the Talk”?  And not just at church but at home also?!?!  And as we teach, directly and indirectly, I have to remember that those who teach are held to a higher standard; so I have to teach with fear, trembling and humility.

I think of myself as closer to God than those around me.  In Matt 23:15 Jesus admonishes the Pharisees – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” NIV
And then I remember Prov. 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”   Ouch!

I become jealous of others in the church and other churches.  When ministries of others are more effective, I feel a spirit of jealousy creeping in; when I know I should be publicly praising them and celebrating with them.  John the Baptist understood this challenge when he admitted “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30-31 NKJV   What John did was to say it out loud.  He gave public recognition and praise to Jesus.

While all this is said in first person, it is my hope and belief we can all work to recognize the pharisaical tendencies that creep into our thinking and hinder our witness.

Points to ponder

Interesting Bible study topic – “Jesus and the Pharisees” (Notes available)

Do we listen to WIIFM too often?

How does Pharisaical thinking diminish our effectiveness as witnesses for Jesus Christ?

"Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”  Luke 12:1

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   May 5, 2026 (First published March 14, 2017)

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note – Inspired by Carey Nieuwhof, ChurchLeaders.com, 7 Signs the Pharisees Are Running Your Church. Feb. 2015 

Mushing – Should we go “Beyond the Written Rule”?

 Hebraic Mushing – Should we go “Beyond the Written Rule”?

My aviation friend* shared “In an intense dream this week, repeating a similar one a week earlier, I revisited a five-year trial that resolved in our favor six years ago.  I woke pondering a comment from a former regulatory overseer who lamented that the FAA had shifted from prioritizing safety to box-checking to achieve a “Gotcha.”  This was a startling admission, though to me an unsurprising conclusion.” 

How might that apply to our journey with Jesus?

Jesus dealt with the best of the best of box-checkers.  He confronted the Pharisees, calling out their willingness to “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel” Matthew 23:24 NIV.  Jesus obliterated their stronghold of prideful comparisons in Luke 18:9-14 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The Pharisees are easy targets for us, yet our judgment of them is sometimes Pharisaical itself. How easy it is to fall into the trap of “at least I am not one of them.”

In his aviation career (or in any career), we were careful to comply with the regulations and our approved programs.  Of course, we wanted to avoid a “Gotcha,” but more importantly, we were committed to safety.  We were further committed to respecting our authorities and held our relationship with them as a core value.

Whether an air operator or a regulator overseeing one, or a believer trying to please God, the box-checking trap is set with deadly consequences.  The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6 NIV.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom  2 Cor 3:17 NIV.   Through Christ Jesus, we move beyond the written rule into the realm of the Spirit, who gives life and freedom. Amen!

Jesus warned us. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24   And there are more than 20 more references telling us to – work at it with all your heart for the Lord, not for men,”  

 Point to ponder

In how many ways are do we become “box-checkers” in our service to the LORD?

Do we worship the Lord with known prayers, or with our hearts?

Has going to church become a routine?

Do we love our neighbor because we were told to? 

Who is your neighbor?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” Colosians:3:23

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                        April 28, 2026
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

* – Inspired by Mark Sterns’ “Tues w/ Papa_50 Beyond the Written Rule”