7/1/16                       REAL POVERTY – BEING APART FROM GOD                               1

SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 13:1-5 “Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ³ Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. ⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. ⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

COMMENTS :  Today’s scripture from Hebrews gives us some basic moral instruction, which was known and accepted by people, even non-Christians, until recent years. True, most didn’t follow it’s instruction but few disagreed the value and truth of this teaching until recent years.   Increasing social pressure is demanding such teaching is discriminating and targeted “hate speech” against certain minorities. Christians, especially those courageous enough to speak out, are targeted with increasing hatred and persecution and even legal threats, because of simply speaking out this basic message of morality. Man doesn’t want his sin exposed or his amoral actions to be called sin. Man doesn’t want to submit to God’s will and moral instruction even though it is for man’s own well being to do so.   I really hate being in conflict and tend to avoid people that cause conflict or are in the midst of conflict. I enjoy and seek peace and avoid drama and conflict whether in my family or our church or in community I live. I tended to do the same at work. But I’ve learned conflict only gets worse if not addressed quickly and addressed wisely. I’ve learned God’s help needs to be sought first and will make all the difference in bringing peace and resolution to conflict. Times I did that brought peace but times I delayed or didn’t do that, pain and scares were the lingering consequence long after the conflict was over. Worry saps our energy and mental clarity and drives us to say and do things that make matters worse – causing conflict to escalate resulting damage to get worse. I have to keep reminding myself God’s ways and commands are for my good and everyone’s good. God’s ways will bring healing in our relationship with Him and with each other and will restore life and joy into those relationships and in our own lives. But all too often medicine is needed that doesn’t taste or feel very good but, nonetheless, is necessary to heal. Stop and reflect this weekend examples in your experience that cause this to ring true for you too. This is Independence Day weekend. A time to enjoy family and friends, to watch fireworks and have cookouts. It is also a time to reflect on the price and sacrifice soldiers past and price paid for our freedoms and the country we live in. We have so much to be thankful for. We have all that and so much more to thank our Heavenly Father for too. Let’s take time to thank Him this weekend too…                                                                                                                          7/2/16                                           Amazing Grace!                                                   2               Scripture: Romans 5:6-10 “⁶ For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ¹⁰ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

COMMENTS:   Last night was the second revival service at old Penney’s store in Cranberry Mall. Ed Vitagliano is the evangelist. Last night he preached on hopelessness of our righteousness no matter how good or how hard we try to be good. Is like the story of the man who came before Christ expecting to enter Heaven by his many good works. He discovered he had only accumulated 5 credits of the 1000 credits required. We too fall hopelessly short of God’s requirement. That is why He provided the only way we have of entering Heaven. Christ offers us His credits, which are sufficient. Why is it so hard for most to accept His grace and so easy to fall into the deception of earning our way to Heaven? Well, satan has learned this is a very effective way of keeping most people from considering or following Christ’s gift of Grace.   He knows how much we want to earn our way – filled with satisfaction of idea of winning a race or excelling over efforts of others. Especially men don’t like to be in debt to others or admit they are not strong or smart enough to make it on their own. Women tend to be more willing or open but not all. Maybe that is why too many fathers abandon their families. They don’t want to face that level of commitment or work or risk of failure when they discover they are unprepared. Well, most churches have more women attending and involved in church than men. Yet God is calling men to lead the way with their families. Something is lost when the mother takes the lead and father is missing. John Newton was so deceived until he faced the real dangers and damnation that was his future. It was not until eminent death on March 9, 1748, and judgment was at his doorstep, that he finally repented and started down a different path – the better path God had for him. The path he had chosen was a path of selfishness that involved capturing and selling human beings which caused families to be separated and forced into labor. Many lives were lost or doomed to misery as a result of his rebellion. The guilt of that was weighing on him but he continued because he saw no way of turning back until he finally surrendered to Christ as His Savior and Redeemer. Not until he admitted his sin and miserable state was he open to ask for forgiveness and surrender to a new Master.   From that day forward his life and the lives that would cross paths with him would be wonderfully different. How many have been saved due to his ministry and even just from his wonderful hymn “Amazing Grace”? That hymn alone has drawn millions over the past 300 years to likewise seek and receive Christ’s mercy and forgiveness. We have no idea how God wants to use us or impact we will have if we simply surrender to do what He has planned for us. His path is infinitely better than the one we would choose or have chosen or will regularly be distraction back onto while on earth. After all, satan doesn’t give us and is convinced if we have been deceived before, we can again. So we have to be and stay on our guard by putting and keeping our eyes on Christ, our only hope.                                                                                                                                                                    7/3/16                                                  BOLD WITNESSES                                              3                         Acts 5:40-42   “His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”                                   COMMENTS : To be a Christian during first century Roman rule was very dangerous. To be a preacher or openly share the Gospel was even more dangerous. To do so would guarantee you would be jailed and likely a short life and painful death. Christ’s disciples enduring such a death:

1. Simon Peter was crucified in Rome during reign of the tyrant Nero.       He asked to be crucified upside down since he believed he was unworthy of dying the same way Christ died.  
2. Andrew was scourged and tied to a cross (not nailed) but remained there 2 days til he died.
3. James (son of Zebedee) was beheaded along with his accuser who was converted after seeing James’ courage.
4. Philip became a missionary to Asia and Egypt and was eventually scourged and jailed and crucified there in 54AD.
5. Bartholomew preached in several countries, including India and translated the gospel of Matthew for believers there. Stories conflict but he was either skinned alive and beheaded or crucified there.
6. Thomas preached in Greece and India and killed with a spear.
7. Matthew was a missionary to Ethiopia where he was stabbed in the back and died at the hand of a swordsman sent by King Hertacus, after criticizing the king’s morals.
8. James (son of Alphaeus) was elected to head the churches in Jerusalem and was beaten and stoned to death at age 94 by persecutors.
9. Thaddaeus was crucified at Edessa (name given to cities between Turkey and Greece) in 72AD.
10. Simon the Canaanite (Zealot) preached in Mauritania on west coast of Africa and then in England where he was crucified in 74AD.
11. John was the only disciple who died peacefully on Patmos of old age about 100AD.
12. Judas Iscariot hanged himself (Mtt.27:3-6) from remorse of betraying Christ.

Even though Christians faced horrible persecution and suffering during the first 250 years of Christianity, the number of believers grew from a thousand or maybe a few more, at time of Christ’s crucifixion to 1 million by 100 AD and 3 million by 300 AD when Constantine was converted ushered in Christianity as official religion of the Roman Empire.                                                                                                   So why did so many accept Christ during that time at their own peril and peril of their families? Because the Gospel was hope and truth and believers showed a level of courage and joy and hope that overshadowed the consequences. The way Christians loved and cared for each other, forgave those who persecuted them, and courage they showed when facing suffering and death proved the message they preached and believed was real and true. Nothing offered such hope and meaning and level of courage that Christians demonstrated and preached. The moral lives they lived showed a transformation not attainable or sustained any other way. No other faith or religion preached nor exemplified such love and forgiveness and transformation.                                                                                       If the early Christians could demonstrate such courage and boldness preaching the Gospel of Christ in an atmosphere of severe persecution and death, then can we be able to too? Yet the early churches were a mix of faithful and marginal Christians.                                                                                                        Persecution came in various degrees depending on location and passion with which the Gospel was preached (and threat those preaching it posed to the authorities in each community). This variation is evident in the description of each of the 7 churches described in Revelation 2-3 (below):

1. Ephesus demonstrated strong faith and discernment but lost the capacity for Christian love.
2. Smyrna suffered great persecution but remained faithful.
3. Pergemos didn’t forsake the faith except in tolerating pagan worship in their midst, which weakened and divided them.
4. Thyatira was strong in doing good words but tolerated a false prophetess in their midst who pulled many believers from their midst.
5. Sardis had a few faithful Christians who were warned to stay diligent and watchful, but were weak due to influence of the weak in their midst.
6. Philadelphia was a faithful church doing good words and living the Gospel they preached. They were given the assurance God would be faithful and give them courage and strength during times of trial and hardship.
7. Laodicea, however, was a lukewarm church that was spared persecution so had little motivation or passion to remain faithful. They didn’t deny nor spread the Gospel. This church was chastised the worst and warned that continuing their indifference would bring judgment from God.  

Well, people haven’t really changed, so churches haven’t either. Is your / my congregation like the Laodiceans or those in Thyatira, or like those in Smyrna or Philadelphia? Which describes you and me?   Will we remain faithful if or when persecution comes our way or will we give up our faith in order to get along and avoid conflict and persecution?   Persecution does force us to decide, but persecution historically provided the fastest and most effective way of filling Christians with courage and inspiration by filling them with Holy Spirit. Their numbers and the message they shared had a level of authenticity and power that transformed them and all who knew them.   There seems to be no other way or short cut to that level of maturity and obedience and effectiveness.                                                                                     If we are going to end well in our Christian walk at life’s end and make an eternal difference in the lives of our family and friends and neighbors and church and beyond, than you and I need to decide what we believe, the battles we will fight and issues we will not compromise. What we must be careful is to make those choices based on scripture and leading of the Holy Spirit, like the disciples did, and not by our own feelings and thoughts nor by level of consequence those choices will demand.

I do believe we are living in the last days and even in the United States we will see an increase in level of persecution and intolerance towards the gospel and those who believe and follow it’s teachings. Joshua instructed the Israelites, after crossing Jordan to decide, and I believe Christ is asking us to decide too while we can. Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.   But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”  

7/4/16                                                 King David’s Prayer                                       4               Scripture: 1 Chronicles 17:16-27   “¹⁶ Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? ¹⁷ And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations,^[a] O Lord God! ¹⁸ And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. ¹⁹ For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. ²⁰ There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. ²¹ And who is like your people Israel, the one^[b] nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt? ²² And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God. ²³ And now, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, ²⁴ and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. ²⁵ For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. ²⁶ And now, O Lord, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. ²⁷ Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”

COMMENTS: The above scripture shows how much David recognized and appreciated God’s grace both to him and to his people. David put into words what was in his heart and a very important characteristic of God. His words enable us to realize and express our appreciation to God for showing us the same blessing and grace. God hasn’t changed and continues to bless His people and servants.   Christ came so we, as gentiles, could also share in David’s and Israel’s inheritance and relationship with God. God has no grandchildren – only children. That means our relationship with God is as close as it was for David and Daniel and Joseph and Adam. We are no further removed from God than they. If we are, it is our fault, not His.   Likewise, He is waiting with just as much anticipation for us, as His prodigal, as He did for Israel and many of it’s people in centuries past when they strayed. If we start walking to Him, He will run to us. Satan thinks he is taking advantage of God’s longsuffering because God is so slow to execute judgment on His creation. That is because He longs to forgive and restore relationships. But there comes a time when He must judge. You and I don’t want to force His hand to bring judgment. We have so many examples to prove to us it if infinitely better to enjoy God’s blessings and mercy and a close relationship with Him than to endure His judgment and separation from Him.   Last night concluded a 4-day revival series sponsored by the Franklin Area Churches and located in the closed Penney’s store in Cranberry Mall. David Ring was final speaker. He gave a powerful message based on Mark 2 story of a crippled man’s 4 friends lowering him through a house roof to get to Jesus for healing. David said the man’s friends: 1) Took the time. 2) Gave the effort. 3) Took the risk 4) Showed compassion – love.   He shared how key people did so for him and how important it is for us to do so others will have opportunity to know Christ too. He demonstrated this by sharing how difficult it was to drink water from a glass without help, since he has cerebral palsy.   He repeated request for help 9 times before someone from audience came to help. He went around audience and asked many why they didn’t help.   Most said they were afraid or timid or not sure how to help. He then shared how important it is to take risk and share if others ever hope to know Christ. He then asked all to come to the altar seeking forgiveness and God’s help to be bolder and proactive in future opportunities to witness.          

7/5/16                                  Hannah’s Prayer of Dedication                       5  
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray….
Matthew 19:13

SCRIPTURE: I SAMUEL 1:24-2:1 “²⁴ And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull,^[a] an ephah^[b] of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. ²⁵ Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. ²⁶ And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. ²⁷ For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. ²⁸ Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”

COMMENTS : Dedicating children to God has always been a significant decision for parents and families. In Samuel’s case, such a decision by his parents (especially his mother) opened the door for him to be exposed to God’s influence with greater impact. God honored Hannah’s obedience and early in Samuel’s life revealed Himself by speaking directly to Samuel. We have clues in scripture that Hannah kept in touch with her son so I am sure she became aware of Samuel’s encounter with God and impact that encounter had on him. We don’t know how long she lived and if she lived to see Samuel become a great prophet.   But we have every reason to believe she lived to see Samuel grow to be a son living and serving God, who had answered her prayer for a son, a son who was obedient to God too. She gave up a son but didn’t loose a son but gained a son who would make an eternal impact on history. To pray so hard for a son and then to give him up to live with a priest who had already raised 2 rebellious sons didn’t seem to be a wise choice nor one most mothers would make. But she had made a bargain with God and honored her side of the agreement.   So should we make bargains with God? Not unless we are prepared to keep our part. But isn’t it better to pray consistently, yes pleading our case, but likewise expressing our willingness to submit to God’s will? I don’t think we should be bashful in our requests, but how can we know what is best from God’s perspective? I can’t help but believe the outcome for Samuel would have been the same whether Hannah had bargained with God or not, if she would have continued in her praying and sought in obedience God’s will. Praying through is an old description of praying until we feel we have sufficiently reached God but, more important, opened ourselves sufficiently for God to speak to us. Praying through is an important practice no matter if motivation is life or death or just the daily’s normal cares.   Afterall, each day brings temptations and opportunities to obey Him. We have no idea what good God is planning to bring out of our obedience if we have courage to act in obedience.        

7/6/16                             THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GUIDANCE                                 6                       Scripture: Acts 16:6-10  “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”                                                                                                                                             COMMENTS : The age-old mystery of how and why God guides his children to witness and where is a difficult thing to understand and certainly to explain, especially to a non-believer. Most can recall a feeling or “premonition” that guided them to or away from a certain road or decision or ?? Our consciences will influence us in making choices that seem to be right or not. If we are honest, we have to admit most times when make wrong choices, especially sinful choices, that our conscience pricked us before we yielded, right?   What was that feeling or restraint we felt at that point? Was it a sense of right and wrong based on what we’ve been taught as a child or past experience? Was it from reflecting on consequences of past sins? Was it the influence of others in our lives teaching us by example as well as words?   Was it the Holy Spirit directly speaking to our souls?   Could it even have been our “guardian angel” nudging us but unseen by us? Here are a couple of verses related to guardian angels: Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.”   II Cor. 11:14 “And no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light”.   I also think, if we are honest, we all can relate and understand temptation and awareness of the difference between temptation and a nudge to encourage someone. Yet there are some similarities. The thought comes followed by a choice.   We have opportunity to weigh the benefits and consequences before acting, but at that moment are aware of the choice. If we’ve experienced severe enough consequences of sin, we might be a bit more hesitant to yield. Likewise, if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and seen the benefits, we might be a bit more willing to follow that nudge. Yet, every time God stretches us or asks us to act on our faith, we naturally recoil and hold back out of fear or anxiety or ?? So maybe we need to spend some time to reflect so we have fresh recollections of satan’s angel’s influence vs God’s angel’s? We are seldom deceived sufficiently not to know the difference even though satan’s angels always appeal to our selfish desires instead of motivation to help and bless others. Matthew 7:12 (the Golden Rule) is the basis Jesus gave us to judge choices we make – on treating others how we want treated instead of strictly working to our own benefit. You see, we are all naturally selfish but Jesus is teaching us to put ourselves in other’s shoes and let our own selfish desires show us how to treat them. By that I mean instead of using our selfish desires drive us to our own benefit, let them show us what we need to do in order to benefit others. If we know how satan tempts us, we should be able to understand how God can and does nudge us to obey Him too. We are living in a day when society and even government is pushing us to resist what God judges good and embrace what God calls evil. We are told in prophecy that in the latter days good will be judged evil and evil good. We are indeed seeing this becoming more evident and widespread. Yet Isaiah 5:20 “Cursed are those who give the name of good to evil, and of evil to what is good: who make light dark, and dark light: who make bitter sweet, and sweet bitter!” Scripture is clear. There are eternal and severe consequences of sin and eternal benefits from obedience. Yet, in spite of our bent on sinning, God has provided a way to forgiveness every day that keeps bringing us back to a new beginning or starts over so we can go a different path – a path of obedience instead of continuing down the path of sin and destruction. Satan only knows how to destroy. God only wants to create!

7/7/16                                             Pilgrim’s Progress                                                     7  
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Hebrews 11:13

SCRIPTURE: I PETER 2:11-12 ” ¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

COMMENTS : Every country and community has it’s treasures – it’s places or areas where God graced locals and those who take time to discover wonderfully beautiful places that shout God’s amazing love and creativity powers and accomplishments. As we travel, we discover a variety of beautiful places but then realize the amazing places God graced us with in our own back yard. We learn that as we see how visitors react or talk to us about their experiences. Some of those places I hadn’t even taken time to enjoy even though they were a few minutes from my home. Our relationship with God is a lot like that. We fail to take the time to enjoy fellowship with the One who created the Grand Canyon and the night sky of stars and Niagra falls as well as a new born baby or even a young kitten. Such amazing examples of God’s wonderful create nature and abilities that should how much He loves to create but also how much He loves and wants to be close to His creation. Our scripture from I Peter reminds us our choice to resist or submit to temptation is key to strengthening or weakening our relationship with God. Yet scripture goes on to instruct us to submit to governments God place over us. Just as Joseph and Daniel remained true to God and refused to submit when authorities asked them to renounce or disobey God, yet they submitted to authority and accepted consequences while respecting that authority. These examples show us how God typically works. He requires we trust and obey Him before we see His hand of help and deliverance.   That is because God values our relationship with Him foremost and strives to strengthen that eternal relationship with Him. That is what matters most to Him and certainly must to us too, because our very eternal life and where we spend it depends on that relationship. He made the path to salvation easy to understand and accept for us while incredibly difficult and painful and costly for Himself. Yet the simple requirements from us are so difficult for us to do and sustain, requiring His daily help to do and sustain. Yet even with His help, He is there to forgive and pick us up when we take our eyes off Him and fall back into sin. Scripture is full of such examples to help and encouragement, but also to teach just how important it is to put and keep our eyes on Him and our hands in His. Those far wiser and stronger before us discovered that, so how could we hope to do better than that, especially on our own? No, our only hope of living and finishing well is to put and keep our trust and devotion on and with Christ. Well, they (as we) must also discover not doing wrong is only part of our task. We must also do good and right, which involves being and showing His light and love and Gospel of Hope to whoever God puts on our path each day. How and when and who is a daily adventure. Who will that be today? Let’s go see…..                  

7/8/16                                           CHURCH GROWING PAINS                                         8               Acts 6:1-4 “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’”     COMMENTS : Every church is occupied with sinners, at best saved by grace, but none the less flawed sinners. Even growing churches make mistakes and overlook needs. The key is to forgive and lend a helping hand – correcting oversights and forgiving sins as grow and progress in their and our walk with Christ. Doing good is our mission but establishing and maintaining a relationship with Christ is vital if we are going to do His mission. The Lord’s Prayer tells us we are to forgive daily as we are forgiven by Him daily. Daily is an important part of this prayer. It is not only new seekers that come into the church that need forgiven but long time Christians that continue to make mistakes and even sin against others. The minute we fail or refuse to forgive is the minute God’s grace begins to be removed from us. So it is vital to us and others that we work at forgiving as part of seeking and growing our relationship with Christ. The two are linked together, like it or not! Afterall, forgiving is very good for us as well as others and is God’s Will for them and for us…

7/9/16                                           Love at Great Cost                                                     9                       Scripture: John 6:1-13 “After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. ² And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. ³ Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. ⁴ Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. ⁵ Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” ⁶ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. ⁷ Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii^[a] worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” ⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ⁹ “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹² And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” ¹³ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.”                                COMMENTS:   We always think of the rebellious son as the prodigal, not the father as the prodigal. Yet, the above devotion is showing us the rebellious son received prodigal forgiveness but the father was the prodigal – giving prodigal love and forgiveness. Well, it may be a play on words because we still get the story’s message. The forgiveness the father showered the wayward son with. Until that son was willing to repent and humble himself and return, could he receive his father’s mercy and forgiveness and resources. He had wasted the resources his father gave him earlier, but the was still resource available to him, but he had to receive it in a much different way and with a much different heart and attitude.   Just as the father showered his son with undeserved blessing, God so showers us. But just as the father could not put on him the robe and ring of forgiveness until he returned, God cannot do so with us until we open our hand and our hearts to Him. The story also talks about the faithful son who didn’t rebel and leave nor waist his father’s resources.   Yet he became so resentful of his rebellious brother and of the lavish way he wasted the resources his father (and he) worked so hard to acquire. It wasn’t fair. But he, as should we, be glad God is not fair, but merciful. Neither son deserved their father’s resources even though the faithful one worked for his father. His attitude and motives spoiled his heart and relationship with his father. He had become blind to the love his father had for him too, to the ways his father showed his love and opportunities he could have responded and build a rich relationship with his loving father. There was enough love in their father for both sons. Well, earthly fathers make mistakes and oversights that contribute to the sins of their children. God doesn’t do that, but does endure the poor choices we make while continuing to offer a way back, a way to forgiveness.   The father’s goal was a loving relationship with and a whole life for both his sons.   God’s goal is a relationship with every one of his created children that will include spending eternity with each one of them. There is not one He doesn’t long for nor didn’t think of when He died on the cross. Yes, even those of us who weren’t born yet. As a human, Christ gave up much to come to earth as a human, but still had access to the Father’s insights and direction. When Christ was in heaven, and now in heaven, had our names on His heart when HE decided to come to earth and die for us. He knew we could not be saved without His sacrifice, even those of us that hadn’t been born yet.

7/10/16                               WISDOM IS SO BENEFICIAL                                     10                            Acts 6:5-7 “This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”                                                                                          COMMENTS : You and I have no clue as to what the benefits or consequences of our actions are. We often guess or anticipate but all too often are wrong.   We minimize consequences to wrong or sinful actions but all too often think our “good deeds” or acts of kindness towards others have little impact on others or ourselves. But God has a different perspective and view and time table. Stop and think. Flies and many insects only have a 24 hr period to live, but live their whole lives and prepare for their children in the brief time. Compared with our lifespan, their’s seems but a moment.   Comparing our lifetime to God’s perspective is like that. He uses our brief times and seemingly insignificant acts of obedience and love to do good and change lives in a way we can’t imagine. The bible is filled with such stories like Noah or Jonah or Daniel or Joseph or Esther or Hannah or David or … The list goes on. There are even more examples through history, most are long forgotten but their influence is still felt. Takes some time to reflect and take notice of some of them. Likewise, notice how the lives of those before you have impacted you. Then take note of how God used their simple acts and lives in a ripple affect on those they touched and then impacted and so on. God likes to choose simple people and not highly gifted people to do His work. That is likely because they have already learned to depend on Him more than themselves – as should we…                                                                                                                                                     7/11/16                   GET OUT OF THE BOAT – DON’T JUST WATCH                 11           Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33 “²² Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but the boat by this time was a long way^[a] from the land,^[b] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night^[c] he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” ²⁸ And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind,^[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.””             COMMENTS:   Can you related to Peter, as described above? Can you relate to Peter, who at times was so passionate and devoted to Christ and at other times he was too afraid to follow or even admit he knew Jesus? What was different for Peter when he denied Jesus? When the risk of danger was most evident, fear gripped his soul. When he took his eyes off Jesus, his humanity took over. When his eyes were off Jesus, Jesus didn’t seem close to encourage and guide Him.   What happened after Pentecost for Peter, and other disciples, was the Holy Spirit was in them guiding and strengthening them as Jesus did when he was close physically to each of them. They could not help but fail on their own, but they had no difficulty choosing to remain faithful no matter the cost with the Holy Spirit inside them strengthening and guiding them. The Holy Spirit drew them into continual fellowship with God the Father that became the continual source of their strength and faith and example for others to follow. It made all the difference to them and does for us too. Seek Christ and invite the Holy Spirit into your soul to guide and help you have a continual moment by moment fellowship with the Father. HE WILL IF YOU ASK!    

7/12/16                   SATAN IS TROUBLE TIL WE DEAL WITH HIM                                 12    Acts 16:16-18   “Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned round and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”                                                          COMMENTS :   You may wonder why Paul was annoyed at the woman for repeatedly saying they were servants of God showing the way to salvation. But realize it wasn’t what she was saying but the way she was saying it. She was making fun of them and trying to discredit and distract others from hearing what they were saying or preventing them from saying it. Paul finally had enough and told the evil spirit in her to leave. The authority he spoke with was the authority God gave him. The battle between good and evil, between the Gospel of Truth and life vs. deception of lies and deception and death. The battle between Christ and satan. These are the battles that are raging in our world and even in our own hearts, but are battles Christ is able to and has promised to win both in the world and in our own hearts if we permit Him too. Yet He has also promised that He will win that battle in the world when He returns to stop satan and bind Him.   He will also so say enough is enough.   We need to say that when we encounter similar battles in our own families and even in our own hearts. He is waiting until we say enough is enough and ask Him to stop satan’s mischief. He has given us, like Paul, the authority to command satan to leave. We can’t do it alone, but we can with our hand in His.   Today starts another beautiful day. We finished the second day of our annual community vacation bible school entitled “Cave Quest”. Always a fun time but also a growing time. Numbers are a little light so far (12 last night), but kids are really into songs and stories. Are praying more will come tonight.

                                                                                                                                                   7/13/16                                            God is True to His Word                           13
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 3:7 “⁷ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.”

COMMENTS:   We think the above words from John 8 are the words of Martin Luther King but they are really directly from scripture. But the definition or perception of what is truth is up for debate and interpretation unless we define and limit truth referred to in this scripture that is defined and demonstrated in scripture. Yet truth is really what is actual and not fabricated or false. Satan is the author and creator of fabrication and lies while God is the creator of all that is true and real and, yes, eternal but most of all GOOD!   So what is truth? In a court of law a witness pledges to only give actual facts and events and not lies or speculation or fabricated information. The witness is to remain silent of sharing false information while open to share information he witnessed.   We depend on our 5 senses to provide factual information to us, which is what we are to share as a witness in court. Yet the evidence we have of God’s mercy not only includes what our 5 senses reveal to us, but a change in our motives and character and thoughts as well as actions that have been transformed because we opened our hearts to let Jesus forgive and change us. That is the witness that both gives our words of witness credibility as well as power to impact the lives of others. If our lives witness of what He has done, than our words have so much greater impact and credibility but also our words themselves come much easier. If we find witnessing an impossible task, maybe we need to do some work on our thoughts and actions – on our relationship and fellowship with God Himself. Spending time with Him first each morning is key. Afterall, Paul spend 3 years preparing before he was ready to go out sharing Christ with others around the world. That preparation was necessary even though he had been a student under the greatest bible teacher of that day, Gamaliel. Paul need time learning under the creator of Gamaliel too. So do we. No, I don’t think we should hide for 3 years, but spending time each morning with Him before start our day is vital if we hope to go out and be a witness to those He puts in our path during each day. Then our hearts will be open to opportunities He gives us and sensitive to what words of encouragement that might be needed.  

                                                                                                                                        
7/14/16              WE ARE PRICELESS TO GOD – CHRIST PROVED THAT                     14             Acts 6:8-11 “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called) – Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia – who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, ‘We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.’”     COMMENTS :   Yesterday was a wonderful day – a special day at our evening vacation bible school.   Historically, Wednesday is the 4^th day of vacation bible school and the day the salvation story is told and invitation is given for all the kids and helps who desire to come to the altar seeking forgiveness and/or help for whatever issue is weighing on their hearts. OUR ALTAR WAS FULL WITH SEEKERS.   What a wonderful sight and spirit filled the church. GOD WAS INDEED AT PRESENT AND AT WORK!   The songs have supported the bible points and scripture each night. We had all but one of the 2-6 grade kids (16), but all the crew leaders and even most adults at the altar. Wished I’d thought to have someone take a picture but might have spoiled the moment or kept a key person from praying at a time when God was speaking to so many. This morning, as I reflect on last evening and still sensing the afterglow of God’s presence, what is weighing on my heart is establishing a connection with these kids.   My mind goes out to one boy who didn’t go forward, but I could see in his face he wanted to and almost did during the altar call. It was his first night at VBS so impact of previous daily’s programs was missed. But we each are required to make our own choice so are praying God will continue to give him more opportunities.   God is faithful and, just as he gave you and me lots of invitations to draw close to Him, I’m trusting He will also do so with that 4^th grade boy. Tonight the closing will be replaced by practice for the VBS closing program tomorrow evening. Bible School goes so quickly but the level of work and focus and energy that goes into it make it so effective but equally hard to sustain for volunteers. Yet, God is faithful, so we pray He will lead and help us.

7/15/16                                               Jesus Suffered for You                                                           15 Scripture: Luke 23:46-47 “⁴⁶ Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. ⁴⁷ Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man the Son of God!” “                              COMMENTS: Jesus shouted “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”. Those were Christ’s last words before He died. Those words are recorded in above verse in Luke. A Roman Centurion who witnessed Jesus dying on the cross and His death recognized how righteous He was and even noted “He must be the Son of God” in Mark 15:39.   Last night was the final day of our VBS. This evening is the program the kids will be giving for their families. A good time of fellowship and opening our churches to their families and friends. Christ’s life and death and resurrection has made an eternal different in lives of countless millions before us and continues to in lives of those who open themselves to know and have fellowship with Him. To those who receive His gift of Forgiveness and Grace. The story is 2000 years old, but the impact is as fresh as new life. It is a miracle only He could do and a miracle He does not grow weary of. WE NEED HIM NOW MORE THAN EVER -especially in these godless, wicked, and dangerous time…  
7/16/16                                     Satan Attacks on the Church                                           16

SCRIPTURE: I CORINTHIANS 3:9-11 “⁹ For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. ¹⁰ According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled^[a] master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. ¹¹ For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

COMMENTS: Yesterday evening was closing program for our Clintonville Community Annual VBS. Age 3 – Grade 6 gathered each evening for opening songs and program. Then Grade 2-6 walked to Methodist church in town while Age 3-1^st grade remained at Presbyterian Church in town. It seem all the kids were more open and attentive this year than previously. Last year altar call for older groups resulted in ½ of kids going forward. Many had accepted Christ already but still felt God’s tug to deal with some remaining issues in their lives. That was also true this year, but all but one went to the altar of that same group. Even the younger group showed a lot more interest in singing songs and doing motions. All present for closing program noticed that passion as all the kids and teen crew leaders (nearly 40) sang the VBS songs. The songs and lessons and even props all seemed to be more meaningful this year. Abbi Chiu and Jake Crissman and supporting teen girls did such an exceptional job leading opening and closing as well as final program. Their excitement and attitudes radiated to the kids and helpers. But more than that was the prayer they and helpers added to preparation for VBS that made a difference this year. Yet satan didn’t accept defeat, since was many kids visible in town that weren’t there. Concern for the future is real given all the terrible things that are happening everywhere filling the news and coming closer and closer to where even small communities reside. One facebook publication that has been passed around reflects on how the pledge plus 10 commandments and prayer were all a key part of each school morning a couple of generations and how school shooting and other acts of violence has infiltrated nearly every public school since every code of Christian moral conduct and behavior has been legislated out of public schools. Same is becoming more and more true of society and every public gathering as well. We do indeed need to revert back to value our founding father’s generation through our grandparents and parents generation placed on Bible and it’s teaching. It’s teaching guided those generations to establish our nation and laws and government that became the United States. Why do more and more, especially in government positions refuse to recognize the correlation between removing the Bible’s influence and the consequences unfolding before our eyes? By refusing to embrace the Bible’s teachings but increasing level of tolerance and even acceptance of Islam scripture, we are opening a door of increased violence and injustice that already has got a lot worse and continues to do so. Yet that refusal is being transformed into a more common belief that the Bible is responsible for breeding those consequences instead of providing solutions for those consequences. Maybe God has indeed turned our people over to a reprobate mind – a mind bent on evil and not good. I fear so but pray not, because result will be a fast slippery slope to destruction as a nation and as a people, but we will only have ourselves to blame for it. You and I must resist that from happening with whomever we can but most of all by putting our eyes on and keeping them on Christ, seeking His help and guidance and courage.   HE IS OUR ONLY HOPE!!

7/17/16         GOD BLESSED – IF ACCUSED UNJUSTLY FOR CHRIST’S SAKE                       17 .     Acts 6:12-15   “So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.’ All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”                                                   COMMENTS :   Most of us, especially those of us who live in the U.S., have never experienced nor faced persecution for our faith.   As can see from above scripture, satan has a way of using half truths or statements taken out of context to belittle or cause harm or even death to faithful Christians. I’m reading a book “What are we fighting for?” by Bishop Tom Bickerton. This is his first book and am discovering to be a good read. He shares examples he has noticed of effective witnesses inviting people they cross paths with to their churches. He indicated they take a chance to stop and visit and use any opportunity to share something God has show or used and then invite them to church.   He also indicated too often Christians miss such opportunities because they are afraid of the reaction or feel unprepared or unwilling to face any reaction. They may even resist the responsibility of befriending or mentoring a visitor if they do begin coming to their church. Yet such is how growth happened in early church and in every growing church since. Last night we listened to a powerful message at worship (Pleasantville Family Camp) by Rev. Rick Hamrick, our camp evangelist this year. Rick was in Pleasantville Family Camp youth when our daughter was old enough to join as a teen, so he has a long history with this camp. Rick shared how important it is to respect and honor what God calls holy and not treat as common. That includes both His name as well as our own bodies. He shared scriptures that confirms God’s views and commands, giving much stronger evidence of God’s view of sin and on more controversial subjects in today’s society. Holiness is far more than simply living a good life or seriously working on overcoming our sinful past. This topic will be the center of more messages this week, but are drawing me to seek a deeper walk with and relationship with Christ, as camp week should. Lily and Hunter are here with us. They so look forward to camp each year, as our children did when they were young. Life and work has a way of putting up barriers, but glad we were disciplined to bring them each year and now our grandchildren. I have to admit too many years I would commute from camp to work instead of taking week off work, so work did distract me too during those years for reasons and circumstances that seemed valid at the time but long forgotten now. That put more on Arlene in my absence, which is something I regret. But God was faithful and forgiving, as Arlene has been too. The impact of those years on our children and on us still is felt and is very evident.      

7/18/16                                     Who Moved?                                                           18                             Scripture: Psalm 139 “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! ² You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. ³ You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. ⁵ You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. ⁷ Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! ⁹ If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. ¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” ¹² even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. ¹³ For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.^[a] Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,  intricately woven in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. ¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! ¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more than the sand.  I awake, and I am still with you. ¹⁹ Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! ²⁰ They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.^{[b] 21} Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? ²² I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. ²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!^{[c] 24} And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!^[d]”

COMMENTS: I encourage you to take time to read all of Psalm 139 and reflect on passage. Passage reminds us how completely God knows and how closely he is to us no matter where we are or do. When we don’t sense His presence, it is not because He isn’t there but because we have turned our back to Him. How often do we turn our back on Him and wonder where He is? Even worse, how often have we not even noticed He is missing in our lives? IT ISN’T HE THAT MOVED BUT US!   The prodigal tells us it is us that goes away from God, not He from us but if we turn and walk to Him, HE WILL RUN TO US!   God so wants a daily close relationship with us. We might ask ourselves why or what does He see in us? But truth is, in spite of how perfect He is and how imperfect we are, He still loves us more deeply than anyone else can or will.   Christ said no one loves more than the one who lies down his life for his friend. Then Christ said, we are His friends. HE LAYED DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US! When the psalmist wrote this psalm, he was overwhelmed at realization of how much God loved him (and us) and how close and consistently God knew and abided with him (and us). He was overwhelmed with that realization. The psalmist marveled at his understand of God then with the Old Testament scriptures available at that time. Oh how much more we have today after receiving Christ’s gift and the complete scripture including New Testament scriptures and the Holy Spirit abiding with us? How much more God has revealed to us about Himself and made available to us. Salvation was the hope and promise to the psalmist. A relationship with God was only available thru animal sacrifice for forgiveness and obedience by obeying the commandments. Today we have so much more to be grateful for and enjoy. God’s revelation and New Covenant that God the Father instituted through Christ’s sacrifice makes a personal relationship and hope of heaven so much more real and sustainable than possible under the Old Testament Covenant only. Yet even with all that, we struggle to achieve and maintain a meaningful relationship God. Why? Because we still are bent to sin and tend to turn our backs on Him. Yet He is still willing and eager to forgive and restore a relationship with us.

7/19/16       Christ Notices every Small Act We Do for Him             19 Galatians 6:6-10 “⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. ⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

COMMENTS: Our scripture from Galatians 6 encourages us not to become discouraged or tired in doing good – in serving Christ and others. It is easy to become discouraged when we see little evidence or appreciation for what we do. When we think our efforts go unnoticed or are taken for granted, we can become discouraged. A mother’s daily duties for her family are a too common example, yet she continues to faithfully cook and clean and do laundry for her family. Yet she can be encouraged by how much they depend on her. Likewise, they need to take notice and pitch in and lighten her load each day too. Just as a mother’s task is not only to care for her family and prepare and train them to also care for themselves and others, so must we all. Church responsibilities and weekly duties can easily cause us to become discouraged too, especially when others are all to willing to let us do them without noticing or offering to pitch in and help. Small churches tend to this simply because there are more jobs and responsibilities than there are able bodied people to do them, but even very large churches have the same problem. We all too often tend to enjoy being served more than serving. Yet God is not calling us to be served but to serve. Christ lived and demonstrated that expectation and command to us. He served others, including His disciples, but also instructed them to likewise serve. Yet, I like you, get discouraged and need frequent reminders by serving others. Remember we are serving Christ, who has been so faithful to serve and forgive and provide for us each and every day. You and I could never do enough to show our appreciation for all He has done and continues to do for us. Yet Christ has instructed us to show our appreciation and love to Him by loving and serving others. That means when we become discouraged, we are disappointing Him. That puts a different perspective and motivation on what we do and why we do it faithfully, doesn’t it?   However, I think we should also look at this another way. When we fail to show our appreciation to ways others serve us, we are also failing to show Christ appreciation of all He does for us.   He is also disappointed when we fail to do that. Yes, we are blessed when we serve others but we are also blessed when we respond to ways we are served. Matthew 7:12 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” This applies to how we serve as well as how we respond to being served. It also should apply to how we treat and praise God. Gratitude to God and, yes others, encourages and lifts our souls as well as others. We shouldn’t be surprised since God’s commands are all designed to bring us life and blessing and joy.                                                                                                                                            7/20/16                   GOD’S TRUE TO HIS PROMISES – HIS WORD                          20             Acts 7:1-5 “ Then the high priest asked Stephen, ‘Are these charges true?’ To this he replied: ‘Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. “Leave your country and your people,” God said, “and go to the land I will show you.” ‘So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. He gave him no inheritance here, not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.”     COMMENTS : God has promised us forgiveness, a life full of hope and joy. He has promised us an inheritance with Him in heaven and to be with us each step of life’s journey while here on earth. He has promised to help and guide us along each step too. He has promised to provide for us if we obey and keep our eyes on Him. Consider how faithful He has been to us over the years and how much He has forgiven us. So much scripture tells us what His expectations are of us, but so much evidence that each generation, including ours, does not want to obey Him nor desire what He desires, including to be in relationship with Him. Satan does such a good job convincing us God is not fun to be with nor trustworthy nor wants us to be happy. Satan convinces us that God is not real or alive or with us. The most sinister lie he tells us is follow Him tomorrow so can have some fun or today. Put surrender off a little while. Satan especially likes to tell us God’s expectations are too high and we simply are not able to be achieving that level of perfection even though God is calling us to be perfect like Himself. Well, we can’t without His help giving us sufficient strength and will to resist temptation and achieve a more perfect life.   However, it is true we each have the ability to make far more progress towards perfection that we have achieved. It may be true our comprehension of God will prevent us from being perfect like Him, but truth is God has promised to help us achieve a far more perfect life, a life perfect by His standard if we fully surrender to Him and obey Him consistently. I haven’t achieved that life nor you likely either. So that means we still have much work to do in obedience and relationship with Him. We still have work achieving quick and consistent obedience to each opportunity He puts before us and a firm no to each temptation satan puts in our path. Consider even if we were fully obedient to all God asked, He would then bring us close enough to Himself to discover another level of perfection and obedience to journey into.     That shouldn’t discourage but excite us to realize God has so much more to bless us with. I heard a preacher one time say there is an angel assigned over a huge filing cabinet. When asked what was in those cabinets, answer given was unclaimed blessings God wanted to give us but we didn’t ask for. What God asked of us is for our greater good, not to deprive us nor to disappoint us. You and I need to remember that next time we are tempted to say no or later to God or yes to satan.   Let’s resolve to be more faithful starting today.                                                                                                                                     7/21/16                         We can Soar even during our Worst Weeks                            21                 Scripture: Isaiah 40:30-31 “³⁰ Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; ³¹ but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

COMMENTS: Today’s scripture reminds us God’s promise to strength all who put their trust and hope in Him.   Teens grow quickly and, with new strength and size and energy think they can do anything. But everyone soon discovers they grow tired and will stumble and fall. As we grow in our walk with Christ, we discover just how faithful Christ is. The more we depend on Him, the more we can carry and endure and sustain. But we are still human and still grow weary and discouraged at times. We still get overwhelmed at life’s disappointments and problems and tragedies.   So what does our response need to be with each challenge? Having our hope in Christ means looking to Him first for help instead of if all else fails. All else will fail, so why do we keep trying to rely on ourselves first? Why do we think we can do it alone? Well, when problems are minor, as they are more often, we can. So we fail into the same deception of thinking we have gained enough experience and knowledge to attack more challenging problems without help. Well, life has too many variables to be able to reason or feel our way through them without having our hand in Christ’s and having the Holy Spirit giving us insight and strength and wisdom. WE WILL NEVER BE SMART ENOUGH OR EXPERIENCED ENOUGH OR WISE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT ON OUR OWN! God never intended for us to. He expects and wants us to seek Him and rely on Him and follow His council from the time we wake in the morning to when we fall asleep at night. Days we do that go so much better than those we try again to do it ourselves – even those days that go pretty well and smoothly. Every day goes so much better with Christ at our side and Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Let’s take time this morning, and every morning to fellowship with Christ and let His Word sink into our souls anew. He will give them to us if we take time to ask.   Even when days go smooth, God gives us opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives on those we cross paths with. Especially on difficult days those opportunities likely will be even more frequent and significant. Have you ever noticed that? I think that is because God designed that to be so we would rely on Him even more. He is up for it!      

7/22/16                                                           Family Problems                                         22               Scripture: Luke 15:18-24 “¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ ²⁰ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’^{[b] 22} But the father said to his servants,^[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³ And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”                                                                                                                              COMMENTS: Family harmony is such a precious blessing and disharmony can and does devastate families and everyone in them. Satan uses family conflict to do much damage. But family is so important to God. The story of the Prodigal shows us both how important family is to Him but also how important we are each to Him. The above scripture tells us God runs to us when we simply take a first step toward Him. He will honor our choice to follow or reject Him, as much as poor choices hurt Him and us, but He so want us to choose wises and gives us every opportunity and encouragement to make wise choices – choices that keep us in close relationship with Him. He wants us to obey Him because His ways are so much better for us and those He wants us to influence too. We live in a time when families are more commonly in conflict but increasingly unpopular an institution. Reason may be because good families are becoming more rare, but I think true reason is because God created the family unit and society increasingly does not want any reminders of God or the commandments He has given us. Society would rather follow lies and evil council than admit and repent of sin and accept a different life direction. We may wonder why so many refuse to take the best path God freely gives, but consider what ways we still rebel against God’s Will. Yes, we are all sinful and unworthy of God’s mercy, but still enjoy God’s mercy. Making choices to follow God are not easy. They require keeping our focus on Him in order to succeed. Some temptations are easier to resist than others but all require making a choice to resist. Yet even when we conquer some temptations, there are more ahead needing conquered. God is always working to bring us to a higher level of living and there is always a higher level to seek. Sanctification involves submission to God’s will. Perfection is achieved in God’s eyes by obedience starting with accepting His Grace and Forgiveness. But actual perfection is a process that involves improvement and resisting temptations along the way.   By looking back, we can see what progress over temptation we have made, but by keeping our eyes on Christ, we discover how much more we need to do. Granted, we can’t achieve perfection this side of the grave, but we have a lot of progress we are can make and should make and God expects us to make. Setting goals is a worthwhile way of improvement. Letting God show us our weaknesses and striving to overcome those weaknesses is a worthy daily and yearly and lifetime goal. No time like the present to start the journey to perfection. A journey to God, a journey to eternal life and our eternal home. The closer to Christ we are and home heaven will be for us and the more at home we will be when we arrive. Of course, we will be transformed and made perfect when we arrive in heaven, but progress we make here will empower us to do more good while here and enjoy and be fulfilled by the journey while here. Good we do here has eternal value. Bad we do at best will be fixed before does eternal harm, so which should we focus on? THE GOOD! Which should we avoid?   THE BAD! Such a shame to build regrets instead of good memories. God wants us to build good memories to enjoy in heaven…                                                                                                                                                 7/23/16                                   GOD’S LONG-TERM PLANNING                              23                           Acts 7:6-8 “God spoke to him in this way: “For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and ill-treated. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,” God said, “and afterwards they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.” Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.”      

COMMENTS:   The Bible is full of examples of unfaithfulness and rebellion each generation from Adam, but also of God’s longsuffering and faithful love to each one. Suffering and judgment would come only after many warnings to repent. Yet judgment would stop once people repented.   But God also allowed hardship and suffering to faithful people at the hands of sinful evil rulers, but not without a purpose and blessing and reward.   God has proved Himself trustworthy and faithful to those who put their trust in Him. We have been having a powerful and enlightening teaching and preaching series at Pleasantville Free Methodist Family Camp.   Rev. Rick Hamrick is our camp evangelist. Rick is pastor of Youngsville FMC and has been associated with camp since a youth. Rick has been sharing insights on how to grow deeper in our walk with Him but also how to live at a higher level. I’ll be sharing some of his insights in future journal entries, but I need to reflect and let some of those insights soak into my life a little first. Well, today is the last day of camp. Has been a wonderful camp but all too brief.

7/24/16                                               Confirmation                                          24                                   Scripture: Acts 10:39-43 “³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.””

COMMENTS: Yesterday concluded Pleasantville Family Camp. Was one of the best camps we’ve attended over the years. Messages and studies were life changing. Lily and Hunter connected better this year and made more friends among kids and youth. Was a bit sad, though. Frank & Dottie Carlson, who’s friendship we’ve enjoyed at camp for many years decided to sell their cabin. They are 86/84 and decided can no longer make the long journey from Houston, Texas. We exchanged phone numbers and email addresses so can stay in touch, but camp won’t be the same without them.   We decided to stay at camp another day and go to church at Pleasantville FMC this morning.   Looking forward to hearing Rev. Chuck Riel. I also appreciate this morning’s devotion. We all need time to heal and grieve when encounter loss or tragedy. But God has a way of pulling into doing what we want least but need most. We rarely will seek out new ways of ministry or outreach but reward for obedience is eternal both to us and those He will have us touch. By staying over a day, we had a unexpected experience. A man from Girard walked past our cabin last evening while I was on our porch. He asked when camp was starting. We had to give him the bad news camp just finished at noon. He said he missed it last year too. We had a pleasant conversation and shared back and forth some family and life in Christ experiences. I confirmed for him when next year’s camp would be and am hopeful he will be back with his family next year. An encounter that would have been missed if we had left with everyone else. Granted there were 3-4 families left so someone would likely have had that conversation with him, but God wanted me to that time.   Later we enjoyed some fireworks since Pleasantville was having their Fireman Community Day yesterday too. God has so many blessings awaiting us, many of which go unclaimed because we choose not to wait on or take them. I think about our Clintonville Community day in 1974 when Katy Campbell brought Arlene to meet me. She hadn’t told me that and they went to firehall after parade, but I had decided to go home and do something else. Because I didn’t follow God’s nudge, two years would pass before meeting my wife, Arlene. But God did give me another opportunity and I did respond to that nudge. God does give us so many opportunities, many of which seem to come when we are least ready. But each one is best for us. When will we realize and learn that and also learn to always respond positively? We have Katy, but more importantly God, to thank for that encounter. A long happy marriage and the lives of our children resulted from that encounter. What blessings have you and I missed because we refused to step out in faith when God nudged us to? But He does gives us more than one opportunity especially on most important choices…          

7/25/16                          Who Gives You Courage?                                        25                                       Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.
1 Samuel 23:16

SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 2:1-3 “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; ² That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; ³ In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”                                              COMMENTS: Taking courage to do what is right vs. being intimidated by evil or bullies to stay quiet. I think we all have been bullied in school – many in grade school and some in high school. Bullies are generally bigger / stronger.   Bullies force their own way on others without regard for the hurt or damage or negative affect they are having. Scars from bullying without being address will last a lifetime and hinder healthy adult relationships with sublings or spouse or other business or friendship relationships. Damage often affects our relationship with God too. Yet resistance to bullying at worst can cause some physical abuse but damage long term both to bullier as well as his victims will be much worse. Adult intervention is all too often absense, allowing bullying to grow in strength and damage unchecked. Shame on some of us as adults for allowing this to continue. Yet we also allow ourselves to remain quiet and intimidated at many opportunities God gives us to witness and/or encourage. God is calling us to show our faith and love for Him with courage and boldness with both words and actions. How do we show boldness and courage?   Well, situations vary but includes noticing and showing gratitude to Him in our daily conversation and standing on higher moral ground as we interact with others during our day is a good start.   I have to admit there are some people I still feel intimidated trying to do just that, so I have some work to do too. But how many times do we miss opportunity to encourage.   God will find someone to provide needed help and encouragement, but we might just miss being blessed by being a blessing to someone in need too. Well, living on a higher moral place requires being in fellowship with Christ throughout day and not just for a brief time of devotion. How can we do that? Well, I am finding work and discipline is needed to develop focus and stamina. OK, so we both have work to do if we are going to be prepared and credible. I guess the next question is how bad do we want to be used by Him.   Bad enough to do the work to be faithful and be in constant fellowship with Him. This is a journey He is calling us to, so let’s begin this journey.   He has promised to prepare us and help us on this journey if we simply take His hand and keep our hand in His.     I’m still enjoying the afterglow of VBS and Family Camp. Both experiencing are motivating me to seek a deeper want with Him and a more faithful walk with Him too.   Pray for me as I will be for you too.   The journey is our calling and is too important to put off any longer.                                

7/26/16                                       GOD IS GREATER SATAN                    26                                      Acts 7:9-10 “‘Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.’”                                                                                                 COMMENTS : The road of sin leads to destruction, scripture warns and gives countless examples.   Joseph’s brothers hated him for favoritism their father showed to him. Children crave the love and affection and attention of their parents – especially their fathers. Yet fathers and mothers have made really dumb mistakes in raising their children since Adam and Eve. Children suffer greatly from those mistakes, but as much as they try to justify evil they do in response, God has a way of warning and convicting them when they do sin. There is no excuse or justification for sin, is there?   No, God makes us each accountable for our own sins, even when our sins are encouraged to taught us by our parents either deliberately or due to weakness.   Well, we all have weaknesses and tendancy to some types of sin over others, but all are sins in God’s eyes. When we sin, we open the door for our children to sin.   Job was a righteous man and would celebrate birthdays with all of his children and after each of those celebrations, he would give a sacrifice for sins of each of his children separately. With 10 children (7 sons and 3 daughters), that would take considerable time and expense. Imagine the impact on each when they witnessed their father praying for and giving sacrifice for them. The impact of godly parents is still tremendously felt by their children. We have great influence on our children even though that evidence may be delayed for decades. That is the confident hope we have if we remain faithful and our character and lives consistently demonstrate that hope.   The most rebellious children will be influenced positively even though free will enables them to stray far from their parent’s influence and example. God will do what we no longer can if we simply ask and partner with Him. We can, like Job, still pray each day for our children each by name and for our grandchildren and … So take hope, God is still on the job as He was with Job so many centuries ago…. Job was faithful and is enjoying heaven with his large still growing family but most of all with their Lord….   Who knows, maybe one of us is also one of his decendents. How cool would that be to discover when we get to heaven? Yet, we each have just as great a heritage as our foundation and legacy to pass on to our children and grandchildren… Let’s be faithful sharing it as was Job….                                                                                                                                                                           7/27/16                                       God’s Love is Incomprehensible                              27           Scripture: Romans 3:20-25 “²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. ²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”

COMMENTS: We are all sinners – past / present / future but are justified – forgiven – perfect in God’s eyes if we have accepted His gift of forgiveness and salvation. Vs 24 reminds us Christ paid the price for our forgiveness and showers us with His Grace each and every day.   When we talk about being perfect and prospect of living a perfect life, we tend to see such a life through our finite vision. We can’t comprehend God nor His perfect character let alone live it. But someday we will in heaven. Then we will not be limited by human shortcomings and satan’s influence. But in the meantime we can and must grow closer to Him and more like His perfect example. We have a long way we are capable of growing.   As we look back, we should see improvement in our thoughts and actions and motive and, most of all, our relationship with Christ. Perfection is the goal! Constant improvement is the gage!   Forgiveness is the road to perfection. Obedience gives us the directions to God. Forgiveness not only is what God does for us, but is also what we are called to and expected to give daily to each other. Holiness involved freely giving and receiving forgiveness from God and for each other. Growth comes as we grow closer in relationship with Christ and allow His Holy Spirit freer reign and influence in our lives.  

7/28/16                                                      Chew On It                                                      28
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Job 23:12

SCRIPTURE: PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9 “⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

COMMENTS:       Today’s scripture reminds us to live and demonstrate Christ with gentleness but also with great discernment. That combination is not humanly possible but can be accomplished while in fellowship with Christ. Yet I dare say that neither I, or you, are capable of doing that perfectly because we are still flawed humans. Yet there is a lot of improvement He is calling you and I to make with His help. I have been working to expand my list of facebook friends and have been praying and reflecting as discern what God both wants me to enter in each day’s journal as well as into my blog (“donsdevotions.wordpress.com”) with goal of being a witness for Christ.   I am already discovering results of correspondence from fellow Christians in distant countries, including Africa and India.   Am excited at amazing opportunites but discovering some challenges w.r.t. differences in culture and language. Also concern at risks and dangers that may be lerking, so praying for God’s discernment and guidance as explore these opportunities. Yet, I am convinced God is in these opportunities and pray God will help me to be open and faithful so He will use me in ways I could not even dream of myself. Appreciate your prayers and council going forward, wherever this path leads. I do believe we are living in increasing perilous times when being a Christian will bring increasing risk of persecution. I so want to be found faithful as dangers continues to increase. I feel so weak and vulnerable but know that is when God is most apt to show up. I also pray God will prepare me, and you, for work and dangers that lie ahead. I also pray my family, and yours, will be found faithful too. Eternity for us and they hang in the balance, as well as a world of people. As I reflect on dangers and suffering those before us in scripture and each generation since, I realize just how protected and pampered I have been and how “spiritually out of shape” I have become and how much “spiritual exercise” is needed if I hope to be prepared for the battles to come. If Christ felt the need to spend the night before His arrest and crucifixion in prayer, how much more do you and I need to be in prayer preparing as well.   So I am committed to invest that time each day and pray you will too. Also to be wish in uses both time and money resource God places in my care too…

7/29/16                         GOD’S WAYS ARE FAR ABOVE THAN OURS                                29             Acts 7:11-16 “‘Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family. After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died. Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.’”                            COMMENTS : How we deal with injustice and sickness or other types of suffering or conflict, and even with prosperity and peaceful times all reveal how close to and how faithful we are to Christ. As we look at how Joseph or Daniel in particular dealt with trying times and dangers and circumstances, we see their character and strength of their relationship with God. Joseph endured slavery and 2 years of unfair imprisonment but used that time to draw closer to God and receive His guidance and strength and hope. Evidence of God’s deliverance had to wait til Joseph was ready to receive it and Joseph’s family was ready to receive Joseph’s and God’s forgiveness and mercy. Daniel, likewise, endured years of bondage and times when his faith and trust in God was stretched to the limits. But He remained faithful and endured until God’s timing had prepared Daniel and his people to receive God’s forgiveness and mercy. If you and I go through hard times, we need to be reminded God is preparing us to receive His response as well as preparing all that will be affected by it!! Take time to reflect on examples both in scripture and personal experience. God is faithful to keep His promises and faithful to those who follow Him. Let’s be and remain faithful followers no matter what the price or risks or circumstances. Too much is at stake…  

                                                                                                                                                                         7/30/16                                                       Foundation in Christ                                        30            Scripture: John 6:40-50 “⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” ⁴¹ At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” ⁴² They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” ⁴³ “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. ⁴⁴ “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’^[a] Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. ⁵⁰ But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.

COMMENTS:   I am sure there are some scriptures that are a mystery to you, as are to me. I won’t attempt to list them, but maybe God will give me the courage and insight needed to make some of them a point of discussion someday. One mystery I think we can all wonder about is why some of us are drawn to accept Christ at a young age while others seem to go throughout their whole lives without seemingly having any unction to accept Christ’s forgiveness?   How could anyone witness the beauty and complexity and harmony of creation or witness the way their own body works and yet still not believe in God?   How could anyone read God’s word and not sense and appreciate it’s wisdom, especially in Psalms and Proverbs and yet still refuse to accept it’s wisdom and be drawn to follow it? Living a sinful life out of weakness is more understandable to me than doing so out of denial God exists.   Yet I also can’t understand how anyone could be a parent and raise and love children and still support abortion and unhealthy family unions. Granted, free will and human rights guaranteed by our Constitution have and continue to prevent forcing someone to make legal choices they do not willfully make. However, that does not also mean forcing others to recognize evil behavior as good and good as evil either. And what about refusing to make abortion clinics adhere to same standards as hospitals and health clinics?   Well, these and other controversial issues are addressed even in the ancient times of scripture. God’s standards and laws have not changed even though Christ reached out and loved and died for and offers salvation freely to both those who are deep into destructive sin and those who even would condemn them while deep in their own sinful behavior. No, Christ died for all, but he didn’t lower His standards by calling sin good and good sin as is becoming more and more evident today in the name of “tolerance”. No, Christ loves sinners while condemning the sin because He knows who is the source of the sin and temptation that entraps His creation – His children. To call sin good is also calling satan good and God’s judgment on him unfair and a “sin”.   Well I didn’t intend this to be my comments to today’s devotion, but do think this subject needs addressed in churches and families and even in our own government. AND YES, IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF WHICH I’VE BEEN A MEMBER SINCE 1961. We are forgetting how to love sinners and still hate sin. We, as a society, have changed to think we can’t love sinners unless we call their behavior good. But by doing so, we are doing nothing to deter the consequences of their behavior and, yes, God’s judgment. That also puts us at risk for God’s judgment since we too are turning our back on His call and are practicing the worst hate crime of all – encouraging our brother or sister to continue a path to destruction instead of helping them back to a healthy place with Christ. Consider II Thessalonians 2 – God described turning people over to a delusion to believe a lie because of turning their backs on Him and His commands.   I fear we are well down that road and starting down a slippery steep slope on that road that we won’t be able to turn back from.   We need to pray and embrace II Chronicles 7:14 as our plea for ourselves and our country and world, for that matter. Revival is happening in many areas of the world who are praying II Chronicles 7:14. We are long overdue to do that same…. I long for a church and a government that, like King Solomon in II Chron. 7:14, would repent and pray this prayer personally and for the people they govern!!! I encourage you to also read Solomon’s prayer in II Chronicles 6 as well as God’s response in II Chronicles 7.                                                                                                                                                               7/31/16                                                      No Condemnation                                                      31
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1

SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 8:33-39 “³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^{[a] 37} No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

COMMENTS:     I would encourage you to read all of Romans 8. It is a chapter of encouragement – a reminder of who we serve and worship. A reminder that to follow Christ both through good times and bad, through peaceful times and through dangerous times of hardship and pain and loss and even emprisonment and death, is to follow the Creator who is all powerful and will prevail in His time and in His way. He has promised to and will…                                                                                                      Today completes another month together in devotion reflecting on God’s word and sharing together with this journal. I do not pretend to be an authority on scripture nor to have noteworthy insights into God’s word. I’m sure many or most of you will reflect and have insights more noteworthy than mine. Yet, the Bible has bee a precious source to me and have studied it (some times more earnestly and faithfully than others) since I accepted Christ at age 10 in 1961 at a revival held in my local church (same church I still attend and serve in).   But if, in some small way, this exercise has drawn you closer to Christ and opened yourself to receive insight and direction from Christ, than it has fulfilled it’s purpose. If we are indeed living in the latter days, as I believe we are, than we are only beginning to see persecution of Christians and increasing effectiveness of satan’s deceptions. But I also believe we are only beginning to see God’s hand more evidently at work and an anointing of those called and willing to be bold for the Gospel. You and I need to prepare to be bold and courageous in the days ahead, even if called to suffer and endure great loss like Job did. I, like you, fear for my family and friends especially because I so want them to be strong and faithful. Too much is at stake in their future and in the future of those they and we can touch to ignore any longer.

I will be distributing this journal to my facebook friends as well as storing on my blog site. Access to my blog is at:

https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com   or can also access file all my materials – past journal entries – other resources at:                                                                                                                                                                                                   https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/link-to-dons-devotional-journal-entries-2013/

If you have difficulty accessing these sites or wish to contact me for other reasons, you may do so through my email address below.

God’s blessings,

Don McDaniel

dmcdaniel12@verizon.net

July 31, 2016