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[…]

“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[…]

“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[…]

“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 United States Supreme Court decides cases that impact American’s daily lives like none other. Along with 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 the 10,000 petitions they receive annually, these “top attorneys” are supposedly at the top of their game[…]

“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[…]

“O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.”  Hosea 14:8  At the 11-month mark, I’ve watched our little son, Jonas, grow in many ways, and it’s all largely because he has a mom who loves him dearly. He’s growing physically and intellectually all because she takes great care to make sure he eats well, and she takes time to play with him and teach him every day. I don’t know to what degree he understands this[…]

“Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”  Hebrews 4:11 The words “labor” and “rest” aren’t typically associated with one another. Most would consider them two extremes. But the writer of Hebrews uses these words together to make a life-changing point. In Hebrew, the word “labor” is the word spoudazō, and it means to hasten, make haste, and to be diligent. So, what exactly is the writer hoping we understand? Simply that we are to be quick to “rest” in the finished work of Jesus. We are to cease[…]

“I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD.” Hosea 2:20  We had just grilled some delicious hot dogs for the fourth of July, and the next night, with three franks left over, we were all out of hot dog buns. Have you ever noticed how the number of franks in a pack and the number of buns in a pack don’t usually match up? I digress, lol. But, when she mentioned she’d like a hot dog, without hesitation I told my wife to hold on a minute and I would[…]

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1  One can only imagine what Isaiah saw. It’s not until crossing over to Heaven that one can behold the beauty and magnificent splendor of God. Yet Isaiah was privileged to get a sneak peek of God’s glory, awe, and majesty, all of which came about after something left the scene. What was that “something” you may be wondering? It was pride! And that pride was in the form of a person. Notice the key[…]