Category: Garden Moments

One of the things I enjoy about reading the Bible is that texts that I have read many, many times in the past will jump out and feel new. Thoughts will come to mind and give me pause for reflection. My hope is to share some of those here. Probably not every week, but hopefully often enough to make this a fairly regular thing.

Job 13:20-21 – Pray Anyway

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

What do you say to God when your life has collapsed and the answers are nowhere to be found? Job shows us that sometimes faith is not about clarity, but about refusing to walk away even when nothing makes sense.

Job 13:20–21
“Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide from Your face:
Remove Your hand from me,
And let not the dread of You terrify me.”

When suffering reaches its breaking point, the most courageous prayer may simply be the decision to keep speaking to God.

Job 13:20–21 lifts my eyes because it shows that prayer can survive even when life feels shattered. By this point in the story, Job has lost nearly everything that once gave him security. His children are gone, his possessions are gone, his body is failing, and even his closest relationships offer little comfort. Yet in the middle of that devastation, Job still turns toward God instead of away from Him.

What encourages me is how modest and relational Job’s request is. He does not demand answers or insist on immediate relief. He asks for only two things. He wants God’s hand lifted enough that he can endure the weight of suffering, and he wants God’s presence to be experienced without paralyzing fear. Job is not asking God to leave him alone. He is asking for enough mercy to stay engaged in the relationship.

This passage reminds me that faith does not always sound confident. Sometimes faith sounds like honesty mixed with hope. Job openly admits that God feels overwhelming, yet he still believes God is the one worth talking to. What Job fears most is not pain or death, but separation. He is afraid that God might abandon him, and just as afraid that he might abandon God. That tension reveals a deep and resilient trust.

I find great comfort in knowing that God receives this kind of prayer. Scripture does not silence Job’s words or correct his tone. Instead, it preserves his prayer as an example of devotion that endures under pressure. God allows room for prayers that ask for gentleness, space, and courage.

This humble posture reshapes the way I pray in hard seasons. I do not have to understand what God is doing in order to stay connected to Him. I can ask for relief without surrendering trust. Like Job, I can say, I do not understand where we are right now or where this is going, but I am choosing to stay with You. That choice, repeated day after day, becomes a quiet and hopeful act of worship.

Are We Missing the Mark?

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

From the earliest pages of Scripture, God’s covenant has always been described as leaving a mark, not etched into skin but borne in mind and carried out through the hands. In Deuteronomy and again in Joshua, Israel is told to place God’s word on the forehead and the hand, language that clearly points to thoughts shaped by loyalty and deeds formed by obedience. This imagery reappears in the New Testament when Jesus insists that a life is known by its fruit, and what governs the heart will inevitably express itself in action. With that biblical background in view, the language of Revelation becomes more difficult to interpret in isolation. When John speaks of a mark placed on the same two locations, the question naturally arises whether this is new imagery at all, or whether it is deliberately echoing and distorting a much older covenant sign.

In the Old Testament, the clearest passages are in Deuteronomy 6:6–8 and 11:18, and they are echoed narratively in Exodus 13:9, 16, and later in Joshua 22 by way of covenant loyalty. Israel is told to bind God’s words on the hand and between the eyes. In context, this is not about a physical marking but about internalized allegiance. The forehead indicates thought, loyalty, and the mind’s orientation. The hand points to action, labor, and obedience. God’s law is to govern both what Israel loves and thinks, and what Israel does.

Second Temple Judaism later literalized this imagery in the practice of tefillin (phylacteries), but even there, the physical sign served to reinforce the deeper symbolic reality. The covenant mark was visible in life, not inked into skin.

When you come to the New Testament, Jesus’ words about fruit and deeds are closely continuous with this idea. What governs the heart necessarily expresses itself in action. Thought and deed together reveal allegiance.

Revelation deliberately mirrors this earlier covenant language. The “mark of the beast” on the forehead and the hand is best understood as a counterfeit covenant sign. Just as God seals his people, the beast marks his own. Revelation itself reinforces this parallel by describing the seal of God on the foreheads of the faithful in Revelation 7 and 14. Two marks, two allegiances, two ways of life.

In apocalyptic literature, symbols are meant to be read theologically rather than mechanically. The mark of the beast represents a mindset shaped by idolatrous power and a pattern of behavior that conforms to it. It is the inversion of Deuteronomy’s call to love the Lord with heart, soul, and strength.

Revelation does not abandon the biblical grammar of covenant signs. It is intensifying it. The question remains the same throughout Scripture: who governs your thinking, and whose purposes are you carrying out with your hands?

1 Timothy 6:6 – Richly Content

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.

Speaking of what God richly supplies…
It seems I’m a wealthy man.
All I need is:

  • the eyes to see it.
  • the heart to value it
  • the wisdom to be content.

RICH beyond measure.
Still trying not to be BRATTY

Four Views of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

When John describes the Four Horsemen in Revelation 6, he gives the early church a vivid picture of conflict, suffering, and divine purpose. How we understand those figures depends significantly on the interpretive lens we use. A Progressive Dispensationalist sees the horsemen as future global judgments that also echoed the turmoil the first-century church already knew. A Partial Preterist sees them as symbols of the violent events leading to the fall of Jerusalem, with ongoing relevance as a pattern of how God deals with human rebellion. The Historicist approach treats the horsemen as unfolding eras of church history, recognized only gradually as centuries pass. The Idyllic or Idealist view sees them not as tied to one moment but as timeless images of the recurring forces that shape every age.

Despite their differences, each view agrees on two core ideas. First, the original readers needed assurance that God was in control of the chaos around them. Second, believers today can still find hope in the truth that Christ is the one who opens the seals and guides history, even when the world feels dominated by conquest, conflict, scarcity, and death.

1. Progressive Dispensationalist View

First century meaning:
This view sees Revelation as speaking to both the first century and the future end times. A Progressive Dispensationalist usually believes the Four Horsemen symbolize real judgments that will occur during a future tribulation, but they also acknowledge that the original audience would have understood these images through the lens of political instability, famine, persecution, and imperial violence they already lived with. The symbols had relevance then because they showed that God was aware of their suffering and had a plan to bring justice.

For today:
The horsemen are taken as prophetic previews of future global events tied to the unfolding of God’s ultimate plan for history. At the same time the imagery remains morally instructive. The horsemen reveal the ongoing brokenness of the world and remind believers that God’s judgment is real, that His timing is purposeful, and that Christ will ultimately bring peace to a world filled with conflict and death.

2. Partial Preterist View

First century meaning:
Partial Preterists view most of Revelation’s judgments as referring to events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. In this view the Four Horsemen symbolize real historical forces at work in the first century: political turmoil, war, famine, and death surrounding the Jewish War. John’s readers would have recognized these signs as descriptions of the upheaval happening around them.

For today:
The emphasis is not on future prediction but on the pattern. God has acted in judgment before and will act again when necessary. The horsemen show how human rebellion produces chaos, and they encourage believers to remain faithful even when their own cultures experience moral or political decline.

3. Historicist View

First century meaning:
Historicists view Revelation as a panoramic timeline of church history from the first century to the return of Christ. For a Historicist, the Four Horsemen represent long ranges of historical eras that the church would pass through. The original audience would have understood the imagery in general terms, recognizing the reality of persecution and upheaval, but the full meaning would unfold gradually over the centuries.

For today:
Believers look back and identify the horsemen with actual historical periods such as the fall of the Roman Empire, widespread famine, and plague. The horsemen are therefore markers on a timeline that shows God directing history toward its final fulfillment.

4. Idyllic (or Idealist) View

First century meaning:
The Idyllic view sees Revelation as a symbolic portrayal of the ongoing struggle between good and evil rather than a prediction of specific events. First-century readers faced pressure from Rome, persecution, and uncertainty. They would have read the horsemen as vivid pictures of the kinds of forces that characterize life in a fallen world. The message for them was that Christ remains sovereign over all human history even when chaos rises.

For today:
The horsemen symbolize recurring realities that appear in every age: conquest, war, famine, and death. These forces do not point to a single period but to the repeating cycle of brokenness in the world. The comfort lies in knowing that Christ opens the seals and ultimately brings hope beyond these cycles.

Bringing the Views Together

Despite their differences, all four interpretive perspectives share two essential convictions. The first century church needed to know that the suffering, chaos, and injustice surrounding them were not spinning out of control. They needed assurance that the frightening forces symbolized by the horsemen were still subject to the authority of Christ. In the same way, believers today also need the reminder that whether these images point to specific past events, future judgment, or recurring patterns of human history, it is Christ who holds the scroll. He is the one who guides history toward its final redemption.

This truth offers a deeper comfort than any timeline or chart can provide. The early Christians lived under the weight of persecution and uncertainty. Yet John’s vision reminded them that every seal was opened by the Lamb and not by blind fate. That same reassurance is offered to us. We live in a world shaped by conflict, scarcity, upheaval, and loss. These realities can feel overwhelming, but Revelation lifts our perspective and anchors us in a greater hope. The horsemen do not ride on their own authority. They move only at the command of Christ, who remains sovereign even in seasons of turmoil. Revelation 6 calls us to trust that the story is still in His hands and that His purpose will lead creation toward restoration and renewal.

There’s a video of this essay…

Colossians 3:1-2 – Keep Your Eyes Up

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

Colossians 3:1,2
Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

It’s an ironic verse given the barrage of ideas, images, hype and spin constantly assaulting our minds.

CS Lewis says that hell will be a place of constant noise. He might be on to something.

The point is that din all around us is illusion and delusion. It is all set out with flashy lights to distract us from what is really real.

Reality is the quiet peace of

  • His presence,
  • His love,
  • His plan.

Reality is eternity begun in the here and now.

Looking to live in light of reality.
Looking to live in light of eternity.

How do the 4 views on Revelation Affect our view of Matthew 16:28?

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

When approaching the book of Revelation, it’s important to recognize that readers often interpret its message through one of four major frameworks: Progressive Dispensationalism, Partial Preterism, the Historist view, and the Idyllic view. Each offers a distinct lens that shapes how the text is understood.

Progressive Dispensationalism sees Revelation as a roadmap of future events, with Christ’s kingdom already inaugurated but awaiting full realization. Partial Preterism interprets much of Revelation as fulfilled in the first century, especially in the fall of Jerusalem and the judgment on unbelieving Israel. The Historist view reads Revelation as a sweeping timeline of church history, with its symbols unfolding gradually across centuries. The Idyllic view, sometimes called the spiritual or symbolic approach, emphasizes timeless truths and recurring patterns rather than specific historical fulfillments.

These perspectives influence how a reader engages with John’s visions—whether as prophecy yet to unfold, history already fulfilled, a chronicle of spiritual struggle, or a poetic portrayal of divine victory. Understanding these views helps us appreciate the richness of Revelation and encourages thoughtful reflection as we explore its meaning.

But it is not only John’s work that is affected. The words of Christ are also viewed through the lens of the reader’s preference.

Matthew 16:28 presents a striking statement from Jesus, promising that some standing with Him would not taste death before seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. This verse concludes a powerful sequence in chapter 16, where Jesus predicts His suffering, calls His followers to take up their cross, and speaks of future glory. The very next chapter, Matthew 17, opens with the Transfiguration, where Jesus is revealed in radiant glory before Peter, James, and John. Many scholars see this event as a partial fulfillment of the promise in 16:28, offering a preview of the kingdom through Christ’s glorified presence. The connection between the two chapters suggests that Jesus was pointing to a near-term revelation of His divine authority, not necessarily the final return.

From the perspective of Progressive Dispensationalism, Matthew 16:28 is often interpreted as referring to the Transfiguration as a foretaste of the future kingdom. This view holds that the kingdom was inaugurated in Christ’s first coming but awaits full realization in the future. The Transfiguration, then, serves as a visible confirmation of Jesus’ messianic identity and the reality of the kingdom already at work. Those who witnessed it saw the King in glory, validating the promise that some would see the kingdom before death, even though its complete fulfillment lies ahead.

Partial Preterism approaches this verse differently. It sees the “coming of the Son of Man” as referring to events within the first century, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. In this view, Jesus was speaking of His vindication and judgment against unbelieving Israel. The phrase “some standing here” is taken literally, pointing to the disciples who lived to see these events unfold. The Transfiguration may still be seen as a symbolic preview, but the primary fulfillment is historical and tied to covenantal transition.

The Historist view interprets Matthew 16:28 as part of a broader prophetic timeline. Rather than focusing on a single event, this perspective sees the “coming” as unfolding through church history, with various milestones representing Christ’s progressive triumph. Some within the early church may have witnessed the initial stages of this unfolding kingdom, such as Pentecost or the spread of the gospel, but the full scope is seen as ongoing. The verse is not tied to one moment but to a series of developments.

Lastly, the Idyllic view treats this passage as a theological affirmation rather than a specific prediction. It emphasizes the spiritual reality of Christ’s reign and the believer’s experience of His kingdom through faith. The Transfiguration, in this framework, is a symbolic representation of divine glory accessible to those who walk closely with Christ. The promise in 16:28 is fulfilled not through historical markers but through spiritual insight and communion with the risen Lord.

Matthew 16:28 invites reflection, but its meaning shifts depending on the lens through which it is read. Each interpretive view—Progressive Dispensationalism, Partial Preterism, the Historist approach, and the Idyllic perspective—offers a distinct context that shapes how the verse is understood. Whether one sees it as a preview of glory, a historical fulfillment, a prophetic unfolding, or a spiritual truth, the view held will guide how the passage is experienced. This diversity reminds me that scripture often speaks on multiple levels, and careful study helps us see more clearly what God may be revealing.

Philippians 4:11 – Contentedly Peaceful

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

Philippians 4:11
” …for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

It’s not a verse you hear a lot.

But… It’s the best kept secret to a very sati life.

It’s the secret to great happiness and wealth… (Wanting less than you have).

It CAN bring peace and joy.

But it’s all predicated on trusting in the character of the God who holds my times.

He is:

  • Loving
  • Wise
  • Powerful
  • Good

In His loving hands.
No place else I’d rather be.

Matthew 7:7 – Ask, Seek, Knock

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

An old friend.

My Mom often added the reminder, “Remember, you do not have because you do not ask,” which is another classic from the end of James 4:2. If we do not ask God for help, we miss out on an incredible resource.

In this passage in Matthew, I love that the riches of God are right there, free for the asking.

I wonder how much I have missed out on, solely because I have been preoccupied with worry or too stubborn or too ignorant to ask.

This much I know:

  • I want as much of Him and his goodness as I can get

Asking
Seeking
Knocking

Why Study Biblical Prophecy?

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

The study of Bible prophecy is a vital discipline for the Christian, offering profound insights and practical guidance for life and ministry. It is not merely an academic exercise but a foundational element of Christian theology and daily living.

Prophecy Reveals God’s Plan for Humanity
The prophetic portions of Scripture delineate a purposeful design for humankind, contrasting sharply with any notion of a random or meaningless existence. Prophecy reveals the overarching narrative of God’s redemptive plan, from creation to consummation. Understanding this divine architecture is essential, as it protects believers from erroneous interpretations of current global and spiritual conditions, thereby safeguarding them against false teachings concerning both the present and the future.

Prophecy Affirms the Reality of God
One of the most compelling evidences for the reality and distinctiveness of God is His ability to declare future events with perfect precision. Fulfilled prophecies concerning nations, cities, and the Person of Christ serve as irrefutable validation of the Bible’s divine authorship. As the prophet Isaiah writes, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:9−10). This unique attribute distinguishes the Bible from all other sacred and philosophical texts.

Prophecy Supports Literal Interpretation of Scripture
The historical fulfillment of prophecy confirms that God consistently means what He says in Scripture. Prophecies about Christ’s first coming, for example, were fulfilled with literal accuracy. Consequently, allegorizing prophetic texts concerning the second coming or other future events leads to hermeneutical confusion. A consistent, literal interpretation builds profound trust that future prophetic promises will likewise be fulfilled exactly as stated, thereby reinforcing the overall authority and trustworthiness of the biblical text.

Prophecy Guards Against False Teachers
The New Testament warns that as the end times draw near, spiritual deception will intensify (Matthew 24:4). A solid knowledge of prophetic truth equips believers to discern and resist spiritual error. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Understanding the established prophetic timeline and its characteristics is a critical component of that spiritual defense.

Prophecy Fuels Evangelism
Historically, the most significant periods of Christian outreach and missionary activity have coincided with an active study of prophecy and a vibrant anticipation of Christ’s return. The early church’s fervent zeal and global missionary movements were significantly ignited by their belief that “The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). This conviction provides urgency, purpose, and hope, making the message of the Gospel particularly relevant.

Prophecy Encourages Personal Holiness
The anticipation of Christ’s imminent return serves as a powerful motivator for righteous living. The Apostle John directly connects prophetic hope with sanctification, stating, “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). The prospect of meeting the returning Christ challenges Christians to decisively reject sin and strive for a life of purity, honor, and spiritual integrity.

Prophecy Offers Hope in a Hopeless World
The history of the world is largely a record of conflict, suffering, and cruelty, which often leaves observers without lasting hope. Christians who are grounded in prophetic understanding, however, can face the future with unwavering confidence, irrespective of geopolitical instability or moral decay. They understand that God has a clear and inevitable consummation for all things, and that His promises, including the establishment of His eternal kingdom, will be perfectly fulfilled. As the Apostle Paul assures believers, this prophetic truth offers “a hope that does not put us to shame” (Romans 5:5).Why Christians Should Study Bible Prophecy
The study of Bible prophecy is a vital discipline for the Christian, offering profound insights and practical guidance for life and ministry. It is not merely an academic exercise but a foundational element of Christian theology and daily living.

Prophecy Reveals God’s Plan for Humanity
The prophetic portions of Scripture delineate a purposeful design for humankind, contrasting sharply with any notion of a random or meaningless existence. Prophecy reveals the overarching narrative of God’s redemptive plan, from creation to consummation. Understanding this divine architecture is essential, as it protects believers from erroneous interpretations of current global and spiritual conditions, thereby safeguarding them against false teachings concerning both the present and the future.

Prophecy Affirms the Reality of God
One of the most compelling evidences for the reality and distinctiveness of God is His ability to declare future events with perfect precision. Fulfilled prophecies concerning nations, cities, and the Person of Christ serve as irrefutable validation of the Bible’s divine authorship. As the prophet Isaiah writes, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:9−10). This unique attribute distinguishes the Bible from all other sacred and philosophical texts.

Prophecy Supports Literal Interpretation of Scripture
The historical fulfillment of prophecy confirms that God consistently means what He says in Scripture. Prophecies about Christ’s first coming, for example, were fulfilled with literal accuracy. Consequently, allegorizing prophetic texts concerning the second coming or other future events leads to hermeneutical confusion. A consistent, literal interpretation builds profound trust that future prophetic promises will likewise be fulfilled exactly as stated, thereby reinforcing the overall authority and trustworthiness of the biblical text.

Prophecy Guards Against False Teachers
The New Testament warns that as the end times draw near, spiritual deception will intensify (Matthew 24:4). A solid knowledge of prophetic truth equips believers to discern and resist spiritual error. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Understanding the established prophetic timeline and its characteristics is a critical component of that spiritual defense.

Prophecy Fuels Evangelism
Historically, the most significant periods of Christian outreach and missionary activity have coincided with an active study of prophecy and a vibrant anticipation of Christ’s return. The early church’s fervent zeal and global missionary movements were significantly ignited by their belief that “The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). This conviction provides urgency, purpose, and hope, making the message of the Gospel particularly relevant.

Prophecy Encourages Personal Holiness
The anticipation of Christ’s imminent return serves as a powerful motivator for righteous living. The Apostle John directly connects prophetic hope with sanctification, stating, “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). The prospect of meeting the returning Christ challenges Christians to decisively reject sin and strive for a life of purity, honor, and spiritual integrity.

Prophecy Offers Hope in a Hopeless World
The history of the world is largely a record of conflict, suffering, and cruelty, which often leaves observers without lasting hope. Christians who are grounded in prophetic understanding, however, can face the future with unwavering confidence, irrespective of geopolitical instability or moral decay. They understand that God has a clear and inevitable consummation for all things, and that His promises, including the establishment of His eternal kingdom, will be perfectly fulfilled. As the Apostle Paul assures believers, this prophetic truth offers “a hope that does not put us to shame” (Romans 5:5).

Romans 15:13 – Joy and Peace

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

EVERYBODY wants peace and joy.
NOT everybody has them.

One reason is that we get stuck “under the circumstances”.

We loose sight of what God

  • Has done.
  • Is doing
  • Will do.

When that happens to me,

  • I loose HOPE.
  • I think in the moment of my fears.

I think that reality is defined by the “crisis du jour”

I forget to THINK ETERNALLY.

Praying..

  • to look past circumstances
  • to live in HOPE
  • to live in light of eternity