A Spiritual Facelift

A A Spiritual Facelift

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” -— Proverbs 23:7

2 Corinthians 3:18 declares, “So all of us with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Psycho-Cybernetics and Spiritual Transformation

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, both a plastic surgeon and a psychologist, observed a pattern that carried implications far beyond the operating room. In some cases, physical change seemed to produce a corresponding inward shift. After surgery, certain patients displayed greater confidence, emotional energy, and a renewed sense of direction. Their posture changed, their interactions became less restrained, and discouragement appeared to loosen its hold. Outward alteration, at times, seemed to awaken a new way of living.

Yet Maltz also noticed that this was not always the case. Many patients experienced no meaningful inner renewal. Their appearance changed, but their patterns of thought remained the same. Though their features improved, their insecurities, disappointments, and deeply rooted self-perceptions endured. This led him to an important conclusion: external modification alone does not guarantee internal transformation.

As a result, Maltz turned his attention increasingly toward the inner life. He recognized that many people seek outward change not simply because they dislike their appearance, but because of the meaning they attach to it. Beneath the desire for cosmetic improvement there often lies a wounded sense of identity, shaped by shame, rejection, inadequacy, or prolonged disappointment. What first appears to be dissatisfaction with appearance may, at its core, be a struggle over self-worth.

Maltz helped popularize the concept of self-image, arguing that the way individuals perceive themselves strongly influences how they live. Self-perception affects choices, ambitions, relationships, expectations, resilience, and emotional stability. A person who sees himself as inadequate, unwanted, or destined to fail may gradually begin living in ways that reinforce that belief. By contrast, when inward perception changes, outward behavior often begins to change as well. The hidden narrative of the inner life frequently shapes the visible pattern of the outer life.

The Meaning of Psycho-Cybernetics

The term “cybernetics” comes from the Greek word kybernetes, meaning “helmsman,” “pilot,” “governor,” or “steersman.” It is closely related to the Greek verb kybernao, meaning “to steer.” The image is clear: just as a rudder directs a ship, so the mind helps direct the course of a life. Maltz used the term “Psycho-Cybernetics” to describe the way people move toward goals and outcomes that correspond to their internal self-concept.

This helps explain why changing external circumstances is often insufficient. A person may improve appearance, alter surroundings, or achieve visible success, yet remain governed by the same inward assumptions. If the internal framework remains unchanged, the outer life often returns to familiar patterns. Genuine transformation, therefore, must reach deeper than appearance. It must involve the renewal of the inner person.

A Truth Older than Modern Psychology

Although Maltz significantly influenced the self-help movement and popularized modern discussion of self-image, the essential truth he identified is far older than contemporary psychology. Long before modern theories of identity and behavior, the Scriptures recognized the decisive relationship between inward thought and outward life.

Nearly three thousand years ago, Solomon expressed this principle in Proverbs. He understood that the inner life is not incidental to human conduct, but foundational to it. What a person continually permits to take root in the heart and mind will, over time, shape character, choices, and conduct. In this sense, many modern ideas about self-concept merely rediscover what divine wisdom revealed long ago: outward life is deeply connected to inward thought.

This truth is both searching and hopeful. If a distorted inner life can gradually produce fear, insecurity, and limitation, then a renewed inner life can move a person toward freedom, strength, and wholeness. The deepest human need, therefore, is not merely surface correction, but inward transformation at the level of identity, thought, and spiritual understanding.

As Proverbs 23:7 states, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”

The Hebrew word translated “thinks” is shaar, which carries the sense of “calculating, estimating, or weighing.” It points to more than fleeting thoughts. “It refers to the settled judgments of the inner person, the deep patterns of reflection that shape identity. What someone consistently rehearses inwardly eventually reveals who that person truly is. In this sense, the outward life often reflects the inward world.”

Many ideas now celebrated as modern breakthroughs are, in fact, rediscoveries of truths the Father revealed long ago. What human beings uncover through research, reflection, and experience often confirms what divine revelation made known centuries ago.

REFLECT & PRAY

Our inner thinking reveals our true sense of identity. As Stanley observed, “God is after transformed lives, not merely reformed ones.”

Father, I am deeply aware that my inner life falls far short of reflecting the Lord Jesus Christ as it should. Please continue Your work within me, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, transform me day by day from one degree of glory to another.

INSIGHT

Transformation Through the Holy Spirit

The Scriptures teach that outward conduct grows out of inward spiritual formation. What we do is closely tied to what we think, love, and continually cultivate within. Yet the Scriptures do more than expose this reality; they also reveal the path to genuine transformation. True renewal is not accomplished by self-effort alone, nor is it merely a matter of behavioral adjustment. It involves the shaping of the inner person through the work of the Holy Spirit.

As 2 Corinthians 3:18 teaches, “So all of us with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

This transformation is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every child of the King. He is steadily conforming believers to the likeness of Christ, moving them from what they once were toward what they are becoming. Such change is rarely instantaneous. More often, it is gradual, deep, and lifelong. It unfolds as the heart and mind come under the steady influence of divine truth. For that reason, spiritual growth requires sustained attention to God’s Word and a deliberate focus on the glory of Christ. As Stanley observed, “As we train our minds to focus on the person of Jesus, as we meditate on Him, the Spirit begins molding us into His image.”

The Father’s glory is seen through His Word, which functions as a spiritual mirror. Rather than merely reflecting our natural condition, it reveals the character and glory of the Lord. As we behold Christ through the Scriptures, we are gradually changed into His likeness. The result is more than an outward religious appearance; it is a profound inward renewal that becomes evident throughout life.

Paul’s metaphor is especially striking. While an ordinary mirror reflects physical features, the believer’s life is being reshaped to reflect the likeness of Jesus Christ. By remaining in God’s Word, contemplating His glory, and meditating on His Son, we are progressively conformed to His character. This work produces not only external change, but also deep inward transformation.

Transformation From the Inside Out

The Father is the true master of spiritual transformation. The Greek word translated “transformed” is metamorphoo, from which the English word “metamorphosis” is derived. It refers to “a change that begins within and gradually becomes visible outwardly.” It is not superficial adjustment, but inward renewal that eventually affects the whole of life.

The Influence of Human Interaction

A basic principle of human life is that people tend to absorb the traits and behaviors of those with whom they regularly associate. For that reason, social environment plays a significant role in shaping character, whether for good or for harm. Close relationships influence values, attitudes, habits, and ultimately the kind of person one becomes.

As Psalms 1:1-2 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”

This principle underscores the importance of choosing one’s influences wisely. The people we regularly welcome into our lives can strengthen us, challenge us, or lead us astray. The Scriptures repeatedly show that companionship can either encourage righteousness or contribute to moral decline.

That is why Romans 12:2 exhorts, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

The choice is therefore a serious one. If we desire to draw nearer to Jesus Christ, we must devote ourselves to His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to renew the inner life through a sustained focus on Him. Even so, the pace and direction of that transformation are deeply affected by the company we keep.

As 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

Choose wisely!

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© Dr. H 2026

The New Silk Road ∙

The New Silk Road ∙∙

Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River. Then, the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were turned loose to kill one-third of all the people on earth. I heard the size of their army, which was 200 million mounted troops. – Revelation 9:14-16

Revelation 16:12-16

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance. And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.

China, The East, and Biblical Prophecy

China’s civilization reaches back nearly 5,000 years, often dated to around 4500 BC. As N. W. Hutchings observed, “The Chinese have never been aggressive conquerors of other nations or people, but they have a history of being extremely aggressive in defense of their country and the imperial control of Chinese territory and peoples.” In that sense, China’s military assertiveness has historically been tied less to foreign conquest than to the protection and consolidation of what has been understood as Greater China.

For centuries, the great civilizations east of the Euphrates seemed comparatively quiet on the world stage, especially after the Mongol invasions that shook Europe in the 13th century. That long period of relative geopolitical dormancy began to shift in the modern era. With a population exceeding 4 billion across Asia and an immense landmass spanning the East, this region now exerts extraordinary influence over the future direction of the world.

In the 21st century, China has emerged as a global economic superpower while also investing heavily in military modernization. Under Xi Jinping, the stated goal is to transform the People’s Liberation Army into a fully modernized, world-class military force by 2050.

China’s expanding influence is not merely military, however. In 2013, Xi introduced the Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the New Silk Road, a vast infrastructure and economic project spanning East Asia to Europe to improve connectivity, trade, investment, and influence across multiple continents. It is projected to be completed in 2049, the centennial of the People’s Republic of China. It stands as one of the most ambitious infrastructure efforts in modern history.

China, once described as a sleeping giant, is now unmistakably awake. The pressing question is not whether it will shape global affairs, but how. Its long-term ambitions appear to include the construction of a Sinocentric trade and influence network designed to match its rising power and expanding international stature.

A Changing Geopolitical Landscape

In biblical times, China lay outside the awareness of the ancient Middle Eastern world, just as the modern United States did. For that reason, biblical prophecy naturally centers on Israel, the ancient Roman sphere, and the surrounding nations. Yet the rise of China as a major world power has undeniably altered the modern geopolitical landscape and has prompted many students of prophecy to consider whether current developments may illuminate texts that once seemed distant or obscure.

REFLECT & PRAY

Revelation 22:20: “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Father, thank You for ruling over history and revealing Your plans through Your prophets and apostles. Please strengthen us to stay watchful, faithful, and anchored in You regardless of what unfolds in the world.

INSIGHT

The Kings of the East and the Coming Conflict

The Scriptures, especially in Daniel, Ezekiel, Matthew, Luke, and Revelation, point to a future conflict centered in the Middle East, with Israel at its epicenter. This coming confrontation is often associated with the Battle of Armageddon and appears to involve powers from every direction: North, South, West, and East.

One question that naturally arises is whether China may be connected in some way to an eastern confederation or Asian power bloc described in prophecy as the kings of the East.

Revelation 16:12-16:

“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance… And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.”

A road constructed for trade and commerce can also become a corridor for military movement, armaments, and strategic expansion. That possibility makes the scale of the force described in Revelation especially striking.

The Scale of The Army

Revelation 9:14-16:

“Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River… Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were turned loose to kill one-third of all the people on earth… I heard the size of their army, which was 200 million mounted troops.”

Could any single nation, or even any coalition of nations, field an army of 200 million? In the first century AD, such a number would have been nearly unimaginable. Historians commonly estimate that the world population around AD 95, when John wrote Revelation, was itself under 200 million. For that reason, H. B. Swete wrote in his 1906 commentary on the Apocalypse that “These vast numbers forbid us to seek a literal fulfillment, and the description which follows supports this conclusion.”

Yet from a modern vantage point, the question no longer seems as implausible as it once did. If this number is to be taken literally, it would describe the largest military force in human history. Two thousand years after John wrote, global demographics have changed dramatically. In the 21st century, China’s population alone is several times greater than that number.

A frequently cited detail in this discussion is a report from Time magazine on May 21, 1965, stating that Red China claimed to possess a standing militia of 200 million. While this does not confirm a definitive prophetic fulfillment, the parallels between Revelation’s imagery and the growing influence of the East deserve careful thought. Without further details, which are not yet available, a definitive identification cannot be made. But the alignment of prophecy with current geopolitical trends makes this scenario hard to dismiss.

The Mystery of the Mounted Army

The 200 million troops in John’s vision are mounted on horses, yet the horses themselves are described in startling and unusual terms.

Revelation 9:17: “In my vision, I saw the horses and the riders sitting on them. The riders wore fiery red, dark blue, and yellow armor. The horses had heads like lions, and fire, smoke, and burning sulfur billowed from their mouths.”

The apostle John’s visions in Revelation are marked by vivid, mysterious imagery that is often difficult to interpret with confidence. The horses in this scene are unlike ordinary horses; they have extraordinary, even otherworldly features, and their meaning remains widely debated. john might have been referring to realities outside his human experience for which he lacked proper vocabulary, but we cannot be certain.

This reflection differs from others previously written because it considers prophetic visions whose full meaning is still unclear. Nevertheless, the passage highlights several significant points: a vast army moving from the East toward the Euphrates, angelic and demonic powers actively involved in earthly affairs, the drying up of the Euphrates to prepare the way for eastern rulers heading toward Israel and Armageddon, and destruction on an almost unimaginable scale.

The Limits of Human Understanding

These events push the boundaries of human understanding. Many appear not only remarkable but also impossible. However, what is impossible for humans constrained by time and space is not so for God, who exists above time and enters history at His discretion.

Revelation 19:6: “For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”

The Lord is not limited by human limitations, historical precedents, or material constraints. What appears impossible to us is completely within His power. Additionally, biblical prophecy often contains elements that were intentionally kept obscure, only to be more fully understood at a later, appointed time.

Daniel 12:4: “Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will diligently peruse it, and knowledge will increase.”

This view requires humility. While prophecy encourages study, it also calls for caution. We can identify patterns, explore possibilities, and notice similarities between biblical texts and current events. However, we should resist the urge to claim certainty where the Scriptures do not provide clear details.

A Thoughtful Conclusion

Could the “kings of the East” refer to an emerging Asian power bloc or an eastern confederation gaining influence in the 21st century? It’s a possibility, but we cannot be certain.

Particularly striking is the renewed relevance of ancient prophecies concerning the East, the Euphrates, and large-scale military movements in this era of global realignment. As geopolitical and economic developments continue to unfold, a prophecy written two thousand years ago appears to deserve renewed and thoughtful attention.

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© Dr. H 2026

Make Believers vs Believers

Make Believers vs Believers

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! – 2 Timothy 3:5

Matthew 7:21-23:

Not everyone who calls out to me, “Lord! Lord!” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

On judgment day many will say to me, “Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.” But I will reply, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.”

The Danger of Spiritual Deception

Spiritual deception remains one of the most serious dangers confronting the modern Church. The difference between a True Believer and a Make Believer is not always immediately obvious, because fake faith can closely imitate real devotion. The Scriptures repeatedly warn that counterfeit faith can bear a striking resemblance to the genuine. Fake faith may speak the words of the Scriptures, imitate the same religious patterns, and appeal to the same sacred name. Yet resemblance is not the same as reality. For that reason, careful and prayerful discernment is essential. Spiritual deception remains one of the Church’s greatest risks precisely because falsehood often presents itself in the form of apparent faithfulness. As 2 Timothy 3:5 warns, some “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.”

There is a profound difference between bearing the title of a child of the King and truly living as one. Tragically, it is possible to speak the name of Jesus without genuinely knowing the Christ behind the name. Both the Believer and the Make Believer may have an appearance of godliness, but the Scriptures draw a clear and uncompromising line between those who truly know the Father and those who merely perform. To mistake false faith for genuine faith has serious consequences, not just in this life but for eternity.

Imagine a Poor, Unknown Beggar

Pause for a moment and imagine first-century Jerusalem, where people move through the rhythms of everyday life. At the city gates, passersby regularly encounter a beggar, an ordinary, unremarkable man with a disheveled beard and tattered clothing. Nothing about his appearance suggests beauty or majesty. He seems to be a nobody, someone easily overlooked and not regarded as worthy of honor or respect.

Yet a closer look tells a different story. Only those who dare to pause long enough to truly gaze into his eyes perceive the radiance of God’s light shining from within. Everyone is aware of him, yet no one truly knows Who He is.

A Grave Warning 

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus Christ exposes this danger with unmistakable clarity in Matthew 7:21-23:

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

This is a dire warning from Jesus, highlighting the gap between outward claims and inner truth. He is not referring to open unbelievers who outright reject Him or to those unaware of His teachings. Instead, He describes those who publicly acknowledge Him, calling Him “Lord,” and even perform remarkable acts in His name. They prophesy, cast out demons, and do mighty deeds, appearing devoted and spiritually impressive followers by all visible standards. Nonetheless, the King Himself harshly declares, “I never knew you.”

His message is particularly chilling because it confronts the dangerous misconception that religious activity equals authentic faith. Jesus is not describing open enemies who despised His name or skeptics unfamiliar with His teaching. He is speaking of people who publicly identified with Him, called Him “Lord,” and performed works in His name while remaining deeply estranged from Him. Jesus’ words force us to confront the uncomfortable truth that outward appearances can conceal profound spiritual emptiness.

This passage draws a stark and alarming line between hollow religion and true faith, between mere external performance and genuine obedience, and between human accolades and being truly recognized by Christ. The warning is clear and unmistakable: mere proximity to holiness does not equate to a real personal relationship with the Savior. One can stand at the very precipice of God’s work yet remain eternally separated from Him. This text is penetrating in its clarity. The decisive issue is not how religious a person appears, but whether that person is truly known by Christ.

I Never Knew You

The force of Christ’s statement rests on the meaning of the word “knew.” The Greek term ginōskō, translated here as “knew,” refers to “intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge.” It signifies “far more than intellectual awareness or factual familiarity.” In Matthew 7:23, ginōskō points to “a personal, one-on-one experiential relationship.”

For that reason, when Jesus says, “I never knew you,” He is not suggesting that He lacked information about these individuals. His words are not a statement of ignorance. He is declaring that no true saving relationship ever existed between Him and them. They may have known facts about Him, spoken His name with confidence, and operated within visibly religious or even seemingly spiritual settings.

This is the heart of the warning. The central issue is not whether they were active in religion, but whether they were truly united to Christ. They displayed religious performance but lacked spiritual reality. They had the title “Lord” on their lips, but not humble obedience in their lives. Their profession was public, but their relationship with Christ was nonexistent.

The force of these words should be crushing, if not terrorizing. They are a judicial verdict of their spiritual separation and alienation from the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than being part of the Father’s Forever Family, Make Believers are spiritual orphans, without God in this world and for all eternity.

How many people who are our acquaintances, friends, even family members are living in the condemnation of this self-inflicted delusion?

REFLECT & PRAY

True Believers know and follow Christ; Make Believers merely appear faithful. Jesus warns that religious activity, spiritual display, and outward devotion cannot substitute for a genuine relationship with him.

Father, it is sad to realize that many individuals who believe they are assured of their eternal destiny have never personally encountered You. Awaken those who are spiritually blind, that they may see and enter into Your Forever Family.

INSIGHT

True Believers and Make Believers

The distinction between True Believers and Make Believers ultimately hinges on the heart’s condition and the authentic fruit resulting from a life surrendered to God. Jesus clearly emphasizes that entry into the Kingdom isn’t based on outward religious achievements or reputation but on doing the will of the Father.

In contrast, True Believers show signs of inward change. Their lives more and more demonstrate obedience, humility, holiness, and spiritual fruit. Their confidence before God isn’t based on reputation, productivity, or a religious résumé, but on a true union with Christ. Paul characterizes such a life as one that walks worthily before the Lord, producing good fruit and increasing in the knowledge of God. This language is one of relationship rather than performance.

The Motive Behind the Miracle

If mighty works are not proof of divine approval, what separates genuine spiritual activity from a counterfeit display? One important test is motive. In Matthew 7:21-23, those whom Jesus rejects present their accomplishments as their defense. They point to their prophecies, exorcisms, and miracles.

This passage reveals their hearts. They focus on public displays of power. Their defense relies on achievements rather than humble submission. They care more about spectacle than whether they genuinely belong to Christ. The Make Believer uses miracles for self-interest; the True Believer obeys and serves the Father.

Not all religious activities stem from love for God. Some are motivated by the desire for influence, status, or self-glorification. The key question is not whether something impressive occurred, but whether the person’s life demonstrates truth, humility, and submission to God’s will.  

Discerning the True from the Counterfeit

The Scriptures provide a clear standard for distinguishing what is genuine from what is false.

First, the fruit of a person’s life must be examined rather than isolated moments of spiritual intensity. Matthew 7:17 teaches, “A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.” Genuine faith leaves lasting evidence in a person’s life, including holiness, humility, obedience, love for truth, and perseverance.

Second, true spiritual authority cannot be borrowed, imitated, or mechanically invoked. It arises from truly knowing God through obedience, prayer, and continual surrender.

Third, the direction of every spiritual display must be carefully considered. Does it lead people to glorify God, deepen their reverence for his truth, and encourage greater obedience to his will? Or does it draw attention to the individual, elevate personality, and cultivate dependence on spectacle?

Finally, every claim must be tested by the Scriptures. Isaiah 8:20 teaches that those who contradict God’s word are in darkness. Prophecies, miracles, teachings, and spiritual experiences must all be measured against the Word of God.

Living as a True Child of the King

The warning in Matthew 7:21-23 is not meant to produce fear in those who truly belong to Christ. Rather, it calls people to sober honesty before God. It forces every professing believer to ask where their confidence truly rests. Is it in a real relationship with Christ, or in religious performance that only imitates devotion?

The tragedy of the Make Believer is not outward failure, but inward self-deception.

It is the deadly confidence placed in works, titles, giftedness, and activity instead of in the reality of knowing Christ and being known by Him.  

The true child of the King stands before God, based on their personal relationship with Christ, not their personal accomplishments. Real discipleship is marked by faithful obedience, a heart yielded to the Father’s will, and a life steadily formed by truth.

This form of discipleship is nurtured through relationship rather than mere performance, humility rather than a desire for recognition, and lasting impact rather than fleeting displays of faith. It is characterized by quiet sincerity in contrast to the theatrical nature of counterfeit religion, and authenticity where false spirituality thrives on self-promotion. In essence, this discipleship emphasizes a deep-rooted commitment that flourishes beyond superficial appearances.

Not everyone who speaks in His name truly belongs to Him. Not everyone who appears spiritually powerful is approved by Him. The decisive issue is whether a person is truly known by Christ and walks in obedient submission to the Father. That is the dividing line between True Believers and Make Believers. One has Christ Himself; the other has only the appearance of Him. One enters the Kingdom; the other hears the most terrifying words ever spoken: “I never knew you.”

Judgment Day is Coming

The powerful and challenging words of the Lord Jesus Christ should provoke deep self-examination and urgency. He aims to awaken the spiritually blind to the eternal difference between truly knowing Him and merely knowing about Him. His words are meant to awaken. He is pleading with people to seize the opportunity before them, to cease being Make Believers and become True Believers, avoiding hell.

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© Dr. H 2026

Feeling His Pleasure ∙∙

Feeling His Pleasure ∙∙

God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. – Philippians 2:13

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood – may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Chariots of Fire: Two Visions of Life Itself

Chariots of Fire, which premiered on April 9, 1982, tells the compelling story of two elite British athletes as they prepare for and compete in the 1924 Olympic Games. It transcends the boundaries of a traditional sports film. It asks larger questions about what drives us, where true power comes from, and whether the deepest longings of the heart.  

At the heart of the film are two very different men, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell. They are not simply two athletes, but two visions of life itself.

Harold Abrahams

Harold Abrahams is portrayed as a gifted athlete driven by ambition, discipline, and a desire to win. Victory is not merely important to him; it is everything. Running becomes the center of his identity, and his drive is fueled by both talent and pain. His inner conflict is captured in the line, “If I cannot win, I will not run.”

Abrahams is presented as a troubled man, marked by feelings of alienation, isolation, and discrimination because of his Jewish heritage. His race is not only against other competitors, but also against his own fears, wounds, and sense of exclusion. His struggle is poignantly reflected in the sentiment, “I am invited to the table but denied the drink.” That image captures the anguish of being outwardly welcomed while inwardly rejected.

Eric Liddell

Eric Liddell stands in sharp contrast as a man of faith whose life is ordered by devotion to family, country, friends, and above all, to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Liddell does not view his athletic skill as a platform for self-glory, but as a gift entrusted to him by the Father. He recognizes that his ability comes from God, who strengthens and equips him for the race set before him.

His perspective is most memorably captured in the well-known statement, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

The Duke of Sutherland observes, “The lad is a true man of principles and a true athlete. His speed is a mere extension of his life, its force.” His athletic skill was intertwined with his spiritual life; it reflected his inner soul. For him, strength was linked to faith, and guidance emerged from devotion to Christ. Consequently, his running was not about exalting himself but about being in harmony with the Father, honoring His will.

Created for the Father’s Purpose

Many children of the King struggle to understand the Father’s place in their lives. When that understanding is unclear, it is easy to adopt a shallow or distorted view of Him. Some imagine the Father as a gentle, grandfatherly figure whose role is to comfort us, satisfy our desires, and make our wishes true. Although He is undeniably loving, generous, and compassionate, He does not exist to revolve around us. We were created for Him, not He for us.

Recognizing this truth is both sobering and freeing. It corrects self-centered assumptions while opening the way to a deeper understanding of who we are. Our lives are not accidental, and our purpose is not self-defined. Every part of our being has been shaped intentionally by the Father’s hand. Long before we entered the world, He determined the good works, responsibilities, and opportunities through which we would serve His will.

For that reason, each child of the King has been uniquely formed for a particular place in His work. Our abilities, life experiences, and callings are not random; they are part of the Father’s design. He equips each of His children to participate in what He is doing.

Ephesians 2:10: “We are His workmanship. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Our deepest satisfaction comes from discerning what the Father is doing and joining Him in it. When we serve as we were created to serve, we experience joy, clarity, and wholeness. In doing His pleasure, we come to feel His pleasure.

REFLECT & PRAY

Children of the King should pray that each of us would be prepared to carry out the Father’s will faithfully and fruitfully.

Father, You are the Potter, and I am Your clay. You molded me to participate in Your work on earth. Fill my heart with joy in Your will and shape my life so that it reflects Your good pleasure. Reveal to me where I seek self-validation instead of walking in the path You have laid out for me.

INSIGHT

Equipped for His Will

The Father does not call His children to serve Him without also providing what they need. He supplies the strength, grace, and spiritual formation necessary for obedience. Through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, He works within us to produce what pleases Him.

Hebrews 13:21: “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.”

The Greek term for “equip” is katartizo, a word that carries the sense of “preparing, restoring, mending, or making something fit for its intended purpose.” The word was used in settings such as mending nets or setting bones, both of which suggest restoration for useful service.

When he prays, the writer of Hebrews is not trying to persuade the Father to become involved in our lives. Rather, he is praying in harmony with what the Father already desires. His prayer is that the Father’s will would be carried out on earth just as it is in heaven, in the lives of His people. Because we are His workmanship, the Father is committed to bringing His purpose to completion in us.

He heals what has been broken so that we may walk uprightly. He repairs what has been torn so that we may once again be useful in His service. He strengthens what is weak so that we may endure difficulty and trial with steadfastness. He matures us so that His work may be accomplished in us and through us in a manner that pleases Him.

As Wiersbe observes, the Father equips His children much like a physician setting broken bones, a fisherman repairing torn nets, or a commander preparing soldiers for battle. Each image points to the same reality: the Father does not abandon His people in weakness but prepares them for the work He has called them to do.

The Father’s Provision

The Father not only gives purpose; He supplies what is needed when it is needed. His provision is not excessive, but it is always sufficient for the work He intends us to do.

2 Corinthians 9:8: “God will generously provide all you need. Then, you will always have everything you need, and plenty left over to share with others.”

This promise does not imply that every believer will experience material wealth. Instead, it means that God supplies what is necessary for each good work to those who walk in obedience and generosity. His provision is deliberate; He gives so His people can serve Him and share His grace.

Eric Liddell understood this well. He knew what it was to feel the Father’s pleasure while fulfilling his assignment. He also saw that earthly success is never the ultimate goal. As he said, “It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.”

Grace-Giving and Immediate Blessing

One of the clearest New Testament expressions of God’s provision appears in the context of giving. The Father does not merely provide for personal survival; He provides so that His people may be channels of generosity.

2 Corinthians 9:9-13:

“As the Scriptures say, ‘They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.’ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving: the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.”

The image is practical and beautiful. God gives seed to the sower and bread for food. He provides what sustains life and what can be sown for future fruitfulness. In the same way, He enriches His people so that they may give generously. Their giving meets genuine needs, strengthens the community of faith, and leads others to thank God.

The child of the King who gives by grace can trust that fruit will come. Yet the blessings are not only future; they are also present. As Wiersbe notes, one immediate blessing is a fuller participation in the abundance of the Father’s grace. 2 Corinthians 9:8 is especially powerful in its emphasis on all grace, all sufficiency, and every good work. The emphasis is not on material excess, but on steady provision.   

Living for His Pleasure

The contrast between Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell gives Chariots of Fire much of its emotional and spiritual depth. Abrahams is driven by anxiety and by an intense need to establish his worth through achievement. For him, victory becomes a means of securing identity and gaining the affirmation he longs for. Liddell, however, lives from an altogether different center. His life is grounded in faith, and his running is not an attempt to earn significance, but an expression of obedience to his Creator. While Abrahams seeks validation through winning, Liddell runs from gratitude, conviction, and a settled identity in God.

This contrast points to a larger truth: the Father made us for Himself, equips us to do His will, and provides what we need to fulfill His purposes. Fulfillment does not come from striving to prove our value, but from embracing the purpose for which we were created. 

The apostle Paul reminds us that, as children of the King, we are called to honor God in our lives, produce spiritual fruit by doing good, and constantly seek to deepen our understanding of Him. Colossians 1:10: “The way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”

Eric Liddell’s life exemplifies this truth vividly. He ran with power because he trusted that this strength was given to him for a purpose. He experienced the Father’s pleasure by using his abilities to honor the One who gave them.

The same principle applies to every child of the King. Our deepest satisfaction is found not in asking God to advance our ambitions, but in discerning the work He has appointed for us and surrendering ourselves to it. When we live for His pleasure, we come to experience His pleasure in a profound and unmistakable way.

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© Dr. H 2026

We Can Only Receive What God Gives

We Can Only Receive What God Gives

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. – John 1:6-7

John 3:22-30

Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people. At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. This was before John was thrown into prison.

A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him. ‘It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.”

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

A Precedent of Humility

George Washington set a lasting precedent when he willingly stepped down from the presidency and passed the mantle of leadership to John Adams. Since his late twenties, Washington had preferred the quiet of private life to the demands of public service. After retiring from the Virginia militia, he reluctantly returned to public life when he was called to command the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

When the war ended, Washington gladly resigned his commission and went home, intending never to hold power again. The young nation, however, would not let him go. The Founding Fathers called on him once more to lead, and he served two terms as the first president of the United States. He then declined to seek a third, showing humility and setting a powerful example of voluntary surrender of power.

On September 19, 1796, Washington’s Farewell Address was published. In it, he announced his decision to retire to Mount Vernon and return to private life. Washington knew well that his actions would shape the future of the office. He sought to keep the presidency from becoming a lifelong position or a monarchy in all but name. Instead, he worked toward a legacy of democratic governance and the peaceful transfer of power. That tradition has endured for more than two centuries and remains a foundation of American democracy.

A Mission Assigned by the Father

Long before Washington, John the Baptist exemplified humility by understanding his role as the forerunner of the Messiah. His mission was clear and divinely appointed. He was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. John was the voice, not the Word. He was the herald, not the King.

This clarity released him from rivalry and insecurity, allowing him to measure his worth by his faithfulness to God’s calling rather than by prominence or public recognition.

His was not to compete with the Messiah; he was to prepare the way for Him.

When we grasp our identity in Christ and the unique service He entrusts to us, the temptation to compare ourselves with others diminishes. Our assignments, whether preparatory, public, or quiet, each carry dignity and purpose. Embracing our roles with gratitude leads to deeper peace and fulfillment, as we find meaning in serving Him faithfully, free from resentment or competition.

John’s disciples were deeply loyal to him and sincerely devoted to his ministry. They followed him through the wilderness, listened to his preaching, and watched crowds gather to hear his call to repentance. Because of this loyalty, they naturally felt protective of him and wanted to preserve the importance of his work. As more people began focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ, they saw His growing influence as a threat to John’s prominence and ministry.

Their reaction is understandable. From a human perspective, it might have seemed as if John was being overshadowed by the very One he announced was coming. The crowds that once gathered around John were now turning toward the Lord Jesus Christ, and his disciples probably felt confused, unsettled, and even offended for him. They perceived that something valuable was being lost. What they associated with importance, momentum, and visible success was slipping away.

The Forerunner Steps Aside

Resentment would have been the easiest response, but it had no place in John’s heart. John clearly understood his purpose. He recognized that the moment had come to release what was never his to keep. His ministry was a sacred trust, not a personal possession. What his disciples viewed as loss, John understood as fulfillment. The very success that troubled his followers was the confirmation that his mission was being completed exactly as the Father intended.

As Tenney observes, “John’s consciousness of the subordinate and temporary character of his mission was expressed in the single sentence” in John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Fully aware that his mission was nearing its end, John stepped aside with grace. He accepted that his season in the spotlight was over and gladly gave way to the One he had come to announce.

A Greater Witness

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself honored John’s ministry while affirming that a greater testimony had now come:

John 5:35-38:

“John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John: my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me, the one he sent to you.”

John was like a radiant lamp, shining brightly for a time, illuminating the world around him for a while. However, a lamp itself is never the source of light. His job was to point to the true light that came into the world.

REFLECT & PRAY

When we allow the Lord Jesus Christ to take His rightful place in our lives, everything else falls into its proper order.

Father, I confess how often I have put myself first and centered my life on my own needs and desires. Turn my eyes away from myself and toward You.

INSIGHT

The Friend of the Bridegroom

John the Baptist lived a life largely free from envy and jealousy. He was born with a divinely appointed purpose: to prepare people for the Lord and announce the coming of the Messiah. Because he clearly understood the nature of his calling, he was able to embrace it with humility rather than striving for self-importance. He did not regard the growing prominence of the Lord Jesus Christ as a threat to his own significance. Instead, he found genuine joy in seeing the One he had proclaimed receive the attention, devotion, and honor that rightly belonged to Him alone.

This illustrates John’s deep humility. He understood that his role, however important, was preparatory and temporary. He was not the center of the story, nor did he wish to be. His greatness lay precisely in his willingness to direct others away from himself and toward Christ. Rather than clinging to influence or resenting the success of another, John rejoiced when his own visibility decreased, and the Lord Jesus Christ was exalted. He knew and understood that he was not the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, and that insight shaped his entire outlook.

In describing himself this way, John drew on the rich Jewish tradition of the shoshben. The shoshben was “the groom’s closest friend. He arranged the details of the wedding and guarded the bridal chamber,” much like the best man in an American wedding today. John saw himself in this role, as “the friend of the bridegroom.” Any rivalry between the groom and his friend would have been unthinkable.

Once the bride and groom were united, the friend’s role was finished. He anxiously looked forward to hearing the bridegroom’s voice as the bride lifted her veil for the first time. You can imagine the bridegroom saying, “Wow! How beautiful!” As Barclay mentions, the bridegroom’s friend then happily left, knowing his duty was fulfilled and the couple was finally united.

A Credo of Contentment

When his disciples complained, John might have felt hurt, overlooked, or unfairly neglected. However, he chose to rise above those feelings. His guiding conviction was truly extraordinary: John 3:27: “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.”

In response to his disciples’ concerns, John made three things clear:

  • He never expected anything other than this outcome.
  • No one can be given more than what the Father gives.
  • The Lord Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom, and John is the friend of the Bridegroom. Having completed his mission, John the Baptist willingly and joyfully stepped aside from the spotlight.

Freedom from Envy

John’s example provides a subtle yet strong sense of freedom. As Barclay observes, consider the jealousy, heartache, and bitterness that every child of the King can avoid by simply acknowledging that others’ success is a gift from the Father. When we view someone else’s calling as His gift and our own calling as His gift too, competition turns into celebration. In this way, like the friend of the bridegroom, we can rejoice because the Bridegroom has arrived.

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© Dr. H 2026