11/1/2017 An Eternal Reward for the Forgiven Faithful 1
“Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your soul. “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30
COMMENTS: This month we will be reflecting on the life and writings and ministry of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Today’s scripture from Matthew 11 is especially meaningful given the details of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life. He was German born and came to US to study and teach. However, as Hitler’s evils unfolded he was compelled to go back to Germany to witness and do all he could to combat that evil. He even got involved with an assassination attempt on Hitler because the evil was so overwhelming. He was executed just days before the war ended but the positive impact he made on those he interacted with as well as those in US and writings from then to today is amazing. I am glad God has not asked such a sacrifice of me and know it is a great fear of many that He will if we surrender to Him. Yet God does not grace most with the level of gift He did to a Solomon or a David or to a Dietrich Bonhoeffer. However, even the weight Dietrich carried, which seems overwhelming to bear for us, was not for him because God carried it with Him. That is the promise He gives us and we need to realize being faithful is far better than consequences of not doing so long term. We have countless examples in scripture as well as thru history and even those we know in our life’s experience to support the fact that disobedience to God is far worse than the most demanding things God might ask us to do.
I have interacted with a few pastors in Pakistan, Uganda, Nepal, India, and Kenya where Christians are persecuted to varying degrees and risk of beating or martyrdom is real. Yet taking a courageous stand and sharing Christ’s message continues. God honors their courage and faith and result has been a powerful openness and hunger for the gospel resulting in many conversions. They are using many of these devotions I published on “WordPress” in their preaching and teaching services and are even planning on using them as a resource in training for young Christian pastors preparing to do same. I feel so privileged God is allowing and guiding me to be a part of this important work, especially with those fully committed and surrendered to sharing the Good News of Christ. The work of bringing truth and hope to lost people so God can give them life and joy eternal. Work of eternal importance that 100 years from now will overshadow success gaining great wealth and power and popularity. Such is indeed investing in eternity. Jim Elliott said “A man is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep for what he cannot lose”.
Matthew 6:19-21, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
11/2/2017 Worry – NO Trust – Yes 2
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion from “Bible Gateway” shares if we truly trust God and believe all that is in the Bible, then fear and worry become unnecessary burdens. Yet worry and fear have drawn me to praying. Yet I have found it far better to worry about making wrong decisions and praying for council and strength rather than praying after making and acting on those decisions and worrying about results of those actions and decisions afterwards. God has answered prayers I’ve made in both situations but not always right away or in manner had prayed for. I still get worried too often, but doesn’t do any good other than keep me focused on praying. That is the only good I see come of worry, but how much better it is to let the peace of knowing God is near and loves me drive me to prayer rather than fear and worry. Both have driven me to prayer – one a result of weak faith and one as a result of a time of strong faith. God loves me in both situations and loves you in both as well. He just wants us to come to and talk to Him. He longs for and wants an ongoing relationship with us most of all and really wants us to help others to do the same. Oh, how different the world would be if all Christians who know Him would do that. I struggle with that for a lot of reasons but know this truth is too amazing to keep it to myself.
I wrote the above comments to this devotion nearly 5 years ago. I still worry but not quite as much. However, I am finding most things I worried about then are now forgotten or of less concern now. There is always something new on our path tempting us to worry about. But memories of how God guiding and helped me, and you, helps us trust Him more. I am also finding a closer and more sustained fellowship with His Holy Spirit than 5 years ago, but would hope so if I have grown. But then again, I still see so much more growth is needed in my life before I can say I have victory over worry or over laziness in discipline of fellowship and devotion daily with Him. I just have less excuse now since am retired than 5+ years ago when I was still employed full time. There are still distractions.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer had much to worry about but the real dangers and evil he boldly faced did not pull or push him away from the work God called him to do nor from completing the legacy he left in his writings and life for us to discover and follow. I encourage you to discover who Dietrich Bonhoeffer was and the sacrifices he made in order to serve His Lord and ours. That discovery I’m sure will encourage you but also help your awareness of dangers and persecutions still at work in the world today that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ endure. Dangers and persecutions getting closer to our borders and, yes, closer to our communities. We need to pray and prepare as we solicit God’s help for them.
11/3/2017 Starting the Day in Prayer 3
“Give ear to my words, O Lord, give heed to my sighing. Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.” Psalm 5:1-3
COMMENTS: Reading scripture and devotions such as above Psalm and spending some time in prayer helps me start out day with right attitude and perspective. I find it a bit easier to hold to this discipline retired but the discipline of writing a journal with devotion has helped me maintain the discipline. When Debbie gave me a devotional journal Christmas 2012, there were times I missed a day and had to catch up but was the first step in developing a daily habit I could maintain. The value of that discipline and the feeling of something missing when don’t do it in the morning has become evident to me. The difference is having the sense of God’s presence and influence in daily choices is clearer when spend morning time with Him.
I know most days do not require life changing decisions or choices that really seem to make a difference in our lives or lives of those we love or even those we just interact with during the day. However, if we look at each day much like a carpenter building a house, each day’s work provides a little more progress towards completion of the house being built. Progress comparing one day to the next may not be noticeable but impact is noticed over time. I think our lives are much like that. One mistake can cause noticeable damage, especially if a significant mistake, and result in delays in progress. A bomb can destroy what took years to build… However, a day of wise choices results in progress – the goal being obedience to Christ’s bidding resulting in making a positive impact in lives of those we interact with during day. Maintaining fellowship with Christ is the way we do that. That is no easier for me than am sure is for you. Are times I don’t feel very close to Christ or even want to be, but that is where our minds must take control over our emotions and bodies. The wonderful thing about Christ’s relationship with us is every day is a fresh restart and His mercy is available every time we fail and seek Him again.
When we consider Christ’s perfect life and how far short of “Christ-like” we are still living, that goal seems hopeless and efforts to become Christ-like hopeless. Well, it is! But wait, the default mentality all other religions and way too many professing Christians think is “we earn our way to heaven by good works and if we do our best it will be good enough to get us in heaven”. Well, to believe that is to ignore scripture. Truth is we can’t be good enough but Christ died so we don’t need to. We simply need to accept His gift of salvation to free us from the punishment of sin. But the next step is to invite His Holy Spirit into our souls to abide with and guide and strengthen and encourage and guide us and to instruct us and to fellowship with us all the time. The more we realize and fellowship with Him, the more naturally we will become like Him and love Him and obey Him. Result will be growing to be more like Him every day and become free from the power of sin over us. But it won’t be until we get to heaven and satan’s influence will be removed from us that we will be freed from the presence of sin. But until then, we will battle temptation and fail when we take our eyes off Christ and neglect fellowship with the Holy Spirit. BUT HIS FORGIVESESS AND WELCOMING ARMS ARE THERE TO EMBRACE US AND WELCOME US BACK AGAIN. We are perfect in how He sees us and we will be perfect someday, but until then we are on a fellowship journey to that goal with Him. AMEN!!
11/4/2017 Working for God 4
“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23
COMMENTS: I would encourage you to reflect on your work day with consideration to how Christ both has and could have affected decisions you’ve made and how you interacted with co-workers or everyone you cross paths with during each day. I started doing that early in my career and decided it was better to spend time in prayer and bible reading before I went to work, more so than at night, to be in the right frame of mind for the Holy Spirit to guide me during the day. I would find myself a bit more patient and willing to reflect / send a silent prayer before making decisions – even less significant ones, which made a noticeable difference on how well day went and how well I felt about choices made at end of the day. Consistency in devotions every morning has been hit and miss for me but regret I wasn’t more faithful in resolve to spend time with Christ every morning. I have found that time spent in devotion and prayer makes a big difference, even after retired, with how I deal with my grandchildren or Arlene. It is hard to describe the difference it makes, but is much like having someone close you can ask their opinion regularly vs not having them near. The feeling of confidence and peace is noticeably different as well as seeing myself make wiser choices during day. Of course, even that isn’t 100% and sometimes think God intends that so don’t become too comfortable with where I am in my relationship with Him and continue to realize need to get closer with Him in that relationship. Over the years I have also found God wants us to grow closer to Him and become more Christ like and not remain static in that relationship or growth. I feel I am closer to Him than I was 30 yrs. ago and a little more Christ like than then, but I also have a little better sense of how perfect He is and how far below that level of perfection I am even though I can see improvement in my character since then.
30 years ago, my perception of the Holy Spirit was an unseen and seldom felt presence who was difficult to understand and even harder to hear at least consistently. Looking back, I believe that difficulty was mostly due to noise from otherwise distractions of busy work days and packed schedules. Responsibilities of work and family and even church obligations and jobs all intruded and compressed my time of fellowship in prayer and worship and devotion. But when I started keeping a devotional journal, the discipline of keeping such a journal forced me to push out distractions and spend badly needed time with my Lord each day. By doing so, the Holy Spirit’s presence and input started becoming more real and His voice in my soul more commonly heard. Yet, retirement has greatly helped me both keep that discipline and also to open more time each day to spend precious and greatly needed time with Him. By doing so, my understanding and love for His Holy Spirit has grown much. Realizing Christ’s personality and character and reactions are identical to God the Father but also to the Holy Spirit helps me to deem fellowship with Christ but also with the Holy Spirit to also be with God the Father and with Christ at the same time. Each part of the Trinity is completely connected and integrated with the other but each has a unique role in changing and growing us to be more like Him but also in growing a deeper and sustainable and continual relationship with Him. So instead of trying to figure out the doctrine and reality of Trinity, to realize the Holy Spirit is God’s spirit abiding in and partnering with each of us personally and more closely than our own heart, we begin to realize just how personal and amazing and awesome our God is and how precious and real a personal relationship with Him is. To enjoy that relationship with Him with the Holy Spirit is also enjoying a personal relationship with Christ and with God the Father. We are not capable of comprehending God but we are capable of loving and following and obeying Him. By digging deep into His Word, we are learning more of Him and how others have grown in their relationship with Him, but also gaging genuineness of our relationship with theirs.
Satan is so skillful at deception, we must use scripture as a barometer to constantly judge if we are being guiding by the Holy Spirit or deceived by satan. We wonder how radical followers of Islam could come to think they are worshipping and honoring Allah by killing innocent people in his name. Well, deception is real and satan’s influence and deception as an “angel of light” presenting lies as truth is real. Every one of us is capable of being deceived by him if we are not rooted into His Word and making sure what we are being led to do is compatible with scripture. That is our gage and anchor so we must not grow lax in using it… AMEN!!
11/5/2017 Thankfulness – Engergizing Life 5
“You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name” Isaiah 12:1-4
COMMENTS: Being thankful is essential to our mental health, maintaining a positive and productive attitude, and essential to our faith and living a daily Christian walk. The above comment asking why would God entrust greater blessing to us if we are not grateful in the smaller things. I am reminded of the parable of the servant forgiven of an extremely large debt by his master and then went out and put someone in debtor’s jail who owed him a very small amount. The parable tells us the master then took back his mercy when learned the servant he forgave did not forgive. Being grateful does change how we judge our daily walk and how we judge both good and bad things that come our way and can help us bring a positive conclusion to a bad situation. We can show mercy and gratitude to God without condoning actions that bring suffering in other’s lives or our own. Remember God is still in control and can bring good out of evil. I never ceased to be amazed at the courage and boldness the first century Christians demonstrated in their faith and witness in the midst of terrible persecution and martyrdom. Nero burned 70,000 Christians alive in Rome as torches along main road for their faith. Today is no different. Christians are being tortured and killed in largest numbers ever in many countries around the globe. The 10 worst are: North Korea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Eritrea. 35 of the top 50 worst offending countries for persecuting Christians are driven by Islamic extremism. Through my blog and distribution of this devotional journal I am in contact with a good number of Christian pastors and evangelists in many of those countries. I am discovering a much more open hunger for the gospel among people and pastors more willing to sacrifice their freedom and lives to share that gospel. I am also finding a greater eagerness to read and share my writings there than in the USA where little persecution of Christians is experienced. I believe that is no coincidence. Persecution and times of personal or national disaster and crisis has historically driven revival because Christ becomes the only hope and life line. Churches were packed in the US on September 11,2001; but within a month they were empty again. The desire to seek Christ evaporated when the crisis passed. Why is that and why were first century Christians then and Christians even now facing such persecution giving God praise and thanksgiving in the midst of such persecution and crisis and even death? Well, I compare reason to my recovery of knee replacement surgery I had on my left knee in 2007 and on my right knee in 2012. The first two weeks after surgery were more painful than pain of enduring worn knees prior to surgery. However, after 2 weeks, knee pain and flexibility dramatically improved until I was able to walk and sit and climb stairs relatively pain free. I knew short term pain was necessary to bring long term healing. That made the pain of recovery much more endurable. Having family to help made time of recovery more endurable and quicker as well. The hope and reason for praise and thanksgiving all Christians have, either during persecution but especially during times of peace and prosperity, is because CHRIST HAS REDEEMED US FROM THE PENALTY OF OUR SINS, THE HOLY SPIRIT ABIDES IN US AND PROVIDES DELIVERANCE FROM THE POWER OF SIN, AND GOD THE FATHER – SON – HOLY SPIRIT ARE PREPARING OUR ETERNAL HOME AND ETERNAL BODIES FOR US WITH HIM AND OUR LOVED ONES IN HEAVEN FREE FROM SATAN AND FROM THE PRESENCSE OF SIN. Sort term endurance of persecution and suffering will end and will dwarf compared with what God is preparing for us. But the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence is God taking our hand and walking through our suffering with us. Having His Holy Spirit and other Christians with us makes all the difference too. So, no wonder suffering Christians can endure all satan is allowed to throw at us. God also uses such suffering to draw many to accept Christ’s redemption who otherwise would not be motivated to do so. That alone is worth cost. But a deepening and maturing in our relationship with Christ is also worth that cost too.
WE NEEDN’T WAIT TIL PERSECUTION IS UPON US. GOD WANTS US TO EMBRACE HIS REDEMPTION ESPECIALLY DURING TIMES OF PROSPERITY AND PEACE WHICH TEMPT US TO BELIEVE WE CAN DO JUST FINE WITHOUT HIM. TRUTH IS WE ARE IN GREAT PERIL WITHOUT HIM. WE JUST DON’T REALIZE IT UNTIL DANGER AND DISASTER AND HARDSHIP ARE UPON US. AMEN? AMEN!
11/6/2017 Don’t Worry – God Always Provides 6
“Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed, your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Matthew 6:31-32
COMMENTS: This can be a difficult topic. For a child an idol may be a dime or a promotion for an adult. It may be power or acquiring wealth or a new car or a vacation for an adult. The guideline given to us is anything that is between us and worshipping and obeying Christ. Certainly, anything we are willing to steal to get falls in that category. Also, anything we would lie or do anything wrong to get as well. However, even good things like saving for future needs or family needs can become an idol if carried to excess. I can see anything can start out good but end up becoming an idol over time as continue focus on it and start neglecting our relationship with God. Likewise, if we start to fall behind in tithe so can support other goals can be a warning sign as well. I continue to check myself so know it is a universal battle. Pray this helps in your battles.
Worry enters into acquiring things too deeply when we fret about not acquiring them. But wait, isn’t it ok to worry when our family is lacking necessities and we aren’t sure where our next house payment or utility bills or next meal is going to be paid from? How can we not worry about such things when we lack money to pay for them? Well, I still see families that lack such but still hold onto large TV’s or satellite or cable access or onto newer cars with large monthly payment or other luxuries like cell phone plans with internet access and expensive phones they should either do without or sell and get smaller older ones. But we want these things for enjoyment to help us deal with our worries, right? So how does holding on to things adding to our problems help us deal with our problems? We all, especially those living in USA, have lost sight of what is a necessity and what is a luxury. Our grandparents and great grandparents had a better grasp of this and were better equipped to manage money and possessions. They held onto things more loosely and lived just fine without things we just necessary. In fact, some things we judged necessary weren’t even invented 50 years ago or even 20 years ago. We have stuff we don’t need that demands money to buy and money to maintain and money to buy and maintain storage facilities that drain us to the point we can’t afford what is necessary like food and shelter and cloths for ourselves and families. Then again, tithing to our church and God’s work becomes impossible because we have wasted our income on luxuries. Yet we don’t worry about robbing God. We worry about how to keep our stuff.
So, what should we do? How about cleaning house and do it again once each month until we are able to once again give our tithe to God and feel free of worry? How about seeking Him every time we feel worry creep in? How about recognizing and seeking help from the Holy Spirit who dwells in the souls of every born-again Christian? For those who haven’t accepted Christ’s mercy, how about inviting Him into our lives, repent of our sins, and seek His forgiveness and help in managing our days and lives? “We have not because we ask not” does not refer to acquiring luxuries or what we want. It refers to acquiring what we need, especially what our spirits truly need. James 4:2-3 “2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
There is great freedom and joy and peace in not having luxuries and only having necessities. Such freedom enables us to truly worship Christ and follow His council and Will. Such freedom liberates us to enjoy what we have without wanting more and appreciate and be truly thankful for what we have while coveting a closer walk with Christ instead of coveting more things. That is God’s plan for us and desire for us. GOD’S PLAN IS TO GIVE US GOOD THINGS THAT GIVE US MORE ABUNDANT LIFE AND NOT THINGS THAT GIVE US DEATH.
11/7/2017 First Things First 7
“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:33-34
“10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.“ Ecc. 5:10-15 COMMENTS: The more we have the more we want – spend – worry – lose – leave behind… But truth is we will never be satisfied and have enough. So why does most work so hard to buy and save and acquire more? That is satan’s little dirty secret he tricks everyone to some extent and most fully to embrace. But God has a much better way. ABUNDANT LIFE! So, what does that look like? We will be exploring just that!
Our ability to earn money is a gift from God to aid in abundant living, but not a center of worship. What Solomon is trying to teach us is to have balance and realize God is our provider so we need to pay more attention to wisely using what God gives us instead of consuming it for our selfish wants, which can never be satisfied, beyond our real needs, which are more modestly satisfied. Today’s devotion also speaks to the worry portion of this topic. Worry is basically doubting that God can be or is in control or that He will take care of us to the detail as has done in past. That is why it is vital to keep in close fellowship with Him daily thru scripture and prayer and fellowship with other Christians. Faith overcomes worry but “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”. However, faith is like a meal which energizes and restores life, but one dose is not enough and will quickly wear off if not replenished. If I miss devotions or go thru day without at least a brief prayer now and again, the day isn’t as blessed and next day is a little easier to miss and goes a little poorer as faith grows weaker and satan’s influence grows stronger. God intended for us to have a daily relationship with Him so we’ll suffer if neglect that relationship. Isn’t it strange to think that the God of the universe wants to have a daily relationship with each of us and designed us for it, yet our tendency is to neglect it in spite of suffering every time we neglect it. Yet He keeps patiently waiting for us to return. I love the story of the prodigal – The father patiently waited until prodigal came home but when father saw him coming, He ran to him and didn’t wait ‘til son walked in the front door.
The good news is God never intended for us to be out of constant relationship with Him even though He gives us the choice to be in or neglect that relationship with Him. He provides resources we need to maintain and even deepen that relationship. But when we neglect His Word, and direct conversation with Him, and fellowship with other believers, and in doing the work He wants us to focus on, we lose our hunger for that relationship and make ourselves more vulnerable to satan’s temptations and the selfish sinful hungers he replaces our hunger for God with. It isn’t God’s fault that happens. It’s ours because He gives us that choice. Satan hasn’t changed nor has God. It is us that choose whether to walk closer to God or closer to satan. By not walking closer to God, we are automatically walking closer to satan. We need to realize and remind ourselves of that.
Likewise, God doesn’t intend for us to give away all or most of what we earn. Granted, God does give the capacity and passion and enablement to give most of what they earn away, but they are few. For most of us He enables and asks us to give generously but also to be wise stewards of the resources we earn and resources He gives us so we have excess to give to do and share with others. When we borrow and spend on our own wants, we rob from resources available to do His work. After all, we need to remember what we earn is really gifts from Him anyway. We are His employees no matter who signs our paychecks and investment income checks or retirement checks or even welfare checks. All comes from Him. Besides, look around and see who are the happiest. We will find those with the most things and money are the most miserable and unsatisfied. Those with little but faithful to God are the happiest and satisfied because they are following God’s council and spending His resources as He desires. In heaven who do you think will be there and who made the wisest investments in their future?
11/8/2017 Poor in Spirit = Rich in Heaven 8
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
COMMENTS: Consider what the disciples sacrificed, especially Peter, as a married man with a good fishing business, or Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dietrich escaped Germany to US for studies but deliberately went back to Germany knowing what he would face and knowing he would probably not live. That is very hard for me to embrace since I have the security of a home and wife and children-grandchildren and a secure retirement income. Would I give it all up to go to a hostile country without a place to live? I am sure you struggle with those same questions while still wanting to be fully obedient to all God wants you to be and do. The sacrifice the disciples or men like Bonhoeffer paid was well worth it – knowing those he leads to Christ as well as reward of heaven and eternity with Christ are rewards that dwarf any sacrifice here. The Grace and strength Christ gave them during their difficult lives is very evident so that their choices became easier to sustain even here during trials.
I have to admit I am really glad God has not asked me to make such sacrifices, but do know promotions were delayed or didn’t happen because of choices I made along the way to follow Christ and do my best, with His help to do His Will as imperfect as my efforts were. Why does God asked some to make great sacrifices or face death early in their lives and others to live for Christ in the security of a safe country with a secure income and home and family? I thought I felt a call into full time ministry a few times during my working life but each time God showed me I needed to reflect Christ in my work place and community first. He even showed me if I can’t do so there, how I could expect to do so in a full-time ministry. He was satisfied with my obedience living in the community I grew up. I am glad for that but have to believe I was spared a lot of hardship. The answer to this question has to remain a mystery but knowing limits of my God given abilities and my faith probably enters into answer. Yet God still is willing to walk with and talk with and have fellowship with me and KNOW HE IS FOR YOU AS WELL…THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS HE WANTS US TO KNOW AND SHARE… God’s Grace thru Christ is available to all if they only ask for it. The prodigal, once he realized his error and started home, found his father running to greet and forgive him and welcome him home. Christ gave us that parable for us to know that is how He views us and relationship he wants with us and how willing He is to forgive us too. What God gives us if we only ask for His forgiveness and help will change our lives for good forever. Parable also shows us how undeserving we are as well…
Some noteworthy books written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer are “The Cost of Discipleship”, “Psalms the Prayer Book of the Bible”, “Letters and Papers from Prison”,” Who is Christ for Us?”, “Reflections on the Bible”, “The Collected Sermons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer” are worth reading. He, sadly, survived until just days before WWII was over, having enduring persecution and prison while in Germany. Because he didn’t stay in safety, the cost of discipleship for him was a short life. But few accomplished and achieved what he did even if lived 80+ years.
Yet we need to remember earth is not our home but a brief place of residence. Let’s not forget that and begin making choices based on long term goals. Goals based on God’s Will and plan. Based on what and how His Holy Spirit guides us. Based on sharing His Good News to as many as possible by example as well as word.
The last couple of weeks I have been conversing with a pastor fleeing a group of radical Muslims threatening to kill him for preaching about Jesus. Well he was pleading for money to enable him to run. I sent him $200 but almost immediately pleaded for more. I also worked to link him with other pastors in his country to help. A few days later they all reported back saying his story did not ring true of how such groups operated. He said those groups would have killed him instead of making threats just to scare him. They also said a faithful evangelist of the Gospel should not flee persecution but face it. They also shared that there are large numbers of counterfeit evangelists motivated to con money from sincere Christians for themselves by any way they can. But their ways and conduct are what give them away and this individual’s conduct revealed his purpose to them. Their response to me was so valuable, so I followed their advice and separated myself from having contact with him and no longer respond when he emails me. Their response also humbled me and made me realize what millions of faithful Christians are enduring amidst the tyranny in many countries around the world. Millions of Christians are suffering and many dying daily for their faith. But Christ will not be mocked much longer and their sacrifice will not go unpunished much longer. Genuine faithful Christians respond to hardship and tragedy much differently than those who pretend to be Christian or counterfeit faith in Christ. Response of from the church people and community in Texas where last Sunday a shooter went into a church service and shot and killed over 20 worshipping there. Even more were wounded and some remain in critical condition. Shooter was chased and when capture was imminent he killed himself. But community came together and prayed while helping and encouraging and ministering to each other. Those among killed was an 18-month-old baby and a 77-year-old adult. One family lost 8 from 3 generations. Pastor and wife were away but their daughter was killed that morning. Yet their response amidst tears of grief was that they know their daughter was with Jesus and she was with beloved church people when she was ushered into heaven. That confident hope is ours too and am praying I too will demonstrate such faith when my time comes. I pray you will too. AMEN!
11/9/2017 Mourning = God’s Comfort 9
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
COMMENTS: I believe what is referred to in today’s devotion is sympathetic or companionate mourning. We mourn the loss of a loved one. Mourning here is grieving over a tragedy of what those in the world have lost by not accepting Christ. It is easy to grieve for those in my family and those outside my family I also care about. However, scripture goes further to mourn also for those who have abused or hurt us. This is more than just being nice to those that hurt us. It involves praying for them and seeking ways to help them and especially leading them to Christ. Jonah didn’t want to preach to the Ninevites. The Assyrians were savage invaders and had done terrible things to Jonah’s people and God wanted him to tell them to repent and be forgiven. Jonah, after being in the whale, told them half-heartedly but they still repented and were saved from God’s judgment. Jonah wasn’t very happy and God had to show him to forgive. Bitterness was destroying Jonah and God, in His compassion, wanted Jonah to know His mercy too. Injustices to me have all been mild and infrequent, especially when look at other’s situations, but I still need reminded to forgive and mourn for those I know that are lost too.
But we have a wonderfully confident promise and hope knowing death is not the end but an amazing beginning. Our hope, as Christians, is an eternity in heaven with immortal bodies and with our savior and loved ones who know Christ as their savior too. An eternity in a place and hope He has prepared for us. We can’t imagine how beautiful and wonderful Eden was but places we judge as paradise like Hawaii or Caribbean islands or ??? wouldn’t compare with Eden. Yet Eden wouldn’t compare to what He is preparing for you and me. Such hope makes a huge difference on depth of our grief, but grieve we still do when loose someone close to us. We are reminded of our own mortality too.
I can’t imagine the grief going on now in the community and Baptist Church where a gunman went in during worship service Sunday morning and killed 20+ attendees and wounded many more. ½ of the regular attendees were killed. The impact on the church as well as community are devastating. But reports and interviews with surviving church members and community provided the difference having Christ at center makes. One church member quoted Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.” He then said that verse is true even during time of tragedy and disaster and during times of great grief and loss. Now is such a time, but knowing God will bring great good from this tragedy brings encouragement and hope.
What is our future and our children’s future? What hardships and persecution will they endure? The level of hatred and disgust for Christians will satan put in the hearts of leaders motivating them to authorize propaganda and violence against Christians? Every generation of Christians have endured such, but today more Christians are enduring such than ever before. In the USA and other free countries, we are isolated from such hardships our brothers and sisters in Muslim and Communist countries endure every day. But evidence is mounting we too will be called to join them soon as well. Will we be as faithful as they and as our ancestors of the first century church? I pray so. God knows and He is eager to prepare us for that time if we are willing. But even more He wants to prepare us to withstand satan’s temptations during peaceful and comfortable times which are even more dangerous to us spiritually. He will if we are willing with open hears and open hearts to receive His council and His help. He is already offering His help and council.
11/10/2017 Meekness = Receiving an Inheritance from God 10
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion is one Dietrich Bonhoeffer risked and gave his life for. He struggled with the terror being waged under Hitler’s rule and even resolved to be a part of conspiring to assassinate Hitler, which was unsuccessful. We live in a society where living our faith in Christ is becoming more unpopular but still is not to the point of persecution. The worst we face may be a lost promotion or made fun of or loss of friendships. However, trend is changing and a sense of morality and respect for the Gospel has diminished. But even now we are seeing increasing instances of evil motivated individuals targeting Christians and their churches for destruction and death. The instance in Texas last Sunday where a shooter killed over 20 church members during worship is such an instance. We don’t have to look far outside US to see real persecution and even martyrdom for Christ, so we in this country really should be humbled but faithfulness of our brothers in other countries, but even more, faithful to our Lord during these end times before His return.
It is easy to become bitter and dwell on injustices done at work or community to ourselves or our family. Yet scripture is telling us to defend those who can’t defend themselves and minister to their needs but with meekness and without bitterness even for those causing injustices.
I have found most injustices by others to be due to a lack of wisdom in choices made but have also seen those choices sustained and worsened due to pride and an arrogant spirit instead of admitting error and going a better direction. Of course, there are exceptions and poor leadership mostly out of an unwillingness to seek council from the God who gave Solomon and Daniel and David great wisdom we read of in Daniel and Psalms and Ecclesiastes and Proverbs…. Unfortunately, there are a lot of injustices we can’t correct or fix. Wisdom for us and our own sanity requires us to identify those situations we can make a difference and seek God’s council and help to make a difference. However, we also need to identify those situations we cannot fix and rest of God taking care of bringing His justice and fixes in His own time and way. In those situations, we are best to pray and encourage and support where He directs us and let Him take care of the rest. That is hard to do but essential.
A wise man and former supervisor once told me it is never too late to stop going down a wrong path and turning around and coming back to get on the right path. Staying on a wrong path only makes matters worse and consequences worse and fix harder to achieve.
Meekness is one of the fruits of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Meekness is not weakness but power under control. Meekness is shown with gentleness and kindness but is powerful to bring healing and needed help to others as well as ourselves. Meekness is more effective in changing others positively than persuasion by force. Christ perfectly showed us what meekness is and how to live a meek life and His life changed the world forever. So, let’s pray God make you and me meek and not weak people, but also giving us the direction and courage to then live meek lives. AMEN!
11/11/2017 Hunger for Righteousness = God’s Righteousness 11
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matt.5:6
COMMENTS: The closer we get to God, the more like Him we want to and strive to be. However, the result I have seen in others who I see doing so realize how much unlike Christ and unrighteous they still are. I believe that is what renouncing our own righteousness means. Humility is part of that but, as David Jeremiah has shared, to acknowledge to be humble is to let pride come into our hearts and loose our humility. By making Christ our focus and example and striving to develop and grow our relationship with Him, we naturally will become more righteous and humble because we will naturally become more like Him. The more we focus on others, the less we will focus on ourselves and seek to satisfy our own selfish desires. Those are the lessons I have notices in others I want to model and am striving to model in my own life. I am in the process of learning that to trust and have faith in Christ is to let Him take care of my needs and let him protect my rights while I am focusing on fellowship with Him and doing His will during each day instead. When I do that, my day and a sense of fulfillment at end of the day is better than when I focus on looking out for myself. I am still working at sustaining that and still find all too often days I don’t quite accomplish that. It is easier now, retired, than when was working and does seem to be getting easier as get older but still all too easy to get tripped up. I am thinking back to a funeral service in March of 2013 I was asked to conduct for my uncle Dalton Cramer. My uncle passed at age 91, having lived a long and full and mostly healthy life. He and my aunt had been married nearly 73 years and have been dear friends and family to my parents and me as I grew up. Over the years have occasionally visited them but not nearly as often as should and wished had. They demonstrated Christ in their lives in many ways but didn’t attend church or talk at all about a faith in Christ. However, the faith in Christ my parents demonstrated to them am praying did make the difference. My Aunt Helen came to me after my mom’s funeral and asked me to help her make sure of her salvation. Praying with and helping her ask Christ into her life and give her that assurance was such a precious time and am praying my Aunt Betty has or will seek that same assurance.
My aunt Helen joined my parents in heaven last year at the age of 100. She had just celebrated her birthday with her large family and many friends at Orchard Manor in Grove City where she resided. She lived just one more month after that celebration. My aunt Betty Cramer is 93 now. I so pray she will confirm to me her faith in Christ as well.
It really doesn’t matter how long we live or how successful or accomplished we are in business or employment or in popularity or in possessions. It only matters how God sees us and how we see Him. God, in His wisdom, provides us family as a safe haven and foundation to create and sustain us, a church family to build off that foundation, and an extended network of friends and others we interact with help us mature and gain knowledge and experience by sharing theirs with us and ours with them. But most of all, God’s greatest blessing is abiding with us from cradle to grave but always limiting His involvement by our willingness to welcome and invite Him to be closer to us. He is a gentleman and will not come where He is not invited or welcome. BUT WHEN WE WELCOME HIM INTO OUR LIVES AND SOULS, HE BRINGS LIFE AND REDEMPTION AND ABUNDANT LIFE BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS AND ETERNAL LIFE BEYOND OUR FONDEST IMMAGINATION.
He gives us a hunger for His Word, a hunger for a deeper relationship with Him, a hunger to be more like Him, a hunger to serve and worship and praise Him that becomes more energized and impassioned as we get closer and know Him more personally. Investing in eternity, that is what we are doing when we pursue Him. “He is not fool who gives us what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot loose” When we pursue our own passions and selfish desires, we are only pursuing what we can’t keep.
11/12/2017 Merciful Is = Mercy Get 12
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7
COMMENTS: This devotion gives me opportunity to reflect on mercies God has shown me and how I have and haven’t shared those mercies with others. I trust you sense the need to do so as well. The parable Christ gave us of the servant forgiven of a huge debt by his master and then went out and put another in prison for not paying a very small debt owed him. Christ went on to say the Master then took back his mercies when hear what his ungrateful servant did. Showing forgiveness and mercy to others, then, really isn’t an option for us and gives you and me an added incentive to be merciful. We all know God promises to provide us resources when ask us to give. Arlene and I tithed of our incomes before we were married and covenanted together to do so when we married. There have been times we slipped below 10% and noticed how easy it was to continue to slip so worked our way back up. There have also been times God wanted us to give more to special needs and did so. What we noticed was giving more did not result in having less. A byproduct gradually has been a sense of being satisfied with material things we have and enjoying them more. My Aunt Florence tithed and after she died we maintained her gifts to the church until her account was depleted. However, God nudged us to add that amount to our tithe, which we have done and still continue to do and even though I’ve been now retired for 5 years, we have not been able to pay bills or sustained giving to God’s Work. God does provide but we need to be obedient!! Giving time has been another struggle but has found similar results. Being forgiving to others is another area God has nudged us. Some are easy to forgive and others take some work – mostly because they continue to offend. But I have to admit level of offense others have done to us has been very moderate and am embarrassed to call them such. However, I have to say those situations are very few – fewer than they appear to be when discount those I allow my feelings to distort. I suspect you experience is similar. Let’s face it, God has given us so much including possessions, families, our health, our country, but especially salvation and eternal life. I am embarrassed admitting I have taken His provision and blessings for granted but I have and am sure you have too. But if we give back grudgingly to Him… Well… SHAME ON ME and SHAME ON YOU…. OK, let’s strive to do better as unto the God who loves us…
Maybe it is because we are getting closer to heaven. Maybe it is because we see so many examples of leaving money to siblings doing more harm than good. Maybe it is because we want to leave a lasting legacy that brings eternal life and not just short-term good that will soon be gone. The result is, we are becoming more generous in giving to pastors blessed by and using my journal articles in their ministry and evangelization. We are also more generous in giving toward other ministries and helping local family and friends in need. But such is because of long time diligence in spending wisely as well as saving diligently and investing with prayer to discern professional counseling. But the biggest reason is due to a lifetime of tithing, which opened God’s willingness to bless and provide too.
Ours is not an ideal example but do see ours as not being the norm because times we’ve also not accumulated huge debt buying cars and house with debt. Granted, there was some but were diligent in paying that debt off as quickly as possible and make double payments much of the time to reduce interest charges. That has made a huge difference too. So, the result now we much more freedom and ability to be generous. But we still have limits and are months we have to delay giving we want to do. Yet when we look back and discover the amount of money and good accomplished by our giving, we are humbled and very happy. But it is to honor our Lord and to praise Him. But I believe such is how He wants to bless all His followers if they only follow His council. I heard of a janitor who gave generously every pay to school where he worked. Amounts were mostly unnoticed but when discovered he gave $350,000 over his working career, he was honored as being one of the larger contributors but his contributions were even greater in personal impact and influence on its students over the years. So great wealth and large salaries are not necessary to be generous and impactful. If he can do it, so can many more. AMEN? AMEN!!!
11/13/2017 Only God Can Prepare Us to see Him 13
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
COMMENTS: Today our devotion’s focus is on being pure of heart and beatitude noted from Mtt.5:8 tells us a pure heart is required in order to see God. I saw my parents, as see myself now, as get closer to heaven, gaining a perspective of moving away from wanting physical things and towards wanting to be closer to Christ and be like Him. Having a pure heart, like every other aspect of being like Christ, is impossible to achieve by ourselves and at best slowly improve as get closer to Him. To think I’ll achieve it in this life is foolish but to improve daily is a doable goal, which is why our memories can serve to judge progress. I know leaving wealth to my children can be both a blessing to shield them from life’s problems and dangers but can also bring temptations satan can use to destroy them. However, anything I can do or say, including this journal that can draw them closer to Him both now and when I’m gone can be a treasure more precious than any other. 100 years from now nothing else will matter to me more than my family being with me in heaven near the One who made and has and continues to care for us here… I know if I struggle with being Christ like and battle temptations, dangers they face and their children face are even greater. If I dwell on the dangers, it can be overwhelming. However, the comfort I have and want them to have is knowing God is in control and trusting Him is where our sanity and hope lies. As I look back on my parent’s lives, Arlene’s parent’s lives, my aunt’s life, and so many others, I see the trust and hope they had in Christ and how well He was faithful to them even in hard times in past. Knowing how He helped those in scripture and those I know and remember helps me to trust and have faith as well and trust God will use them and our lives to help those after us too as well.
So, what does it mean to be pure of heart? What did Jesus mean when He gave us this beatitude? Well, let start by considering the condition of our heart when we first come to Him for forgiveness and salvation. We come “poor in heart” because we get a glimpse of our own sinfulness in contrast to His Holiness and sinlessness. The psalmist said “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” Psalm 51:10.
Jeremiah 17:9 “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”, so it is not possible for our spirits to be perfect while on earth due to weakness and constant exposure to satan’s temptations and influence. So, what does pure in heart mean in scripture? First of all, the heart, in scripture, is referring to our cent of emotion and our personality and consciousness or our souls. Prov. 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Being pure is not being flawless but mean being single minded or focused. That relates to how term “pure” relates just as we might say being “pure minded” or focused on the goal or work before us.
So “pure in heart” means focused on seeking to be like Christ and following His lead and council. We are to pursue holiness instead of happiness and selfish interests.
Even that is a monumental task at times because we do get distracted and do takes our eyes and minds off Christ. It is hard to stay focused on anything for very long, isn’t it? But that is why God came as the Holy Spirit to abide in and with us so HE is always here to aid in that goal. Thing is, He will do so any and every time but WE NEED TO ASK!! HE NEVER ACTS UNINVITED. “WE HAVE NOT BECAUSE WE ASKA NOT” JAMES 4:2-3. So, let’s start asking before lust and selfish impure thoughts and motives sift into our hearts corrupting out prayers and our hearts. AMEN? AMEN!
11/14/2017 God’s Children are Peacemakers 14
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion is a bit difficult to reflect and comment on. How are we to react to injustice or poor behavior both in ourselves and in others? All too often my reaction is to respond with anger or indignation when I’m being treated unfairly as much as if see injustice towards others. Yet the commands given in scripture are to respond with love and kindness. I know God’s perspective is to restore broken relationships with Him and with each other, which for Him is more precious and important than if we are always treated fairly and well. History as well as scripture gives us that perspective. Yet “turning the other cheek” or forgiving are not in my nature or yours. Yet I’ve lived long enough to learn:
- More good comes out of waiting until understand background and persons involved before reacting. The role of a peacemaker involves helping all affected parties understand background as well as results and consequences in order to encourage a more logical and better path forward.
- Forgiveness brings better long-term results than revenge or justice without mercy.
- Most of the time harmful words or actions are out of errors dues to thoughtlessness and not out of malice, so reactions should be tempered to that.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer struggled with what he should do to stop the harm and evil being done by Hitler. He chose a path of supporting efforts to kill Hitler while the church in Germany and Rome did nothing. Hitler was able to get control and power to do what he did due to delay of the world in responding and can’t imagine consequences if that apathy would have continued much longer. So where in balance should Christians draw the line and what their reactions should be in life or in world events. Fighting evil without sinning may not be a clear direction but judging level of our reaction based on scripture & prayer instead of from our emotions – is a good start…
Well, knowing our enemy and focused battling against that enemy is necessary to establish lasting peace. Satan is our true enemy and those deceived by his temptations are in need of God’s Grace and Mercy and Forgiveness as are we. But we dare not attempt to be a peacemaker to those acting under the influence of satan or fight against satan alone. We are not match and will only do ourselves and other more harm than good if fight or intervene without having one hand in the Holy Spirit’s hand acting and responding as the Holy Spirit directs.
Is there anyone you have offended or hurt or anyone who has hurt you either unintentionally or even intentionally with work or actions? Pray about how He wants us to do to initiate healing in that relationship. God is a relationship God and wants to be in closer relationship with us but also for us to be in closer relationship with each other, especially those we are not currently.
11/15/2017 Persecution for Righteousness Will Be Rewarded 15
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
COMMENTS: A common concept of leadership in many companies is to respond quickly to poor behavior by employees, but to do so without discerning causes and striving to help and heal employees affected can further the damage and consequence for both employee and company. Wisdom in dealing with and managing people is not easy so mistakes are common. Managers who are easily threatened can react too hard and quickly and judge employees as expendable if require some maintenance. The converse is to delay any response and allow problems to grow into greater problems. Keeping Christ in our daily lives enables Him to help and infuse His wisdom, which does make the difference between healing or unnecessary consequences. Respect for Christian values and influence in the work place has eroded along with integrity and wisdom those values bring. We, as a country and society, have eroded from seeking that wisdom and integrity to relying on knowledge and wisdom only available from human experience and education. Bible prophesy tells us that in end times persecution and a falling away will happen. If we are living in early stage of those times, we can expect further erosion to point of indignation towards Biblical wisdom and integrity. Open persecution of Christians will become more evident and severe. I pray I will and my family and children and grandchildren will be prepared and faithful when those times come. However, the consequence to strength of our country is evident from Bible history, so fear much harder and dangerous times are coming. Scripture tells us to prepare for them by prayer and strengthening our relationship with God and knowledge of scripture. Storing our goods and money may be wise so have resources when greater need becomes evident. However, in order to have God’s provision available, growing in our relationship with God will equip us with His wisdom and discernment, which is priceless now but will become even more valuable in those days. I fully expect to see those times in my lifetime, which gives us greater urgency.
The past 1-1/2 yrs. I have been interacting closely with a number of pastors in Pakistan, Kenya, Uganda, Nepal, India among others. I have gained much respect for their level of faith based on risk of physical harm or imprisonment. But I’m also amazed at their stories of how God spared them and protected them in past. In contrast I was exposed to one pastor running in fear messaging his pursuers were tracking him down threatening to kill him. As I shared and tried to get nearby pastor to link up with him to help him, they all responded back to me stating he was not a pastor with genuine faith and his story was not fully true.
Discerning false teachers and preachers from true teachers and preachers was an issue in the first church, but Paul helps us discern from his wisdom and teaching and we, like they, have the Holy Spirit to guide us.
I am reminded the importance for me and my family to be close to the Holy Spirit’s council so we will be courageous during times of trial or sickness or even persecution. We’ve been spared so much hardship but we are not promised we will always be, but are promised a safe destination if we remain faithful. AMEN!
11/16/2017 Being Good Salt – Not Vinegar 16
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13
COMMENTS: This morning’s devotion reminds me of message our previous pastor, Rev. Melody Kimmel shared at Lenten community service at our church. She said a couple came into store to buy a beautiful teacup. The cup told them how much it cost the maker in time and the pain of being shaped and baked and painted over and over again, but when maker showed it what had become, was amazed. God designed us to worship and serve Him. He didn’t ask our permission or get our input. We are designed for a purpose and if do not do it or resist, we have no other value. Some may think that isn’t fair but what could be fairer than making us for a greater purpose and guide us to that end so we can be fulfilled and have a purpose that brings greater good. When we only look at the work thru the eyes of what can I get out of it instead of what can I do to please the One who made and loves me, what a disappointment that must be for our Creator and ultimately for ourselves….
Below is the verse of the day Bible Gateway offers us:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Trusting in the Christ, who came for the purpose of suffering and dying as the sacrifice for our sins, to guide and use us for the purpose of worshipping and honoring the God who created and loves us…. Why does that seem to be such an unnatural and hard thing to do? We are not alone in that struggle-every generation has struggled. Yet every generation proves to us His ways and Will is best both for us and for those who we cross paths with. Our happiness is directly linked to our willingness to submit to His Will even if persecution and ridicule are the short-term consequence. I hope those consequences are as mild for you as they have been for me, but I pray you as well as I will be found faithful when He calls us home someday…
Let’s face it, we want God to spare us all hardships and life struggles but if God did that, we would remain weak and our relationship with Him would remain shallow. Physical exercise and pain that comes from doing that is necessary to improve physical strength and endurance as well as overall health. Exercising prepares us to do work.
Well, God’s greater goal is to prepare us for the storms of life so we remain calm and peaceful in the midst of life’s storms because of His abiding Holy Spirit residing and working in and through us, instead of working outside us only diverting the storm around us or us around the storm. But He often does both or one dominantly more than the other. I encourage you to join me in reflecting on examples from scripture as well as from the lives of those around us and from our own lives. I am confident we will soon realize God has both protected and sustained us and drawn us closer to Himself and are the better for it.
So, let’s become more confident He will continue to do so and respond in praise and worship but also in obedience as we continue to walk with Him.
11/17/2017 Obedience from Love = Successful Obedience 17
“What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:15-18
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion deals with the debate of an imperfect sinful life after conversion. Bonhoeffer deals with “cheap grace” – forgiveness without a life change and repentance. Perfection, in scripture, refers to completeness of our relationship with Christ and repentance refers to a direction change where sin is no longer in control of our choices and actions. Sin is no longer our habit or primary thought and action drive. By looking back do we see growth away from sinful behavior? When we sin, do we feel guilt and sorrow and urgency of seeing mercy and repentance? Are we seeing habitual changes? David Jeremiah has commented that by the time we reach our 30’s, we’ve realized consequences of sin and real dangers life puts on our path and more are praying more often and longer. The only productive thing worry can do is drive us to God thru prayer and others for help. I can say prayer is always work but also is always worth the effort and time, as God intended.
Well, my life experience is that age brings more life experiences which either make us bitter or humble. Either deeper into a destructive world view based on lies or closer to God and more in love with Him. Evil in the world is getting bolder and more openly destructive while more are blindly embracing that evil instead of fighting it. Yet my personal experience is that evil draws me closer to Christ for safe haven and wise council. A child, when sees danger coming, will run to his parents for protection and help because we see them as stronger and wise. The closer we get to Christ, the more we love and trust and see Him as our true safe haven. We grow over time to be more like Him, but the paradox is the more like Him we become, the more of Him we see and understand which results in our realization how far short of His example we still are living. Then we desire even more to strive to be more like Him and repent of remaining sin we see in our own lives and surrender to His transforming hand removing that sin and empowering us to become more like Him. Then as we get even closer to Him and discover more of Him, we discover a deeper level of perfection and desire to be more like Him at that level and repent and surrender to His loving hand again. You see, such is an ongoing and lifetime process working in us and preparing us for eternity while still living on earth. The Holy Spirit is God doing that work in our souls while Christ is showing us by His example.
It is not futile to strive toward perfection as Christ exampled for us but instead is worthwhile work necessary to become stronger in faith and weaker in carnal nature. Stronger in obedience and weaker in influence and power of temptation. Stronger in discernment and weaker in influence of satan’s deceptions. Stronger in victory over past weakness and sins.
So, don’t get discouraged or beat yourself up for past and even continuing failures. Realize you and I are not God so will continue to fall short of Christ’s example. But don’t give up either. The war being waged against satan continues even though Christ already has defeated him. The final sentence and punished will soon be administered on him and those who follow him. Then we will be freed from the presence and influence of sin and will be free to fully be freed from satan’s influence. I don’t know about you, I sure am looking forward to that.
Paul, in Romans 7, shared the battle in his own soul striving to do good but still doing evil and still battling to do good and coming short. If Paul was still engaged in that battle, how much more are you and I. But he was not giving up but stating that he knew the process would be lifelong. Progress was assured if he, and we, keep our eyes on Christ. But we would not arrive at goal, just further along the road to that goal. The journey is a wonderful journey because we take it with our Lord and Savior even though the journey has dangers and hardships lurking. It is journey we begin the day we accept Christ as our Savior and Redeemer and is completed the day we see Christ face to face in heaven with His welcoming arms stretched out to greet us. AMEN? AMEN!!
11/18/2017 Something to Think About 17
Whatever things are true..noble ..just..pure..lovely..of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
SCRIPTURE: JOSHUA 1:7-17 “ Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it.12 And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;15 Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.16 And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.”
COMMENTS: David Jeremiah, in radio devotion a few years ago, shared he had to get up at 2:30AM to get to an airport in Chicago and had to wait several hours due to a storm hovering over Chicago. No flights could get in or go out. He felt frustrated since could have slept longer. However, as he looked outside and reflected as he wrote in his devotion journal, God revealed to him that he was shielded from the dangers outside with the shelter of the airport building, just as he was also shielded by God from satan’s attacks. That changed his attitude and appreciation for the delay and preference to wait in an airport instead waiting or fighting the storm in an airplane.
Albert Einstein’s comment is so true. “Changing our world starts with our thinking, but how much our perspective affects our ability to improve our circumstances”. When I’m in a poor mood, I can’t seem to do anything right, nor anyone else. Yet, changing my attitude, I’ve found, isn’t likely unless I do a “time out” and stop to pray and reflect. Just as David Jeremiah did, going back into scripture and prayer opens our minds for God to speak and encourage and correct us. How amazing it is that God wants to / can / does do that with each one of us. His response is tailored to our circumstances, our nature and current attitudes. He can and does do that at the same time with millions of others all over the world. How awesome is that?? Next time you feel overwhelmed or discouraged, reflect on Albert Einstein’s comment and turn to the One who does make a difference and see if your experience is the same as David Jeremiah’s or mine.
I have to admit, it is hit and miss how successfully I’ve done that and get thru situations whether I do that or not, but eventually I turn to God. However, I’ve found it is much better if I turn to God early rather than late so can avoid being miserable or having regrets w.r.t. responses I make to others in meantime. God is not honored when we delay turning to Him, but is always honored if we turn to Him first, listen to His voice, and do what He speaks in our hearts. Has that been your experience too?? I pray so….
Yesterday evening during Bible Study, our pastor asked each of us if we have a special place where we are closest to God. I shared it is early in the morning as I have devotions alone and then write into this journal, but on a clear morning when the sun is just coming up, that is a special time when He seems closest. Everyone else gave a slightly different answer but all agreed that is a special time for them too. But even on a cloudy morning, to see the darkness slowly but consistently give way to light everywhere revealing my surroundings is a miracle that happens each morning without fail demonstrating God’s faithfulness and abiding love and involvement in my life and yours whether we notice and praise Him or not. But how much better when we do. By doing so, we open ourselves to receive His blessing and input preparing us for the day. Mornings are special for me because God quietly but powerfully fellowships with me. How about you? When and where does God seem especially close to you? Well, just remember that place and time is also special and precious to Him too. If that doesn’t motivate you to be true to that time and place each morning, I don’t know what else will.
11/19/2017 Turn from Sin Because It Pleases Christ 19
“What then are we to say? Should we continue to sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead to the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1-4
COMMENTS: I think there is something in us wired to value things that cost us something more than things that cost us nothing, not matter how valuable they are. This devotion is basically saying the same thing about salvation God offers us. The truth is cost to Christ dwarfs anything we are asked to sacrifice. However, we need to realize there is a cost to us. We are required to give up our sinful past and bad behavior. Satan doesn’t give up easily so battles we face now and going forward are not easy or fun. Our hope is in the Christ who promised to be with us and Holy Spirit that gives us the guidance and strength needed for our battles. We have past history in scripture along with those we know and our own to reinforce how much better our lives become when we resist satan. When we resist the temptations of lust or impatience or anger or sharp tongues or acting before praying or overeating/eating harmful foods or laziness or avoiding interaction with those we don’t like or ministry that isn’t easy…. I’ll leave it to you to continue the list. Living the Christian life isn’t easy, it is downright work as is prayer and bible study but what worthwhile relationship doesn’t require work. Marriages require work to last as do relationships with children or even friends. So, why wouldn’t we think our relationship with God require work as well? The good news is He does most of the work and meets us over ½ way when we turn around and take a step towards Him. Has that been your experience? It has been my experience and I pray so for you too…
One of my weaknesses is being easily distracted, but I’ve found God can even use that.
When I am tempted, the best thing I can do is distract myself by praying and focusing on another task. My weakness works to my advantage because I soon forget about the temptation. Satan can use our weaknesses to cause us to stumble, but only God can and does use our weaknesses to build us up (Romans 8:28).
Well, unfortunately we all experience temptation. So how do you deal with temptation and what is the most effective way for you to overcome temptation? If our response relates to temptations that aren’t all that strong, then they likely aren’t really tempting to us and take little effort to resist. But not all temptations are that easy to manage. The temptations that are the strongest are those we need to run from without delay and seek the Holy Spirit’s help immediately. The first time will be the hardest but when we repeat that response, it will become more natural and easier for us to do that. Eventually those temptations might just become the ones easiest to resist. But be careful, satan has lots of other tricks and things to tempt us with that are still weaknesses for us. But guess what, we can outsmart him by using his temptations to draw us closer in relationship with God through His Holy Spirit if we keep running to Him every time we are tempted. I know, none of us can say we follow this council all the time, but the GOOD NEWS is God’s Grace and Mercy gives us forgiveness and redemption as many times as necessary and opportunity to improve and gain victory limited only by our willingness to accept it. So, our job and challenge is to become more willing and obedient. If we do our part, He is here and ready to do our part. AMEN!
11/20/2017 Our Forgiveness Cost HIM Dearly 17
For you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20
COMMENTS: Today’s is a good devotion to follow yesterday’s. Costly grace does involve obedience and turning from sinful behavior and thoughts. Accomplishing that requires work and discipline but also involves a continuing surrender to God’s will. The nature of how God works involves partial revelations He gives us with a requirement of faith to trust Him for next chapter. It also involves an understanding that as we grow closer to Him, we will realize more of our sinful nature that needs dealt with and as well as further revelations as to how more perfect God is than us. I think that is why those we admire, or revere as being Godly and good example to follow, recognize and admit they are far below the mark Christ has given. That may seem like a self-defeating perspective but is really good news. If we saw God for who He is, we would likely be so discouraged at how far we need to go, we would give up. However, God has chosen to reveal Himself to us in bits and pieces and does not expect more of us than we are capable of doing today. Isn’t that amazing and GOOD NEWS??? At least that reminds us we can’t make it on our own and no-one is worthy of being honored for how Christ like they are – since they are not truly even remotely close to being Christ like and won’t be this side of the grave. David Jeremiah gave an example of a young man who asked his girl-friend’s father’s hand in marriage. He said no because he said his daughter was not worthy of him. He asked why since were both in love with each other and both were Christians. Her father shared his daughter has a horrible temper and lives too close to the point of maturity when she became a Christian, which the young man had not seen in her yet. If we live too close to point of maturity when experience salvation, we will not be able to hide that forever and are missing out on joy and fulfillment. Let’s work on moving forward together?? Living too close to the point of maturity means acting and living close enough to Christ to appear to be growing in Grace and walking with Him and obeying Him but withholding a part of our lives, our carnal old nature, from being exposed to His light and love and redemption. He isn’t being mean when He asks us to surrender all. He is asking us to allow Him to remove all our cancerous tumor, not to leave a piece of it to continue to grow. When we get angry, it is that old carnal nature screaming in pain at threat of God’s skillful surgical Hand at work. But eternal life can only be realized with all its joy and blessings if we let Christ do His surgical work so healing can begin. The truth is He only cuts out what we allow but only asks us to let Him do surgery on those areas ready. He will continue to work and cut out more later when we are then ready. The healing process takes a lifetime preparing and submitting and recovering. “BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL WHEN WE SEE JESUS”, as this beloved hymn, written by Esther Kerr Rusthoi, states.
11/21/2017 He Chose Us – Our Turn to Choose Him 21
“As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:16-18
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion is a challenging one – causing soul searching and life assessment. Obedience involves both choices in behavior and actions made during day as well as major life choices. Yet they are all linked to each other. God asks us for obedience each step without knowing direction or later choices to make. That can make initial choices, like for Simon (Peter) easier. If he would have known his choice to follow Christ would lead him to leading thousands to Christ in his lifetime, that would have been a positive incentive but if he would have known it would lead him to being crucified, he might have rejected Christ. Yet, after Peter grew over time in his relationship with Christ, he was willing to give his life. Obedience over time both reinforces our faith and faith then reinforces our obedience. I find that to be true, but have also found disobedience destroys faith and lack of faith reinforces disobedience as well.
I am amazed at the faith I hear of from Christians in China or other countries where Christians are severely persecuted. The book “A Heavenly Man” shares the faith of a Chinese Christian man who led thousands to Christ while experiencing years of prison and torture in China for his faith in Christ. Extended times of separation from family and poverty did not dismay him. He only left China when concluded he was such a famous “outlaw” in China that he put other Christians at risk (underground church) whenever he was with them or ministered to them. However, when he did come to America he was amazed at the churches and prosperity Christians enjoyed but very disappointed with the lack of faith and passion Christians have here. I sense my faith is weak due to lack of exercise and testing. Freedom and material prosperity are enjoyable and comfortable and a real blessing but there are enough examples to believe prosperity is a curse for our faith and require diligence to not result in God’s judgments. Israel’s past gives repeated examples of that and is prophetic of America’s future based on our continued disobedience. Likewise, history and current examples of Christians being persecuted yields many examples of Christians growing and thriving in their faith. Christians have grown to 20% of China’s population in midst of persecution vs shrinking numbers in US in midst of prosperity.
People more likely will seek hope in midst of hardship, not prosperity. I pray my faith will thrive in the midst of the blessings I and my family enjoy in the US, but believe our future will likely be persecution and hardship if look at trends and path US is on. However, I know faith is more important than prosperity. The best you and I can do is simply ask God to help us and to submit to His will and plan.
Well, ancient history recorded in our Old and New Testaments or even more recent church history or many histories we know from family and friends with close relationships with Christ consistently have showed the different that relationship has made. They are all able to look beyond their own suffering and misery and sacrifice to see their reward but also the positive and eternal impact their obedience is or will have in the lives of others. But truth is many did not live to see that benefit in the lives of others. Yet history proved that difference was realized. God was faithful and did honor their sacrifice and faithfulness. HE WILL HONOR OURS TOO IF WE STAY TRUE. AMEN? AMEN!
11/22/2017 True Faith Give Good Fruit (Good Works) 22
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say that you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So, faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” James 2:14-17
COMMENTS:
Scripture tells us we are not saved by works, but we are saved to do good works. Ephesians 2:8-9). Aren’t you glad God chose not to make salvation something we had to earn. He knew we just couldn’t do enough good to earn our salvation, so He paid that price Himself so we don’t need to. But even though salvation is a free gift, we still have to humble ourselves, admit to Him our sins, and receive His gift in order to be saved. If we are on a sinking boat, we still have to get off the boat and onto the boat that came to save us. Christianity is the only religion that teaching salvation not conditional to our own works. Such teaching is like trying to make a cart pull a horse instead of the horse pulling the cart. It just doesn’t work. But scripture also teaches we are saved to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10). Once we know Christ, He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide and empower and energize / inspire and enlighten us so we become equipped to do good works. His Holy Spirit also gives us gifts to enable us too. We fail because we keep going back to relying on ourselves and our own understanding because we either think our ways and ideas are better or we grow impatient waiting for His response and timing.
But scripture tells us the yoke Christ gives us is light and that He carries the heavy loads for us. I have found I tend to carry heavier loads than need to because I don’t ask for help right away, especially from God. I tend to just give Him the “big stuff” or when “small manageable stuff” becomes “big stuff”. As I grew older I realize more how imperfect I am and how much He accepts and tolerates my flaws but also realize He has and does require change at a pace I am capable of obeying. When I follow His lead and timeframe, I avoid problems but when delay or say no, He does issue a corrective hand. He hasn’t asked me to be a missionary in a far land or give all my savings away. Years ago, I believed He was calling me into full time ministry, but He only wanted me to be willing and then told me to obey Him where I work and live. Following Christ can be confusing since He deals with us each differently. However, what is consistent is His relationship with each of us and expectation to obey what He shows us thru His Word and on our hearts from prayer one day at a time. He hasn’t asked me to demonstrate the level of faith Christians in China or Moslem countries do, but He continues to ask me to be faithful in devotion and be an ambassador for Him to my family and church and community and anyone else that crosses my path. Yet, I believe He wants me to be/help others to be ready to be/stay faithful in future.
11/23/2017 God Wants to Walk Each Day with You – Just Ask Him To 23
1 Thessalonians 4:9 “Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
COMMENTS: Christ did not intend for us to carry life’s burden alone. Today’s devotion reminds us to rely on other Christians to help and strengthen us, but also to rely on Him. We have community/fellowship with Him as well as other believers in order to succeed in living a Christian life. Jeremiah 17 and Ephesians 6 remind us to stay close to God and His strength to sustain us. As a tree planted near a stream will not suffer from drought, we will not dry up or become weak in our faith if are near Christ who sustains us. I like that comparison and motivates me to get deeper into scripture and prayer. I really believe end times are upon us and evidences of US running away from God as evident by how most Americans live and are now viewing morality, as given in scripture or by eroding respect for Christians. Comparison is night to day if look back a generation or 30 yrs. but is even noticeable if look back 10 years. If that erosion continues, I can see open persecution of Christians happening and becoming acceptable within next 10-15 years. How prepared you and I will be for those times will depend on how deep into fellowship we are with Christ and with His word today and how deeply we are in communion with other believers today. Scripture is clear how we will be treated in those days, and history tells us suffering and even dying for Christ was a common fate for Christians during 1st century church in Roman Empire. Yet church thrived with new believers daily. People long for hope and forgiveness especially in desperate times. Think back when you felt closest to God. It was likely during times of hardship. Being found faithful when Christ returns is our most important goal and salvation of our families and those God puts on our path will be most precious achievement in much less than 100 years but in eternity too.
God’s Holy Spirit is God’s abiding presence with and inside every believer. The Holy Spirit is available but must be invited to reside and remain in each believer. But we, as humans, tend to ignore or overlook what or who we can hear or see or feel or understand. But when we open our minds and spirit to Him, we begin to hear His voice and sense His presence. Yet satan does his best to counterfeit. That is why we also must use scripture and words of Christ recorded in scripture to confirm Holy Spirit is indeed dwelling in us and counseling us. Christ came to free us from the punishment but the Holy Spirit came to free us from the power of sin and satan’s deceptions. But both Christ and the Holy Spirit are identical in thought and goals as with the Father too. So, when we fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we are also fellowshipping with Christ and with the Father. We can’t understand God but we can know Him and enjoy fellowship with Him. The Holy Spirit was given to us so we can know and have fellowship with Him. That fellowship made all the difference to the first century church in midst of terrible persecution orchestrated by satan himself. But God used that persecuted to draw millions to Christ’s redeeming grace and to fellowship with His Holy Spirit too both in the first century and in every generation since including our own. The confident hope they had and courage to be and remain faithful is available to you and me too. Jeremiah 29:11-13 “ 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
11/24/2017 We Are Part of God’s Army – Marching Together 24
1 Peter 3:8-9 “Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called that you might inherit a blessing.”
Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion refers to communion God has with us and we with each other. God has promised to save and sustain us if we turn to Him. Scripture and history gives proof of that truth. That starts when we ask Christ to forgive us and come into our heart and stays current every day we pray and seek His council and guidance. As I’ve said before, communion with God is a daily relationship based on love and trust resulting in our willingness to follow and obey what His Word and small voice in our heart guides us. Most decisions we make during the day are not life changing or life altering, but we do not know at the moment when He is wanting us to make a choice that is significant to Him.
David Jeremiah spoke this morning about prophesies of Daniel and how, in 200-300AD scholars tried to discredit Daniel saying was written after prophecies he gave had happened. Yet even Christ referred to Daniel, so both he and his prophesies are authentic. I guess every generation goes thru attempts to diminish scripture. It seems efforts to do are worldwide at increasingly levels of intensity, especially in our colleges and universities.
But I simply can’t understand why so many are so eager to believe lies and embrace a theology of evil and death when Christ offers a theology of life and hope. But then again, most are simply believing they are rejecting any belief system that preaches anything other than selfish motives and responding to our own ambitions and feeling s and passions. “If it feels good, do it” philosophy. Human nature is to be free to do what we want when we want and as much as we want without being accountable to anyone. Well, how well is that working when look at lives of those who are living that dream? Truth is, everyone living that life are on a path to destruction for themselves and those who follow them. Well, God shows a much better way to live once we realize His Word is true and God is real. We can then move forward with accepting and following Him. If you are struggling with if or who God is, I would encourage you to devote yourself to reading scripture yourself with an open mind and ask Him to guide you. I have not found anyone who ever regretted doing that, including me!
11/25/2017 God’s Prisoner Has Great Freedom 25
Ephesians 4:1-6 “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Philippians 1:29: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him”
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion builds off yesterday’s. Our ability to live a Christ-like and Christ-centered life is proportional to our willingness to be in fellowship with Christ Himself and the Christian community/church we are with. To be accountable to other people can be a greater motive than just being accountable to God since we see other people. Another Gateway devotion asked the question could Jesus have sinned? The conclusion was yes or would not have been tempted. Yet He chose not to. If He would have, I think His divinity would have left him and His humanity would have remained and our redemption would have been lost. That much was at stake! Jesus was able to live a sinless life because of the community He had with the Father giving Him the strength to be faithful. I don’t understand that but He chose that path so we can see how important our relationship is with God in order to be faithful too. Christian family is also so important-being open and accountable to our wives, I’ve found, is critical to my faithfulness too. We all need all the help available…
Since retired, I’m with my wife more and am glad to be accountable to her more…
As I reflect on how Christians of the first century lived being faithful at risk of prison and even death. As I then reflect on how Christians lived on later generations, including current generation in many countries enduring great persecution including loss of job, home, freedom to worship, access to scripture, and freedom or even live, I discover a level of boldness and resolve to remain faithful that I am not sure I would be able to do. But scripture tells us the Holy Spirit both prepares us for suffering we are able to bear and shields us from suffering we are not able to bear with His help and strength I Cor. 10:13). This relates to temptations but also applies to temptations to deny Christ because of risk of persecution. What changes is greater realization of Christ’s faithfulness to His promises and risk of death only means we are closer to our eternal home and freedom of this world’s suffering and struggles from satan’s influence but also seeing Christ face to face. Comparing that to risk of eternal judgment if deny Him makes the choice clearer. During times of prosperity and freedom, the choice and consequence seems less clear and defined. The risks may be different but what we need to do is the same: FOCUS ON CHRIST, SEEK THE HOLY SPIRIT’S HELP AND COUNCIL AND RALLY CLOSE CHRISTIAN FRIENDS DURING TIMES OF TRIAL AND TEMPTATION. Learning key scriptures makes them a ready resource for the Holy Spirit to bring to our minds. Past memories of failures but also benefits of obedience also can be brought by the Holy Spirit to mind. But most of all, confidence of knowing we are not lone and have God’s full attention and HE IS IN FULL CONTROL. That confidence made all the difference in how Christians endured suffering in past and currently but also will make all the difference in trials and temptations and suffering we may face and need to endure for a season. Such will not last but fruit of that suffering will.
11/26/2017 Who Do You Imitate? 26
Heb. 13:7 “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Psalm 62:7: “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”
COMMENTS: God’s ways seem backward to us. We think positive change comes by our own wills and determination and resulting sense of accomplishment gives us motivation and strength to continue. Credit and honor comes to us as are recognized for our own accomplishments. God’s way is to admit we can’t do it ourselves, ask forgiveness of him, do restitution for those we hurt by our sins, and rely on Him to motivate and help us. Result is us becoming more Christ like and gives Him the credit and honor for positive change. Is like us trying to pull a wagon ourselves when we need to hitch the horse to it and allow it to pull the wagon. Dr. David Jeremiah, pastor and bible teacher, has done an enlightening study of Daniel. I’ve always admired Daniel more than others, except Christ of course, in scripture. Daniel faced separation for country and parents as a boy when Babylon invaded his country and took him off as a captive. Yet Daniel remained faithful to God all his life even when thrown in Lion’s den. Daniel consistently honored and worshipped and prayed to God, being a consistent example to fellow Hebrews and captors. He served 4 kings and his example and work and character caused all to respect and rely on him. He remained in a place of authority thru rule of 4 captor kings and continues to show us how to live and honor of God. Yet he also showed us the way he did it by putting God first in prayer and worship. God got the honor instead of Daniel, which is exactly what Daniel intended. The tyrant Nebuchadnezzar expected his dream to both be told to him as well as interpreted, who could do that? God enabled Daniel to do both, thereby forcing Nebuchadnezzar to face that fact that God was greater than him and the gods he served. Daniel was honored by honoring God and continues to do so. Daniel 1:8: ”Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.”
As we look at scripture, we discover the people were faithful to God when they had a faithful leader but turned from God when they didn’t. God would allow them to endure the consequences of unfaithfulness for a time and then give them a faithful leader to guide them back to a place of faithful obedience again. The importance of a leader guided and obedient to Christ and the Holy Spirit can not be overstated. II Chronicles 7:14 tells us “14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” So, God’s healing will begin once Christians unite in resolve to submit to Christ and follow and obey His commands. But until they resolve to only elect representatives and leaders who follow Christ’s commands too, will things begin to change for the good. Even in non-democratic countries, history tells us God will provide opportunities for His choices into leadership if Christians pray and are faithful. Revival must start with you and me surrendering fully to Him. When we do, and others follow, He will honor and do His part. We can’t do it all, but we can resolve to do our part. As others follow and they resolve and encourage others to follow, then transformation of us and others and eventually our community and country begins to happen. Partnering with Christ makes the impossible not only possible but a sure thing, but only if we follow Him instead of our own ideas and ways. Historically our best leaders have consistently been faithful followers of Christ. THAT IS NOT BY ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BEST LEADER TO FOLLOW IS CHRIST HIMSELF. HE ALONE IS WORTHY OF OUR DEVOTION AND WORSHIP AND OUR ALLIEGENCE.
11/27/2017 We are Part of a Great Body of Believers 27
Romans 12:4-5 “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.”
COMMENTS: Are you glad God is in charge? Sometimes we wish God does things differently or sooner or even later, but there is no denying He has the right and authority and power to do anything He wants and when He wants. The great news is His ways are best for us too even when may not appear so at the time. If you have even been in situations that aren’t fair and makes no sense, you and I need to remind ourselves that God is still God and has the right to do anything He wants and be grateful of that and trust Him ‘til it does make sense. During WWII, why did God let Hitler ravage millions and cause such destruction for so long? That won’t make sense to any of us til ask Him in heaven, but it will make sense then. However, when He tells us to stay in fellowship with Him and with each other, we need to resolve that is best no matter if we want to or not. Most of all He wants what is best for us, which includes being in close relationship with Him daily. Why did God allow Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s efforts to kill Hitler fail and for Bonhoeffer to die just days before end of WWII? Yet Bonhoeffer’s impact in the lives of those who read his works continues and has exceeded impact while he was alive. After 50 yrs. of walking with Him, I still find His ways and direction foreign all too often to direction I want to take but have yet to regret following Him, but can recall countless times I regret not doing so. What has been your experiences? 100 years from now, what will be important? To ask that helps me grasp God’s perspective or at least enough to have sufficient faith to trust Him to obey Him another day… OK?
SCRIPTURE: John 18-19:
It is amazing how our country and society as a whole has moved from reverence to respect to disgust of Christianity and moral code Christ instilled in our faith. Society will go out of its way to respect Islam values of those who practice it and have begun exposing our children in our schools to those values without also giving equal time to Christian values. Yet if look back at how our world changed after Christian values became part of our country’s and free world’s law:
- How we treated children changed from being sacrificed to idols to just being worked and treated as slaves to being nurtured and educated and loved as blessings from God. We are on a path back to Old Testament pagan treatment of children and if look at how children are treated in Islam and pagan countries now, we get a clue.
- How we treat women changed from being treated as slaves and property of men without a voice to being given equal rights and a say in government to a place of authority in government. Same is true of Negroes and other minorities.
- Hospitals and schools and homes for elderly and orphans all came out of Christian churches. Social security came out of governments attempt to take care of the elderly that was once done by families and churches.
- Most of the great colleges and universities came out of Christian churches.
- From belief that man can get to heaven from good works and success is judged to how much money and power and things acquired and slaves and servants have control of to what Christ taught us: We are all sinners and equally guilty and lost and cannot earn our way to heaven since we are so far below the standard of perfection and righteous standard God has for us. Yet Christ also gave and showed us the way to forgiveness by His sacrifice. He showed us by simply asking for forgiveness from Him and allowing Him into our heart and guiding us daily, our salvation and place in heaven become a gift to us and not an earned reward. How we live to treat others is a response to God’s love for us and not trying to earn a place in heaven. However, we are moving from Grace back to standards in place in Old Testament times and standards world without Christ have lived by, which results is unrighteous living and treatment of others.
I am sure you can come up with other examples and evidence of impact Christ has made in world after first Easter. Yet Christ and Apostle John and even Old Testament prophets foretold that in last days before Christ returns there will be a falling away and people will live and do as their sinful hearts dictate and good will be judged by them as bad and evil will be judged by them as good. We are living in early era of those days, which should tell us the evil being demonstrated in our world today will get worse and bolder. But good news is Christ will return and redeem us and implement His kingdom as He has promised. Take comfort in that truth!
11/28/2017 Listen and Learn = God Has Much to Teach Us 28
Job13:17 “Listen carefully to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.”
2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
COMMENTS: Being a good listener is an art, something I am striving to demonstrate, but a virtue I do not find natural, and am sure you don’t either. Yet I think we both have experienced times when we wish we would have listen before spoke and acted. If we know why people act the way they do, it helps us respond in a wiser way… Likewise, times we did listen, we have found our actions and response and result much better. I especially know that to be true if pray and wait for God especially when needing to make major decisions or a response that may impact me or my family or others I also care about. The more I live, the more I realize just how wise and how much better God’s ways are than mine or anyone else’s. I am still puzzled at how unnatural or foreign His ways are to me, let alone those around me. Yet I continue to be amazed how His help and protection and plan unfolds. Why does evil seem to go unbridled and governments and people appear to do what they want without being accountable? Yet God has promised to administer His Will, His Justice in His Time. History has proven that to be true over and over again, so we have that to also assure us so we need not fear what the future holds for us or those we love. Yet my concern is that I and those I love and care about will be found faithful to Him when it does matter, especially when crisis comes and ultimately when they die or He returns. It is hard, as a parent and grandparent, to settle for only being able to make my own choices of obedience and not being able to make those choices for and protect my children and their families. But I continue to pray for them and try to encourage them to make wise choices as well. I beat myself up at times when realize I should have been a better example. Yet I continue to rely on God’s Mercy and Grace to make up the difference needed between my efforts and His standard and rely on Him to make up that difference for my family, for others I also care about, and for those who call Him Lord. How do we reach others who don’t know and love Him? With His help!
Well, no matter what we have or have not done, God is still in charge and merciful and faithful. Today is Thanksgiving, a time to enjoy food and fellowship with those close to us, family and friends. The pilgrims celebrated a Thanksgiving meal with each other and with local Indians in spite of suffering loss of half their numbers due to cold and starvation. But God came to their rescue through the aid of local pagan Indians using enslavement of an Indian name Squanto, who was capture and endured many years as a slave but also learned English and learned of the Pilgrim’s true God. This experience not only showed him evil Englishmen but also good and decent Englishmen and impact their God had on their actions and character. What satan intended for harm, God used for good to bring the Indians and Pilgrims together so the Pilgrims would show those Indians their God and the Indians could show compassion and friendship to those Pilgrims. Who does God want us to reach out to while giving Him Thanks for both good and bad experiences? What do we miss when we let such opportunities pass due to an unwillingness or distractions?
11/29/2017 We Are Called to Be Servants 29
Matthew 23:11 “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
Isaiah 53:3-4: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely, he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”
COMMENTS: Jesus had many interruptions during his ministry. Given the focus of His ministry lasted only 3 years followed by His crucifixion, the urgency in every moment would have caused us to ignore distractions, but not Him. Jarius disrupting Christ to heal his daughter or centurion to heal his servant or the woman who touched His robe or Zacchaeus or …. All were interruptions but Jesus took the time. I have found it hard to accept interruptions especially at work especially with deadlines and business of the day, but was doing better at end of my career. Christ shows us interruptions are God’s way of keeping us in tune with His leading and opportunities to do some things God wants to do great things with. I have had interruptions at work that enabled me to witness and encourage or council others that would have missed otherwise. Likewise, there were times I didn’t take the time and regret opportunity lost. God has forgiven me of those times and I pray opened another time. Same has been true of time with my family/children/grandchildren. It is easier to deal with interruptions after I’ve retired, but still find myself wanting to schedule the day and brush off interruptions. This may be human nature but experience has shown me to not discourage God’s interruptions. I think my struggles and experiences are common but what has been your experience? I have found being in an attitude of prayer and saying a brief prayer when get an interruption helps greatly, even though I still miss doing that at times. Advent is a special time of year. I have to slow down and reflect to remind myself how precious God’s gifts are and how easily I tend to take them for granted since they are so abundant and accessible. Stop and think what our lives would be like without Thanksgiving or Christmas or, especially Easter, and all they mean? You and I would be lost and destined for damnation.
Thanksgiving 2017 is now history and we are into Advent again. Before we know it, Christmas Day will be here. Hussle of Christmas gift shopping and decorating can easily cause us to forget “the reason for the season” and miss opportunities to stop and have meaningful conversation during our day. But Christ’s example needs to remind us it is all about Him and not about ourselves. We will have enough time to get what is needed done before Christmas if we stop wasting time and start following the Holy Spirit’s lead. Spend more time visiting family and shut-in friends or neglected is a good starting point. Taking the time for Christmas cards and calls. My mother was diligent at calls and Christmas cards. After her passing many said they so looked forward to her calls and letters and cards. But even more, taking time to worship and praise her Lord for His Saving Grace She knew and appreciated so much.
Well, I have to admit I’m preaching mostly to myself. Her example still speaks to me and nudging me to be that example too even though she went on to glory 10 years ago. Think about those who so impacted you and let their example spur you to be that example as well.
11/30/2017 We Are Called to Be Servants 30
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” Gal.6: 2
Biblical Wisdom: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22
Isaiah 53:5-6: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” COMMENTS: How do we fulfill Christ’s commandment to us to bear each other’s burdens? This plays out differently for each of us and differently each day. Let’s first look at Christ’s example. He took the time to understand needs of others and establish a relationship with each and understand burdens they had both based on sins of others and their injustices towards them, and burdens they created for themselves due to their own sin and poor judgment.
In the case of the money changers in the temple, He confronted their sins and burdens they put on the poor seeking God’s forgiveness.
In the case of the adulterous woman, He forgave her and told her to sin no more. His approach to her was different because she was remorseful. Christ understood part He needed to play to change each but confronted each to do their part as well. However, He did His part first so make it possible for each to do their part. Yet in each case, each had to accept His part in order for change to occur. That is the way for each of us. Our forgiveness first requires us to ask for it but not before He gives us the realization and capacity to see our sin and need to change before then asking for that change and healing. Then the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our heart so we have the sense we need Him daily and seek His help and forgiveness and direction daily. The more I communicate with Him and reflect on His Word, the more I desire to be like Him, the more I see in my own life I need to change. Sharing other’s burdens comes out of that!
CHRIST CAME TO FREE US FROM THE PUNISHMENT OF SIN.
THE HOLY SPRIT CAME TO FREE US FROM THE POWER OF SIN. He provides us with the strength, the desire, and ability to resist and overcome the power sin has and temptation has over us.
ONE DAY, WHEN WE ENTER HEAVEN WHERE THE FATHER CAST SATAN FROM, WE WILL BE FREE FROM THE PRESENCE OF SIN AND SATAN’S TEMPTATIONS.
ONE DAY CHRIST IS COMING TO CAST SATAN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE, CREATE A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH FREE FROM SATAN’S INFLUENCE AND DESTRUCTION WHERE HE WILL RULE AND WE WILL LIVE ALSO FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE AND PRESENCE OF SIN. WHAT A DAY AND ETERNITY THAT WILL BE!! AMEN!!
Understanding God and the concept of the Triune nature of God is beyond us, so we must settle with accepting the part we don’t understand and enjoying and embracing the part we can understand. When we consider what burdens, Christ has enduring for us and what burdens His Holy Spirit carries with us each day, we discover how much more time and energy we have left to bear the burdens of those around us. When we are overwhelmed and overstressed by our own burdens, is it not because we failed to let the Holy Spirit carry our burdens for us? Learning to let go and trusting God to do what He has promised to do is the biggest and best way we can demonstrate the level of faith and show how deeply we trust Him. I’m still working on that, but can say with confidence He has not failed me and believe He never will. He will never fail you either. So, let’s work on trusting Him more and letting go more so we can bear other’s burdens more until they learn to trust Him more too. AMEN? AMEN!
I hope this month’s devotional journal has been a blessing to you. God willing, I pray we will continue this journey next month. If you wish to contact me or follow my blog or Facebook page, I invite you to do so at link below:
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