by leaps and bounds

“And leaving Nazareth, he came and swelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” (Matthew 4:13-16)

When Jesus came into the world, there was plenty of darkness. Indeed, the people of that day were surrounded by it.

As we read the gospels, we can see the darkness in various areas of their lives. Politically, they were subservient to the Romans. Religiously, they were bound by strict adherence to hundreds of rules that had been somewhat loosely based on God’s ten commandments. In addition, there were many diseases and disabilities prevalent in their society. In the person of Jesus Christ, great light came into their situations.

In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Everyone who accepted Him, began to walk in the light that He gave. It was quite a change from what they had experienced. Fast forward to our day.

We are experiencing great darkness. Politically, division is the order of the day. Wars and rumor of wars occupy the headlines. There are many religions – but Jesus is denied by many of them. However, His light still shines.

Obviously, Jesus is no longer on this earth. His light is. As believers, we are His representatives. His light shines through us. Matthew 5:14-16 states this clearly:

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

During this Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Jesus – the light that came into the world. At the same time, we shoulder the responsibility of being the light He has intended us to be. Our lives are to show this world – His light still shines!!

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

            “But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of false brethren unawares brought in who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might  bring us into bondage: To whom we have place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” (Galatians 2: 3-5)

            As we study the Bible – and look at the present day – we can see that the gospel has been opposed throughout the centuries. Jesus was opposed when He was here. Preaching and teaching in His name has been opposed ever since He ascended to Heaven.

            Non-believers are not the only people to stand up against the gospel. Seemingly religious people have often been at the forefront of the war against the truth.

            In Galatians chapter 2, the Apostle Paul was dealing with false brethren bent on placing Gentile Christians in bondage to elements of the law – particularly circumcision.  Boldly, the Apostle Paul and those with him, refused to submit to this attack on their liberty in Christ – not even for one hour.

            Obviously, this was one of many attempts to throttle the furtherance of the gospel. This type of persecution happened throughout the New Testament. It still continues today.

            Ephesians 4:27 says, “Neither give place to the devil.” The Apostle Paul refused to give place when confronted with the demand to go against the freedom given by faith in the gospel – the good news given by God through Jesus Christ.

            We live in a time that calls for us to question the truth of the gospel. We are told we don’t need church. We are told the Bible is irrelevant. We are told Jesus is one of many ways to God. Faced with this, we must determine we will not submit to their ideas.

            Instead, we are to see things as the Apostle Paul saw things. The truth of gospel must continue on. There is no time for compromise. There is no time for debate. NOT EVEN FOR AN HOUR!

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

                  Attending a men’s prayer breakfast this morning, it really struck me how much believers need one another. As prayer requests were given – the theme was the same – these men have real burdens they are carrying. Unsaved loved ones, sickness in families and job concerns were expressed in some way by each man – pastor and laymen alike.

                  So many times we find ourselves looking at some Christians as though they have it all together. Well, the pastor has a family. The board member has a job. No matter who we look at – past the smiles and “I am fine” – everything is not sunshine and roses.

                  The Apostle Paul wrote: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. So, what law is he speaking about? This law is found in John 13:34-35.

                  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

                  In this impersonal world of texting, tweeting and social isolation, believers cannot afford to be impersonal. We are called to care about each other. In fact, we are to place each other ahead of ourselves. Notice what Scripture says about this:

                  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another (Romans 12:10).

                  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (Philippians 2:3)

                  So – each time we gather – let us see each other through the lens of Scripture. We are God’s people. We all have burdens. We all need all the prayer and encouragement we can receive. WE NEED EACH OTHER!

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

            My wife has a wall décor in our kitchen that says, “Deeply Loved, Greatly Blessed.” Honestly, I rarely notice things like that – a man thing – I guess. I really noticed it yesterday and was struck by how true it is. God deeply loves us and has greatly blessed us.

            We may love the Lord, but there is a reason why we love Him. I John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” Before we were even thought of, He decided to love us despite the sinful lives we would lead.

            God loves us with an everlasting love so strong that it draws us to Him. In Jeremiah 31:3, God said, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;  Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.” His love draws us to pray. His love draws us to study His Word. His love draws us to assemble with believers. His love draws us to witness to others. He deeply loves us and compels us to deeply love others.

            Are followers of Christ blessed? They are greatly blessed because they live life according to God’s Word. Notice the words of Psalm 1:1-3:

            “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he mediates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

            God’s blessings are wherever we are located. Deuteronomy 28:3 says, “Blessed shall you be in the city, and bless you shall be in the country.” He has promised to be with us always. His blessings accompany His presence.

            WE ARE DEEPLY LOVED AND GREATLY BLESSED!

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

            Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did, But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25)

            People believed in Jesus’ name “when” they saw the signs which He did. Jesus did not trust Himself to people who believed only due to signs and miracles.  He knew fallen human nature. We can be sure: He knows.

            It is impossible to hide anything from our Lord. Notice the words of Hebrews 4:13: And there is not creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Knowing that we are accountable, we must be completely transparent when we pray to Him.

            You see, He knows more than our actions. He knows what we are thinking. He knows our intentions – whether good or bad. Hebrews 4:12 tells us our thoughts and intentions are measured by His Word:

            For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

            He knows. With this in mind, our prayers can be direct and honest. If we are angry, we can say so. If we are sad, we can say so. If we are happy, we can say so. We can tell Him anything. He can handle it. After all – He knows.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

    EVERY GOOD GIFT AND EVERY PERECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, AND COMETH DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS, WITH WHOM IS NO VARIABLENESS, NEITHER SHADOW OF TURNING. (JAMES 1:17)

    Some of you may remember a couple of things from newspaper comics and television from years ago. If you don’t remember, go back in time with me.

    In the Sunday morning comics, there was a detective named Dick Tracy. The thing I remember so well was the wristwatch he wore. It was also a radio that he used to talk to-and-see the other detectives. I used to laugh and say, “That will never happen.” Man, was I wrong! Now we have Skype, Facebook live – and the list goes on.  Then there was the Batman television series.

    The Batman series was not dark and somber like the more modern Batman movies. It had a cartoon characteristic about it.  I remember the huge computer that Batman used. It had blinking lights and stretched halfway across the room.  When information was needed, Batman would enter a paper and then the computer would toss out a small card with the information Batman wanted. Now we have computers small enough to carry anywhere and way more efficient than the bat computer – even when we have to deal with updates! My point is – my, how things have changed!

    There is one constant we can depend on. God will not change. He is forever the same.

    “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Psalm 90:2) Throughout all the ages, God has been God. He always will be God.

    God’s Word is unchangeable. Psalm 119:89 says it this way: “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Since it is settled in heaven, nothing on earth has the power to change it. His Word is – and will always be – true, right and powerful.

    What is true of God the Father is also true of God the Son. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” He is – and always will be – the way, the truth and the life. He is the one way we have to approach God.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.