Sozo Today

So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 Never before had the furnace been so hot, but King Nebuchadnezzar, in his anger and rage, ordered that it be fired up seven times hotter than it had ever been. In fact, it was so hot that the guards who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the furnace perished from the heat. What caused the king to be so enraged? It was simply the fact that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down[…]

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up”. Galatians 6:9 I have a lot of admiration and respect for the American farmer. They are entrepreneurs who have very few paydays throughout the year, and that’s usually only once a year when they take their harvested crops to market. When they start their planting in the spring, they don’t even know what the market prices will be in the fall, but they plant their crops with the hopes and anticipation that the[…]

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, I was blessed to have two grandmas who each knew how to make some good biscuits, and their specialty was “Cat Head Biscuits.” Now I understand if that name doesn’t sound too appetizing, but those biscuits got their name because they were the size of a cat’s head. They were hand formed, without a biscuit cutter, and baked in a round pan. Once done, you could pull those flaky biscuits apart and throw a slab of butter[…]

“For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Hebrews 10:10 Joseph, who saved Egypt from famine, had been long forgotten, and now many generations of Israelites had been born into slavery and oppression. The Israelites had grown accustom to the atmosphere and culture of their surroundings, sharing in the same foods and even worshiping the same gods as their Egyptian captures. But on one particular night, something made a huge distinction between these two people groups. Moses had been raised up by God to deliver[…]

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 This may be one of those analogies that is difficult to relate to, but I clearly remember being in Marine Corps Boot Camp and hearing the command our drill instructor gave when he wanted everyone to look at him. In a loud, authoritative voice he would yell, “Eyeballs,” to which all seventy-some recruits would reply, “Snap Sir,” as we[…]

“Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.”  Acts 13:39 What was once so pristine, shiny and beautiful was now splattered and covered in blood. The Alter and Ark of the Covenant had the blood of sheep, goats and birds on them. It was a bloody mess, but that mess was necessary and saved lives. Hebrews 9:22 says that, “In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” All of this would change one day in[…]

“Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” Hebrews 7:25   Shrouded in mystique and exclusivity the US Supreme Court decides cases that impact American’s day to day lives like none other. And, among all of this mystique is an exclusive group of about 65 lawyers that are said to be among the top attorneys in the land. Considering that the court only hears about 75 out of 10,000 petitions they receive annually, these “top attorneys” are supposedly at the top of their game[…]

“So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.”  Acts 19:20   As early as two years before a presidential campaign, candidates start coming out of the woodwork in droves. Some have name recognition, while others may not. There are certainly candidates among the field that have good intentions, but often times there are just as many that do not. The line of distinction is simply based on one’s sincere desire to serve versus a selfish quest for power. Unfortunately, when, and if, the wrong politician gets elected to office, the people and society suffer.  God’s intent[…]

“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.”  Hebrews 6:18   The salt air and warm sun set the stage for what I was hoping to be a relaxing kayak fishing trip. I knew the area pretty well and figured if I could anchor my kayak near enough to the channel, I would cast into the area with the hope of reeling in[…]

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6  We’ve all had those seasons in life when we were going through something and it seemed as if God was a million miles away. Maybe a health battle, a battle with depression, a personal or business financial crisis, or even a strained relationship that brought us great concern. Sometimes in those seasons, even if we never verbalized it, we may have thought “Where is God in all of this?” David was one who could certainly[…]