How Important Are Your Intentions?

Whenever a person speaks, there is meaning in what is spoken. The speaker has an intended message he is trying to convey. It is frustrating when the listener misunderstands, misinterprets, ignores, or intentionally twists your intended meaning. Your frustration answers the title question: How important are intentions?

In the Bible there are several instances in which intentions are of great significance.

God’s word: 

God’s message to mankind has meaning that originated in His mind. He expects mankind to understand and respond based on the meaning He intended, not ‘what it means to me.’ 

Consider 2 Peter 1:20-21…

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Sacrifice: 

In the Old Testament people would bring an animal to a priest to slay it and offered it as a sacrifice. However, there were different purposes of the sacrifices. A sin offering was for the forgiveness of one’s sin. A peace offering was for maintaining fellowship with God. An offering of thanks was a sacrifice of simple gratitude. The person’s intent in offering the sacrifice was the first element in determining its purpose and benefit.

Carried a step further, consider the hunter who kills an animal for food or the person who takes from his livestock to host a feast for friends. Would the slaying of either of those animals forgive sins, secure fellowship with God, or be considered thanksgiving to God. Intent determines the purpose of the death of the animal and the expected benefit.

Baptism: 

As kids we loved to go to the creek near my grandmother’s house. While playing, someone would always be dunked. Technically speaking, that was a baptism. (The literal meaning of baptism is immersion, presumably in water). However, because the creek dunking was done with only playful intent, it had no religious significance. However, when a person is baptized into Christ according to Scripture intending to receive the promises that God has declared, then baptism is full of meaning. It has a spiritual effect because of what God has declared and promised.

Furthermore, what if your intent at your baptism was not the same as God’s intent? What if you were baptized so you could have your name placed on the membership role at a local church group or to show your parents that you were a responsible kid? Those are not God’s intent in baptism. Baptism has value only if your intent matches God’s intent!

Worship: 

When you sing a hymn do you intend to worship? Or is it merely words dribbling off your lips like dog slobbers? The Apostle Paul, in stressing the importance of accurate communication in our assembly, wrote, “I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” (1 Corinthians 14:15) His simple point was that if there was no understanding of the mind, then the singing was of no value. (That’s why it is of no value to sing songs in a foreign language unless the meaning is understood.)

When the bread and cup are taken during the Lord’s Supper, how can it be worship if your mind is wandering aimlessly or thinking about lunch or distracted by the toddler sitting in front of you? What is your intent?

Intent is not important; it is critical! 

If you lack intent when you are following God’s instruction in Scripture, or if your intent is different from God’s intent, then you will cheat yourself out of God’s intended blessings.

Mark Stinnett

August 9, 2026

More than Sacrifice

From Proverbs 21:3...

To do righteousness and justice

Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.

In the Old Testament, righteousness and justice are often parallel, even synonymous. However, when paired together it suggests a distinction. Often, righteousness is explained as ‘doing what is right.’ Justice is explained as ‘fairness.’ Those are meaningful, but there is more. Consider the words of the prophet…

He has told you, O man, what is good

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God? 

--Micah 6:8

In the leading Proverb and in this verse, the focus is on doing justice. ‘Doing justice’ involves people. The way you treat people is the focus.

Did you notice righteousness in Micah 6:8? 

It’s there, just look, and ponder.

Micah’s question was presented to Israel by Moses many years earlier:

Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? 

--Deuteronomy 10:12-13

The words righteousness and justice do not appear, but the concepts are there.

Righteousness is about doing what is right, first in one’s relationship with God. That means that a person does what God expects. We are to fear God, that is, honor Him, revere Him, and stand in awe of Him. We are to obey God by listening to His revealed word and putting it into action in our lives. To do God’s will also means that we treat people properly, that is, according to God’s way. Think: The Second Great Command. Think: The Golden Rule.

Justice more specifically emphasizes our responsibility toward others. We must interact with people with fairness and equity.

Now, what about the sacrifices in today’s proverb?

Two specific sacrifices are noteworthy. First, consider the sin offering in the Law of Moses. It was an animal sacrifice that was offered as an appeal to God for forgiveness for a sin a person had committed.

Re-read the proverb. God desires righteousness and justice more than a sin offering (sacrifice). Can you see why?

If you were to live a life of righteousness and justice, you would honor God and treat your fellow man as God desires. So there would be no need for a sin offering! God would rather that you live a life free of sin, a life of righteousness and justice, than committing sin and needing to beg God’s forgiveness.

Another animal sacrifice was the peace offering, a sacrifice offered to show gratitude to God. It is naturally considered worship. Looking back to the proverb...God desires righteousness and justice more. That is not to say that He is not interested in our worship. Rather, Jesus said it well to the Pharisees:

You tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

--Matthew 23:23

James wrote that pure religion is to take care of orphans and widows and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27) Go back and read that verse in its entirety. You’ll see it—righteousness and justice, more desired by God than sacrifice. 

God isn't trying to make us religious. He is trying to make us to be like Him.

Let’s give God ALL that He desires of us.


Mark Stinnett

December 21, 2025

That's Enough!

Adam and Eve were tempted to become like God and they ate the forbidden fruit. That’s enough! And God sent them out of paradise and cursed them.

Cain’s jealousy raged and he killed his own brother. That’s enough! And God cursed him and banished him.

In Noah’s day the entire world was bent on evil. That’s enough! And God purged the evil with a great flood.

Abraham asked God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for ten righteous souls. God said, “That’s enough,” but He could not find ten. That’s enough! And God destroyed the wicked cities.

Isaac lay on the alter, his father’s arm drawn back, knife in hand, ready to offer his son as a sacrifice. That’s enough. And God provided a ram.

The Egyptians held the Israelites in cruel slavery. The people cried out for mercy. That’s enough! And God ravaged the evil Egyptians through plague after plague after plague, ten in all. And God’s people safely walked away from their captors with the bounty of Egypt.

The Israelites complained for water at Marah. In the desert they grumbled for food. At Mount Sinai they grew tired of waiting for Moses and built an idol. That’s enough! And God sent a plague on the people, killing thousands.

God gave Israel a law and instituted a system of sacrifices for sin. A sacrifice was offered on the Day of Atonement for the sins of the people…year after year after year after year…

Not enough…

And most of the people lost faith and chose evil…And God patiently waited…And waited...And waited…THAT’S ENOUGH!!!

Then Deity came to the earth in the form of the created. And he lived, and touched, and smelled, and tasted, and heard, and saw just like us…and He was tempted to sin…just like us.

He was perfect, but no one else was perfect.
He showed people how to please God, but no one else could please God.
So, God’s judgment stood against man and his evil, corrupt, unbelieving heart.

But Deity had a plan…

• Jesus, son of a carpenter, human, flesh and blood, just like you and me…
• Jesus, Son of God, equal with God, Deity…
• Jesus, God/man, perfect, righteous, blameless, unblemished...
• Jesus, willing sacrifice...

                    For all mankind...
                            For all time...
                                    For all sin.

And on the day Jesus was crucified, God said…
          ...as he tore the temple curtain …
                    …as he shook the earth and darkened the sky…
                              …as he opened tombs and raised the dead…
                                        …as he accepted that perfect sacrifice…

                                           That IS Enough.

Because that sacrifice pleased God and that sacrifice satisfied God.
___________________

Now, all who appeal to God’s mercy through the blood of that sacrifice, the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, will know joy in life, and peace with God, and confidence in salvation, and confidence in the hope of everlasting life. So, for you...
Is that enough!?

Mark Stinnett

April 13, 2025

Resolute!

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution in 2024? If so, how did you do?

Were you ‘resolute’?

Personally, I don’t get excited about New Year resolutions. However, when I was a school teacher I made resolutions prior to each school year. I guess it is not that important when a resolution is made. For some folks the end of calendar year is the end of a cycle. For others it might be some kind of cycle at work. For some, there are no regular cycles, but times of transition. These all seem to be popular and reasonable times to make resolutions.

Resolutions mark a beginning, and often an end. Looking forward to the future and anticipating better things, a resolution comes from a desire for change. It may be that you want to do something you have never done before. Or, you may have a desire to put negative habits or experiences in the past.

Resolutions come after genuine reflection. Naturally, the ending of some sort of cycle in life is a perfect time to reflect on the past and formulate future goals. In contrast, resolutions which are little more than passing whims or impulsive thoughts are the most difficult to keep.

Every year articles are written a month or two into the new year describing broken resolutions. Perhaps the broken resolutions are because many people are not resolute when making resolutions.

Are you familiar with the word resolute? According to Webster’s dictionary it means:

"Having or showing a fixed, firm purpose; determined; resolved; unwavering ."

Those are strong words. Each begs the use of ALL CAPS and an exclamation point for emphasis:

FIRM PURPOSE!

DETERMINED!

UNWAVERING!

A synonym for resolute is FAITHFUL.

Have you ever considered Christianity a resolution? Was your decision to follow Christ RESOLUTE!?

Resolution: God’s will, not mine.

He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." 

--Luke 22:41-42

Resolution: Die to self, Follow Jesus.

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” 

--Luke 9:23

Resolution: Living Sacrifice, Holy Sacrifice.

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 

--Romans 12:1-2

Whether you make a New Year’s resolution or not, be RESOLUTE in your commitment to Christ.

Mark Stinnett

December 29, 2024

Psalm 23: Why Keep Sheep?

When we read about the offering of lambs in the Old Testament, we probably do not think much about shepherds. We usually focus on some aspect of sacrifice and make connections to Jesus or to Christians. On the other hand, when we consider passages about shepherds and shepherding, we probably do not think much about altars and sacrifices. We tend to focus on the vulnerability of sheep and the role of the shepherd as it applies to our relationship with God. All of this is fine. It accords with scripture.

Isn’t it amazing that the shepherd knows his sheep, each one? That close relationship demands careful attention on the part of the shepherd.

The shepherd spends time with his sheep providing care and assistance. He recognizes and wards off potential trouble before it can become a serious threat. He spends his time away from the sheep in search of good pasture and clean water.

When a sheep wanders off, the shepherd leaves the flock to search for the lost sheep. The good shepherd cares deeply for his sheep. So...

Why Keep Sheep?

Have you ever thought about the connection between the shepherd and the sacrifice?

It would be easier if we simply considered the shepherd as a dealer in wool. Every season he would shear his sheep and sell the wool in order to make a living. However, this would leave an incomplete picture.

A shepherd eats his sheep. He also takes the best of his sheep to offer as a sacrifice to God. During the time of Jesus some shepherds would sell some of their sheep to provide Passover lambs for travelers who could not supply their own.

A cow is sold or slaughtered. It has value, but it is a cow. A sheep is sold or slaughtered or sacrificed but it has a name and is known by its shepherd. So...

Why keep sheep?

When Jesus was baptized by John, the Spirit of God visibly descended and remained on Him. It was a sign from God: The one on whom the Spirit descends and remains; this one is the Son of God. (John 1:29-33) God then announced Jesus as His Son, in whom He was well-pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

The next day John was with two of his disciples and he saw Jesus and said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” (John 1:34-35) “Lamb of God” is not a title or a name. It indicates a relationship. Jesus was the lamb that belonged to God; God’s lamb.

Not only was God the Shepherd for King David but also for Jesus of Nazareth.

There was a year in history that was different from all other years. That year, at the Jewish Passover, a most unique sacrifice was offered: The only Lamb of the Great Shepherd. God took his Lamb in whom He was so pleased, and He presented His Lamb as a sacrifice, not for His guilt, but for the sins of the world. His Lamb was not a dumb wooly animal, but His own Son who was devoted to the will of the Father. His Lamb did not go to the ‘altar of sacrifice’ (the cross) unwillingly, but yielded Himself to the Great Shepherd. In that way the Great Shepherd offered His only Lamb as the perfect and supreme sacrifice for all mankind for all ages.

It is amazing to think that The Shepherd is still in the sheep business. But that was the real reason for His sacrifice. He sacrificed His beloved Lamb for all those who were lost. The Great Shepherd loved the sheep in such a way that He gave up His one precious Lamb to go in search of the ninety-nine who were lost.

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Mark Stinnett

December 8, 2024

An Offering

He offered what!? 

(Righteous Lot - Genesis 19)

God sent two angels to warn Lot and his family of the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was evening when the angels arrived at the city of Sodom and found Lot at the city gate. Upon their arrival Lot, not knowing that they were angels from God, invited the strangers to his home.

Before going to sleep that night men from all over the city of Sodom came and surrounded Lot’s house. They called to Lot instructing him to release his guests to them so they could commit terrible sexual sins with the strangers. Lot refused and advised them against their wickedness.

Then something happened that absolutely stings the mind to even think about. As a parent it is unbelievable and shocking.

Lot called back to the men of the city and...
Offered them his own daughters for their sexual desires...

Was he out of his mind!?!

He offered what!? 

(Jephthah, Judge of Israel - Judges 11)

Jephthah was an outcast among the Israelites; his mother, a prostitute. So he had been driven away.

However, when Israel found herself facing a war against the nation of Ammon, she needed a strong warrior to lead her. The elders of Israel called on Jephthah to lead them in battle.

Jephthah, still bitter over the way he had been treated, agreed to lead Israel in battle with one condition: He would become their head leader. The elders agreed and Jephthah became the general of their armies and the leader of Israel.

The Bible says that the Spirit of God came upon Jephthah as he led Israel. He then made a vow to God. Jephthah vowed that if he was victorious, he would offer as a burnt offering whatever came out of his house upon his return.

It is doubtful that Jephthah could have imagined what would happen upon his return. Most likely he imagined that an animal would exit his house and that he would joyfully sacrifice the animal to God as thanks.

God gave Jephthah success in battle, however, upon his return home it was not an animal that exited the doors of his house. Jephthah was devastated as he saw his daughter rush out of his house to greet him. He knew that he had made a vow to God that could not be taken back.

The scene is mind-numbing. How could a man be so foolish? How could he have overlooked this possibility? How could he possibly keep this vow? How could he not keep a vow to God!?

One’s mind races with thoughts of horror, but the broken hearted warrior kept his promise and… offered his own daughter as a sacrifice...

Was he out of his mind!?!

An Offering
Years after the days of Lot and Jephthah, yet many years in our past, the world was in turmoil. The power of sin reigned and there was no hope for mankind. But Deity looked down with compassion, hearing our cry, and….

Many agree that it is the most well-known verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world….” You see it on homemade signs held up at football and basketball games. Our children recite it and we are proud of them, maybe even entertained. It rolls off our lips so easily: “For God so loved the world….”

Does it sting our minds more to think of Lot’s offering or Jephthah’s sacrifice than the offering and sacrifice of Jesus?

God offered as a sacrifice his only begotten Son…

Was He . . . !?!

Mark Stinnett

August 25, 2024

Refuse and Rubbish

Did you know that God wants you to offer yourself as a sacrifice? In the Bible a sacrifice was not always burned up. For example, precious metals that were devoted to God were kept and used in the treasury and, from that time forward, used in service to God. They were no longer available for common use. (That caused trouble for King Belshazzar. —Daniel 5.)

The Apostle Paul reminded us that we are to offer our bodies to God as a living and holy sacrifice. (Romans 12:1) What that means is that God desires for you to devote your life to Jesus, and that you are no longer suitable for common use.

To punctuate this idea consider the Old Testament animal sacrifices. I want to draw your attention to one of the ugly tasks involved. When a bull was killed and offered for the consecration of the priests not all of the animal was burned on the altar.

But the flesh of the bull and its hide and its refuse, you shall burn with fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering. 

 —Exodus 29:13

Similar instruction applied to other offerings.

So, not all of the animal was suitable for the sacrifice. Some parts of the animal simply had to be taken outside the Israelite encampment and destroyed.

When we think about God’s expectation for us, we understand that He wants our whole life. Yet, when you think about it, there are some things in our lives that are simply not suitable as a sacrifice to God. These are what you might call the refuse of our lives.

As an example, God has no use for man’s pride. We cannot offer pride to God and ask him to use it for his glory. Pride elevates man by supposing that man is wiser than God and His word. So, pride is something that could be called refuse. It simply needs to be eliminated.

A person might have bad habits. I’m not thinking about belching in public, rather, bad habits that interfere with one’s spiritual well being. For example, sleeping in on Sunday or staying home when relatives visit instead of making fellowship with Christians a priority is a bad habit.

Other refuse might include ungodly attitudes, prejudices and any other kind of sin. In our day people sometimes make light of sin. They laugh about sinful pleasures, as if sin will bring joy into one’s life. Others would never admit to sin, but protect it by hiding it (secret sin). In whatever way it is worded, sin in one’s life cannot possibly be offered to God as a sacrifice. Sin of all kinds is refuse that must be eliminated.

We also need to have the right attitude toward the things of this life that are not refuse. A person can offer his education, job, house, money, etc. as a sacrifice to God by using these things for God’s glory and in advancing the kingdom of God. And yet, love of these things can stand in the way of following Jesus.

The rich young ruler had wealth in property. It stood in the way of following Jesus (Matthew 19). To deal with the things of this world the Apostle Paul adopted a life-changing attitude. In comparison to the surpassing value of knowing Christ, he considered the achievements and things of value in this life as rubbish, that is, suitable only to be flushed. (Philippians 3:1-8)

We must adopt a proper attitude toward the things of this life. Let’s resolve to eliminate the refuse, and to view the rubbish for what it’s worth. Then our sacrificial offering of ourselves to God will be accepted. 

Be cleansed. 

Be pure.

Mark Stinnett
January 15, 2023

Love Is Really Unfair

Have you ever thought about how unfair love is?

We all want to be loved. We might not expect everyone to love us, but we would really like someone to love us.

Love is one of those words that means so many things to so many people that its meaning gets blurred: 

     I love chocolate; 

     I love my dog; 

     I love my wife.

Yet, the way we use the word tells us what we really mean. I’m thinking about the “I love my wife” kind of love. 

True love requires sacrifice, and that is costly. 

Sacrifice is not about doing what you are supposed to do as a father or mother or child or Christian. Rather, sacrifice is giving up something that you value highly for something of greater importance. 

Parents may sacrifice their personal desires and dreams for their children. That’s love. 

People may sacrifice financially for a worthy cause by cutting out spending in an important area of life. That’s love. 

Children may sacrifice their time for an activity or event that is meaningful to their parents. They give their time as their own choice and with a good attitude, not by force. That’s love. 

True love forgives, and that is costly. 

Forgiveness accepts the pain caused by another without holding them accountable. 

A wife humiliates her husband by telling something personal that becomes public. He patiently accepts the shame and later embraces her without making her suffer. That’s love. 

A friend borrows a tool but returns it broken. Without an angry word you quietly replace it at your own expense and still consider him your friend with no hard feelings. That’s love. 

It’s the people at work/school. They don’t understand my religious convictions, so they say things and even pull pranks. I’m the but of their jokes. I just go my way and let it go. It drags me down, but I know that they don’t understand. I don’t hold it against them. That’s love.

Do you think you deserve to be loved?

Deserve means that you are worthy, fit or suitable for receiving a reward. Parents are supposed to love their kids. Husbands and wives are supposed to love each other. Christians are supposed to love one another. 

Are any of us deserving...really deserving?

Love sacrifices.
Love forgives.

A baby is born and the parents are immediately filled with love for that child. It doesn’t make sense. That child has made no contributions to the family, provided nothing of value, deserves nothing. Yes there is affection, strong affection, but there is also sacrificial love and, in the future, undeserved forgiveness.

I can read all the definitions of love, approximate its meaning with illustrations, and even study it as a Bible topic. Yet, the words of Jesus still mystify me. I understand the words, but I don’t think that I can ever completely grasp...

For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son….

Love is so unfair...He sacrificed His Son...for me.
Love is so unfair...He has forgiven...me.
Love is so unfair...He has given life...to me.

A person begins to sound all high and mighty when he says that things are unfair. But do you know what is unfair? 

Love is really unfair!

Mark Stinnett

October 6, 2019