The Fall of Man

Ruins of Ancient Babylon

In case you thought the fall of man referred only to Adam's fall, think again. Revelation 18 describes the Fall of Babylon. While this refers to the ancient city, it includes much more. The name "Babylon" in the Bible typifies the world system in some places. In other places it typifies evil.

An angel warns people against Babylon in Revelation 18, not to share in her sins. Check out verse 10: "Woe, Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!"

As I see the world around me crumbling, these words take on specific meaning. Do you see it? People who are tied to the world's system will lose everything when it collapses--what they've worked for their whole lives--their health, wealth, possessions and retirement will be gone in an hour. Money, power and pleasure won't matter. Only what is done for God will last. Those who love and serve God will take their faith, Christian character and relationships with God and other believers into the New Heavens and New Earth where Jesus will reign.

Jesus said in Mark 8:34-36, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul."

Check out Revelation 16:15. "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."

Do you believe Jesus is coming soon? Many things in the world today parallel prophecies in the Bible. It's not too late to confess your need of a Savior in these troubling times. Jesus stands at the door of your heart, waiting for you to invite Him into your life. He loves you with an everylasting love. He will not abandon you. Just say His name and know His lavishing care for you.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your word. Help us to prepare for the days ahead with confidence in you. You are our fortress and hiding place. You are our strength and joy. Amen.

Any Old Bush Will Do

Although Moses was Hebrew, he grew up in Pharaoh's palace as the king's own son. At the age of forty, educated and eloquent in speech, filled with pride and power, he thought he would save his people from slavery, but God had a different plan.


After an Egyptian caught Moses in murder, he fled to Midian where he became a shepherd, married Zipporah and had two sons. All his education, power and eloquence came to nothing. He traded his royalty for life in the desert, but God wasn't finished with him. He showed up in the fire of a bush that didn't burn up to command Moses to return to Egypt.


"I have seen the misery of my people and heard their cries. I have come to rescue them from the hands of the Egyptians and lead them to a spacious land flowing with milk and honey."


"Who am I?" Moses asked. "I can't even talk right." What happened to his eloquent speech? Once powerful and controlling, now Moses was afraid to speak out for his people. He couldn't look back and neither can we. We can't live on our own wits, but with God's strength nothing is impossible. Any old bush will do, because it's not about the bush, or Moses or any of us. It's about God and what He can do to humble and empower us to live for Him.


Moses learned to trust God in the desert. With all of life's busyness, I often feel like I'm running in circles in the desert, but I know God has a plan and a future for me in a spacious land where I will want for nothing. What about you? Have you experienced God's amazing love? If so, you know you can trust Him to lead you through today's circumstances.

Maybe you have shattered dreams, loss of work, home, car or loved ones. I've been there, my friend. Fortunately for me, I called out to God and He heard my cry. He lavished His love on me and I've never wanted to live a minute or an hour or a day outside of His presence. He promised He would always be with us so if you're feeling like He is far away, be sure it is not Him who walked away. You can call His name, as I did, and experience His amazing love and mercy. I hope you do.

Don't Pray Like Them

Jesus usually used parables when He taught, except when He taught people how to pray. He used direct speech. "Don't pray like them." The hypocrites liked to make appearances and show off with eloquent words. Jesus saw through their empty prayers. He said, "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 NIV).

I've thought I'm okay because I pray in private and not in public for recognition. Yet, today when I read the Lord's Prayer in the sixth chapter of Matthew, I asked myself if my life matched my prayers. How often have I prayed for the homeless and hungry and done nothing personally to help them? Can I honestly say, "I gave at church," and think it is enough? How often have I prayed for the sick and failed to call or visit or send a card? I've been in the hospital and I know how important those calls, cards and visits are.

I've thought that my prayers are good Christian prayers. "Lord, bless me and expand the boundaries of my ministry." But when I looked at the Lord's Prayer, I didn't see one single personal pronoun--not one. Check it out:

Our Father who art in Heaven,

hallowed by your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread,

Forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom and the power

and the glory forever. Amen.

Prayer is not about me, but about God and others. Yet, I live in a selfish and self-centered world. God's thoughts and ways are higher than mine. He made each of us in His image and desires more for us. He loves us so much He has made a way for us to be with Him forever. We can learn to work and pray and love as He does but only with His power and strength.

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us. You are the awesome and true God. You have life and love everlasting. Empower us to love as you do, to live out our prayers after we say "Amen."