September 2019: 

9/1/19                                            True Spirituality                                                 1 

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”  – Genesis 3:6 

COMMENTS: Why was Eve so quick to take the forbidden fruit and Adam so quick to receive it from Eve? Well, we will have to wait til heaven and ask them that question, but we don’t know how long it was from when God instructed them to when they sinned.  It might have been days or years later.  Was its curiosity or pride or innocently believing what the serpent told them.  They knew what God had told and warned them of but they had never known or experienced death or sin so they were innocent.  But they did know and trust and have relationship with God and should have believed and obeyed Him and if had questions and doubts, should have gone to Him first with their questions, right?  Well, we all know temptation has a sense of urgency prompting us to act first and not to wait.  I’m sure it was so for them.  Buyer’s remorse soon kicked in but evil was done.  They didn’t know the eternal impact of their choice.  But they did know and understand God’s warning and knew enough to know death was not something to take lightly or discount.  The serpent didn’t deny God’s warning but simply question His motives and distract Eve from remembering God’s warning and its meaning and impact.  Well, we shouldn’t blame them too much because you and I have been no better and made our own choices accepting sin over obedience.  We, like them, are in need of God’s mercy and a Savior.  Jesus came to be their Savior as well as ours and of everyone in all generations.  There is no other way to God’s forgiveness (John 14:6) and His way is 100% effective and lasting when we accept it.

Eve and Adam experience, as their first sin, unbelief or doubt.  They questioned God’s command and motive even thought they didn’t know what a lie was nor had experienced it yet.  But for them, disobedience was an immediate outcome and next step when they doubted God’s motives and God’s Words. So, it is for us too!

Francis Schaeffer, commenting on this, said: “By her doubting she called God a liar. Eve doubted… mankind in revolt doubts God”

On the contrary, the person who is at peace with God does not doubt Him. Rather, he/she trusts God. Schaeffer says this is the simplest way to describe true spirituality: it is believing God.

But it is more than just believing God at one isolated point in life. It is believing God and having ongoing belief in Him. There must be moment-by-moment personal communion with Him.

God created us to be relational, not mechanical. Healthy relationships depend on good communication. But communication is an always-in-flux, moment-by-moment kind of thing. That is why all our mechanical efforts at the Christian life fail. It’s not about reading a set number of chapters of the Bible each day. It’s not about praying long prayer but having conversation with and giving worthy praise to our Savior.

No. What is needed first, and what inspires trust is, throughout the day, seeing before us the most basic teachings of the Bible:

God exists and He is personal.

COM

9/2/19                                           Wherever You Are                                                         2 

He dwells with you and will be in you.  John 14:17

RECOMMENDED READING:  JOHN 14:25-31  “²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ²⁸ You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.²⁹ “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. ³⁰ I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. ³¹ But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.”

COMMENTS: Today’s scripture in John 14 tells us Jesus’s promise that the Father would send the Holy Spirit after Jesus leaves and returns to heaven.   The Holy Spirit would teach and remind us all things, including all Jesus taught.  The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and comes and abides with every believer from then until today and beyond.  The Holy Spirit does what Jesus could not do as a human nor do until His resurrection.  That is to be at more than one place at a time.  The Holy Spirit can and does abide with Christians all over the world at the same time teaching and instructing and encouraging each personally at the same time while giving each full focus.  He gives and helps us give focused praise and honor to Jesus and passion and strength and words to share Jesus’ message and Good News of forgiveness and new life to others. 

Many in Iran, for example, have not heard the Gospel and Moslem leadership has done all they could to prevent their people from hearing the Gospel.  But even under such oppression and threat of death to any who would share the Gospel, Jesus Himself regularly comes to Moslems in that country showing and telling them that He is real and His message is true.  Countless thousands of Moslems have been converted that way in Iran and other oppressed Moslem dominated countries.  Those new Christians are sharing Christ at great danger of persecution giving many opportunity to be converted too.  Result is revival in those unlikely countries. More Iranians have been converted in last 20 years than in past 13 centuries combined, according to “Open Doors”.  God is accomplishing His Will either with our help or in spite of our indifference and disobedience.  We can either support and get involved in His Work or be a spectator watching someone else do it or try to discourage that work.  Fact is, if we support and get involved in that work, God’s blessings will shower us and we will enjoy fellowship with Him and those new believers.  But if we disobey His commands and either sit back or oppose His Work, the consequences of loss of blessing will be a great cost to us we will one day greatly regret.  We will miss out on what will be far more precious than anything we would hope to gain.  God’s Will will be done either with our help or in spite of our lack of help or opposition.                       

The key to a blessed life is knowing God is with you. Whether you’re in a prison like Joseph in Genesis, or whether you’re free to express your faith. The Holy Spirit is with you and in you. Wherever you are, He is near. He is there.

I need Jesus…. I can’t live without Jesus for one moment. None of us can.  Wahid

 9/3/19                    Surviving  With the Book                                      3

Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92

RECOMMENDED READING: PSALM 119:89-96 “Forever, O Lord,  Your word is settled in heaven.⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures to all generations;You established the earth, and it abides.⁹¹ They continue this day according to Your ordinances,For all are Your servants.⁹² Unless Your law had been my delight,I would then have perished in my affliction.⁹³ I will never forget Your precepts,For by them You have given me life.⁹⁴ I am Yours, save me;For I have sought Your precepts.⁹⁵ The wicked wait for me to destroy me,But I will consider Your testimonies.⁹⁶ I have seen the consummation of all perfection,But Your commandment is exceedingly broad..”

COMMENTS: The importance of studying and knowing and applying God’s Word in our personal lives has been known and understood since Adam but also forgotten in every generation too.  Its importance has not changed, nor has the message it provides to us.  So why is each generation so quick to forget?  I think it is because each is tempted and effectively tempted to forget by a common enemy who has developed his evil skills of deception and persuasion over thousands of years of use.   But satan still tells lies and his message and tricks are the same because he knows they still work.   God is committed to letting each generation choose good or evil.  Choose His path and way or satan’s path and way.  Everyone is free to make his or her own choices but no one is free to choose the rewards or consequences of those choices.  That resides solely in God’s hands.  He chooses to spare us or expose us to consequences depending on our willingness to repent and receive his healing or not.  Likewise, His will and influence on us is influenced by ripple affect on lives of others in many ways we are not aware of.  God’s ways and purposes and Will is infinitely above us but is always Good, so not only can be trusted but can be relied on and confidently obeyed.

We can get through the storms of life if we have and use our Bible. We never know when adversity will show up. Some days are hard to endure. But when the Word of God is our delight, we’ll never perish in affliction. The promises of God keep us faithful; and when we remain faithful during times of adversity, our faithfulness reveals our integrity.

Also, if we study the stories of faithful followers in scripture and in past history and even in lives of us and those we know; we soon discover common characteristics:

1. God provides choices and opportunities to choose good or evil.  The evil is generally appealing, even more appealing, but also carries a common theme of selfish sinful appeal without regard for welfare and needs of others.  Short term satisfaction without regard for long term benefit.
2. Tests or trials commonly come after major choices are made to develop our dependence on Him and learn and gain faith by seeing examples of God working without seeing evidence.    Trials and tests are necessary to develop spiritual muscles necessary to prepare us for greater work He is planning for us.
3. Obedience is a journey of faith we walk not alone but with the Holy Spirit that may not always seem close at times.  But it does help to keep key scriptures visible and, in our minds, to be and stay in conversation with Him in prayer even while work and doing routine duties.
4. God is infinitely greater and stronger and wiser and able than anything or anyone including you and me and anyone, including satan and all his demons.  Since He prefers to work in the background unnoticed until timing is right, we may not notice or be aware of His involvement.  But past experiences and examples help build our faith to trust Him and proceed knowing He is on the job.
5. God is not overwhelmed, so is fully capable of giving us 100% focus while doing so to millions or even billions of others at the same time.  

“When everything around us is falling apart, when everything we thought of as dependable, when all that we once held dear is turned upside down, we can absolutely count on God.”
Hollis McGehee

9/4/19                                Faithful in Little and Faithful in Much                              4

His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”
Matthew 25:21

RECOMMENDED READING:  GENESIS 41:41-43    “⁴¹ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³ And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt.”

COMMENTS:  Everyone likes short cuts and will sometimes put more work into creating or finding short cuts to an important goal than to take the slower road to that goal.  Most skill sets needed in jobs are best learned by experience which means starting at the bottom or entry position and working our way up.    Doing so   takes longer but a better understanding of the business and of other supporting jobs are gained.  Likewise, the relationships gained with others on the journey can be very valuable too.

Formal and informal education provides many key skills and tools necessary but do not replace experience.  Some of those tools include mathematics, history, spelling and writing and language(s), learning how to study and work in teams and groups.   Also, learning how to listen and take notes and recall details from those notes and classes.

One of the biggest and most important things school and especially college teaches is how to study and how to think logically and effectively.  Most problems and challenges in life and in the work place are not taught in school but are addresses by skills developed in school and in previous work positions.  Learning how to get along with and work with others is vital.  Respect and interest in others help build trust and confidence using strengths of others to offset our weaknesses and vice versa instead of competing and tearing down others to make ourselves appear stronger and more successful. 

God has a wonderful way, but at times a painful and unpleasant way, of preparing us for His Work that He is calling us to do – to partner with Him in doing.   Truth is every employer and job we have and do is may be motivated by need to earn money to sustain ourselves and our family, but truth is our ultimate employer is God and He is the provider of all we have and need.   Our employer reaps the fruit of our work and provides money as payment, but God provides life and ability to work along with the company and employer willing to hire and provide the job for us to work at.  Yet, by seek God as our employer and make ourselves accountable to Him, we set a much higher standard of conduct and work ethic than any employer would expect or require.

I found that to be true for the 40 years of my working career, which has greatly helped me to avoid dead end shortcuts and compromises that would have had unfortunate consequences and a negative impact on my personal Christian witness and positive influence on others.  I was able to make many personal lifelong friendships with a variety of people from distant places who I would not have met without my job but also was able to have opportunity to witness of my faith in Christ to many of them too.  Likewise, many of them also witnessed to me of their faith, giving me encouragement and mentoring me too.  Mine was an apprenticeship that began as a boy and has not ended yet, even though I am retired and in my senior years of life.  I still have daily opportunity to not only mentor others but to be mentored by my seniors but also by my juniors too.  I may be retired but God still gives me work assignments each day and opportunity to witness and mentor others each day.  He also puts others in my life to mentor and encourage and teach me too.

Stories like Joseph’s are very familiar but still provide fresh instruction to young and old because his story is God’s story that includes you and me too.  What is required is our faithful obedience, like Joseph, for God to bless and use us effectively.   Then our work – our decisions – our advice will be wise and effective for us and for others we influence.

Joseph eventually made it to the top in Egypt—he was “set … over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:42). In modern terms, Pharaoh was the president and Joseph was the vice-president. Not bad for someone who entered Egypt as a teenaged slave. Joseph was promoted because of his faithfulness at two lesser jobs: steward of Potiphar’s house and “warden” of the prison (in which he was incarcerated). Because Joseph was faithful in small things, he was made “ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:21).

Let God be responsible for your promotion while you are responsible for your faithfulness. Faithfulness in little things leads to responsibility for many things.  My experience was that my job promotions came later than for some of my piers but my field of positive influence and accomplishments that matter most were greater as I look back. 

“When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most necessary.”
Unknown

9/5/19                                          From Sin to Redemption                                                5

Then they [Joseph’s brothers] said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.”  Genesis 42:21

RECOMMENDED READING: JAMES 1:2-4  “² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. “

COMMENTS:  Sin has a terrible way of leading us and even forcing us down a path that becomes one we never would have taken if had realized where it would go or   consequences it would bring, especially to other.   Joseph’s brothers wanted rid of their bothersome brother but most really didn’t want to bring him harm, but concluded getting caught or discovered, especially by their father, would be worse than getting rid of him.   They hadn’t considered that God already knew what they had done and continued to plot to do.

Paul wrote in Galatians 6:7 that we always reap what we sow.  Joseph’s story is one of countless examples recorded in scripture.  Take some time to reflect on examples from your own family and maybe some   you recall from your own life too.

Joseph remained faithful and God abided with and sustained and protected him until one day he was able to confront his brothers.  No, not to judge them but to FORGIVE THEM!! God worked on each brother in those years so Joseph could see the change in them that he had hoped for.   Those brothers still had to face what they dreaded all those years, telling their father what they had done.  Much worse was their sin than if they had confessed at the beginning of their scheme, but the path to redemption required it and healing then would come for Joseph and for his brothers but also for Joseph’s father who still grieved for him believing him to be dead.

The consequences of sin are meant to be redemptive but will be judgmental to point of severe punishment if left unresolved and unrepented. Writing about the trials we experience in life—even the trials of our own making—the apostle James wrote that they can produce perseverance. And the purpose of perseverance is to produce maturity in our life (James 1:2-4). That was the result in Joseph’s brothers’ lives when they discovered that Joseph was still alive and was a ruler in Egypt. They repented of their sin and were reunited with the one they had tried to be rid of.

That is how God wants to work and will if we turn from our sin and to Him with a repentant and obedient heart (soul) and mind.

When trials appear in your life, let them do their redemptive work. The path to spiritual maturity is paved with stones of repentance. Trials of our own making as well as trials caused by sins of others and even trials without a known cause, all serve to carry us to higher maturity and greater faith and love for Him.

None of us can come to the highest maturity without enduring the summer heat of trials.
Charles H. Spurgeon

 

9/6/19                                        Against Our Nature                           6

John 16:13-14 – (Jesus said) “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you.”

COMMENTS:  When we accept Christ’s forgiveness and redemption, we have access to the creator and sustainer of His entire creation.  We have direct access to the resource of all with full power and authority over all.  Yet, satan seem to keeping an upper hand controlling at least everything we know and see on this world.  But our Bible tells us satan’s influence will not last forever, and the “signs of the times” identified are unfolding today giving us evidence the time of Christ’s return – the time of great tribulation and then judgment on satan and his followers, will soon come to pass.  This promise and unfolding evidence do give Christ followers confident assurance Christ will soon stop satan’s evil mischief and destruction and we will enjoy an earth and heaven perfect as He intended at creation.  We will enjoy this new earth and heaven with new bodies, sinless personalities, with our loved ones, with all the saints of old sharing and receiving all life experiences God graced with His abiding influence and help but most of all with Him.

But it is not in our nature to endure hardship and trials and disaster without seeing at least some evidence of a “light at the end of the tunnel of darkness” to give us hope.  Well, that is why God provides the “Holy Spirit” to guide and encourage and empower us to live faithfully in the meantime.   We also have scripture to encourage and council us based on God’s Word, Jesus’ teaching and life example, and the example of many lives of faithful servants over the centuries since Adam.  Then there are the deterrent examples of those who disobeyed and refused God’s offers of redemption.  Examples like Saul and Judas and the religious leaders of Jesus’ day…  We can’t imagine the level of regret they will experience for eternity, but Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man gives us a clue and warning urging us to not foolishly reject Christ’s offer of redemption.

Well, if you have done any home remodeling or repairs, you soon discover the mess and inconvenience and work and construction time and even cost needed exceeds your expectations, even if using a contractor. Maybe not every time but considerable work and focus is necessary to complete any worthwhile project.   As true as that is, the work of restoring our soul and remodeling the world when He returns is His Work, not ours.  Likewise, the home He is preparing for us and the “New Jerusalem” He is building will be so far beyond our expectation and imagination that we can’t even sufficiently anticipate and look forward to it.

Well, our work is in obedience and submission, which is infinitely easier than His work but still overwhelming to us at time.  But He even has understood and planned for that by providing His Holy Spirit and Scripture and abiding presence of other believers so we need not fail and will not fail if we put our hand in His and keep our eyes on Him.  We fail, like Peter, when we take our eyes off Him and focus on life’s storms and struggles.

At times we ask ourselves and ask God, “When will it be over?  When will you return?”  I am reminded our aunt saying in her elderly years how much she was looking forward to heaven.  I can also remember her response when in the hospital I had to tell her the doctors said she didn’t have much time left.  Her immediate response was “I can’t wait”.   She then shared how pleased she was to be able to know me and my family in her elderly years.  The joy and confident hope she radiated even on her last day will not be forgotten by me or any in my family who knew and loved her.  Her example is one of many that continues to encourage and energize me as I approach and enter my elderly years too.   I was certain that I would live to witness His return but now I’m starting to believe I will see death first.  But by doing so I realize I have opportunity to be the example my aunt and parents and sister were to those I will leave behind. But top priority is to live and work to give them as many opportunities to know and follow Christ too.

But is not works that saves us or even causes others to be saved.  It is solely Christ’s redemptive sacrifice on the cross completed at His resurrection on Easter morning.  Paul knew and expressed this truth in many passages like Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast”

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for changing us, and please keep on changing us to be more like Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. When was the last time you got into a job that was over your head?

2. Just how does the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth?

3. Is God making changes in your life? How so?

9/7/19                             When Resentment Melts                                 7                   

Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.  Matthew 18:27

 

Recommended Reading: MATTHEW 18:21-35 “ ²¹ Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ³⁰ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.””

COMMENTS:  Today’s scripture gives us Jesus’ parable of the ungrateful servant in response to Peter’s question related to obligation to forgive others.  Jesus’ response basically tells him and us that our forgiveness should have not limits because His forgiveness to us has no limits either.

This story helps us realize just how much our forgiveness cost Him but also just how much sin we are forgiven for.  Forgiving others does get easier when we remind ourselves and give Him praise and thanks for His mercies.  Also, realizing we have been forgiven far more than we ever would need to forgive others for.  Even Corrie TenBoom discovered and faced this realization when encountered one of the Nazi guards at an evangelistic service she was leading.  That guard, who had been responsible for her sister’s death and suffering and death of many others, was among the many who went forward to receive forgiveness and redemption. Corrie led him to Christ but not before taking a few moments of struggle to let God guide her to resolving the resentment and hatred she still had for him.

President Herbert Hoover was raised mostly by his uncle, who was a good teacher but was able to show very little affection. For that, Hoover resented him. But when the President heard his uncle was dying, he had a change of heart. His biographer wrote, “The bitterness he felt at having been a chore-laden outsider in his uncle’s home, the resentment he had nursed over the great taskmaster’s discipline, simply melted away.” Hoover sent a warm message to his uncle and later issued a statement to the press, saying that his uncle had, in fact, been “my second father.” He afterward looked at the man with appreciation.

We often experience hurt feelings and resentment for many reasons but often caused by false or incomplete information. But when God gives us a dose of compassion, it’s remarkable how quickly the resentment can melt away. People who have carried grudges for years often find them disappearing in light of a tragedy or sadness or moment of human need. Jesus taught us to have compassion on each other because of God’s compassion on us. He is gentle toward all He has made.

Are you holding a grudge? Try looking at that person with the compassion Jesus has shown to you.  We might just discover the reason why, and gain a greater understanding for, the way some people act and respond to others.

Brains can argue, but it takes heart to comfort.
Samuel Chadwick

 

9/8/19                  CLEARLY GOD IN CIRCUMSTANCES                                          8

Now [Jacob] loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age.
Genesis 37:3

 

Scripture:  ROMANS 15:22-33 “²² For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. ²³ But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, ²⁴ whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. ²⁵ But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. ²⁶ For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. ²⁷ It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. ²⁸ Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. ²⁹ But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.³⁰ Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, ³¹ that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, ³² that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. ³³ Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

COMMENTS: When I read accounts of early Christians in Acts or reflect on Paul’s  teaching in his letters or  life experiences of faithful God followers from the old  testament times, I am amazed how well they kept a positive attitude and determined resolve to be and remain faithful to God, and to Christ in New Testament times when their persecutors were bearing down on them and they had no ability to escape or defend  themselves.  They were much like Daniel facing the lion’s den.   Many of them did not escape their lion’s den and died martyrs of the faith.  Some were eaten alive and some were burned alive and some died on Roman crosses like Christ. Some were spared or escaped but many faced a painful death boldly proclaiming Christ’s message.    

But when we the perspective God gave them; we realize they saw the brevity of their lives from eternal perspective of heaven and decided to sacrifice what remains of their lives to invest in an eternal return based on God’s promises.  To die was to bring those promises to them sooner instead of later.

Paul endured great suffering and sacrifice to spread the Gospel message and win lost people to Christ.  His three journeys took much out of his physical and emotional energy but was planning a fourth in closing chapters or Romans.  That 4^th journey did happen but not as he had planned.  In the closing chapters of Romans, Paul was planning a trip to Spain and stopping in Rome on the way.  Paul’s 4^th journey did happen but not as he planned.  At the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul laid out his plans. He intended to launch a fourth missionary journey and press further than ever—all the way to Spain. He told the Romans he would visit them on the way. But things didn’t work out as Paul planned. Arriving in Jerusalem, Paul was arrested, and he occupied a cell in Caesarea for two years. When he finally arrived in Rome, it wasn’t as a missionary headed to Spain, but as a prisoner headed to trial (see Acts 28). Yet the Lord was in it all.

He did go to Rome but not as a traveler on his way to Spain but as a prisoner who would be able to write and receive visitors in Rome for 2 years before finally faced his own execution.  He didn’t know what would happen next but took every opportunity to share Christ’s message and did know His future waiting for him on the other side of the grave.     

You and I can’t be sure how our future or even next day will unfold or turn out but we can be certain of our final destination and have confidence the promises scripture gives those who accepts His redemption and remain faithful to Him will receive and eternally enjoy all that God promises to them.

Like Paul, we can look at our circumstances and clearly see God’s hand guiding us if we take the time to reflect on how He has done so in our past.   The more years we live, the more we discover and appreciate that to be true.

Just like Paul, we should be planning for the future and doing the best we can to wisely manage the days to come. But God is still the Lord of the circumstances, and when things don’t go as we had hoped or planned, it’s our responsibility to say, “Well, dear Lord, do as You will.”

That is CLEARLY the best attitude to take in any situation.

“God’s answers to life’s questions are not just proven by the process of abstract reasoning; they are also sustained by the rigors of experience.”  Ravi Zacharias

9/9/19                                  When You Ask “Why, God?”                              9                                                     

SCRIPTURE: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’ that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?‘”  – Matthew 27:46

COMMENTS: Who would have thought, 20 years ago, we would witness in the news shootings in schools and churches.  Inner cities in large cities and maybe in areas dominated by drug dealers and gangsters were where children or elderly were at risk especially at night.  But then churches and schools were generally considered safe areas especially in smaller communities or even suburbs of large cities.  But today no one feels safe because deranged shoots, even pre-teens, filled with hate find their way into public gatherings and randomly shoot and kill any in their path.

So, what has changed since then?  Many things but more notably is lack of a moral compass, especially in generations born after 2000.  But what foundation are these children and youth building their lives on?   Parents who didn’t attend church nor teach their children even basic Christian values and moral standards let alone learn about Christ’s plan for redemption and salvation. Instead video games and TV have been dominant teachers of moral conduct.  But the spiral down started long before 2000.   Value of life started deteriorating with legalization of abortion and importance of family unit was replaced with importance of each individual looking out for number 1.  The “if it feels good, do it” philosophy.

Well, if we take a look back at history with emphasis on biblical history recorded in scripture, we soon discover a repeated cycle of behavior not only individual lived but so did society and countries.  Israel prospered and grew in size and population and wealth and influence when they, as a group and nation and individual families and individuals were faithful to and had a meaningful relationship with God.  The spiral downhill was:

1. Faithfulness to God brought obedience to God’s moral commands and close relationship with and obedience to God’s instruction.  Result was growth in wealth   – peace – strength – influence – happiness.
2. Then came contentment that resulted in neglect of fellowship and relationship with God and neglect of seeking and obeying Him.
3. Then came straying from faithfulness and exploration of sinful behavior and replacing time spent with God with pursuits for self-gratification and self wants.
4. Then came immoral behavior and disregard for family and charity for others.
5. Then came disregard for life and increase in violent behavior and more open and unashamed sinful behavior.
6. Then came disrespect and even anger towards those who still hold to old values sacred to previous generations or to scripture.
7. Then came weakening of society and country and persecution of those faithful to God.
8. Then came invaders who took captives as slaves and separated children from parents by killing one or both or just by making them slaves. 
9. Finally, people would plead for mercy and help from God asking for deliverance from their captors.  Such was the case when Babylon invaded Israel and was 70 years before they were allowed to return and rebuild their land, taking much work and effort and time to regain what was lost simply because of not obeying God.

Well, the USA, for example began as a country founded and organized using God’s commands and the Bible as the manuals and guidelines to build a country and government and individual communities.  Families were vital unit to raise children and church was the center of fellowship and worship.  The Bible was the primary teaching tool in schools and books like the “New England Primer” that taught children to read by telling bible stories.   Those who went to church and conducted themselves as Jesus taught were respected and those who didn’t were criticized and obstructed.

Revival spread across USA several times over the next 200 years – bringing peace and strong moral and family behavior.  The last revival of national size can be debated but was likely in 1860’s but have been smaller ones in 1930’s and possibly “Jesus” movement in 1970’s.  But today the church is dramatically weaker and poorly attended except in 3^rd world countries in Africa and South America and countries with tyrannical dictatorships suppressing and inflicting suffering on their people.  It is in these countries people are embracing the Gospel and being transformed in large numbers by Christ.  Suffering and persecution seem to be the needed catalyst we humans need to persuade us to turn to Christ and allow Him to come in our souls and transform us to be more like Him.    If that human characteristic, when has been repeated in history, is still true; then we in the USA can expect our future to be filled with suffering sufficient to cause us to wake up and repent and turn back to Christ for forgiveness and healing and restoration of what is being lost.

So, when we ask “Why, God?”, maybe we should realize “We are reaping what we sowed” and it isn’t God’s fault but ours.

Well when tragedy strikes, we need to realize:

God is still on His Throne with full authority and power and wisdom and still   involved. GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL

GOD IS STILL GOOD AND LOVING AND GOOD AND PERFECT.

GOD NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE NOR IS NEVER LATE.

BUT MOST OF ALL, GOD STILL LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU AND ME!!

God allows things to happen in life that don’t make sense to us… but they do make sense to Him. His understanding compared to our understanding is like the Pacific Ocean compared to a tea cup. When we ask God our why questions, His response is typically something akin to this, “My child, you would not understand even if I explained it to you. (Our teacup minds cannot begin to contain the enormity of the Pacific Ocean.)  So how about this: just trust Me.”

TRUST AND PRAY

In the midst of this tragedy, may we trust God and pray that He would use this somehow and some way to further His Kingdom.  May He use this as an opportunity for people like you and me to have spiritual conversations with those who do not know Christ.  May we be faithful to pray for the families of those killed … and for the church, the pastor and the entire community.  May we remember that this fallen world is not our home.  We are citizens of heaven who are to hold all things loosely while on this earth.  Nothing really belongs to us, not even our own children.  Everything belongs to God — “Behold, all souls are Mine” (Ezekiel 18:4). 

We are simply the managers of His stuff.   May we manage well, trusting Him to do “all things well” and “work all things together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

 

9/10/19                                             Before They Call                                        10

Psalm 119:169-170 – “Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your Word! Let my plea come before You; deliver me according to Your Word.”

COMMENTS:  What have you cried to the Lord for?   What urgent need have you pleaded to Him to receive?  Have those cries petitioned for yourself or for another loved one or friend? God does hear all our prayers with His full attention.  We don’t need to cry or plead or shout or beg but we do need to give Him our full attention.   So maybe we need to shout sometimes to get our attention so we can give it to Him.

Our prayers so often cover every aspect of our lives: faith, relationships, work, home, and finances. Will the Lord hear our cries? How and when will He answer? We join the psalmist in praying for an answer to those questions: “Give me understanding according to Your Word!”

This is a prayer that God has already answered. He addresses our questions about prayer and gives us understanding according to His Word. In His Word, God promises, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15). Jesus said, “Pray then like this” (Matthew 6:9a) and then taught us the words we call the Lord’s Prayer, precious words that provide a pattern for all of our prayers. The Word of God teaches us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), something we also learn from the psalmist, whose Spirit-inspired words so often provide us with words we borrow and make our own. And even when we stumble through our petitions, uncertain of the words to say, “the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26b). The teachings of the Word are illustrated by the example of our Lord and His disciples. Jesus would withdraw alone to pray or spend all night in prayer. On the night He was betrayed, He brought His anguished petition before His Heavenly Father’s throne. Jesus’ followers followed the example of their Lord, praying often for strength through mission and martyrdom.

Even as he prays for understanding, the psalmist also asks, “Let my plea come before You; deliver me according to Your Word.” That plea was answered according to another promise of the Word: “Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). Before we called on Him, even before the foundation of the world, God chose us in Christ to be His own (see Ephesians 1:4). Before we ever knew or acknowledged our need, before we were born, He sent His Son to save us. As the psalmist begs of God, we were delivered according to the Word—according to the Word of God’s promise, according to the Word made flesh, through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. For God showed His love for us “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, through Your love for us in Christ Jesus, hear and answer our prayers. When we have doubts or when do not know the words to say, give us understanding according to Your Word. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you ever get emotional when you pray?

2. Could we become better at getting an understanding according to God’s Word? How might we do that?

3. Are you able to persist in prayer when things are difficult for you? When prayer seems futile, what do you do to center yourself back on God and His Word?

9/11/19            9/11 Anniversary – A Reminder What is Important             11

 ^“6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.⁸ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.⁹ Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.¹¹ Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.¹² There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?¹³ Go to now, ye that say, To day or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:¹⁴ Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.¹⁵ For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”  James 4:6-14

COMMENTS:  Today 18 years ago (9/11/2001) was the day a few evil inspired men planned and implemented the plan to destroy the twin towers in New York City killing as many as they could.  The plan included destroying the Pentagon building, which was only partly accomplished, but the third plane (Flight 93) intended for the capital building was stopped by the brave passengers who overpowered their captors.  Everyone, especially in the US can remember exactly what they were doing when they heard of the attack in NYC.  I can too. I was at work in the middle of a customer presentation.  I was focused and at first was tempted to delay the distraction, but quickly realized the magnitude of what was unfolding and my work quickly took a back seat.

I can recall many praying and prayed with many of them during those uncertain hours.  I can remember our pastor calling the church to prayer and sanctuary being filled with community coming to pray.  No one knew what would happen next but what was in the back of my mind, and probably with most Christians, was “Are we at the door of the Great Tribulation” and “Is Christ’s return immanent”?   Well, 17 years later those questions are still on my mind and on the minds of many Christians.  But instead of terrorist attacks spurring those thoughts, it is a bolder amoral behavior in society and even in my own community that makes us think His return is immanent.  It is hostility towards Christians and disgust for Christ’s redemptive message that is more evident worldwide today than 17 years ago.  But then again, a genuine deep hunger for the Gospel is become more evident in countries where poverty or persecution is most severe.  Those who hear of Christ’s sacrifice and His love and see themselves as God does but also for who God dreams of them to become.  In large numbers they see what Christ is offering, the empty religion they have been following, and embrace the Gospel, but often at great cost.  As in the first century, to be a Christian comes at great cost in job and security and even in acceptance of family.

Truth is no one but God knows when He will return, but we are 18 years closer today and the level of persecution is pointing to that fact.  The indifference more common in USA and other prosperous free countries is also where the persecution of Christians is mildest, but is steadily increasing.  Could it be persecution makes Christians stronger in their faith and attracts new believers to join them?  That doesn’t make human sense, but history confirms that to be true.  Why?  Because the conduct of Christians who endure persecution confirms the truth of what they believe.  The evil of those motivated to persecute becomes more evident to those who witness it and maybe even to some who are doing the persecution.

God will have His Way either with us or in spite of us.  When we resist or oppose His Will, we put ourselves and those influenced by us at risk.  Well, most don’t think they are opposing God, just continuing down the road of life doing what makes sense to them doing the best they can.  Doing what seems right to them.  When life is good and peaceful, they are content to repeat what seems to work.  When they feel empty, they try to fill that emptiness with things or pleasure or other distractions.   Cost in time and money for such pursuits may not be sinful of themselves but can be satan’s way of distracting us from better pursuits.  Pursuits God designed us to reach for and do.  Pursuits that change us to be more like Him and draw others as well.  Pursuits to eternal life and not to empty dead ends.  By sharing this message, I too am reflecting and recognizing I still fall short of the goal of pursuing eternal goals instead of selfish goals that don’t last.  I still waste time and money on things and activities and pleasures that don’t last but bring pleasure for a time. But as God continues to work on and guide me in the pursuit of His Will, I pray and encourage you too to reflect and seek His loving and guiding Holy Spirit to show you and help you pursue the Will and Plan He has for you on both the big things that require a major change in direction but also the little things we waste time and money on each day we need to let go and use that time and money in better ways.

Today we remember the events of 9/11/01 and those who lost their lives that day.  We also remember those who endure suffering and sickness and loss that still endure that loss over the years to today.  God has protected our country from outside invaders desiring to destroy us, even during times of world wars with powerful enemies approaching.  God’s protection can only continue if we surrender to His Will and follow Him.  History proves that as does scripture.  The consequences of that protective hand being removed during judgment from rebellion against Him also is proven by history and scripture.

God is calling us back to Himself and away from satan’s lures and pleasures and distractions.  He is calling us to turn from sin and to Himself.    He is calling us to repentance.  But He is calling His people, the Christian Church people, first to repentance before calling them to lead others to the cross, to repentance, to redemption, to eternal life.

Take time today to stop and remember, to reflect, but also to review and turn from ourselves and towards Him.    Even the best of us are unrighteous in His eyes, so we all have work to do.  Work of repentance and turning from sinfulness and selfishness – disobedience and towards our Savior and Redeemer.  Towards Christ.   I am doing that and will do so when I finished this post and at times throughout this day.  It is 6AM and still dark but the hope of the sun rising again is about to be revealed once again.  God’s confirming mercy.  

Such reflections draw us to hold our families close and express our love to them.  As we do that, I also encourage you to express gratitude and worship to God for His mercies but also seek His forgiveness and healing for our sins.  Our future is in God’s hands but our choices decide what future we will experience.  Let’s choose wisely. 

I invite you to read 2 Chronicles 5-7.  This is the account of Solomon’s dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.  Chapter 6 reveals his prayer and Chapter 7 include insight God gave Solomon during that dedication including warnings of consequences of rebelling against God but then the promise if we turn back is given by him:

2 Chronicles 7:14 “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.”          

9/12/19                                            Connections                                      12                                            When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons … “Go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.”  Genesis 42:1-2

Scripture Reading: ACTS 16:6-10 “⁶ Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. ⁷ After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. ⁸ So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

COMMENTS:  Joseph developed a deep steadfast faith in God that guided him and protected him through dangerous mine fields of pagan temptations and beliefs without influencing or changing him.   He trusted God without knowing or seeing evidence of God’s influence.  Yet situations continued to get worse, not better, for a number of years.  Finally, after at least 12 years of living as a slave and then as a prisoner, it seemed as though he would die without seeing any benefit of his faithfulness.  But, wait, God was not finished.  Then, in a matter of days, Joseph went from a dirty prison to a wealthy man with power and authority second only to pharaoh.  Only God could turn around situations that quickly.  He did so because Joseph had proved himself during trying times to be ready to shine and fulfilled his purpose God had been preparing him for.  The drought came but not before God had prepared Joseph to lead and manage His provisions and distribute them to His own family as well as the world’s nations.  Joseph was able to show the world what God does and provides.  God also prepared Joseph to forgive his brothers and prepare his brothers to be forgiven.  Egypt and the rest of the world were about to witness first hand God’s mercy and healing and redemption.  I believe there were more tears of joy shared when Joseph and his brothers reconciled than they shed.  I believe Pharaoh and his court from top to bottom marveled and cried too.  We are not told any believed in Joseph’s God but I, for one, believe many did.  I believe there was a revival in Egypt that prospered them with God’s blessings for many years until centuries later a Pharaoh was ruling who did not know or appreciate Joseph’s God or the Israelites decedent of Joseph and his brothers.

Jacob endured over a dozen years thinking his favorite son of his favorite wife was dead.  But then again, he had deceived his brother and even tried to trick God so he really deserved suffering he endured.  But God’s mercy showered him too when he finally made journey to Egypt to enjoy his lost son’s wealth and a long reunion he had dreamed of a long time.   I bet a lot of tears were once again shed in Egypt the day Joseph and his father embraced in Pharaoh’s court.   

God often uses tragedy or suffering or even disastrous events—like a famine—to accomplish great spiritual purposes. Be sensitive to the circumstances in your life, both big and small; so be on the lookout for the spiritual connection(s).  The degree of devastation may not be as great but the results of remaining faithful and obedient will have eternal significance not only for you but for those you care about and beyond. 

God’s grace is sufficient for us anywhere His providence places us.
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9/13/19                                     JUSTICE IN THE CHURCH                                                     13

Ezekiel 34:15-17a, 18-20, 23 – “I Myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I Myself will make them lie down,” declares the Lord GOD. “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. As for you, My flock … Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? And must My sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?” Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: “Behold, I, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. … And I will set up over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.”

COMMENTS:  Have you ever witnessed someone hurt in the church from careless or even deliberate mean words or actions said or done by another in the church.  It is far worse when done by someone inside the church doors than done by someone outside the church.  Maybe you were that person hurt and have never forgotten experience nor forgiven the offender.   I’ve been witness to and attempted to be a peacemaker, because I was chairman of the pastor-parish relations committee for our church, not once but twice a few years apart. 

The experienced has brought me to a couple of conclusions:

1. If forgiveness prevails, affected parties remain in the church and church grows in strength and numbers.
2. If one leaves to bring peace, forgiveness doesn’t happen and church gets weaker and less in numbers and church people all grow weaker.
3. Forgiveness can be counseled and encouraged and even stronger attempts of persuasion given, but the offender must repent and seek forgiveness and the offended must forgive unconditionally.  That doesn’t forgo restitution in some way to rebuild trust and repair damage sin caused.
4. Forgiveness and moving on is more effective and more common in the work place than in Christian churches.  Why?  Well the motivation to have a job and earn an income is a necessity and belonging to a church family all too often is considered an option or luxury or can easily be satisfied at another church.  Ignored is the truth that broken relationships between Christians negatively affect the relationships they have with God and ripple affect often devastates the church family and beyond.

So, what are we to do?  My church did not experience forgiveness in either of the conflicts I witnessed because one involved left to attend or shepherd another church instead of stayed to deal with the hard issues around the conflict.  As a result, healing did not happen and wounds continued, making the church as well as those directly involved weaker and more distant in their relationship with each other but also with their God.  How said when God desired and offered a far better resolution for all.

Well, there is a special deeper pain that comes from being hurt by people within God’s church. That is why forgiving is more difficult and pride becomes harder to overcome. We expect pain and conflict in the world around us, but we hope for better things from fellow Christian believers. So, when it happens, it hurt worse. It hurts when someone gossips about us, when someone spreads malicious lies, when we are ignored or left out or treated as anything less than a full brother or sister in Christ. Often this is the underlying offense hidden behind something else more visible made known or complained about.  It hurts so much that some people even leave because of the pain—leave that congregation, or (God forbid!) leave the Christian faith altogether.  That is the tragedy and outcome satan is so skillful at using to weaken and destroy Christians and their families and church families.

But, God is not asleep! He is fully aware of our pain when these evil things happen. And He will put an end to it, as He has promised: “I will feed them in justice. As for you, My flock,” thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep … Must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?” God will not put up with this behavior in His church forever. Judgment is coming.  Judgment comes when we refuse to forgive.  Consequences of such choices is far worse than anything desired by choosing not to forgive.  Self-destruction in order to satisfy revenge is the result!  How tragic especially since it is so unnecessary.

But more than that, comfort is coming. For God has also promised us that Jesus will be our Shepherd. He will watch over us, provide for us, and keep an eye on what is going on in the flock. He will not allow injustice to stand forever. How could He? He is the One who destroyed the power of evil on the cross, even as it cost Him His own life. He won that victory when He rose from the dead. And He will certainly cleanse His church both now and on that final day when He returns to bring us all into the new heavens and new earth.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, when evil happens in the church, please put a stop to it and help us. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* When have you been hurt at church? Was the situation resolved, or does it still hurt?

* Are you aware of any times you have hurt others? How could you heal those situations?

* Do you know anyone hurting right now who could use your care? What could you do?

9/14/19                               One Coin, Two Sides                                       14      

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.”
Genesis 43:16

Recommended Reading:  ROMANS 5:20-21  “²⁰ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, ²¹ so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

COMMENTS:  Joseph was moved deeply when his brothers returned to Egypt with Benjamin.  He so wanted to reveal himself to them but knew he first needed to know if his brothers had changed.   So, he decided to invite them to lunch at his house so ordered preparation and placed them at the dinner table in their birth order and served Benjamin 5 times as much food as others while watching their reaction.  His concerns and fears were satisfied and he took comfort in knowing his brothers were indeed remorseful for their sin against him.  Now would come the moment Joseph had longed for, revealing himself to them.  When they realized Joseph was alive and had the authority and ability and opportunity to kill them or render severe punishment on them, they felt the full magnitude and depth of their sin and repented.   Joseph saw that change and was able to forgive and restore fellowship with them knowing he was not enabling future sins in them but providing healing for them and their family. 

But Joseph was not the only one who needed to forgive them.  Benjamin needed to forgive them for depriving him of his older brother.  Jacob needed to forgive them for depriving him of his son to Rachel.  The process of healing took time, but started with Joseph.    Egypt was also going to experience and discover the power of forgiveness and the impact of living a life obedient to God’s commands and living in fellowship with God.   Pharaoh was no longer to be considered the supreme authority.  Pharaoh still would have supreme authority in Egypt but even Pharaoh was to discover and submit to God’s authority and Will.  The details of that are not recorded in scripture so we don’t know how deeply Pharaoh followed God, but he certainly loved and respected Joseph and recognized and honored Joseph’s God.  God had spared Egypt of starvation and provided a man of integrity showing Egypt and Pharaoh specifically what a righteous life looks like and impact and good such a life shows and does.   

Mercy is withholding deserved punishment, while grace is giving a blessing or benefit not deserved. Hebrews 4:16: We come before God in prayer to “obtain mercy” (to be spared from deserved judgment) and “find grace to help in time of need” (receive undeserved help). They are the two sides of the same theological coin.

When Jacob’s sons went to Egypt, they received both grace and mercy from their brother, He could have punished them for their sin against him, but he didn’t. Joseph was merciful. He also fed them and met their need of food for Jacob’s family—favors they didn’t deserve. Joseph was also gracious. God is both merciful and gracious to us in the same way.

We also have frequent opportunities to be both merciful and gracious toward others. Let us take every opportunity to be like God: merciful and gracious (Ephesians 4:32).

The habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy, and zeal.   J. I. Packer

 

9/15/19                                            Behind the Scenes                                15   

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.  Genesis 45:3

Recommended Reading: Acts 28:16-31  “¹⁶ Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.¹⁷ And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. ²⁰ For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”²¹ Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”²³ So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. ²⁴ And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ²⁵ So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, ²⁶ saying,‘Go to this people and say:“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;And seeing you will see, and not perceive;²⁷ For the hearts of this people have grown dull.Their ears are hard of hearing,And their eyes they have closed,Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,So that I should heal them.”’²⁸ “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” ²⁹ And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.³⁰ Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, ³¹ preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”

COMMENTS:  God has an amazing way of using the worst situations and most trying times to bring blessing to his followers and honor to Himself.  Quite frankly, God has the right and authority and power more than sufficient to do anything – anytime – anywhere He wants!  And we don’t have any!  But He has chosen to allow us to make choices good and bad.  He gives us the privilege of making choices but He retains control of the consequences of those choices.  He has allowed satan to do His evil mischief but not without limits or restraints.  Job gives us a clear example from Job’s life of such a situation.   One that allowed satan to tempt and torment Job worse than most of us will face and more than most of us could bear.  But Job not only bore that suffering but came out of that time far better off spiritually and even materially.  The Bible is full of examples of those whom God greatly blessed after a time of noteworthy trial and testing and temptation. 

Joseph is such an example.  God didn’t cause his brothers to sell him into slavery or for all the events that causes Joseph to end up in an Egyptian prison.  But He did limit satan’s mischief on Joseph and did take over and bless Joseph when He decided the time of testing was complete.  Well, that testing time was not only to prepare Joseph to lead but prepare his brothers to repent and accept His forgiveness and healing.  Even Jacob, their father, need forgiveness and repentance for his sins too.   Healing comes at a price for Christ but also for those involved.   When we endure sickness or loss or hardships of any kind, we need to immediately go to Him seeking help and forgiveness and also council.   Until we know the cause and purpose and goal, we need to hang on and be obedient and faithful, like Job and like Joseph.   They not only showed us how to manage authority and blessings that come from God but also how to manage trials and tragedy when they come – tragedy that makes no sense and fails to reveal a purpose.  The purpose will come in His time, but not before.

Oriental carpets were originally woven by hand. While the top side of the carpet (the visible side) appeared neat and beautiful, the backside (the floor side) was different. It was usually a series of tangled knots with threads beginning, ending, and tied off in unpredictable places. Order and beauty on one side was supported by seemingly random tangles on the other.  Our lives often only show the back side with no evidence that there is a top side.  But then again, faith is not developed or grown easily nor without the hard work of testing.  God in His love and wisdom understands that, so allows us to endure such as necessary for that growth.  Knowing the carpet of our lives does have another side gives us courage and encouragement and faith to be faithful to His Word and guiding hand even when it makes no sense or has no good end.  His promises of heaven make even death endurable.  Afterall, death is inevitable whether we live a day or 100 years.

We must trust God’s work behind the scenes in our life. He will do what is needed to call us to repentance and lead us to greater maturity.  Yes, even if that purpose is not revealed until we are greeting by Christ and many of our loved ones in heaven.

“Even the wicked actions of men serve God’s purposes and it is by His works of providence that He permits those wicked actions to be done.”
J. Gresham Machen

9/16/19                                      HONORING GOD                    16  

Then Judah came near to [Joseph] and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh.”  Genesis 44:18

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING:  ROMANS 13:1-5  “ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.”

COMMENTS: Judah had been at the center of the evil conspiracy ring of brothers that sold Joseph into slavery but his family later become the source of Christ’s lineage.  What changed to give him such honor.  The answer is revealed in Genesis 44.  Judah revealed a transformation in himself by his response to Joseph when confronted with risk of loosing his youngest brother Benjamin.  Judah didn’t yet know the Egyptian official he was addressing was his lost brother, Joseph, or that Joseph was using this situation to test his brothers to see if they had repented of the evil, they had done to him some 20 years before.

But Judah had changed and so had the other brothers, as Joseph was to see evidence of in their response to risk of Benjamin facing imprisonment for a crime he didn’t do.

Joseph’s brother had to comply with the laws and authority of Egypt while dwelling in Egypt.  But the goods news for them was that second in command in Egypt was their brother, Joseph.  God had placed him in that position of authority to save them and Egypt but to make it known that God was in control and had ultimate authority over all nations.

Paul addressed the bigger subject of authority of government and complying to its laws.   He was referring to the authority of Rome, knowing the brutality and pagan background of Rome.  He also knew the evil motives of the Jewish leaders and even his own prior to his conversion on the Damascus road.  Paul identifies that the authority of Roman rule and Jewish leadership was God ordained and given respect and compliance, but he also recognized that God’s rule and authority supersedes and overshadows earthly leadership. Where there is a conflict, God’s rules prevail but most of the worldly rules do not conflict and should be obeyed.   Jesus said it this way, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s!”

Roman rule and the rule of evil leaders will be overthrown in God’s way and in God’s time.  God dealt with Paul’s evil deeds by changing him.  In the case of many Roman rulers, God dealt with them by death or defeat because they would not repent.  Same was true of Jewish leadership but a few like Nicodemus did repent.

Joseph’s brothers would have faced full judgment for their sins, possibly at the hand of their brother, Joseph, if they had not repented.  But that day Joseph revealed himself to them as a loving forgiving brother instead of the hand of God’s judgment on them. But their repentance changed everything and enabled healing in Jacob’s family and even for Jacob.  This result was the way of real lasting joy for Jacob and his sons but especially for Joseph.  Benjamin got to meet and get to know his lost brother and fill in the blanks he might have missed about their common mother, Rachael.

Submitting to earthly authorities is only one step removed from submitting to God Himself. At our jobs, we are to work for our employer as if we are working for God (Colossians 3:23). And when we submit to civil authorities, it is like submitting to God since He established their authority (Romans 13:1-5). One of the things Joseph’s brothers did right was submitting to Joseph as if he was the Pharaoh.

Submission is a hard thing to do—at least with reverence and honor. Joseph’s brother, Judah, slowly sensed that God was doing something unexpected in their relationship with Joseph (whom they had not recognized). Because of this, Judah bowed in honor before Joseph in recognition of the authority of Joseph’s position. He humbled himself before the one who ultimately would save Jacob’s family.  Judah and fellow conspiring brothers had been found out and would have to face their father with their sin before their healing and            forgives would be completed, but began by facing Joseph.  The humility and courage necessary were greater with the passing of years, but was now finally coming to pass.  The brothers and Judah especially were finally ready to repent and accept the consequences.  Joseph did not reveal himself to them until he saw evidence of that repentance. 

GOD MAY NOT REVEAL HIMSELF FULLY TO US UNTIL WE REPENT AND ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SINS TOO!  God, in His mercy may indeed spare us most or even all of those consequences, but we must be willing to trust Him and trust in His love and wisdom.

There is a lesson there for us. Humility and honor for authority figures is always appropriate since God is at work in our life through them. Agreement is not the immediate point—honor is. 

“Reverence and boasting cannot be found on the same platform.”  A. W. Tozer

 

9/17/19                                       We Thought You Were Dead                                   17     

And they told [Jacob] saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.”  Genesis 45:26

RECOMMENDED READING:  MATTHEW 28:1-8 “ Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. ² And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. ³ His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. ⁴ And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.⁵ But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ⁷ And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”⁸ So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”

COMMENTS:  Take a moment and imagine what Joseph’s brothers felt and thought when Joseph told them he was their lost brother.  Joseph now was second in command to Pharaoh with authority over all the resources of Egypt.  Once they believed what Joseph was saying, which by the way he told them in Hebrew, they then realized they were vulnerable to Joseph’s anger and revenge.  But Joseph showed them compassion and mercy instead of justice.  Why?   Well, Joseph had first taken the time to test and discover if his brothers were still only capable of evil or now of doing good.  He was pleased and chose to show them mercy.  By forgiving them, he could again love and enjoy their company and fellowship and they with him. They could also see and realize what Joseph had told them 22 years before about they bowing to him was indeed coming to pass.  Joseph told them God used their evil acts for His purpose and for good so they would live and grow in fellowship with Him.  Likewise, opportunity to show and offer fellowship with God to the Egyptians came to pass as well.  That didn’t justify their actions but healed them and restored trust and fellowship lost for so long.

What would it be like to discover someone close to you, who you thought dead was alive and well?  First the doubt and then confusion and then hope and excitement and then joy and celebration.  But then puzzled confusion to understand how all that happen took place.  The long stories and explanation, but also to discover how God’s Hand provided and sustain and blessed.  What a time of praise and celebration.

One day we will be reunited with our loved ones and share stories of God’s provision and purpose.  We will see how His Will skillfully connected and completed each life and a real relationship between God and each.

One day satan’s schemes and evil deeds will be stopped and satan and his demons and those who follow him will be judged and world will be restored to what He intended and His followers will enjoy a new heaven and earth free of sin and death and pain and regrets.  I’m so looking forward to that.  How about you?

The Savior is risen for one and for all, the Savior is risen for great and for small.
Adam Geibel, “The Savior Is Risen for You and for Me” hymn

9/18/19                            CLEARLY GOD IN COMFORT                                18       I, even I, am He who comforts you.   Isaiah 51:12

Recommended Reading: ISAIAH 42:1-9 “³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. ⁷ And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.”

COMMENTS:  I am writing this devotion in the early hours of Saturday, Sept.14,2019, and have just learned of the passing of a lifelong friend and fellow school classmate, John Craig.  John and I grew up together in the small town of Clintonville.  Our parents were also good friends.  John was such a light hearted man who always looks on the bright side and would brighten the darkest of days with his smile and words of encouragement.

His recent battle with pancreatic cancer was no different.   A recent visit Arlene and I made to visit him and Mary Jane was intended to encourage them but they encouraged us instead.  Their faith in Christ and confident hope of heaven and confidence of His abiding presents, as they continue to face treatment for this terrible disease, encouraged and strengthened our faith too.  That visit is one we will cherish and remember often and for years to come. 

There is an American Navy ship called “Comfort”, which is a hospital ship involved in humanitarian missions around the world. It is manned by naval officers from Navy’s Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps, and Chaplain Corps. It carries not military weapons so can not defend herself but an attack on her would be considered an act of war bringing the full military strength of the USA to bear.  To attack her would be self-destructive and foolish since the consequences would be the consequence of reaction but most of all the loss of skilled healing help, she offers to all in need regardless of political position or status.

God’s Comfort also is available to all in need and open to receive His skillful help.  God’s Comfort is manned by the Great Physician stocked with His Word stocked with 66 storerooms containing 31,000 types of spiritual medicine contained in its words.  The oil of the Holy Spirit provides endless supply of anointed healing and carries an endless supply of lifesavers for those in deep dangerous waters. 

But God offers far more than a book to read with answers to life’s problems and needs. God offers Himself abiding with through His Holy Spirit to guide and heal and sustain us through our life journey and an eternal home being prepared for us at the end of life’s journey.

 “Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted” (Isaiah 49:13). If you clearly need comforting today, look for the good ship His Comfort. It’s sailing into a port near you.

When He comforts, none can hinder, men nor devils, nor doubts, nor fears.
Edward Samuel, Baptist minister

9/19/19                              Bad News?                                                19                  

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.  Psalm 112:7

RECOMMENDED READING: PSALM 112:1-10^“ 11 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! ²His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed ³Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. ⁴Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. ⁵It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. ⁶For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. ⁷He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. ⁸His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. ⁹He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. ¹⁰The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!”

COMMENTS:  We have more than ample examples and encouraging words of promise from God to convince us not to fear bad news or difficult situations and events.  I shared in yesterday’s devotion that a lifelong friend and classmate passed due to complications from pancreatic cancer.  Such a dreaded and yet to be cured type of cancer.  John Craig was a fun-loving soul from his childhood who loved people and enjoyed teasing and kidding with and laughing with others.  He could make someone in the foulest mood smile and even laugh quicker than anyone I know.  But John had a serious side and demonstrated his faith and close relationship with Christ by his love for and compassion for others and willingness to stop or even go out of his way to visit with – listen to – share time with others throughout the day.  Inside his tall strong body lived a humble – kind – sincere Christ follower that is beloved and remembered with love.   Well, as many of us grieve his passing, I can’t imagine the grief Mary Jane, his wife, and his daughters and their families are experiencing.  But such times are experienced by everyone as they witness parents and siblings and other relatives and friends and co-workers pass.

I’ve heard it said that evidence of entering old age is knowing more people dead than alive.  Well, I believe I relate to that, but am discovering as more who I know and love pass over, heaven then becoming more and more like home and closer to reality and earth slowly becomes a temporary – short term stopover.  When I was a young man, heaven seems far away but no longer.   What has changed?   Well, Christ has been working on our home there and more I know are there now.  But also, I now have more years spent than left and have the perspective of judging how brief the years ahead are based on how quickly the years gone have passed.

Scripture tells us to that those who put their faith in Christ and obey and serve Him will be rewarded richly beyond imagination or measure. They will be well prepared when bad times come because they already have their hand in His and their eyes on Him and already walking down the right path with Him. But those who have not done so and are walking down an evil path will find themselves ill prepared when bad times come to them. 

Look at examples of others we know as well as examples of faithful saints recorded in scripture.  The joy and courage and peace than they all demonstrated while experiencing circumstances that crush others.  But also consider that outcome.  Even death was not a defeat but the ultimate victory and freedom from the chains of this world.   We have so much to look forward to for eternity and not just for a few years.

I know, no body likes nor wants to receive bad news.  But we can deal with it making us stronger and closer to the source of our joy and hope and peace, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD – OUR CREATOR – OUR SAVIOR – OUR PARTNER AND HELPMATE – OUR DEAREST FRIEND AND BROTHER!   He is all this and so much more.

AMEN?  AMEN!

9/20/19                                     THE LABYRINTH OF LIFE                         20             
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Psalm 139:8

RECOMMENDED  READING PSALM 139 “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.² You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.³ You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.⁵ You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;It is high, I cannot attain it.⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? ⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. ¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”Even the night shall be light about me;¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,But the night shines as the day;The darkness and the light are both alike to You.¹³ For You formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother’s womb.¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret,And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written,The days fashioned for me,When as yet there were none of them.¹⁷ How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!¹⁸ If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.¹⁹ Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.²⁰ For they speak against You wickedly;Your enemies take Your name in vain. ²¹ Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?²² I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;²⁴ And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

COMMENTS:  This is a wonderful Psalm we would do well to memorize and access often.   The realization, expressed by the Psalmist, of how intimately and completely God knows and cares for us is too wonderful to comprehend.  David wrote many psalms recorded in scripture but not all.   Even though we are not sure who wrote this psalm, it certainly reflects David’s sentiments and life example.   It is actually good we don’t know who wrote this psalm because it applies equally to everyone in every generation.  This is too important and inclusive a psalm to be identified with any one writer or example.   In fact, it is an expression of worship and praise and recognition of God’s faithfulness and work and power and abilities that applies to everyone in the past and today and future yet to come.

 We all face tragedy and crisis and grief and difficult situations that we are not strong enough or wise enough or smart enough or focused enough to successfully get through with help.  Help that friends and relatives and mentors can provide great help coming along side us.  But their help is often empty or false doing more harm than good because their source is not better than ours.   What God offers is His abiding presence along with those faithful to Him to put us on and keep us on the straight narrow path to eternal life and to the best outcome to those crisis – tragedy – loss situations.  An outcome not clear or even possible at the time but certain in God’s time and economy.  

So, how do we tap into God’s resources and endure the storms of life in the meantime?    How do we also tap into God’s resources during times of peace and prosperity and rest?  Afterall, both test our faith and good times, as much as we desire and strive to attain, are more dangerous because they tempt us to believe we can manage them without God’s help and strength.

Well, Psalm 139 is a wonderful reminder to all of us in both crisis and comfortable situations to seek and be obedient to God all the time.  To be in fellowship with Him every day without fail.   We are told satan is a roaring lion seek who he can devour (I Peter 5:8), so we need to always be on our guard.   God gives everyone free will and choice to follow satan’s foolish and destructive way or God’s wise life-giving healing choice.  But most neglect or don’t choose God’s way.   Why?  Well, God tends to offer a way or choice less appealing to us while satan offers one he skillfully makes more appealing and promises more than he is willing or able to deliver.   God gives us countless examples and His own warnings in scripture and in lives of many we know to convince us to not follow satan and to follow Him.     He does love us all but does not deviate from His resolve to allow us to make our own choices.  Choices we are free to make with consequences we can not avoid.   

Well, when we repent and turn from those choice and turn back to Him, then He is gracious to heal and forgive and even diminish or remove those consequences.  But scares in affected lives, even in innocent bystanders, remain and require ongoing help and counseling.

 The Krubera Cave in the Arabika Massif is one of the world’s largest caves. It’s so deep, so beautiful, and so complex that only skilled cavers can descend to its subterranean depths. It contains rivers, lakes, springs, and pits descending deep into the earth—a labyrinth of wonder, filled with deadly charms.

The same God who created the intricate interiors of earth also designed the mysterious blueprint of our life. Sometimes the mysteries appear deep and dark. But when we give our life to Christ, it’s as though a switch is flipped on, flooding the way with light. The Lord knows every twist and turn, every rock and river. When we don’t know the way, we needn’t worry. He does, and He will lead us. Even the darkness will become light around us.

This is the theme of Psalm 139—the Lord knows the way through the labyrinth of life. Our finite minds will never fully grasp God’s complex blueprints, but as we seek His will, He will lead us.

How precious also are thy thoughts, O gracious God, to me! And in their sum how passing great and numberless they be!
The Scottish Metrical Psalter (Psalm 139:17)

9/21/19                                   UNDER CONSTRUCTION                                    21

He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

RECOMMENDED READING PHILIPPIANS 1:1-6  ^“Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”

COMMENTS: It is very common for youth and young adults to struggle to find their way and purpose and life direction, making many foolish and sinful choices along that journey of discovery.  Even strong Christian homes and loving parents and siblings and other positive adult influences isn’t enough in many cases.  But for many it is enough. What is different.  Well, there are many reasons including strong will in some cases verses a more compliant personality and spirit in others.  Strong willed children and teens do tend to become strong leaders and accomplish significant things later on while others may never find their way.

But the most significant change is the transformation Christ will make if we let Him.  George W. Bush was such a strong-willed young man who indulged in heavy drinking as he explored a dark sinful path to failure and death.  But one day he had opportunity to take a walk with a Billy Graham.  He asked Dr. Graham if reading the Bible would make him a better person.  Apparently, George felt guilty about his sinful indulgences.  Billy’s response was “One should strive to be better, but we’re all sinners who earn God’s love not through our good deeds, but through His Grace”. Billy gave George a copy of the “Living Bible” with reference to Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain the God, who began a good work within you, will continue His work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”  George wrote of this experience in an interview on Fox News on February 23,2018.

That experience impacted George enough to open himself for Christ to do a dramatic change in him, that set him on path the path evident to us today.  A path to become President of the United States.  But also, a path to do significant change and impact the lives of many others too.

We too need Christ to do a significant change in us too, even if we already are in fellowship with Him.   There is still much more He wants to do in our lives and soul if we only open ourselves and let Him.  It need not require a visit from a famous evangelist like Billy Graham but does require a visit from God.  But God is near and ready if we simply ask Him sincerely like George asked Billy Graham many years ago.  We can’t change ourselves but we can make wiser choices and seek His help to make them and also to continue to make wiser choices and turn away from sinful past and toward the good path He has prepared for us.  Not likely one like He prepared for George W. Bush but one best for us and one He designed us to follow.

Be patient.  God is not finished with you and with me yet!

“Every human being is under construction from conception to death.”  Billy Graham

9/22/19                                     It Only Takes One                             22

Then [Joseph] fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover [Joseph] kissed all his brothers and wept over them.   Genesis 45:14-15

RECOMMENDED READING  ROMANS 12:18  “¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.“

COMMENTS:  I never grow tired of reading and reflecting on Joseph’s story recorded in Genesis.  He chose the high road of mercy and redemption that God guided and walked with him to and on.  He treated his brothers far better than they treated him.  He chose to do so even in the darkest times when he had little hope of a bright future.  But I’m sure temptation was stronger to get even when Joseph was with them empowered by pharaoh to govern affairs of Egypt.  Joseph had the power to throw his brothers in prison or even to execute them without trial.  He did test them to determine if they had changed.  God had not only worked on Joseph during those 12 years or more of slavery and prison, but enduring the guilt of their action had brought his brothers to repentance as well.  So those years served to change Joseph’s entire family.  Even their father, Jacob, needed God’s transforming work too.   All that served to prepare them to be the example and ambassadors for God to the pagan people of Egypt but also to every generation after, including ours.  Only God can make an ancient story current and applicable thousands of years later.  Truth is, we are like Joseph’s brothers and capable of being like Joseph.  The same God that guided Joseph and changed his brothers is still alive and active in the world today. 

You and I also choose each day the path we will walk on.  Will it be the path of life or death?  The path of building or the path of destroying? Today, kids and even adults idolize those who have and use power to destroy.  Physical strength and skill to overpower others are idolized in movies.  But rare are movies that idolize the skills and work of building and restoring. 

Yet, truth and reality are which is more difficult and more worthy of our respect?   It has been said the greatest demonstration of flattery or respect is to copy or imitate the actions of others.  Who do we admire and copy?  Children are especially susceptible to this.  Do we imitate bullies or criminals or do we imitate teachers or nurses or doctors or construction workers or …?   Those who do good and finish their work day leaving the world better than when they began day. Granted, work we accomplish each day is negligible when compared with need and work to be done in the world or even in our own community or home, but even slight progress is noteworthy. 

God wants us to do good and not evil.  He also wants to be with and help us and partner with us so, what we accomplish each not only is good and healing and helpful but has eternal impact.  Joseph’s life and work not only made a positive difference in his family and even in Egypt, but continues to make a difference in millions from his generation to current generations through his story recorded in scripture.  The difference God wants to make through our lives may not be as dramatic as Joseph’s or as impressive, but then again, we simply don’t know impact following and serving God will have.  Impact of eternal value.  Only God could take an act of compassion to change a life.  God is in the business of doing miracle and loves to create life.  Who knows, someone who looks up to us might just be influences by our action.  Influenced to do good by our positive actions but also influenced to do evil when we fail to.  Today let’s begin starting out in prayer and devotion and stay in communication with God so we do good instead of evil and follow His instruction instead of just our own agenda.  To not be too busy to stop and say a kind word and listen to those we cross path with each day and lend a helping hand as needed and as He nudges us. 

Each morning brings a fresh and new beginning and opportunity for a “do over” of previous day’s errors and poor choices or opportunity to build on positive work of the previous day.  AMEN?  AMEN!

“Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins.”  G. Campbell Morgan

9/23/19                                    OUR MEDIATOR                                                  23     

RECOMMENDED READING: 1 TIMOTHY 2:3-6 “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time..”

COMMENTS: A mediator is an individual who acts as a “go between” in order to encourage and facilitate peace and agreement between  individuals in conflict. Conflict without either being willing or able to bring an agreeable solution.  Peace gives way to separation and even anger and bitterness – both physical and emotional wounds that tend not to heal because conflict stays fresh in minds and emotions of those involved, unwilling or unable to forgive or admit wrong.

Mediators serve a useful purpose in resolving conflict because they are unbiased and  their decisions carry legal authority with consequences if either party refused to comply with mediator’s rulings.

So, the mediator must be highly respected by all parties with uncompromised reputation for wisdom and unbiased decisions.  When the mediator finishes his work, both parties may not be fully pleased  with outcome but realize result was better than conflict and likely was better than any outcome brought by force of conflict.

Scripture tells us that we are in conflict with God with not hope of redemption or forgiveness and doomed to face God’s righteous judgment and subsequent eternal punishment.  God requires a standard of perfection and obedience we are not able to satisfy and do.  We are tempted by an enemy  to cunning and persuasive for us to resist .

God demands perfection because He is perfectly Good so cannot condone or  tolerate sin and evil.  That is why satan was forced out of heaven and why unforgiven – unrepented sinners can’t be allowed into heaven either.

So how do we resolve our sins in a way acceptable to God.  The answer had to come from God and is given us in scripture.  The answer was for someone to accept our guilt and punishment.  Someone who would be our “go between” speaking for us and resolving the obstacles keeping us from being in relationship with God.  God is by nature Good, holy, just, merciful, loving, perfect, and so much more.  But His love for us compelled a sacrifice be made so we could be forgiven and in relationship with Him as Adam and Eve were before the fall.

Jesus is our mediator to the Father.  He enables us to be in relationship with the Father because of His sacrifice of paying the price of dying as punishment for our sins.  Sins that have been a barrier separating the Father from us.  A barrier that would prevent us from access and eternal inheritance of life in heaven.  If we think we can earn our way to heaven by good works, we will one day discover that is not enough.  If we think we are good enough by being as good or better than others, we will also be disappointed.  John 14:6 reminds us that Jesus is the only way to forgiveness and eternal life.  The only way to access the eternal inheritance and home Christ is preparing for us. 

Accepting Christ means accepting his sacrifice as payment for our sins too, which also pays the price the Father requires for our forgiveness and passage into heaven.  Our eternal home in heaven will remain empty if we don’t accept Christ’s payment as our own.   How sad many will suffer torment and punishment in hell while their home in heaven remains empty.  Such a needless waste.  Payment as been made.  Left only is accepting that payment.   If you accepted that payment, then the journey for you to heaven has begun but is not finished until the day Christ greets you at heaven’s gate.  Until then, the journey of obedience includes the battle of turning from sinful habits and behaviors and bad influences, which may also include leaving friendships and relationships with those  tempting us to continue that habits. 

But the journey does include being a witness to others so they too will accept Christ’s sacrifice as payment for their sins too.    

We need help. We need God’s forgiveness, help, and transformation, specifically. But how can we even speak to Him, as far away as we are? We need a mediator. We need the closest kind of mediator—one who is kin to both of us.

And that is what we have—Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man. He has become our Savior and our Mediator, and He loves all of us. We are in the safest possible hands with Him. There is no chance of Him failing. Thanks be to God!

Christ is our mediator to the Father.  He paid dearly to accept that responsibility and duty.  Because He did, we can enjoy fellowship and the full inheritance He intends for us.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to trust in You to represent me before God. Amen. Reflection Questions: 1. When did you ever want something, but hesitate to ask directly? 2. When have you used a friend or relative as a mediator? 3. In what specific area right now would you like Jesus to mediate for you with God the Father?

 

9/24/19                          THE PRICE OF A PERSON                                24   Recommended Reading: AMOS 8:4-7  “Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat? The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: “Surely I will never forget any of their deeds..”

COMMENTS:  Humans tend to value their possessions based on their cost in time or money or items bartered in exchange for them.  The more money and things we acquire, the less value we usually place on them, especially those things that are easily or inexpensively replaced.  Laborers tend to be valued by comparing value of work they do as compared to cost or salary they are paid.  In a market where more workers are available than jobs, result is a deterioration of wages. 

Be glad God places value on us differently than we do.  He could destroy us all in a second and replace us just as easily and quickly.  He could have done that to His chosen people any of the many times they rejected and sinned against Him.  He could do so any of the many times we have done so too.

BUT HE DIDN’T BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE FOR EACH ONE OF US!  Even though He created billions of us, He still values and holds precious each and every one of us.  His sacrifice and death bought the redemption of all but only used when each chooses to accept His sacrifice and repent of their sinful thoughts and actions.  Yet, He grieves when even one facing judgment for refusing to accept His sacrifice.  

You are not a disposable plastic toy in Jesus’ eyes; you are cherished and valuable, whether you are rich or poor, comfortable or suffering. And so are your neighbors.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to grasp the value You set on us, and to show that same love and value to my neighbors. Amen.
Reflection Questions:

1. What is the most valuable thing you own? How do you treat it?

2. What helps you to remember the immense value Jesus set on your life?

3. Do you know anyone who is suffering right now? How can you help?

9/25/19                                           I Understand                                            25                         Galatians 5:25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

COMMENTS:  Christ died in order to provide a sure option of eternal life with Him forgiven of our sins and free from punishment God required for our sins. An option but not automatically received.  As with any gift, it must be accepted and opened and used.  His gift to us begins with offer for forgiveness if we asked for it and admit our sins and repent of those sins.  If we accept His forgiveness, He then offers to have His Holy Spirit come into our soul and begin cleaning up the dirty rooms of our soul.  As He does so, both we and others will notice a change in us for the good.  No longer will our motives be selfish and evil but we will begin finding joy and fulfillment in doing good without gain instead of looking out for what will only benefit ourselves.

The Christian faith is a religion of us being in fellowship and relationship with Christ demonstrated by the life of faith and the walk of faith which develops and requires trust in Him. He who rightly understands this is not far from God nor far from growing a relationship with God that is real and meaningful and successfully obedient to God’s Will.

True faith goes hand in hand with godliness or living a Christ-like life.  Likewise, A truly holy life must come from genuine sincere faith in Christ and living unselfishly and sacrificially with others. It is not possible to have genuine faith and not life a Christ-like life even though such faith can be fake for a time.  Insincere or fake faith will sooner or later be revealed.

 

There are some who cultivate faith and forget holiness; these may be very high in orthodoxy, but they shall be very deep in condemnation, for they hold the truth in unrighteousness; and there are others who have strained after holiness of life, but have denied the faith, like the Pharisees of old, of whom the Master said, they were “whitewashed sepulchers.”

We must have faith, for this is the foundation; we must have holiness of life, for this is the superstructure. Of what service is the mere foundation of a building to a man during times of testing and hardship? Where can he find shelter to weather life’s storms? He wants a house to cover him, as well as a foundation for that house. Even so we need the superstructure of spiritual life if we would have comfort in the day of doubt. But seek not a holy life without faith, for that would be to erect a house which can afford no permanent shelter, because it has no foundation on a rock.

Our faith and actions work together not to earn eternal reward, but to train us to become more Christ-like in thought and deed with a purpose of drawing closer to Christ and gain His help to become more Christ-like and more a blessing to others.  Reward for us is promised but not our primary reason for faith and obedience.  Our primary purpose is to fulfill our reason for existing and to please and express our love for He who has done so much for us and continues to do so.

O Lord, give us this day life within, and it will reveal itself without to Thy glory.

9/26/19                                       Love Unstoppable                                            26             

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:34-35
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”” John 7:38
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
COMMENTS:   Our perfect example of perfect love is Christ.  Love He gave and lived and continues to do so.  Love at no greater sacrifice and benefit to His Beloved (us).  No one is more worthy of our love and devotion.  Yet, loving Him gives us greater capacity to love each other, especially those we find difficult to show love and kindness and compassion.  To love those who do not love with kind in response.

What hinders our capacity to love Christ?  Sin in the form of worry, unforgiveness (anger, bitterness, hurt, rage, vengeance, revenge), pride, selfishness, greed, lust, sexual immorality. and Unkindness. Of course, any unrepented sin has the same affect of separating us or hinders our relationship with Christ.  Yet Christ’s redemptive Love is ready and willing to forgive, remove the stain of sin and remove the barrier sin caused.  Barrier to Himself He quickly removes, but barriers sin causes with other people can take years to remove and only then by commitment living the life change Christ makes possible.  Christ knows our heart but others may not be so convinced or willing to be convinced.  But convinced they will become in time if we truly repent and let His Holy Spirit do the transforming work He desires and we desperately need.  Yet repentance does not result in     transformation without putting action to words, including turning from sin and old habits and making new ones at any cost or sacrifice. 

 
9/27/19                                          God Over All                                             27   

And seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.  Daniel 4:25

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 40:15-17 “¹⁵ Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.¹⁶ And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.¹⁷ All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.”

COMMENTS:  History is full of dictators thinking they are all powerful and worthy of becoming a world ruler.  Nebuchadnezzar was a tyrant and example in Daniel’s day.  Nero was in Paul’s day.  Hitler was in my parent’s day.  But every generation had such an example either attempting to or nearly successful at conquering the known world of his day.  But all found success empty and ended up defeated by another foe leaving a legacy of destruction instead of life.  They overall left the world worse off for their influence instead of better.   How do you think that is working for them today in eternity?  To put ourselves in conflict or at odds with God is such a foolish and dangerous thing to do. To think they know better than God or even believe they are a god worthy of worship. 

Satan was the first to think he knew better than God and decided to take over.  So guess who has been influencing all these dictators to do the same.  They might have thought they were a god or thought up their ambitions and plan on their own but they were simply pawns of satan doing his evil bidding.  They all failed and ones yet to come will too, as will satan.  In fact, satan has already been defeated at the cross, he just hasn’t been emprisoned yet, but soon will be!  AMEN!!!

 

God will not be mocked for very long.  His Will will prevail even though He may delay enforcing that will for a time.  He is longsuffering giving even tyrants time and every opportunity to repent.  Nebuchadnezzar was an amazing example.  He ruled successfully receiving visions and dreams with the precious influence of Daniel drawing him to a knowledge and relationship with God.  God was hard on him at times and even made him endure 7 years living as an animal, the only effective way to get his attention and convince him to surrender and worship and honor God above all else.  But in the end, Daniel’s faithfulness partnered with God’s intervention resulting in redemption for Nebuchadnezzar.  Even tyrants are loved by God.  God didn’t condone Nebuchadnezzar’s actions and did hold him accountable, but not without the opportunity of redemption.  You and I might not think it far for God to withhold judgment on him for destruction and death he forced on his subjects, but truth is his subject were not faithful to God either.  Daniel and many in Israel enduring the ravaged of Nebuchadnezzar’s rule but Daniel also showed us God was faithful to them providing opportunity for redemption and a path to freedom as well.

When we endure hardship and crisis or even tragedy, we also need to realize God is near enduring those times with us.  If we reach out to take His hand, we discover how close He is and tap into His help and strength.  His Holy Spirit is His abiding presence but God the Father and God the Son are as close to us as His Holy Spirit because they are all One.  WE ARE NOT ALONE NOR ABANDONED!  It just might seem that way at times, but such times grow faith to endure.  It did for Daniel and will for us too if we follow his example.  AMEN?  AMEN!

“Let God be the sovereign over your life. He gives grace to the humble as we recognize He is God over all “(James 4:6).

 “To be God and sovereign are inseparable.”  Stephen Charnock

 

9/28/19                                   Cults Calling                                        28

 

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Mt. 24:2
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” 1 Peter 2:1

COMMENTS:  We are warned in scripture to be alert to dangerous deceptions of false religions and their prophets and teachers.  We are told to test their teachings and the lives of their prophets and teachers.  The fruit of their lives indicates the validity of their teachings.  This applies to pagan religions, but also to false teachers and prophet pretending to be Christ followers but are not.  We are taught Christ is the Head of His Church while satan is the head of his church.

So, let compare the characteristics of Christ and then of satan so we can judge:

Christ:                                                             Satan:

Sacrificial love                                               Self-love and hatred for God and His Followers

Joy in obeying the Father                             Self gratified serving himself

Gives peace, life, and healing                       Gives conflict/war/death/sickness

Shows patience and forgiveness                  Shows anger and intolerance and unforgiveness

Shows compassion and kindness                 Quick to condemn without compassion

Shows goodness, life, and building up        Shows evil, death, tearing down-blowing up

Shows faithfulness to Father and to us       Shows unfaithfulness to all with lies

Shows might with gentleness – mercy         Shows might with force and violence

Shows humility by serving                           Shows pride by demanding being served

Shows fairness by offering redemption       Shows unfairness by harming innocent and

to any and all who receive it                         deceiving followers

Shows honesty and truthfulness                  Shows dishonesty and lies without restraint

Is dependable and trustworthy                    Is undependable and totally untrustworthy

 

Is content with things but desires                Wants more power and control and possessions

    deeper relationships with people

Shows sacrificial love and generosity          Shows selfishness and steals from others

Shows purity and Holiness                           Shows only evil unholy sinful behavior-motives

Shows confidences in love and goodness    Shows confidence in pride and evil

Is available 24x7x365 to help – give life      Is absent when help is needed and available

                                                                                      to hurt and destroy.

Is attentive to us ready to show wisdom     Is only attentive to his own selfish wants

        and compassion-forgiveness                

He is enthusiastic about us                           He is enthusiastic only about His ambitions

He plans and works for eternal                   Satan only plans and works to hurt God and

         Purpose and goals of life                                  feed his own pride and ambitions

Christ obeys Father totally                           Satan will not submit or obey anyone

Christ only demonstrates good –                 Satan may pretend to be good but can’t

    Perfect behavior                                                   sustain good behavior. 

Christ is trustworthy-dependable                Satan will not keep his word – never has

God knows and control the future              Satan doesn’t know the future and doesn’t

                                                                                       believe God. 

Christ shows integrity and encourages       Satan lacks integrity and discourages integrity

             Integrity in followers                                     in his followers

Christ’s purpose is to honor the Father     Satan’s purpose is to defeat God – destroy us

        and give eternal life to us                                 and rule over God’s creation

God creates and builds                                 Satan only knows how to destroy and tear down

Christ brings hope and a bright future      Satan destroys hope and promises a bright

                                                                                    future but never delivers.  He can’t.

This list of comparisons is far from complete and we both could continue to add to it with our own experiences as well as examples from scripture and lives of others before us.  The common result of satan’s conduct and actions and work are destruction, death, pain, disappointment, disappointments.  Temptations he offers promises but never delivers those promises but only consequences.

Granted, Christians disappoint and fall short of Christ’s example, which is due to their failings (not God’s).  But what other religion’s founder demonstrates or claims to be what and who Christ does or accomplished what He did and does?  Consider the good those who did demonstrate Christ-like behavior accomplished?  Consider all the hospitals and schools and life giving and life transforming work accomplished over the centuries by Christ followers.   The fruits of their labor compared with fruit of faithful followers of cults or pagan religions.  Likewise, those claiming to be Christ followers who fail to reflect His example should be held accountable and their actions judged to determine how genuine their work is. 

We are to judge the work by the results.  If results and conduct match Christ’s teaching, then work and teaching can be trusted.   If not, then such should be rejected and avoided.

I dare say we should judge Islam by this standard and judge Mohammed by the standard Christ gives us too.   I share this journal with many Christian pastors in Islam dominated countries.  They share Christ’s Gospel message and is embraced by great numbers who only have found empty lifeless teaching from Islam faith. Large numbers of faithful Islam followers have received revelations directly by visions or encounters with Christ without any input from a Christ follower and immediately become a Christ follower.  

We serve a Christ who redeemed us from our sins and God’s judgment with His own blood.  His Holy Spirit is available to guide and help us 24×7.  He offers us life and an abiding love that gives us the capacity to love.  He builds up our lives and families and encourages and helps us give hope and experience and share His love too instead of destruction and hate and division. 

So, who do you believe and follow.  I will use Joshua 24:15 when he challenged the Israelites, when they crossed Jordon River into promised land to either choose God or choose the pagan gods offered by their neighbors and enslavers they followed in past.

Joshua 24:15 “¹⁵ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

 

9/29/19                                                     God in Christ                                                29

He who has seen Me has seen the Father.  John 14:9 RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING:  JOHN 1:1-18 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. COMMENTS:    You and I are often impressed with the experience and knowledge demonstrated by skilled craftsmen and by professionals like doctors and nurses and engineers and gifted teachers and by great evangelists and preachers.  We see and are blessed by their gifts and willingness to use and share them. But we likely also known few who are genuinely gifted and skillful in what they do but obviously lack compassion and people skills because of their arrogance and indifference towards individuals they work with. They may continue to accomplish great things and do great good and receive awards and a very good wage for their work while missing and lacking something priceless.  Something that may be hard to explain or even define but if look at those so gifted that have love and compassion toward others and show that compassion as they share their gifts in their work.  Those who do so give far more and also receive far more in return.  Those who do so receive love and compassion back in measure sufficient to energize and sustain them in their work and also to feed and nourish and help them further develop and improve their gifts and the use of their gifts. Such is exactly what God desires of us and promised to help us gain if we simply surrender to His love and follow His example.  To ask God’s forgiveness for our sins and allow Him in our souls and influence our thoughts and actions, we open ourselves to experience love and fulfillment and purpose far beyond our wildest hopes and dreams and opportunities we simply can’t realize.   The bible gives countless examples like Daniel and Joseph and Esther and Mary who all had unnoteworthy skills but their faithfulness to God opened them to gain purpose and opportunity and wisdom beyond what humanly possible.  To endure hardship and storms with courage and confident hope also beyond humanly possible too. Yet you, like they, will be faithfully cared for and then used in ways of eternal significance if stay faithful to Him. When we study scriptures account of Jesus’ life, we clearly see God. According to the Bible, there’s a mysterious invisibility to God the Father, but Jesus is God the Son—the tangible revelation of God to us. This theme runs through John’s Gospel like a golden thread. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” Verse 18 says, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” When we see the love of Jesus, it’s the love of God. When we read His words in the Gospel, we hear the voice of God. When we ponder His miracles, we see the power of God. When we receive Him as our Savior, we have a relationship with God. Thomas called Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) The Lord Jesus shouldn’t merely be a part of our life. He should be the center of all we are, all we do, all we think, all we say, and all we feel. The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared with Jesus Christ.  Oswald Chambers

 

9/30/19                               REPRODUCIBLE!                                    30

“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.”  Proverbs 9:9

COMMENTS: How does Christian growth happened in a Christian?  In a Family?  In a Church?  In a Country? Well, each must be teachable.  Sound teaching provided with sound teachers.  But the Holy Spirit must be welcome and listened to and followed most of all.  Today, it seems as though satan is winning.   Many churches once growing – alive – thriving – Christ Centered churches are dying with shrinking numbers.  Children of faithful members, who grew up in the church and accepted Christ as children have strayed from the faith and not only do not attend but have strayed to believing false doctrine.  Immorality is in epidemic numbers and even considered acceptable and normal by society as a whole and no longer sinful by approaching a majority of even families who consider themselves Christian especially in democratic free countries. 

By contrast, in third world and communistic countries where Christianity is forbidden and Christians persecuted, revival is happening in explosive numbers.   Even in Muslim countries where it is near impossible to hear the gospel, Christ is revealing him to faithful seeking Muslims causing them to turn from their religion to Christianity and then spreading the gospel at great cost to themselves.

Why is that?  Well, the curse of freedom and prosperity is the human tendency and weakness is for Christians to become lazy in their faith and rely more on their own strength and wisdom instead of God since they have less urgent circumstances forcing them to seek God’s help and council.  In persecuting countries Christians are forced to decide either to follow Christ at great cost to receive His mercy and benefits or face eternal damnation to gain being spared for a brief time.   They, once they experience Christ’s fellowship and forgives, realize the price of rejecting Christ is just too great and permanent.

But God is still in democratic countries too and there are still faithful Christians in those countries. There is still faithful Churches there too teaching the true Gospel too. God is calling them to reproduce their faith in others too. Their mission work in Africa is “leadership development” training Christians there to become mature leaders in Christ who then train other leaders.   That is exactly what I see happening in Kenya and Uganda and so many other countries in Africa, but not just in Africa.  Reproducing leaders is what God is calling His followers to do in their communities and all over the world.  That is how God is using this blog in many of those oppressive countries overseas to a great extent but also in democratic areas as a teaching tool

I invite you to read and share my journal regularly.  But, of course, personal example and witness continues to be the primary way of evangelizing and witnessing for me as well as you and all Christians.  There is no substitute for that commission and calling Christ gave His disciples, and to us in every generation since.

Granted, every Christian in every generation encountered and continue to encounter obstacles because satan is still doing his evil mischief and humans are still listening to him.  BUT GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE AND FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS ARE STILL DOING HIS BIDDING TOO!   THEY ARE ON THE WINNING SIDE!  CHRIST IS RETURNING SOON AND SATAN AND ALL HIS FOLLOWERS WILL BE JUDGED! 

We have a wonderful promise from Him and He keeps His promises. AMEN?  AMEN!!

 

GIDEON BIBLE REFERENCE SCRIPTURES:

HELP IN TIME OF NEED:

• The way of salvation:                                   John 14:6, Acts 16.32, Romans 10:9
• Comfort in time of loneliness:                    Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6
• Comfort in time of sorrow                            2 Cor. 1:3-5, Romans 8:26-28
• Relief in time of suffering                             2 Cor. 12:8-10, Hebrews 12:3-13
• Guidance in time of decision                       James  1:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6
• Protection in time of danger                       Psalm 91, Psalm 121
• Courage in time of fear                                  Hebrews 13:5-6, Ephesians 6:10-18
• Peace in time of turmoil                                Isaiah 26:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7
• Rest in time of weariness                             Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 23
• Strength in time of temptation                  James 1:12-16, 1Cor. 10:6-13
• Warning in time of indifference                 Gal. 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26-31
• Forgiveness in time of conviction               Isaiah 1:18, 1Jn, 1:7-8

 

SUGGESTED READINGS (HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS):

• The creation Genesis 1-2
• The fall of man                                                 Gen 3
• The flood of Noah Gen 6-9
• The call of Abraham                 Gen 12:1-9
• Deliverance of Israel from Egypt Exodus 11-14
• Dedication of the temple 2 Chronicles 5-7
• The Babylonian Captivity of Israel 2 Chr. 36
• Revival of Israel after captivity Nehemiah 8-9
• Promises of the coming Messiah                 Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps22, Is.53
• The Birth of Christ Mtt1:18-2:23, Lk1:26-2:40
• The Triumphal Entry                                 Lk19:28-44
• The last supper Mk14:2-26
• The Garden of Gathsemane 26:36-46
• The Betreyal of Jesus 26-47-56
• The arrest and trial of Jesus                 Jn 18:12-19:16
• The death of Christ                                                 Lk 23:26-56, Jn19:16-42
• The resurrection of Christ Lk24, Jn20
• The ascension of Christ Acts 1:1-12
• The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts2:1-21
• The conversion of Paul Acts 9:1-31
• The heroes of Faith Hebrews 11

 

SUGGESTED READINGS (SPIRITUAL STANDARDS)

• The 10 commandments Exodus 20:1-17
• The sermon on the mount Mtt 5-7
• The golden rule Mtt7:12
• The greatest commandment Mtt 22:36-40
• The righteousness of Faith                 Romans 3:19-28
• The Royal Law                                 James 2:8, Romans 13:8-10
• Christ’s New Commandment John 13:34-35
• Christian love               1 Cor. 13

 

DYNAMIC DOCTRINES

• God’s greatness and man’s weakness                                                     Isaiah 40
• The two fold Revelation of God                                                                  Psalm 19
• Man’s universal guilt                                                                                       Rom 1:18-2:16
• Atonement                                                                                                        Leviticus 16, Romans 5
• The new birth                                                                                                    John 3
• Justification by Faith                                                                                       Eph 2:1-10, Gal 2:16-21
• Christ, the Good Shepherd                                                                          Ps 23, John 10:1-18
• Christ’s intercession for His Own                                                               Jn 17, Heb 7:25
• The High Priestly Work of Christ                                                                 Heb. 7:25, Heb. 4:14-16
• Christ’s Humiliation and Exhaltation                                                         Philippians 2:5-11
• Resurrection of the Christian Dead                                                           1 Cor. 16, 1Thess. 4:13-18
• The second coming of Christ                                                                        Mtt 24, 2 Thess. 1:7-2:12
• The Last Judgment                                                                                          Rev. 20:10-15
• The New Heaven and New Earth                                                               Rev. 21-22

 

PRACTICAL PRECEPTS:

• Christian Home relationships                      Eph. 5:22-6:4
• A model wife and mother                             Prov. 31:10-31
• Marriage and divorce                                     Mtt 19:3-9, Malachi 2:14-16
• The sin of adultery                                           Prov. 6:23-33
• The prodigal son                                               Luke 15:11-32
• Employer-employee relationships            Col 3:22-4:1
• Business and prof. principles                       Ps15, Prov. 3:1-12
• Seperation of worldliness                             2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, 1 Jn 2:15-17
• Decisions of doubtful things                        Rom.14
• Christian fruitfulness                                      Jn15
• Heavenly wisdom                                            James 3:14-18
• Christian responsibilities                               Rom. 12-13
• Christian stewardship                                    2 Cor. 8-9
• Christian witnessing                                        Mtt 28:18-20, Jm17:18-20
• Prevailing prayer                                              Mtt 6:5-15, Philippians 4:6-7
• Heavenly priorities                                          Mtt 6:25-33
• Brevity of man’s days                                     Ps 90
• The causes of war                                            James 4:1-4
• The value of the soul                                      Mk. 8:36-37

 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT:

• ITSELF:                                                                  2 Tim. 3:15-16   , Psalm 19:7
• GOD:                                                                     Psalm 99:9, 1 Tim.1:17, Isaiah 45:21-22
• MAN:                                                                    Gen. 1:27, Gen 2:7, Isaiah 43:7
• HEAVEN:                                                              Rev.21:3-4, 21:27
• SIN:                                                                        Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23
• HELL:                                                                     2 Thess 1:8-9, Rev. 20:15
• CHRIST –HIS ADVENT                                      Micah 5:2, Mtt.1:21-23, Lk 2:10-11
• CHRIST – HIS PERSON                                     John 10:30, 14:6
• CHRIST –HIS WORK                                          Lk. 22:19-20, 1 Peter 2:24, Col.1:14, Isaiah 53:5-6
• CHRIST-HIS RESURRECTION                         Lk. 24:36,39, 1 Cor. 15:3-4
• FAITH                                                                    Acts 20:20-21, Heb. 11:6, Eph. 2:8-9
• LIFE                                                                        John 3:3, 1:12-13, 3:36, 2 Cor.5:17

If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 495 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present.

You may also access my Facebook page and request to be my friend and automatically receive my daily journal publications daily.  My Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/Dondevotionals/ Many thanks to a pastor and dear brother in Christ in Nepal who set up the above Facebook page to help and encourage and give opportunity for more to   explore and use my devotional blog materials.

My hope and prayer are, my blog and devotional materials will become a source of encouragement and tools in ministry for you.