by Shannon Tillman | Jun 4, 2026 | Blog, Thoughts
Someone attempted to show me an x-ray image on the phone of a pre-surgery condition. I quickly declined the offer. She explained it was only a picture. She was not about to remove the bandages to show me the actual wound. Once again, I declined. Picture or in-person, the impact on me would be the same: wooziness and nausea. I do not want to see the insides of anyone, no matter how “minor” the medical situation seems to be.
To see beyond the veil of skin is one matter, to see beyond the veil of the natural into the supernatural is an offer I would readily accept. Although, the actuality of doing so would make me faint just like Daniel and John did in the presence of the Divine. This offer is not just to a certain few. Any person can choose to see beyond the limits of this world if one is willing to meet certain conditions.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
I have read this verse many times, yet it struck me differently this week. Usually, I have considered that those who are uncorrupted by the world would have special revelations of God in this life and of course in the life to come. However, I think the verse speaks to even more. Could it be that the pure in heart choose to see God in every situation of life? They look past the circumstances, whether good or bad, and see the Lord who is behind it all, sovereignly reigning over every event.
I am not pure in heart. I look at the situations and often get angry at God for not “fixing” them. I do not see the Lord as orchestrating things for good, but standing by and doing nothing. I am not viewing the Lord for I am seeking after my own opinions or desires in the circumstances. Thus, I miss Him, and I miss the blessing promised.
If I am not seeing God, then I am not pure in heart. If I am not pure in heart, then somehow my heart is polluted. What is the problem? A spiritual x-ray would show a heart in trauma from past hurts, shell-shocked by the actions of others, wounded from mistreatment, torn apart from betrayal. Yet, I hold onto what I should let go, only harming myself in the process.
But if these leftover emotions stemming from circumstances were removed, what would I see? God allowed certain events in order to protect me from further harm. He knew I would not rescue myself so He forced a rescue of me. I would see the Lord wanted to teach me to stop enabling wrong behaviors, to stand on truth not approval, to let Him be the Savior and not me. I think I would see God’s comfort when I wanted a fix, God’s lessons over time when I sought for quick resolutions, God’s healing when I wanted answers, God’s patience when I had emotional temper tantrums.
The pure in heart see God. What are we seeing? People? Circumstances? Loss? Unresolved situations? Broken relationships? We must look past what attempts to pollute our hearts. A pure heart sees God behind every piece of life. When we see Him, truly see Him, the other pieces seem insignificant in light of who He is to us and for us. Look for God today.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
by Shannon Tillman | May 14, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
We live in a world of comparison. Who is prettier? Smarter? Richer? Funnier? Nicer? Anything can be compared. We size up people and put them in a category of either “above” or “below” us in whatever classification we choose. Spirituality, or lack thereof, can also be compared. Often, we judge others harsher than ourselves. Their wrongdoing is somehow worse than our sin. Such is the case of Jehu, a military commander, who became king in a day.
2 Kings 9:1-3
The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”
The prophet did as Elisha had commanded. Jehu told his men the message and they hailed him as king. The soldiers followed Jehu to defeat the king in power, an evil man named Joram, who had a wicked mother named Jezebel. Jehu approached the palace with his men.
2 Kings 9:22-24
When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Joram turned about and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot.
Jehu confronted Joram on the idolatry and witchcraft in the kingdom. Jezebel was the chief orchestrator and financer of these atrocities. Jehu, after killing Joram, went to deal with Jezebel.
2 Kings 9:30-33
Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?” He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.
Jezebel was also killed due to her wicked ways. But Jehu did not stop there. He realized he must cleanse Israel of the worship of the false god, Baal. He orchestrated a plan to kill all of the Baal worshippers.
2 Kings 10:25-28
As soon as Jehu had finished making the burnt offering, he ordered the guards and officers: “Go in and kill them; let no one escape.” So they cut them down with the sword. The guards and officers threw the bodies out and then entered the inner shrine of the temple of Baal. They brought the sacred stone out of the temple of Baal and burned it. They demolished the sacred stone of Baal and tore down the temple of Baal, and people have used it for a latrine to this day.So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel.
Jehu responded to the Lord’s call and wiped-out Baal worship. He was on mission to purge Israel of this sin. This should have been a time of national revival in the worship of the true God. However, there was a problem.
2 Kings 10:29
However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
What? Jehu destroyed Baal worship, took down hundreds of pagans in the name of the Lord, inflicted justice on the royal family in the zeal of the Lord, yet still decided to keep a personal set of idols. Somehow, he thought his idols were not as bad as their idols. He believed they should be killed for their false beliefs while he could live in his compromise.
How often do we judge the sins of others while holding tightly onto our own? We think what they do is wrong, while excusing our own actions with “it is not so bad.” We compare out with “well, at least I am not doing that”. As if what we are doing wrong did not still need the blood shed on the cross to forgive us. Our excuses for our own sins only delay repentance and could even lead others into sin.
2 Kings 10:31
Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit.
Not only did one man’s sin encourage others to sin, it also caused a nation to experience war.
2 Kings 10:32
In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael overpowered the Israelites throughout their territory…
When we do not repent from sin, we will experience much-deserved discipline. The consequences were not for Jehu alone but for Israel as well since many worshipped the golden calves. However, all of this could have been avoided if Jehu had been as zealous to remove his idols as much as the idols of others. We need to approach our sin with the same opinion as we do others, and to cut it out quickly. It is not to be compared but to be conquered.
by Shannon Tillman | Apr 30, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
When my friend texted asking for prayer, I knew before she even told me what was going on that her one relative was back in town. This family member has been creating painful, wicked, and divisive drama for years. My friend was desperate and asking for prayer AGAIN. We have prayed and prayed and nothing has happened for so long. I could hear her discouragement. I could hear the anxiety of what this person would do this time around. I could hear the questions of “God, will You finally intervene?”
That same morning, I had read this passage, which I sent to her. It was not the normal “Hang in there” message, or a cliché “God will work it out”. Instead, it was a passage of violence.
Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.” Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”
These verses depict a gory scene of destruction. The Messiah, the One who is mighty to save, caused the havoc. He trampled the nations who came against Israel. He waged the war alone for none could help. His clothes were stained with the blood of the enemy. When I read this passage of war, I felt the Lord say, “Deliverance is messy.”
We are in a war. Peel back behind what is seen on this earth and the reality of a terrible spiritual war becomes painfully evident. Demons are raging against people; wanting to steal, kill, and destroy. They do not want to lose their territory in our lives. The battle is vicious. There are times that the deliverance from evil is a huge mess. Yet, the mess is not ours to fix. Jesus fights for us. Jesus fights for you. The fight takes time. He trampled the enemy but it was not in just a moment. Over time, He waged war until victory was complete.
Jesus is our warrior. Whatever is coming against you, know that He will win the fight. It is not in our time, or in the way we expect, but He will be victorious. It may be messy along the way, but victory will come. And when it does, we will praise His name:
Isaiah 63:7
I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
Jesus, our warrior, the Messy Deliverer, is worthy of praise because He truly has done many good things for us. He has rescued us and will deliver us. Soon, we will see His complete victory in our lives.
by Shannon Tillman | Apr 23, 2026 | Bible Study, Theology, Thoughts
The moment probably replayed in his head. The segment in time had been divinely orchestrated to cut to the core of his soul. If it had been merely an acquaintance, the meeting would have been embarrassing, even painful. But this was his best friend. The agony of the encounter would never be forgotten. The event began in a moment of fear and confusion which led to hasty words.
Luke 22:54-57
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
Jesus had been arrested only a few hours earlier. Frightened, the disciples had all abandoned Him in the garden. Peter picked up small pieces of courage and decided to follow at a distance. This could be costly. As a follower of Jesus, he could be arrested and suffer the same fate. Peter took the risk and entered the courtyard of the high priest. He hoped to just mingle by the fire, not taking the risk of conversation. The servant girl’s accusation startled him. Peter answered with a denial of knowing Jesus. His heart surely pounded while the words tumbled out with fear. He thought the discussion would end there, but more followed.
Luke 22:58
A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
Imagine being pointed out again in a crowd that could easily turn hostile. He was in the courtyard of the high priest, the main orchestrator of the events leading to the arrest of Jesus. Peter was seated amongst temple workers who would willingly turn him in. Once again, Peter denied knowing Jesus. Peter, the one devoted to Jesus so much that he risked his life to be in the courtyard, proceeded to tell the people that he was not one of the followers of Jesus.
Peter’s denial took place outside in the courtyard. Inside the house, the terrible mistreatment of Jesus was underway.
Matthew 26:67-68
Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
The angry religious leaders beat Jesus. Blood flowed from the cuts and bruises on His body, on His face. His clothes were stained with blood. There were many men in the room; they all seemed to want an opportunity to spit and hit Jesus. Their mocking words matched their abusive behavior. After brutalizing Jesus, He was tied up and led away to face another fake trial. The guards brought Him outside, where Peter was still waiting, where Peter faced another conversation.
Luke 22:59-61b
About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.
The bloody, bruised face of Jesus looked at Peter. Jesus supernaturally knew that Peter was in the courtyard, for Peter had come after Jesus had been brought to trial. But Jesus knew where Peter was and what he had been doing, what he had been saying. In fact, Jesus had already told Peter what would happen hours earlier.
Luke 22:31-34
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
Jesus knew before the denial happened and Jesus knew when the denial happened. God, in His sovereignty, allowed Jesus to walk by Peter at the exact moment of the third denial. Jesus did not say a word to the disciple, only looked at him. The face Peter had seen only hours earlier now had been marred by the brutal beating given by the religious leaders. The blood, the bruises, however, did not hide the eyes that looked straight at Peter.
Luke 22:61b-62
Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus looked at Peter; Peter’s eyes filled with tears. Jesus left for the next trial; Peter left for a solitary place to weep. Imagine the thoughts that raced through Peter’s head. He remembered the prophesy from Jesus earlier in the night, warning about the denials to come. Peter had foolishly responded that he would never deny Jesus, would even die for Jesus. Peter replayed the conversations from around the fire, the words of denial spoken aloud. Then, Peter, pictured again the beaten face of Jesus looking beyond the crowd, just to him. The pain, the shame overwhelmed Peter. His words felt like the end and he would have to live with the regret the rest of his life.
Three days later, another word was spoken to a group of women who came to the tomb of Jesus. The word was given to an angel who had a specific message for Peter.
Mark 16:6-7
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Notice the words: “and Peter”.
Peter may have denied Jesus, but Jesus did not deny Peter. No matter what Peter had done, he was still included in what Jesus had already planned to do. Peter saw the bruised face of Jesus, but then he heard the message of Jesus that he would see Him again. Jesus will not look as He did, for now He would be in His resurrected body. Peter will not speak like he did, for now he would encounter the resurrected Christ. Everything had changed.
Our past does not stop the Lord’s plan in and through us. Before we sin, God already knew what we would do. The calling on our lives remain the same. For another prophecy, besides the one about his denial, had been given to Peter. As Peter acknowledged Jesus as Messiah, Jesus acknowledged Peter as a future leader of the church.
Matthew 16:16-18
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
This prophecy began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost; following the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus to heaven. The one who denied Jesus in a small group, boldly preached to a large crowd.
Acts 2:14, 36, 41
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say… “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Peter, the one who denied Jesus, became the bold proclaimer of Jesus, just as Jesus had prophesied. Jesus saw Peter in his failure, but He also saw Peter’s future success in serving God’s kingdom. Your past, whatever that piece of your life that you are so ashamed of, does not define your future ministry. The Lord saw your failure, the same failure He went to the cross for to provide forgiveness. Now, the resurrected Jesus reminds us of our call just as He reminded Peter of his call which remained intact even after the darkest moment of his life. Just like Jesus said, “…and Peter”, He also says our names, too. Everything has changed.
by Shannon Tillman | Apr 16, 2026 | Blog, Theology, Thoughts
As soon as I saw the name of the road, I knew I could never live in a house on that street. The street’s name was the same one from a painful relationship in the past. As soon as I saw the name, floods of negative memories filled my mind. Just the name was enough to ruin my day. While that name conjured up bad emotions, there are other names I hear that bring a smile. The name is attached to a person, to a relationship, to a trust that never wavered. A name can remind us of faithful friendships or unfaithful choices. There is power in the memories associated with a name.
Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
The words convicted me as I read them, for I realized that I fail to believe these words. There are areas in my life where I do not fully trust the Lord, but there are other areas where my confidence seems complete. Where my trust breaks down is the evidence of a lack of knowing a certain name or aspect of the Lord.
The names of God reveal His attributes. The Lord is too massive to be described in only one way. Thus, the many names revealed in the Word of God show us His character. Some of the names are more familiar than others: Lord, Provider, Comforter, Shepherd, Creator, and so much more. He is the perfection of every good attribute, mighty and tender, holy and merciful, set apart and near. He is truly wonderful.
And yet, I doubt. There are times I struggle. The lack of faith points to what I do not know about God. For example, I wrestle with His timing in answering prayer. Why not today? Why the delay? My questions point to the part of God I do not trust: El Elyon, the Most High God. He is above time, above the situations, above my opinions. He is orchestrating events around the world, surely He can see and handle my problems. But I hurt. And I do not know if He will ever answer, if He cares, if He sees me. I do not know, really know by experience, El Elyon.
I do know Him, however, as Jehovah Jireh, the Providing God. I have seen Him work financial miracles in my life. I trust Him, I know His name, I stand firm in what has been revealed, what I have experienced. I have sought Him, as the Psalmist wrote, and the Lord did not forsake me.
Today, I recommend a heart evaluation. Where do you trust God, where have you experienced Him, where do you know His Name? Celebrate that relationship you have with the divine. Consider as well the areas of struggle and doubt. What name of God have you not yet experienced? Press in there, just as I did this week. I know we will learn His Name in that area as well. He will not forsake us. We can trust Him. We can know His Name. When we hear His Name, we will smile as one who knows.
