Happy Birthday

Series on Old Testament Festivals and Sacred Days – Sabbath Year
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Leviticus 25:1-7; Matthew 26:17-30 

[Many of the festivals and sacred days from the Old Testament don’t seem to be relevant for us today. They may have been significant for the Jews at the time, but not now. In this series, we’re going to take a closer look at the festivals and sacred days to learn what the significance was for the people of Israel at the time. And to learn what the significance is for us today.]

  

It’s nice when people remember you on your birthday.

 

This year was especially nice because multiple people sang “happy birthday” to me independent of one another. A friend from Reno sang to me during our weekly Zoom call; a Facebook friend typed it in her “direct message”; my siblings sang to me on the phone; and our men’s church choir sang to me at our rehearsal.

 

The most unexpected was after playing pickleball. The lady who organizes our weekly games brought cupcakes to celebrate my birthday. Before eating them, they all sang happy birthday to me! Afterwards, three of them took me out to lunch. They went out of their way to remember me on my birthday.

 

Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. This means that they were immersed in the Egyptian culture including their gods, their values and their laws. For 400 of those years, Israel had been slaves. As a result, they were oppressed by the Egyptians politically, economically and socially. They may have been more Egyptian than Jewish.

 

When the Lord finally freed Israel, they needed to know how to live as a free nation; how to follow the Lord; how to be holy and consecrated to the Lord. This begs the question: how long would it take to get “Egypt” out of Isreal?

 

To do this, Israel needed structure for their lives politically, socially and religiously. They also needed structure as they claimed the Promised Land so that they could withstand the pressure to “give in” to a pagan culture and the temptation to worship other gods.

 

While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Lord gave him hundreds of laws, rules and regulations that Israel would benefit from. One of the tools that the Lord gave them was festivals and sacred days. This included the Sabbath Day.

 

According to the fourth commandment, they were to work six days but rest on the seventh known as the Sabbath. This was to be a holy day for the Lord. It was to remind them “that I am the Lord who makes you holy”. 

In addition to the Sabbath Day, the Lord instructed them to observe the Sabbath Year.

 

⁴ But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.  NIV    Leviticus 25

 

Most of us aren’t farmers, so the Sabbath Year would appear to be irrelevant for us. However, the underlying principle still applies. It was a tool to remind the Israelites who the Lord was and whose they were. It was to remind them that the Lord would provide for them. It was to remind them that he was faithful.

 

Like my pickleball friends honored me, we need to find ways to honor and celebrate the Living God, our Lord and Redeemer. His Son Jesus did just that. He provided a way to remember and honor him until he returns.

 

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.           NIV    Matthew 26

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

Feel free to share this blog with others.

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com

 

 

Joe’s Dandy Drive In

Series on Old Testament Festivals and Sacred Days – The Sabbath
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Exodus 20:8-11; Hosea 6:1-7; Matthew 12:1-8 

[Many of the festivals and sacred days from the Old Testament don’t seem to be relevant for us today. They may have been significant for the Jews at the time, but not now. In this series, we’re going to take a closer look at the festivals and sacred days to learn what the significance was for the people of Israel at the time. And to learn what the significance is for us today.]

 

In our home when I was growing up, a fried chicken dinner was synonymous with our Sunday meal after church. Often times, Mom would prepare the meal herself. But frequently, we went out for dinner to Joe’s Dandy Drive In.

 

Despite the name, they had a small sit-down dining area. And Joe’s was well known for his fried chicken dinner. As a result, on any given Sunday after church, the place would be packed. But by eating at Joe’s, would we have been causing the employees to break the fourth commandment?           

 

⁸ “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ You have six days each week for your ordinary work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work.     NLT            Exodus 20

 

This command is patterned after the Lord’s creation of the earth in six days and resting on the seventh. But what does it mean to “observe the Sabbath by keeping it holy”? And what does it look like when it says, “no one in your household may do any work”? 

 

Jewish tradition says that there are 613 written commandments in the Mosaic Law. However, as life changed and new situations arose, the Pharisees felt that an Oral Law was needed based on interpretation of the Written Law. As a result, by the first century, there were hundreds of these rules and regulations!

 

Despite this outward appearance of holiness, the people of Israel became so focused on the rules and regulations, that they lost sight of what truly mattered. Through the prophet Hosea, the Lord vented his frustrations with them about this. He also told them what he truly wanted.

 

⁶ “I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me.  TLB    Hosea 6

 

When Jesus began his ministry, legalism was still deeply engrained in the Jewish religion and culture. In fact, this caused a significant amount of conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees and other religious leaders. Often times, the conflict centered around violating the Sabbath regulations.

 

In Matthew 12, we read that on the Sabbath Jesus and his disciples, while walking through a grainfield, picked some heads of grain and ate them! When the Pharisees saw this, they confronted Jesus about it. In his disciples’ defense he quoted the above verse from Hosea. But then he added something unexpected; something revolutionary.

 

⁷ But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ ⁸ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”     NLT   Matthew 12

 

With this statement, Jesus was basically making himself equal to God. Is it any wonder that the continual conflicts that Jesus experienced with the Jewish religious leaders ultimately led to his crucifixion on the cross.

 

In conclusion, legalism would dictate that you don’t go to Joe’s Dandy Drive In for a fried chicken dinner on Sunday. However, because Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, all bets are off.

 

What he truly wants is to be the Lord of your life and mine. Not just on Sunday, but throughout the whole week!

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

Feel free to share this blog with others.

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com

 

 

Famous Last Words

Series on “I am Joe’s Favorite Verses” – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
2 Timothy 3:10-4:8

[Many years ago, there used to be articles in the Reader’s Digest titled “I am Joe’s ___” with the blank being filled with a body part or organ. Over the years, I’ve written down verses that are meaningful to me on 3x5 cards. In this series we’ll be looking at some of my favorite verses. In other words, “I am Joe’s Favorite Verses”.]

 

In 1836, Texas was fiercely fighting for its independence from Mexico. That same year, almost 200 men, including Davy Crockett, defended the Alamo. All of them were killed! Following this decimating defeat, General Sam Houston rallied his Texan troops with the battle cry of “Remember the Alamo”!

 

In 1954-55, there was a Walt Disney miniseries called Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier. Fess Parker starred as Davy Crockett and wore a coonskin cap. To be like my hero, I had to have one. Once I did, I proudly wore it around the house. For a five-year-old boy, Davy Crockett was synonymous with “Remember the Alamo”. 

 

In 64 A.D., a fire devastated Rome. Nero blamed the Christians. As a result, they were persecuted by all the Romans, but particularly by Nero. According to the historian Tacitus, Nero used Christians as torches, burning them alive to light his gardens at night. He also fed them to wild animals for public entertainment.

 

In the wake of Nero’s persecution, Paul was arrested and put in prison like a common criminal. An archaeological description of similar prisons is: “a cold, damp cistern-like cell with iron rings for chaining prisoners”. Typically, it was where you went before you were executed.

 

Even though his life was almost over, and all but Luke had deserted him, Paul continued to minister to others. It was during this time that he wrote to Timothy who had been his coworker in the ministry as well as his spiritual son and currently was ministering in Ephesus.

 

After reminding Timothy about the authority of Scripture, that it is “God breathed” and “equips his people to do every good work”, Paul charged him to continue the ministry no matter what.

 

² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. ⁵ But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.      NLT

 

Following this, Paul becomes introspective, looking back on thirty years of ministry as an apostle of Christ. Knowing that he will soon die, he makes this statement in what will be his final letter. His “famous last words”, if you will.

 

⁶ As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. ^8a And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness...           NLT

 

Before going into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. As he emerged from the river, he heard these words from his Heavenly Father.

 

¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”        NIV    Matthew 3

 

No doubt Paul heard these words when he received the crown of righteousness. They are the same “famous last words” that I hope to hear.

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

Feel free to share this blog with others.

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com

 

The Question

Series on “I am Joe’s Favorite Verses”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 

[Many years ago, there used to be articles in the Reader’s Digest titled “I am Joe’s ___” with the blank being filled with a body part or organ. Over the years, I’ve written down verses that are meaningful to me on 3x5 cards. In this series we’ll be looking at some of my favorite verses. In other words, “I am Joe’s Favorite Verses”.]

  

One of my favorite songs from the Broadway musical Rent is “Seasons of Love”. The chorus asks an interesting question.  

Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

 

Following this, the song rhetorically asks the question again by suggesting a number of different ways that you could measure a year: in daylight, in sunsets, in midnight, in cups of coffee, in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife? But the question remains unanswered. How do you measure a year?

 

You might think that Paul measured a year by the number of people that he led to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Or possibly the number of churches that he started. The truth is, that when he went to Macedonia on his second missionary trip, he got kicked out of more towns than not. On the surface, he looked like a failure.

 

Despite this, Paul persevered. Even in the midst of heavy persecution, he shared the love of Christ. He truly loved the people. In fact, his first letter to the church at Thessalonica is filled with statements that reflect just how much he loved them.

 

^7b Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, ⁸ so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, ¹² encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.    NIV    1 Thessalonians 2

 

Even in the opening statement of Paul’s letter, he describes how much he cared for them. He mentions their faith, love and hope… three characteristics that Paul built into their lives while living with them.

 

² We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, ³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ESV 1 Thessalonians 1

 

The foundation of any relationship is communication. The same was true for the Thessalonians relationship with God. Therefore, Paul emphasized the importance of staying in constant communication with God. It’s an outgrowth of their love for him.

  

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.         NIV    1 Thessalonians 5

 

In the song “Seasons of Love”, the conclusion is that you measure your life in love. So, the question is – how do you measure your life? Paul prays the following prayer for the Thessalonians. It gives a pretty good answer.

 

¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.          NIV  1 Thessalonians 3

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

Feel free to share this blog with others.

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com