June 12, 2020

DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL – MAY 2020 – DON MCDANIEL

5/1/20 CONSIDER HIS HEAVENS 1

When I consider Your heavens. Psalm 8:3

RECOMMENDED READING: PSALM 8 “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!²Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.³When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have

ordained,⁴What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?⁵For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,⁷All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,⁸The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. ⁹O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!”

COMMENTS: It is good to regularly stop and take notice of God’s creation. The beauty of a sunrise and sunset. The flowers and leaves and grass and fields that all come alive with plant and animal life each spring. The amazing bodies God gave us to function reliably for many decades with little maintenance. Companionship and fellowship with others. How faithfully God provides all we need – air and food and water and warmth and gravity and so much more. The way He cares for and guides and loves us. But most of all the way He paid for and sacrificed Himself for our redemption from the consequences and judgment for our sins. All this and so much more that demonstrates His power and majesty and wisdom but also His love and faithfulness. To doubt God’s existence or involvement in the world is to ignore all the evidence all around us. Satan tries so hard to cover or distort or abuse all God’s creation and appears to be successful at times but never for long and always must stop when God intervenes. One day soon God will say “enough” and satan will be bound and no longer do his destructive work in the world. Then Jesus will take full control and rule of God’s creation and this world. He will restore what satan has ruined and destroyed. I am so looking forward to His return. The time no man knows but we are told the time of His return will be so bad that if He delayed any longer, man would totally destroy himself, satan’s ultimate goal because he hates what God loves and wants to hurt God by destroying what God lives – YOU AND ME!!

Isaac Watts wrote, “I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise, that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.”

God’s power is available to strengthen His children through Jesus. It’s available to you.

The Bible speaks of “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19). If you feel weak today, remember God doesn’t. Consider His heavens, and be strengthened by His Spirit.

Who can study the science of astronomy and contemplate the star-lit heavens with a knowledge of the dimensions of the celestial bodies, their movements, and their enormous distances, without bowing his head in reverence to the power that brought this universe into being and safely guides its individual members?

Arthur M. Harding

5/2/20 Slow to Chide 2

We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 3:17-4:6 ¹⁷Now the Lord is the

Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. ²But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of

God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. ³But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. ⁵For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.“

COMMENTS: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 6:48 How do we resolve fact that every one of us does not act in private or public in action nor in our hidden thoughts perfectly. We are far from being Christ-like. Even the most sincere seekers fall short even after many years. What is lacking or needed? If we are not capable of being fully Christ-like this side of the grave, then why did Jesus command his followers to be perfect like God the Father? Does the fault reside with us or with God?

When we accept Christ’s redemption, God the Father sees and judges us based on His Son’s sacrifice, so He then sees us as perfect. So what we must do is draw ourselves closer to Christ and His council and scripture in order to be influenced by Him and viewed by the Father through Jesus’ blood and sacrifice. When we turn from Christ to follow our own selfish way and follow temptations satan distracts us with, we begin moving away from Christ’s protective shield and help. If we continue on that path, consequences will get worse as we move further and further from Christ. By contrast, as we seek and drawer closer and closer to Christ, the more like Him we will be and desire to be and we will feel and see evidence of His protective covering over us.

The storms of life and even risk of death will lose it’s grip on us as we learn to follow and trust Him. Perfection is a goal to strive towards, as demonstrated by Christ’s life as a human and recorded in scripture. By His life and by God’s commands and instruction in scripture, and by the Holy Spirits guiding council, we grow and continue to discover more and more details of what a perfect life looks like. Remember, some people demonstrate a more perfect life than others but no one except Christ has or is living the perfect life Christ demonstrated. So what is wrong with us / with me?

God knows what’s wrong with you and me, and He loves us anyway. He patiently works with us as we grow in Christ. He helps us become wiser, better, stronger. He is longsuffering.

Exodus 34:6 says, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.”

Numbers 14:18 declares, “The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression.” And 2 Peter 3:15 says, “Consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.”

1 John 2:1-3 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ²He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”.

Confess your faults to the Lord, and don’t keep beating yourself up. Let your self-image become swallowed up in the “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of

God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Look at Him, and let Him transform you from glory to glory. He is so patient with us. Our focus and energy needs to point to Christ and drawing closer and closer to Him. To seek His council and follow that council each day and paying less attention to our own desires. The more we do that, the more we will find His Will becoming ours and His desires ours. That is a goal and a destination that will not be fully achieved until we enter heaven’s gates, but we certainly have a lot of improvement possible and needed and achievable this side of the grave. The more we achieve, the better life we will enjoy here and the more positive impact our lives will have on others. AMEN? AMEN!

“Praise Him, still the same forever, slow to chide, and swift to bless.” Henry Francis Lyte

5/3/20 ENCOURAGED 3

They encouraged them. Acts 16:40

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING ACTS 16:35-40 – “³⁵And when it was day, the

magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”³⁶So the keeper of the prison reported these words to

Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”³⁷But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”³⁸And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. ³⁹Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. ⁴⁰So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed..”

COMMENTS: During times of hardship and danger and suffering, being alone is especially fearful. Having a friend or family member with us as go through such times or circumstances is very helpful, giving strength to continue. John McNeill is a Scottish pastor who shared a story from his childhood. One night walking the 7-mile trip home along the lonely dark road, fear gripped his mind and heart. The last 2 miles were the darkest and dangers like wolves and bears lurked in the dark woods. One particular night was especially dark but this particular night he heard a familiar voice on the road at that point. It was his father coming to greet and guide him safely home. John was no longer gripped by fear and the remaining distance home was much different and positive.

I can remember, as a boy, how “spooky” the old cemetery across the street from our home was at night. One dark stormy night I was at home alone for a short time. I don’t remember why I was alone but do remember the lights going out before they got home and having to endure total darkness until the front door opened and was greeting by my parents and older sister. I remember coming up with a little song with the words “God is with me, God is with me, God is with me, God is with me”. Four simple words repeating over and over again. Those words gave me courage and helped evaporate my fears in the dark. That simple tune and words would come to mind during similar times in years since, even as an adult. I still remember that little tune some 55+ years later and still find comfort and peace letting it play in my mind.

That tune even was useful when facing difficult choices or challenges. It reminds me God is near and available for council and help and strength and guidance. God is near and ready for any and all circumstances and needs for me. He is for you too.

Having someone near to encourage and help us along the journey of life is important and often vital. Take a moment to recall those special people who have done that so well. Someone to call our name and take our hand in life’s dark times. God is such a friend – who is the God of encouragement. He uses various ways and means to accomplish this goal for any and all who will recognize and accept His help. He uses the tools of prayer, of His Word, of His followers, of His Spirit all working separately and together to put and guide us along the right path of life to eternity.

Acts 16 is such. Paul gathers his young converts during a very dark time and encourages them. His encouragement is still effective for others even today going down a dark gloomy road. Paul is calling their name, as is Christ Himself to take their hand and guide them to a brighter destination. So who do we need to seek out and call their name and offer a helping hand? Who do you know who is going through a dark time and is in need of a friend? This is a dark time when keeping apart is required to avoid risk of infection. But there are safe and effective ways to be in contact and in conversation. There are other ways to talk and share and encourage. To remind each other God’s voice and presence is not distant nor will spread

COVID 19. God’s voice saying “Fear not, for I am with thee.”

5_/4/20 April Showers of Peace ₄

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called … Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING GALATIANS 5:22-23– “²²But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

COMMENTS: War is devastating to a nation and to communities and to families. The scars and nightmares of death and destruction of war haunt its victims the rest of their lives. The vast majority of people would sacrifice much to avoid war. But when an ambitious leader sets his sights on conquering, he will persuade vast multitudes to follow him into war. Follow a dream or goal of future prosperity at cost of short term sacrifice.

WW1 was the first world war and brought such devastation the world had never before realized. The impact and destruction made most realize war must be prevented if man is going to survive. The league of nations was an attempt to do that. But 20 short years later, Germany once again thrust the world back into war. WW2 was even worse because technology and speed of destruction was worse. The league of nations has been replaced by the united nation but still war continues. Christ foretold in Matthew 24:4-23 that in the future as His return draws nearer wars and rumors of wars will increase and grow worse – so bad that if His return were delayed any longer (when He does return), man would completely destroy himself.

It is as though the ability to destroy brings stronger temptation to destroy. The thirst of power and control must be so intoxicating to bring out such disregard for the consequences of war.

War is not God’s Will nor does He enjoy war. He does allow humans to make their own choices, good or bad, but not without His many ways and attempts to warn and discourage bad choices and encourage good choices.

But He also allows, within limits, satan to tempt and persuade us too. It is satan who enjoys and loves to see men at war destroying each other. He is our enemy.

One of Jesus’ names is “the Prince of Peace”. Galatians 5:22 tells us the fruit of the Spirit is Peace and the Holy Spirit abide in and with us to enable us to live in peace. But peace will continue to escape you and me and mankind as long as satan is still loose and able to tempt us. Satan’s temptations have not changed over the centuries, but are still as effective in deceiving mankind as they were thousands of years ago. Peace is not just missing among nations; it is missing in the soul of every human alive. But that will all change fully in the hearts of believers when Christ returns to remove His followers and then returns to judge satan and his followers.

When satan’s influence is removed, the world will be restored by Christ to what God intended at creation. Death and age and sin will be no more and eternal youthful life and love and fellowship with God will be restored as was in the beginning.

A number of years ago Promise Keepers had conferences at major cities. I went to one with a number of men from our community and enjoyed worship and fellowship with 50,000 men from all over the country gathered together to worship and praise Jesus. As I reflect on that experience, I recall a change in atmosphere and noticed the air was fresher, the sun was brighter, the world seemed more beautiful within the confines of that stadium. But when we left, the world quickly returned as the influence of sin and satan’s mischief were noticed again.

Someday soon the Prince of Peace will finally return and restore the peace He promised on earth. Why is He delaying? Well, be glad He is. He waited for you and me and is still waiting so others can have opportunity to follow Him too. To choose peace over ware. To choose Christ over satan. To choose life over death. AMEN? AMEN!

Until that day, enjoy showers of peace as the Holy Spirit empowers you to live a life “anxious for nothing” as the peace of God guards your heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Few things more adorn and beautify a Christian profession than exercising and manifesting

the spirit of peace. “ A. W. Pink

5/5/20 Stars in Heaven 5

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. … Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING 1 CORINTHIANS 3:10-15– “¹⁰According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. ¹¹For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire..”

COMMENTS: What foundation are you building your life on? What foundation am I building my life on? What motivation drives our daily work and how we spend our time? Granted, when employed, our employer has control of where and how long we work and work we do, but our attitudes and motivation and purpose for living does impact the impact of our lives beyond or in additional to the physical work we do. Christians are encouraged to excel at their jobs but also to reflect Christ’s attributes and example.

The above scripture confirms to us our calling to build a lasting legacy on a foundation Christ laid while on earth as a human and continues to reinforce as His followers build on with their lives.

Hollywood actors dream of having their names added to the 2500 names of famous stars embedded in sidewalks along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Streets in Hollywood, California.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce chooses 24 new names each year to add but those chosen must pay a $40,000 fee to pay cost work to make and install each new walk section.

The skills and reputation / legacy left by those before inspire and set a higher standard influencing conduct and quality of work to live up to. Most fall sadly short of demonstrating the character and level of integrity worthy of modeling.

But our example does. He indeed did endure the same temptations we do but did not sin. He endured persecution worse than what we ever will and even worse than what many Christians are enduring in Moslem and Communist governed countries. But they are the shinning stars and examples that inspire and give us courage us to live faithful to His calling and His example too.

But even more, we have His Word and Holy Spirit to guide and walk with us and empower and encourage and council and remind us along life’s way. You may think your service for Christ goes unnoticed. But it is not overlooked by God. He will remember your work for Him forever.

“Holiness is its own reward.” Thomas Brooks

5_/6/20 Don’t Give-Up ₆

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.2 Thessalonians 3:13

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING 2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-15 – “6 But we command

you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

COMMENTS: Have you ever given up or at least were tempted to? Usually, I’ve found best not and later regretted when did. But once I gave up and glad I did. The company I worked as an engineer hired as VP of engineering resolved to eliminate all non-4 year degreed designers and was putting in place a plan to do so. I prayed long and hard and asked some others to support me in prayer too. I decided to write him a letter of concern and recommendation, which basically asked him to give non-degreed employees opportunity to earn their degree by hiring a local university in plant to offer evening classes to employees interested. He agreed and also offered degreed employees opportunity to earn their master’s degree. Writing and sending him that email took even more prayers and rewrites but I was certain I was doing God’s work and outcome was a number of employees earning their degree and some their master’s degree. I decided to go for a master’s degree in engineering but after a number of weeks, I concluded I was not able to keep up with pace and complexity of classes. It had been over 25 years since college and the focus of classes offered were not part of my undergraduate training. But I had accomplished what God desired of me.

Writing this devotional journal has been a tremendous blessing but also a commitment at times requiring resolve and priority that hasn’t always been easy. But He has given me confirmation and reassurance He wills me to continue and His Holy Spirit has strengthened and helped and given insights each day. Now, 8 years into this journey, I am more resolved in continuing and have grown in my faith and God has opened opportunities to reach out and minister to many others in countries and locations I likely would not be able to do otherwise.

Sometimes we grow weary in the work, but we should never become weary of the work the Lord gives us to do. Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 warns against becoming “weary and discouraged in [our] souls.”

God has done so much for us. We should never become weary in doing good for Him. Make up your mind to stay enthused, determined, and active in whatever task God gives you today. Never grow weary in doing good. It’s always too soon to quit.

“Can we be casual in the work of God—casual when the house is on fire, and people are in danger of being burned?” Duncan Campbell

5/7/20 THE FUTURE 7

Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18

RECOMMENDED READING: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18 – “¹³But I do not want you to be

ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. ¹⁵For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

COMMENTS:This scripture is the primary evidence and scripture support that the Church will be raptured prior to judgment of Great Tribulation for 7 years on earth. Many sincere Christians and theologians believe Church will endure first half of the Tribulation and some believe Rapture will not happen until the end of this period. I believe the controversy will become clearer as will proper interpretation of prophecies not yet fulfilled as we approach and enter that terrible period. Jesus tells us He will intervene and stop the destruction brought on by man himself during this time in order to preserve mankind. The right interpretation is not fully clear, so my opinion is just that and not necessarily God’s interpretation, which isn’t fully revealed yet. But, my opinion is the Rapture of the church will be prior to God’s judgment but Church will endure at least some of man’s destructive sinful behavior due to war and violence and persecution thrust on other people and nations and convictions. Persecution of Christians is getting more prevalent and violent especially in non-democratic countries.

Consider Matthew 24 “¹⁵“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’^[^a ^] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— ¹⁶then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. ¹⁸Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. ¹⁹How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing

mothers! ²⁰Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

²²“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”

I invite you to read the entire 24^th chapter, but note that the trigger will be the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem and then desecration of that temple. Warning is to run and hide because a great disaster is falling. Then vs 22 says “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” The Rapture of the church – Christ’s return first to take His believers to heaven to spare them the eminent judgment.

Are we about to enter that time? Is Christ’s return eminent? If we are, we can expect things like COVID 19 to get worse and evil leaders to take advantage and do their destruction on top of natural disasters.

Some would say we all need to prepare by storing food and water and money along with weapons and other necessities. Others would say do nothing to physically repair and trust God to provide fully or take us away from a terrible time best not to live through anyway.

Well, I believe the right answer is between those two extremes.

Preparing as we can but trusting God to provide.

I don’t believe we are called to gather a lot of stuff and guard them with guns and weapons. Instead gather as we can and share with others in greater need.

So how do we justify or explain 1 Thess 4 with Matthew 24?

Peter Drucker said, “Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out

the back window.”

That is true without scripture but prophecy in scripture does at least point us through the windshield and the country road is somewhat lit with dim parking or headlights.

We know “that in the last day’s perilous times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1), and there will be “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). Things will keep getting worse and worse until the world reaches a crisis point, then Jesus will come to rapture His people (1 Thessalonians 4:16). A man of evil (Antichrist) will arise who will exalt “himself above all that is called God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). He will establish a treaty with Israel, but after three and a half years he will break it (Daniel 9:27). He will then set up his image in the rebuilt Jewish temple, which will spark the Great Tribulation. Just when the Antichrist seems about to destroy Israel, Jesus will return (Zechariah 14:4). Christ will reign on earth a thousand years (Revelation 20:4). Then God will welcome His children into the new heaven and the new earth, and the eternal city (Revelation 21:1-2).

“Thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

If we accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and yield to the Holy Spirit’s guiding and helping Hand, we really can face approaching dangers and disasters with confidence and hope. Trust and faith in Him becomes stronger and more secure as we exercise and gain experience developing and using that trust and faith. Doing so is the best and most important way of preparing for the coming days, whatever they hold for us. “Prophecy is important to God, and He desires for us to understand His plans.” David Jeremiah

5/8/20

TIMELY SCRIPTURES 8

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:31

RECOMMENDED READING: PSALM 107:23-32 “Those who go down to the sea in ships,Who do business on great waters,²⁴They see the works of the LORD,And His wonders in the deep.²⁵For He commands and raises the stormy wind,Which lifts up the waves of the sea.²⁶They mount up to the heavens,They go down again to the depths;Their soul melts because of trouble.²⁷They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,And are at their wits’ end.²⁸Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,And He brings them out of their distresses.²⁹He calms the storm,So that its waves are still.³⁰Then they are glad because they are quiet;So He guides them to their desired haven.³¹Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,And for His wonderful works to the children of men!³²Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,And praise Him in the company of the elders.”

COMMENTS: Read closely these words from Psalm 107 and imagine the storms fishermen have experienced in their lifetimes. They learn the warnings and discover from experienced fishermen and from their own experience how to prepare for and manage the waves and wind of storms. So why would we not seek God’s council in learning how to manage life’s storms too. After all, He has been guiding pilgrims in every generation since Adam and has given us His living Book to guide us. Then He gives us His Holy Spirit to explain to us and help us apply His teachings from Scripture and connect us with others to help too along the way.

We fail when we take our eyes off Heim and our hand out of His hand like Peter did on the Sea of Galilee. We fail when we rely on ourselves instead of relying on Him.

When we read about the successes and failures of those before us, we soon realize just how important it is to keep our eyes on Him and our hands in His. How important it is to pray first and wait on Him.

The Pilgrims had a rough voyage aboard the Mayflower, but they read their Bible every day. Just when things seemed hopeless, they came upon Psalm 107:23-30: “Those who go down to the sea in ship… are at their wits’ end. Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm…. Then they are glad…. So He guides them to their desired haven.”

We have many storms in life; but when we’re reading our Bible every day, the Lord has Scripture for us. The truth of God’s Word offers hope for each day.

Sometimes it’s helpful to have a Bible with wide margins so we can jot down the date and occasion when a particular verse speaks to us. There’s never a day when Scripture is silent, and we’ll never have a problem for which there isn’t a verse to help. Reading devotional books is good, but remember—it’s only a supplement to the actual reading of God’s Word.

The Lord has a verse for you today. Don’t miss it!

5/9/20

“Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.” Ronald Reagan WORDS OF LIFE 9

Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.

Acts 5:20

RECOMMENDED READING: PROVERBS 4:20-23 “²⁰My son, give attention to my words;Incline

your ear to my sayings.²¹Do not let them depart from your eyes;Keep them in the midst of your heart;²²For they are life to those who find them,And health to all their flesh.²³Keep your heart with all diligence,For out of it spring the issues of life.”

COMMENTS: Attitude or state of mind makes a huge difference in how open or willing we are to listen to and receive council, wise council especially. Such is so true with teens who let emotions and even hormones control their thoughts and actions. But such is not just true of teens but humans of all ages. Toddlers have temper tantrums and can’t be controlled until something or someone stops the cycle of emotion and reaction.

How many wars and murders and violence and brutality and abuses have done irreparable harm to weaker or defenseless loved ones or victims? How many families were broken or destroyed in the heat of anger and jealousy and other dark emotions that later were regretted by perpetrator(s) when cooler and more reasonable minds prevailed and when the resulting destruction of deeds were evident. Rash or impulsive actions never bring good results but often lasting results. Only God can provide solutions and a way of healing that will restore broken relationships and even stronger – better results.

Evil and destruction are never God’s Will but He allows us free will to do good or evil. To follow our emotions or His council and lead. But He does put a limit and will stop the destruction evil brings. He stops it sooner when we repent and seek and follow His council. He stops it a bit later when we don’t but then judges or allows consequences of evil actions fall on the guilty and brings healing to the innocent. Sometime healing must wait til heaven but certainly will be completed at heaven’s gate.

We live in a world where words flow like a flood but more often than not, they are words filled with lies and anger and evil. Not words of kindness and healing and help. Let’s face it. It is far easier to tear down and destroy than to build and repair. That is true of buildings and possessions but is also t rue of relationships, but benefits of building and repairing instead of tearing down or destroying are very long lasting. But “the world” gives more respect to those powerful enough to destroy instead of those gifted with wisdom and abilities to build. But the world thrives on builders and suffers from destroyers.

The bible is our best source of life and help! God is our best master builder and mentor. We do well when we seek and learn from Him above all others and mentor under older and wiser students of Him too. AMEN? AMEN!

“I hear the words of love, I gaze upon the blood, I see the mighty sacrifice, and I have peace with God. “Horatius Bonar

5/10/20 ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN – NEEDS VS WANTS 10

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Scripture: MATTHEW 7:7-11 “⁷“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

COMMENTS: Many have interpreted these verses and others to mean God will give us anything we want if ask believing and have enough faith. No conditions relating to motives or reason for request. No condition relating to benefit and consequences of granting those requests. Asking for help requires humility in place of pride, faith that those requesting to help are willing and able to provide that help, and acquiring that help and healing or positive answer will benefit and not harm us or those included in our prayer.

So, if we believe God knows everything, including us and our needs. If we believe God has our best interests in mind and loves us more than anyone else. If we believe is all wise and always chooses the best. Then we should believe He will provide what is best and when best. Then we should trust Him enough to simply ask His Will be Done.

Well, He also understands it helps and strengthens our faith and relationship with Him to verbalize our requests. To talk to Him expressing both praise and worship as well as concerns and needs of ourselves – our families and friends – others we know or not but are aware of their needs.

The one big thing we need to keep in mind is the importance of recognizing both our needs and separating them from our wants. Wants are things or relationships or situations we want and like or imagine enjoying, but are not needed to sustain life or happiness. If we are honest, we will have to admit experiencing those types of wants. Take some time to reflect on some of them and how disappointed or unsatisfied you were with them even the harm some of them caused. At best, most just consumed limited resource of time and money that was or is needed elsewhere.

Wants all too often are: Desiring things or relationship or situations we do not need using money or time to acquire that is or will be needed for more urgent or important things then or later. Wants that demand time to maintain while losing their appeal or value over time. Then in order to be freed from burden they create, they are sold or given away for a depreciated loss.

God knows many of our wants are: Desiring things we don’t need that will consume money and time needed for more important purposes.

God knows many of our wants will: Do us and many others harm instead of good by consume valuable resources and by distract our focus on doing His Will to following our own will and selfish passions.

God knows many of our wants will: Weaken and hinder our relationship with Him and with others. He knows they will make our burdens heavier and not lighter. He knows the impact on those He wants us to help or bless.

So how should we pray and what should we pray of? I think we should recognize the needs not being satisfied from our wants. That includes needs of our loved ones and beyond. We should reflect and praise Him for provision in the past and currently. Then, we should pray for those wants by asking God Wisdom to give us discernment to separate helpful wants from harmful wants so we then could pray God’s help to provide helpful wants and help us remove or deal with desires for harmful wants.

Matthew 7:7 gives us Jesus invitation to request God’s help in providing for our needs. The NLT (New Living Translation) tells us Jesus invites us to liberally ask God for help in providing for those needs. To keep on seeking and praying until those needs are met.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

Don’t be afraid to ask God for His help, and don’t be reluctant to keep on asking. “God is more willing to give than we are to ask.” Andrew Murray

5/11/20 THE HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD 11

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 10:27-31 “²⁷“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. ²⁸And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. ³⁰But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

COMMENTS: You and I can comprehend the love of a parent for their children or a wife or husband for their spouse or the love of brothers and sisters for each other or the love between close friends. We can comprehend for love shared within family or even between pet and owner. But the depth and span of love God has demonstrated and described to us is far beyond what we, as humans, are able to comprehend or attempt to do. We are not able to demonstrate and sustain true love let alone do so to a large number of people let alone all of mankind like Christ did and continues to do.

However, we have documented the transformation each disciple and countless others experienced and sustained in the midst of great persecution and martyrdom in the years after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection and ascension. They did so long after Christ’s physical presence was gone. How? The Holy Spirit’s presence and influence and help made all the difference – even more so than Christ’s because the Holy Spirit was and is not limited by a physical body. Christ now isn’t either but was during His time on earth in a human body.

For God to know us so completely to know the number of hairs on our head is far beyond our comprehension. Every time I comb my hair, that number goes down, so His personal involvement and attention to you and me is continuous without breaks or disruption.

The above verses help remind and encourage us as to God’s faithfulness. But our responsibility and obligation is not only to follow God’s council and instruction for our own wellbeing and wellbeing of our family, but also for the responsibility to share kindness and a helping hand to others in need.

We do so by not wasting God’s provision beyond our needs on many of the wants we long for but instead follow Christ’s instruction to use to help meet needs of others. Doing so brings great joy and draws us and them closer to Christ

Our best encouragers are people who have been where we are, who understand from experience what we’re going through.

That’s why Jesus is our great Comforter. Having become a Man, He can sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus never sinned, but He endured all the pressures of life—and then some. Whatever you’re going through, Jesus knows— even the number of hairs on your head. He cares. And He can help.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ [has] a sympathy with our sorrows and infirmities … impossible to find in any other being.” Octavius Winslow

5/12/20 PEACE WITH GOD 12

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING COLOSSIANS 1:21-22 “

²¹And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²²in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—.”

COMMENTS: The human way of resolving conflict is to fight (the stronger is right) or spread gossip or lies or half-truths (outsmart) or convince opponent (more skillful debaters prevails). Let’s face it, humans are very good at justifying sinful – prideful – selfish behavior. But without a standard to judge behavior and determine right from wrong, man quickly falls prey to satan’s deceptions and runs down the path to destruction, taking many with him.

Humans were designed to be in relationship with each other but also with God. War comes when we turn from God and follow our own way – an ever changing standard of right and wrong that is relative to results we desire. For peace to be restored, one side must take the initiative and reach out. One side must take the lead. Christ took the lead at the cross and continues to take the lead thru His Word – His Holy Spirit – His followers – and thru direct contact thru prayers / revelations.

The Bible is clear that man’s relationship with God was broken due to sin in the Garden of Eden (Romans 5:12). That break could have resulted in an eternal stalemate were it not for the loving character of God. It was God who reached out to humanity offering a path of reconciliation. That path—foreshadowed in the Old Testament—was fulfilled when God sent Jesus Christ into the world to be judged for mankind’s sin. As a result of the death and resurrection of Christ, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). It was God who “reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:18). It was God who took the initiative toward peace.

Have you responded by faith to God’s initiative? Can you take the first step in restoring peace wherever it has been lost?

“What peace can they have who are not at peace with God? “ Matthew Henry

5/13/20 SAVED BY GRACE FOR GOOD WORKS 13

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of

God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

^“⁸Therefore do not be ashamed of

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 1:8-9

the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began”

COMMENTS: Christ has done what no man could conceive or even feel the need of. Christ knows that no man can earn or do anything to redeem himself. Every other religion teaches earning and working to that goal. That is the great deception embraced by the world in denial of what God states in Scripture and especially with Jesus’ own words and deeds.

So why are most individuals and religions so resistant to accept salvation offered by Christ based on His own

sacrifice? Why is salvation by works and earned so much more appealing than salvation by Grace as a free gift? Could it be that self-pride makes it difficult to humble ourselves to accept such a gift as well as make gratitude difficult. If salvation were earned, than we could justify our pride and feel privileged and self-righteous.

So, who do you and I believe, a religion or individuals or the One and only God who Created and continues to retain control and authority over all His creation.

The choice is our but the consequences of that choice is in His control, not ours. Because salvation is a gift, no one dare feel privileged nor better than others. Instead, grateful for God’s mercy and saving Grace. Instead of using salvation as a badge of accomplishment and status, a lifeline to eternal life to be thrown out at every opportunity. God’s way makes and keeps everyone equal in need and status. God’s way makes obedience a response of gratitude and love instead of a labor of obligation and work.

OK, I know. Jobs require skills and a strong work ethic that are worked for . Promotions are earned by hard work, not given without cost to anyone who

asks for them. Aren’t grades earned in elementary and junior and senior high schools?

But wait. Don’t faithful Christians make good employees? Better students? Don’t they still have to earn promotions and jobs and good report cards in school?

What is difference? The answer lies with what motivates employees and students. Are they motivated by salary or status or report cards or good annual evaluations or are they motivated by a desire to honor and please their Savior who gave so much for them. Motivated by a desire to draw others to Christ and His redemption by showing the difference His Grace made to them.

Yes, performance is important even in the Christian life. We will be judged and rewarded one day based on the works we carry out for the sake of the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Jesus told a parable about successful financial management being the basis for hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Our works are important in every case except one: our salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says clearly that we are saved “by grace … through faith … not of works.” Our salvation is a gift that cannot be earned. It’s a new thought for performance-based people, but a biblical one nonetheless.

Ephesians 2:10 adds that we are saved “for good works,” after we are saved “by grace.”

“The Church is a community of the works and words of Jesus. “” Donald English

5/14/20 HE FREELY GIVES ALL 14

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: ROMANS 8:31-39 “³¹What then shall we say to

these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶As it is written:“For Your sake we are killed all day long;We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”³⁷Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

COMMENTS: Today is May 7^th, the national day of prayer in USA. A day reserved to recognize and hold precious God’s presence and blessings and guiding Hands. Our country was founded by pilgrims and immigrants who held freedom precious but held freedom to worship even more precious. They knew only by putting Christ in prominence in their new government and seeking and following His Council would their government and country survive and thrive. Thrive it has and thrive it only can if we continue to follow their example and keep Christ at the helm in our lives and in our government.

Today, we spend some more time reflecting and praying seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy but also His instruction and “orders”. 2 Chronicles 7:14 continues to be His council and “orders” for you and me and our leaders and our citizens. “¹⁴if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

J.I. Packer describes Romans 8:32 in his book “Knowing God. He writes “The meaning of He will give us all things” means that one day we will realize that He has denied us nothing that hindered our eternal happiness. Then we will see Him and know Him fully and experience that eternal happiness without the scales and distractions of sin’s influence we struggle with on earth.

When we become Christians, God brings joy into our life—the joy of knowing that He has given us His Son, and through Him everything else we need or will ever need.

If Jesus Christ would give His own life for you, will He not also give you everything you need for life, godliness, happiness, joy, and eternal safety? The loss of joy is occasioned by unbelief. But the presence of joy is the natural consequence of knowing that Romans 8:32 is a living reality for us every day. Through Jesus Christ, God has given us everything.

“You will never need more than he can supply, and what he supplies, both materially and spiritually, will always be enough.” J. I. Packer, Knowing God

5/15/20

MOSES WROTE ABOUT JESUS ₁₅

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. John 5:46

Recommended Reading: JOHN 5:41-47 “⁴¹“I do not receive honor from men. ⁴²But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. ⁴³I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. ⁴⁴How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? ⁴⁵Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. ⁴⁶For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. ⁴⁷But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”.”

COMMENT: Moses lived 2000 years before Christ. He is credited for writing the first 5 books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch). The reference to Christ is not limited to these books but throughout the Old Testament. The Messiah was widely anticipated in Old Testament especially during times of exile. Such anticipating increased in intensity as Jesus’ birth approached too.

The prophets foretold His birth and coming and described His mission and characteristics. Just as current prophecies not fulfilled yet today are not fully understood, so were the prophecies of His first coming then. But those prophecies became evident and clear as Jesus lived and taught and especially when He fulfilled His ultimate mission of personal sacrifice and death and resurrection as our sin sacrifice. Even devout Old Testament Jews could not

comprehend Christ’s mission or even comprehend how God could become human and remain God. Saul could not comprehend such even though he was one of the best learned students of scripture. He could not comprehend until he met Jesus on the Damascus Road. He was transformed into Paul who wrote the letters and so eloquently explained Jesus’ revelations and mission that they were included in New Testament scripture.

People don’t like to be told there is only one road to a destination. They want to discover many options so they can choose the path they take. But

Jesus told us He is the One and only Way to the Father: (John 14:1-11).

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[^a ^]; believe also in me. ²My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴You know the way to the place where I am going.” ⁵Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”⁶Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you really know me, you will know^[^b ^] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”⁸Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”⁹Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ¹¹Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

So, like it or not Jesus is the only way to heaven but also the only way to redemption while living on earth too. Our pride and self-will may not like it but this is wonderful news. News that He did the hard work and is giving the rewards of that work to us without cost. All we have left to do is accept His gift and respond in gratitude by following and striving to be like Him and obey Him because we love Him and because He gives us wise council of life.

Eternal life for us and any and all who accept Him.

Well, we must all make that choice. A choice that will impact our eternal future and future of those we influence too because our influence on others is either positive or negative and sometimes a little of both. Yet, He wants to partner with us so our influence does and will have eternal positive impact too. He doesn’t need our help, but He is like a loving father who enjoys our company and loves helping us help and bless others. He doesn’t need our help but we certainly need His. AND HE KNOWS THAT! We just need to learn and discover and rediscover that daily, don’t we?

“Jesus stepped into the portrait drawn for Him in advance like a living man stepping into a pencil drawing.” David Jeremiah

5/16/20 We only need to Ask 16

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14

Our Go-Between 18

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34

Recommended Reading: REVELATION 12:10 ““¹⁰Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down..”

COMMENTS: There are a number of common false beliefs embraced by even regular church attendees. False statements like:

1. We must earn our way to heaven. BUT SCRIPTURE SAYS: Ephesians

2:8-9 “⁸for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this

is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast.”

We must clean up our lives at least somewhat before can receive Christ’s redemption. Psalm 24:1-6 “Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?⁴The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.^[^a ^]

⁵They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior.⁶Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.”

We must give up everything or at least much of what we enjoy to be a devout Christian.
I can’t come to Christ as long as I still commit even one sin. Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”. Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of

God’s grace” I JOHN 1:9 “⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Well, the truth is NO ONE, NOT ONE, can stop sinning nor has. Only Christ has lived in human form and a sinless life but died bearing the guilt and punishment for everyone’s sins. He rose victorious over death, so created the only way to redemption – forgiveness – eternal life.

So, by believing you must clean up your life before approaching God for redemption, you are depriving yourself of the only way to redemption. Christ does not require us to clean up our lives first, only come to Him as we are seeking His help to clean us up – more than just receiving forgiveness but His cleaning work.

Christ offers a much better and far more wonderful solution to sin that we could imagine but far better than we want to accept, as odd as that seems. We put the cart ahead of the horse when we put cleaning our life ahead of receiving redemption and forgiveness.

God’s way is forgiving first and then transforming our lives. Think about it. Almost like receiving payment for work before beginning work. Employers would not consider such an agreement, which is maybe why we find such a plan from God so unbelievable.

But scripture tells us exactly what God’s plan and Will is – to come to Him dirty with sin and selfish baggage and ask Him to forgive and clean us up. That begins the journey to becoming Christ-like. But since Christ-like is far more perfect than we can imagine as well as achieve, that means it is futile to try. He knows we can’t achieve that goal nor can imagine it.

But once we accept His forgiveness and yield our wills to His cleansing hands, we start seeing a change in our attitude and interests – not complete but begin. Since the journey to heaven is one day and step at a time, the need and His plan included a relationship with us daily and continue helping and guiding and, yes, extending His mercy and forgiveness as we fall along the path of that journey (Psalm 37:24 “though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” JAMES 4:7-9 “₇ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ₈ Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ₉ Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. ₁₀ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will

not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;”

Matthew 18:21–22 “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”

These verses and many-many more all tell us God forgives as often and as many times as ask but also requires we show the same mercy and forgiveness to each other as He shows us. He doesn’t limit our forgiveness to 70×7 or 490 times but His forgiveness is infinite. Can we forgive each other without limits or bounds? Well, probably not but with His help we can do much better and continue to improve until we enter heaven’s gate and no longer are limited and hindered by satan’s influence and lures. Christ not only wants to forgive us and help us live a better life of Joy and Hope and Peace but enable us to share and example that transformation with others, who don’t deserve His mercies either but who He loves and offers His mercies to equally to offers to us.

Jesus is our Intercessor or our “Go between” to the Father. Between “the accuser of [the] brethren” (Revelation 12:10), that is, Satan and the Father. We see a perfect example of Satan’s accusatory role in Job 1–2. Satan accused Job before

God of being weak in faith and offered to prove the point by testing Job, which God allowed (Job 1:6-12). Satan will take every opportunity to accuse us of unworthiness before God. But Paul says that no one can bring a charge or condemnation against us because Christ died for us, removing our sins and unworthiness (Romans 8:33-34).

Thank God today that Jesus is our Intercessor, coming between Satan and the Father on our behalf. “There is no way of obtaining favor from God but through the intercession of Christ.” John Calvin

5/19/20 Prayer Partner 19

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. John 17:11

Scripture: JOHN 17:6-26 “Jesus Prays for His Disciples

⁶“I have revealed you^[^a ^] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of^[^b ^] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. ¹²While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by^[^c ^] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

¹³“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷Sanctify them by^[^d ^] the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus Prays for All Believers

²⁰“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶I have made you^[^e ^] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

COMMENTS: Did you realize what it means for Christ to be our intermediary with the Father? It means the Father sees and judges us through Christ’s actions/life and his blood. The Father does not see our sins and failings when Jesus is our go between. But there is more! Jesus prays to the Father for us, adds to, and reinforces our prayers to Him too.

John 17 is Jesus’ prayer for his disciples and for His followers both then and through the ages til now. Yes, and not just until now but for future generations of followers and those who will become followers. He prays with words and passion we are not able to express.

Romans 8:26-36 “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning’s too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

Jesus prayer is in perfect harmony with the Holy Spirit and how both intercede for you and me, as with those before and after us, is consistent and current and makes all the difference in how the Father interacts with each of us.

Have you ever known others were praying for you and could feel the difference their prayers were making, even before they were answered? The sense of not being alone and hope of a good outcome starts shining through where darkness and discouragement or even despair began to take root. How much more is the impact of knowing Jesus is our go between and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us too.

Who prays for you? If you could choose one person to pray for you continually, who would that person be?

The most faithful Person you could enlist to pray for you is the One who is already doing so. And His prayers for you started nearly two thousand years ago.

On the night of His arrest and trial, Jesus prayed what is now called “The High

Priestly Prayer” (John 17). In part, this longest recorded prayer of Jesus is called

“High Priestly” because of His intercessory prayers for those who come to believe in Him. He prayed that God would protect them—that is, us—from the power of the devil who was bound to attack. And He continues to pray even today, “since He always lives to make intercession for [us]” (Hebrews 7:25).

Be assured—you are being prayed for today by your High Priest and Intercessor, Jesus Christ.

“Before the throne of God above, I have a strong, a perfect plea, a great High Priest, whose name is

Love, whoever lives and pleads for me. “ Charitie Lees Bancroft

5/20/20 Lost and Found 20

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10 RECOMMENDED READING: LUKE 15:3-10 “³So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ⁷I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN

⁸“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the

house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ ¹⁰Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

COMMENTS: The lost coin is one example and parable Christ used to explain and show just how much God loves and has done to reach each of us and persuade us to come to Him for redemption. As humans, we tend to hold possessions precious that cost us much to obtain. Those of much wealth with many possessions tend to value them less because it cost them little to obtain them and can be easily replaced if lost or damaged.

Be glad God isn’t that way. He could just as easily throw us away and make replacements more faithful simply by speaking it, but He chose to fix us but only if we invite Him and ask Him to. He didn’t have to but chose to because He cares for us. He understands our struggles, weaknesses, and foolishness, but also respects and honors free will. He lets the Hitlers make bad – sinful choices that even hurt others but not before giving them opportunity to follow His life giving way. Accountability for the Hitlers is great but even those who suffer and die as a result also are giving opportunities to receive His offer of redemption and eternal life too.

One day it will make sense to us, but for now, we must learn to trust and obey Him without full understanding. He doesn’t desire that any be lost or go into eternity alone, but does respect each having freedom to make their own choice. We may not see the background behind foolish choices, but we have the confidence of knowing we, like they, are given opportunity to go down the right path instead of wrong path.

You and I make a difference when we pray for each other and especially when we pray for the lost. Doing so is essential in praying in harmony with the Will of God, which is that all be in relationship with Him. Changing the minds and souls of people isn’t always possible because of “free will” but by praying, we change our hearts and minds and open ourselves to be more influential in the lives of others, thereby giving God more opportunities to persuade many to come to Him who otherwise may not be so persuaded.

How this works isn’t clear, but reflect on influence others made on you that contributed or was key in your decision to follow Christ. Each one of us were lost and only were found when we yielding to His searching

Spirit.

Jesus Christ came into the world “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Some people today feel lost but don’t know why. Others don’t believe they are lost at all. The Church’s mission is to declare not only man’s lost condition but also God’s rescue mission to find us and bring us home.

“I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.” John Newton, “Amazing Grace”

5/21/20	DON’T PREJUDGE 21
Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from

me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. John 4:9

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE GALATIANS 3:28 “²⁸There is neither Jew nor Greek,

there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

COMMENTS: Prejudgment is judging a person or situation before adequate evidence is received. For people, judging an individual based on past experience with others of same race or gender or appearance or same last name or same religion or worldview or … The list is nearly infinite.

Is certain types of prejustice justified or even good or is all prejudice harmful? Well, prejustice is something everyone does to some degree and in one way or another. Some outspoken atheists, humanists, and progressives show prejustice against Christians. Truth is some Christians have not conducted themselves in a Christ-like manner but that doesn’t mean the Christian worldview is false nor that all Christians are prejusticed against non-Christians. Likewise, not all non-Christians are prejusticed against Christians. I dare say most are not in spite what may be implied on some news sites or by some organizations.

But Christ warns that to be His follower will stir hostility and false accusations against us. He assures us that hostility is motivated by satan’s hostility against Him.

Therefore, what we should do is what sincere – faithful Christians have demonstrated since Pentecost. To discover and follow Christ’s example and learn from previous Christ followers and from Christ followers in our lives and in other places and countries. Those faithful to Christ will be positive examples who will be a powerful witness to others drawing them too to the eternal life available from Christ. However, the hostility and prejustice inflicted on them has always been a burden they had to carry as a “right of passage” or way to authenticate their witness to the Gospel they are sharing.

However, from God’s perspective, asking them (and us) to endure a time of suffering or pain is not pleasant but well worth the sacrifice because the fruit of that sacrifice is the salvation of others. Stop and ask yourself – what price would I be willing to pay so my spouse or son/daughter or cousin or neighbor or friend would be with me in heaven? If we put it that way, I think we all would say such a result would be worth anything including our own lives.

So why should we be surprised or angry if we endure some persecution or difficulty or have to make some sacrifice along life’s way and journey. In fact, if we are not making any sacrifice, should we be wondering and asking if we are indeed being a faithful follower of Christ and are we truly acting and living a Christ-centered and Christ-like life?

Prejustice was a problem in Jesus’ day and in every generation before and after. In Jesus’ day, Jews and Samaritans were prejusticed against each other and likely for good reason based on conduct of some. The Samaritans were dependents of Jews who intermarried Assyrians in 8^th century BC. Jews would go out of their way to avoid going through Samaria when traveling from Judea to Galilee. But when Jesus took such a journey, He purposefully went through Samaria, where He encounter the woman at the well, which resulted in her salvation along with many she then brought from her town to encounter and be transformed by the Messiah – Jesus Christ.

If we are going to be Christ-like, we will need to learn to seek and embrace opportunities on our journey and path instead of avoiding them. That means more interruption in our schedule but consider how often Christ was interrupted. In His case, the interruptions were part of His plan and so will ours if we seriously implement the decision to follow Him.

“Water and oil are more compatible than Christianity and prejudice.” William A. Ward

5/22/20 OPEN DOORS 22

Praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ.

Colossians 4:3.

RECOMMENDED READING: COLOSSIANS 1:2-6. ” To the saints and faithful brethren

in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST ³We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying

always for you, ⁴since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; ⁵because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, ⁶which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;”

COMMENTS: Praying for each other is important and needed. You may wonder why prayer is important. Doesn’t God know everything, so there is nothing more we can say that He does not already know? That much is true as well as God is not limited on what He can do but there are limits and restraints.

Prayer is a vital way He responds and prepares both those praying and those being prayed for to receive His answer. Often His answer is delayed or different depending on our faithfulness and motives behind our prayers. Selfish prayers do not get a favorable answer while prayers in harmony with God’s will and long-term plan are answered favorably. However, timing is impacted by how willing those praying and those receiving are willing to do His bidding to implement His Will. He doesn’t need our help but we need to do our part in order to all He intends when He answers our prayers.
Prayer is key but only one component of a viable relationship with our Creator and Savior and Lord. Jesus prays for us to the Father. He prays for our Willingness to follow His example and submission to receive His Salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He prays we be strong and keep our hand in His during temptation and trials. He prays we be faithful in witness, worship, and service. The Holy Spirit also prays for us with words and passion we are not capable of but desirous to do in order to commune with the Trinity.
Prayer is where we battle satan and open God’s opportunities to gain strength and power and become a better reflection of Christ to others.
Prayer is where God becomes real and close to us. Prayer is how scripture becomes alive to us because the Holy Spirit guides and instructs us as we stay focused in prayer.
Prayer is work, which means it requires focus, time, and sacrifice in order to be worthwhile. Work can be uncomfortable and sometimes unpleasant but worthwhile in order to reach the desired goal.
So how do we discover how and when and what to pray for? I think the answers become more obvious and easier the more we pray and more often, we pray. Granted, we can’t pray with full focus when focus is needed for other important tasks, but we can be in an attitude of prayer seeking God’s help and direction as we do even focused work. However, there is much of our day when we waste idle or less focused time on worthless or unproductive things. Granted, we need down time to relax and rest but fellowship with Christ is a refresher as we become more skillful in focus and being in relationship with Him. Often just thinking about Him and listened with our spirit can and does draw us closer and refreshes us infinitely better than internet browsing or messaging or gaming ever could or often promises. Satan wins when he draws us into sin but he also wins when he pulls us away from regular fellowship with God. He can’t force us but he sure can tempt and distract us. However, it still comes down to what we willingly do or don’t do. God will respond to us favorably or unfavorably depending on our willingness to obey or disobey His commandments and instructions to us. The rewards and blessings of obedience are eternal. That is good news to embrace and enjoy but good news to share. AMEN? AMEN!

“Share His love by telling what the Lord has done for you. Share His love by sharing of your faith”. William J. Reynolds

5/23/20 THE MERRY HEART 23 Why do you look so sad today? Genesis 40:7

Scripture Reading: PSALM 96 “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!Sing to the LORD, all the earth.²Singto the LORD, bless His name;Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.³Declare His glory among the nations,His wonders among all peoples.⁴For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;He is to be feared above all gods.⁵For all the gods of the peoples are idols,But the LORD made the heavens.⁶Honor and majesty are before Him;Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.⁷Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,Give to the LORD glory and strength.⁸Give to the LORD the glory due His name;Bring an offering, and come into His courts.⁹Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!Tremble before Him, all the earth.¹⁰Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;The world also is firmly established,It shall not be moved;He shall judge the peoples righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;¹²Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD.¹³For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.He shall judge the world with righteousness,And the peoples with His truth. ”

COMMENTS: Genesis 40:7 is referring to the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker had. They knew their dreams were important but lacked discernment to interpret or discover their importance. Apparently, their faces reflected their concern but God enlightened Joseph to provide their interpretation. The cupbearer received good news from the interpretation Joseph shared, but the baker did not. Yet by receiving it, the baker had some time to prepare for his own execution, which gave him opportunity to learn more of Joseph’s God if he chose to.

Life has real dangers as well as disappointments. Joseph experienced more than his share of these dangers and disappointments too, but his story reminds us that God is faithful to abide and guide and help us through all life’s situations, both good and evil. Both dangerous and peaceful. Both disappointing and fulfilling. Joseph’s story also reminds us that the journey prepares us for the destination if we are faithful to and open to God’s council. Joseph also reminds us of God’s mercy and forgiveness available to all but only experience by those who accept and use it.

Everyone endures times of grief and disappointment and discouragement. Times of sadness are inevitable but need not be permanent or even long-lived. God provides His Word, His abiding Spirit, and communication through prayer as well as other believers all for the purpose of strengthening and encouraging and enabling each of us to live a more victorious and Christ-like life.

Sadness and depression are contagious but a joyful spirit – a smile and especially laughter are contagious too.

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance—Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart has a continual feast—Proverbs 15:15

 A merry heart does good, like medicine—Proverbs 17:22

Listen to the words of a familiar hymn: “Jesus is the entire world to me, my life, my joy, my all; / He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall. / When I am sad, to Him I go,

/ No other one can cheer me so; / When I am sad, He makes me glad, / He’s my friend.” Find your joy in Jesus today. The Lord wants to give you lasting joy.

“I have seen many find their way into a life of victory through rejoicing.” Joy Ridderhof

5/24/20 RED LETTERS 24

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Matthew 24:35

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE MATTHEW 5:1-10 – “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a

mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ²Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.⁴Blessed are those who mourn,For they shall be comforted.⁵Blessed are the meek,For they shall inherit the

earth.⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.⁷Blessed are the merciful,For they shall obtain mercy.⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,For they shall see

God.⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God.¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

COMMENTS: If you have “Red Letter” Bible, a Bible with Jesus’ words in red, you have found it helpful. Helpful by enabling you to pay closer attention to Jesus’ words and helpful in receiving greater insight and impact from His words.

Jesus’ words are brief and to the point.
Jesus’ words are simple to receive and understand but powerful and give fresh insight each time we read them,
Jesus’ words are life changing
Jesus’ words give life and hope
Jesus’ words are just as fresh and valid today as they were 2000 years ago. They are timeless and worthy of closer study.
Jesus’ words give wise council and life lessons to follow

If you have a red-letter edition of the Bible, I invite you to do a focused study of Jesus’ words yourself. It will change your life and open opportunities to bless others too. But don’t misunderstand, the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, the letters Paul wrote and gospels and psalms and proverbs and prophets all are life changing and both enlightening and insightful.

They give us God’s Words to us too.

Yet, Jesus is God come to teach us directly and then to buy our own redemption and salvation with His own blood.

Jesus was rejected by those who should have been most prepared and willing to accept and believe Him. Jesus was believed and followed by those who had rejected and denied God for so long. The choice was theirs and each was permitted to weight Jesus’ message and either accept or reject His message. God has always offered warning and instruction to redemption. Many would accept and receive that redemption but many would not. That has been true in every generation and still is.

The voices of generations gone are silent now, but what would they say to us if they could? What warnings and what message would they tell us if they could? The answer comes from Jesus’ own words: Luke 16:19-31 “¹⁹“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.²²“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ²⁴So he called to him, ‘Father

Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

²⁵“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. ²⁶And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

²⁷“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ²⁸for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

They would warn us of coming judgment to those who reject Jesus’ message and warning. But Jesus’ tells us we have been sufficiently warning, so have no excuse or valid reason to reject Him.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is a rich and bountiful source of Jesus’ teaching. Matthew 5-7 is nearly all in Red Letter, which is our clue that these verses are worthy of focused study and reflection.

It is God’s miracle to us that those words have been preserved for us without access to modern recording devices. His words were memorable and God enabled listening ears and minds to remember those words long enough to be recorded into New Testament scripture. Those words were reinforced by Jesus and transformed the lives of many or possible most who listened to them.

God has a wonderful way of fulfilling His Will and making sure His message gets to us especially in the midst of satan’s obstacles attempting to hinder or distract or stop that from reaching us. God prevailed then and will today too!

“Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” Jerome

5/25/20

WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE? 25

And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1 Corinthians 15:49

RECOMMENDED READING: ROMANS 8:28-29 “ ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

COMMENTS: Romans 8:28 is a familiar and often used scripture to encourage and remind us that God can and does use adversity as well as pleasant times to bring about good to those who put their faith in Him. The next verse goes on to complete the explanation of God’s purpose and identification of those He is referring to. God uses evil to bring His good purpose not for those who continue to deny His Grace but for those who receive His redemption and do love Him. He knows who will and who will not become His followers and receive His redemption but continues to offer and seek all to receive Him. Where there is life, there is hope of salvation and His goal and focus is on partnering with His children to reach more with His Good News offering eternal life. He knew who would, who would not but for some adversity will draw them to God, bringing good to them, and to those they will influence. However, for those who will be stiff-necked, refuse His Grace, and allow bitterness to blind their judgment and harden their heart, the consequence will be loss of the good and eternal life available to them. Blessing of leading others to Christ will also be lost to them and that blessing He will pass to another more willing to repent and follow Him.

Some would say that God demands “ His Way or the highway” but His way is the only way and choosing another is choosing a dead end the deceiver offers with lies and promises he can or will not keep. Those who claim there are more ways to heaven than just Jesus refuse to accept the only way that works and choose a dead-end. If those who chose one of those dead end roads could come back to warn us, they would warn us.

Some would then say, then how do we know who is telling the truth. Well, actions speak louder than words and proof that Jesus lived, His life and character was as described, He did raise from the dead, and His disciples and followers from each generation til present were transformed by His life and resurrection and message give more proof than anything opponents can present. Truth is, they simply don’t want to admit they are wrong and sinful and would rather embrace a worldview that allows them to indulge their sinful passions without judgment or guilt. They would rather drink poison that tastes good than water that gives life and health.

Some would say hypocrites teaching one thing and living another prove

Christianity is a false religion, but hypocrites only prove they are pretending.

There are countless millions in every generation who’s lives prove how genuine and powerful Christ’s redemption and message has been and still is.

Are these genuine Christians perfect or sinless? No, but their lives do show joy and hope especially in midst of suffering and hardship not evident or common in the world and they show a humility and reliance on Christ’s mercy and abiding help that overshadows and influences their choices and thoughts and actions.

So you and I need to be the one that shows by example what a genuine Christian looks and acts like not by pretending but by living with our hand in Christ’s Hand while offering our other hand to another.

What is your purpose and mine? Why are we alive and what gives our lives meaning? What will matter most after our life on earth is over? What will be the legacy we will leave and be remembered by? Christ offers one. What do other options offer? As for me, I choose Him! How about you? AMEN? AMEN!

God’s ultimate purpose for us is to be conformed to the image of His Son so

“that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). The Holy Spirit contributes to our conformation to Christ by giving us gifts (Christ’s hands) and traits (Christ’s heart) through the fruit of the Spirit. God even uses the difficult times in our life to conform us to Christ (Romans 8:28-29).

You likely have a purpose for today. But remember it is only a step on the path to God’s ultimate purpose of Christlikeness.

“Spiritual life depends on the purposes we cherish.” Charles H. Spurgeon

5/26/20 FOLLOWING 26

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

Recommended Reading: JOHN 10:1-5 ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ²But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers..”

COMMENTS: Today’s scripture and topic relates to importance of choice of whom we follow. Who do we follow and then the choice of how devoted we are to that choice. Some claim it is more important to be devout than who or what we are devoted to. Others claim it is more important to follow the truth with less emphasis on our level of commitment or devotion.

However, what does scripture and what does Jesus say:

John 14 clearly is Jesus telling us that He is the only God authorized way to eternal life with God. His teaching and truth is genuine and by His sacrifice we have, the only way to forgiveness and admission into heaven and all God is preparing for us there.
It does matter that we follow His Truth and it does matter how devoted we are to Christ too. Any other gospel or teaching is declared by Jesus as false and will only lead to grief, regret, and death. That is why it is so important to study and know scripture so we can accurately and wisely discern false teaching from Truthful teaching. Likewise, it does matter that we become devoted and passionate about following Christ and sharing His Gospel so our lives and example and influence on others is all passionate and powerful. In fact, He tells us our legacy and influence will be more impactful and have more eternal – lasting influence for good because God will be involved in expanding that positive influence.
Read Jesus’ own words recorded in John 14:

JOHN 14:1-11 ““Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[^a ^]; believe also in me. ²My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Notice Jesus’ response to Thomas’s question “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus tells Him to put and keep His focus on Him. It should have been clear, obvious to him based on the time he, and the other disciples had spent with Him. However, it still was not for them so we should not be surprised it is not for us either until we, like them, sincerely seek and believe His response and then follow Him devoutly.

Likewise, notice Jesus’ response to Philip’s question “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” They seemed to be looking for something more – an angelic visit. Well, Jesus told them He is it and sufficient. They still had doubts and felt unprepared to follow. Well, they were until the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost some 50 days after Easter Sunday. They still were not comprehending what Jesus had taught them nor what He was about to do and did not even after His Resurrection. It took time to sink in but that revelation transformed them and other believers present at Pentecost. Peter was transformed from the frightened man who denied Jesus to an outspoken evangelist who bolded preached and faced crucifixion with confidence.

Without constant reminders and encouragement, you and I are soon discouraged or distracted. An example of a little boy and his father taking a walk outside shows this. They were talking and walking along the sidewalk and then in a nearby park. The father soon discovered his conversation was one sided and turned only to discover his young son had stopped to look more closely at some interesting rocks and pretty flowers and bugs off the path. The father had to turn back to his son and encourage him to refocus back on their walk but not before some exploring together.

God does distract us to do some needed work, but all too often, we allow ourselves to get distracted from His bidding too. Our purpose and primary job is to praise and obey Him, so anything and everything we do should support that goal and mission. It will if we do so with our thoughts and in prayer attitude pointed to Him.

“Following” is a central theme of life with Jesus Christ. He identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd; His sheep follow Him so closely and so consistently that they know the sound of His voice. That means they can immediately detect a stranger’s (possibly dangerous) voice and then hear the Good Shepherd’s voice of safety and direction.

If you want to hear God’s voice, make sure to stay close to the Good Shepherd through prayer, worship, and the Word.

“…It costs to follow Jesus Christ, but it costs more not to. “ Greg Laurie

5/27/20 Asking Amiss 27

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

James 4:3

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: JAMES 4:1-8 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ²You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

⁴You adulterous people,^[^a ^] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us^[^b ^]? ⁶But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God

opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”^[^c ^]

⁷Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

COMMENTS: Family conflict – breakups – divorce and separations – child abuse and … The list goes on. The Covid 19 crisis has forced families to spend more time together in their homes and eating meals together. Such has been therapeutic for many families but for many the result was even more conflict and hurtful words and actions. Conflicts may be inevitable but love and forgiveness are choices to bring healing in place of “winning conflicts” or judging the actions and responses of others.

God’s desire and passion is to heal broken families and make healthy families better. Satan’s desire and passion is to do the opposite, so who we decide to listen to and follow will determine how our families conduct themselves. Sacrifice is worth it. What we give up will later seem negligible compared with saving family and friends and … The sacrifice may seem great at the time but dependence and fellowship with Christ and allowing His Holy Spirit to abide in and with us, enables us to have the will and strength to make that sacrifice over our selfishness – pride – wills – ambitions – hanger and submission to Christ’s Will and passion.

Sometimes God says no to our prayers because of our motives and purposes for asking while sometimes He says later or not yet because either others or we impacted need some preparation first to receive properly and use properly. He says yes when that preparation and His Will are in harmony and ready.

Take some times and reflect on answers God responded with in past to confirm such is also true from your experience. The Bible is full of such experiences to confirm that God will be faithful and answer our prayers and will answer yes when we pray in His Will and submit to His Will for our lives as well as for others too.

James told us to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5), to ask in faith (James 1:6), and

to say, “If the Lord wills” (James 4:15). May the Lord teach us to pray more wisely and not amiss?

“God always has and always will look for men and women who say to Him, “I trust you so much, I’m all in. I want your way not mine. I am willing to live by faith!”” Chip Ingram

5/28/20 WHETHER PRESENT OR ABSENT 28

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9

RECOMMENDED READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-9 “ For we know that if our earthly

house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ²For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, ³if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. ⁴For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.⁶So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. ⁷For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.⁹Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him..”

COMMENTS: Stop and reflect on just how completely God provides for our needs.

He provides for our physical needs. The air and warmth and light of the sun. Gravity to hold us on earth and food and water for nourishment. Family and friend to provide support and help and encouragement. The ability to work and provide for ourselves and our families. Shelter and protection. Ability to talk and think and reason and effectively communicate. But most of all fellowship with God Himself and opportunity to receive forgiveness and to forgive and to receive all His blessings and provision and help. God promises an eternal home with Him in an eternal never aging body with family and friends all of which He is preparing even now. But most of all, He is preparing us to be in and sustain a relationship of love and fellowship with Him for eternity but also right now as we continue to live and function here on earth. He promises never to forsake or leave us, but we still have the choice to leave and forsake Him. By doing so, we choose whether to receive blessing or consequence. We can choose path but we can’t choose destination. Our choices determines our destination while He gives us opportunity to alter our path when going down a wrong path. Many opportunities but there will come a time when the opportunities will come to an end and our destination will be sealed. That is why it is so important to make wise choices while we can before it is too late, for we don’t know when Christ will return or when we will face death. When Lois Evans was dying from a rare form of cancer, her husband Tony and their family gathered around her. During her farewell moments, she began speaking about seeing “something outside earth’s realm.” Pastor Tony Evans said at his wife’s memorial service, “One of the things that I’ve observed in life and in Scripture is that when people walk with God and He doesn’t take them suddenly,

He will… let them know, not only that it’s time, but it’s okay.” The couple’s daughter, Priscilla Shirer, said, “If there is one thing you can do in honor of my mother, it’s do not let your hearts be troubled.” God’s plan for our life goes past the grave and into eternity with Jesus Christ, and the transition isn’t as abrupt as it seems. According to 2 Corinthians 5:9, we’ll be doing the same thing five minutes after we die (“absent” from the body) as we were five minutes before, while alive on earth (“present” in the body), which is seeking to please Him.

The best way to prepare for the future is to please Jesus now.

” You are not fighting for victory—you are fighting from victory. This battle has already been won” Tony Evans

5/29/20	RECOGNIZING JESUS 29
Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach

your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27

RECOMMENDED READING: REVELATION 5:12 ““Worthy is the Lamb who was slainTo

receive power and riches and wisdom,And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

COMMENTS: Each of us must discover and resolve in our own mind and soul that Jesus is God, is Who He says He is, has done (died and rose to buy our redemption) and is doing and going to do what He said (returning to take us home and judge and restore the world). But not only to do what He said, but accept that He is offering to do it for us personally and permanently.

He approaches and confronts and deals with each of us similarly but uniquely so each of us can have equal opportunity to believe and receive His redemption. For Thomas, he needed to see and feel Jesus crucifixion wounds so Jesus offered that opportunity to him. Then Thomas believed. For Saul, he needed a harsher approach that included temporary blindness. For Peter, he needed to be confronted and forgiven 3 times to match his 3 denials.

So, how has He dealt with you? What and how many opportunities has He given to you to receive Him and grow in your faith and trust in Him?

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He raised Jarius’ daughter from the dead. He healed many who had fatal diseases like leprosy. The accounts in scripture are heartwarming and many but we are also told there were many more not recorded in scripture. So many that they are too many to record in books (John 20:30) but they are recorded in the minds and souls of those who received them and witnessed them. They are being proclaimed in heaven and one day we will know and share them too.

We have our own stories of personal miracles we received and witnessed that we also need to proclaim and share so others can be strengthened and encouraged too. What is your life story of faith? To tell – share that story strengthens and encourages us and certainly will encourage others if truthful and from a sincere heart.

Christ is not done doing miracles. He raises every believer from the dead both at salvation and at end of physical life. He does a miracle at every birth and the restoration of life every spring. The evidence not only of His existence, but armcontinued involvement in the world and in the universe is everywhere and all the time. To deny Him is to deny the obvious evident everywhere.

The two men who were joined by Jesus on the Emmaus Road were blinded to recognizing Him, which may be puzzling to us if they had seen and heard Him even once during His ministry. But they were blinded for a while and so are we all too often. Blinded by our own selfishness and sinful passions and indulgences and even by our own neglect of His Word and neglect of fellowship with Him in prayer and neglect of fellowship with other believers too.

Worship Jesus Christ today as the Lamb slain for your eternal redemption, and prepare to recognize Him by His wounds.

“The Divine glory shone more out of his wounds than out of all his life before.”

Robert Murray M’Cheyne

5/30/20 NOT IN VAIN 30

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:14

SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-19_“¹²Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised

from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

COMMENTS: The basis and foundation of our hope of eternal life with new bodies and a new home Jesus is preparing for us in heaven – is Jesus! Our basis is what He did and said. The miracles and lives He did and transformed. The power His words had and still have. The perfect life He lives and better lives He enabled millions to live after believing in Him. We will not be alone but will enjoy heaven with loved ones we know on earth but also many more who lived long before us but have learned of from our Bible and history books.

But most of all we will meet and see Christ and abide with Him there without distraction or limits or distractions we endure here on earth. If He created the world and all in it and entire universe in 6 days, I can’t imagine what He has created for us in the 2000 years since His resurrection and ascension.

Why do I believe Jesus is the only way to heaven? Why do I believe He is preparing a

place for me and is coming again? Why do I believe He rose from the dead and has forgiven my sins?

Because He said so and because believing that has transformed the lives of countless millions before me but also because believing has transformed my life too.

Christianity is in its very essence a resurrection religion. John R. W. Stott

5/31/20RULE OF ONE 31

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Psalm 24:7

RECOMMENDED READING: REVELATION 19:11-16 “¹¹Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a

white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹²His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

COMMENTS: There are 28 monarchies governing 44 countries in the world today. Some monarchies have a parliament or similar governing body to act as an authorative check to hinder or prevent abuse by the monarch. Monarchies are basically one governing or ruling person verse a governing body.

When the ruler is wise and especially when he or she allows God through His Word and surrounded with God’s followers as His counselors, then the country and people are blessed. But when that ruler follows his own selfish ambitions and indulges his own

desires, he becomes vulnerable to satan’s influences, resulting in the country and people suffering and ultimately that ruler as well.

God is patient and slow to judgment and quick to blessing, but He will not allow sin to go unrestrained and will not allow sin to continue its destructive path forever. There is a price to be paid for sin and it is always far greater than realized.

But there is one Monarch who does rule alone with ultimate and final authority but rules perfectly without error or sin and rules with perfect wisdom and full knowledge of past – present – future and with Perfect Goodness. God is One but is revealed to us as God the

Father – God the Son – God the Holy Spirit ruling as One and One in thought and action.

One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess He is Lord of all and above all. Those who accept Him and follow Him on earth will do so willingly and joyfully and with great anticipation. Those who refuse on earth will do so by forced with great fear and dread of judgment.

Oh how much better will be facing God’s mercy instead of God’s judgment. What price would you or I pay to face His mercy then. We would pay anything and everything we have but will be too late then. How the price is simply accepting His mercy as a gift and then following His lead.

Is Jesus the true and only monarch in your life? Better to confess Him now in anticipation of His return and rule.

“Such as will not have Christ to be their king to rule over them, shall never have his blood to save them.” Thomas Watson

Today’s devotion completes another month of studying God’s Word and sharing. Covid 19 has been causing sickness and death in every country. In USA, over 100,000 have died in the brief 3-4 months since entered USA. Some countries have been spared while others have enduring great loss. Families have been ordered to stay home and loss of income and employment have resulted. Gathering in groups, including churches for worship, have been outlawed even in democratic countries.

Now as freedom to work and gather and worship begins to be restored, what have we learned? Has it drawn us closer to family and to God or further away? I pray the first. God uses disaster and trials to draw us closer to Him if we let them. I pray that will be the case in every community and country and in every family and in every church.

As previously, below is the Gideon Bible Reference I have been included in monthly devotions for some time. I decided to continue including this for benefit of new readers and to continue to make it accessible to any and all who read and share this journal. I encourage you to use and share as God directs. If you wish to contact me or access more devotions, below is link to access.

In His Service,

Don McDaniel

Email: dmcdaniel12@zoominternet.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Don1951

If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 590 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present (https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/link–to –dons–devotional–journal–entries2013/ )

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

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 Mtt. 26:36-46
The Betreyal of Jesus Mtt. 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

Published by donsdevotions

Don McDaniel - Who am I? Hello everyone and welcome to my devotional journal blog. In order to get acquainted and help you get to know me a bit better before considering following my blog, let me give you some background. I am a 74-year-old male and a retired engineer. I worked for a major supplier of underground mining equipment for nearly 40 years before retiring in 2012. Arlene and I have been happily married since April 1978 and have two grown – married children, one granddaughter and 2 step grandsons. I joined the local United Methodist church at age 12 after accepting Christ as my Savior at age 10 during revival services in that same church in 1961, so I have been a “Born Again” Christian all my teen years and adult life. Christ has helped and guided me all that time. He guided me in choosing my wife and life’s career. My life journey has included regrets and failures, but God has picked me up and protected and spared me from life threatening consequences and dangers more times than I can recall or count. But many I do recall and encourage and motivate me to trust and follow Christ with more passion than ever. Christmas 2011 our daughter gave Arlene and I each a devotional journal. Journals were books with devotion for each day and space to give personal impressions and thoughts related to each devotion. Her desire was to have a lasting legacy she could refer back to and share with her children and grandchildren especially after we are gone. I was touched by that gesture. My parents and Arlene’s were devout Christians, so we would have greatly treasured having that from them, so we felt a sense of urgency to honor her request. I finished my journal first and returned it to our daughter the following Christmas. I’m glad I did it then because Parkinson’s has caused my hand writing to deteriorate since then. The exercise was such a blessing for me. Discipline of keeping journal helped me gain a deeper walk with Christ and greater discipline in honoring my time of prayer and devotion with Him each day. So, I decided to continue the practice but since I could not find a paper journal I liked, I decided to create my own. I had already been receiving electronic devotions by email every day from several sources, my favorite being “Turning Point” from Dr. David Jeremiah. What I decided to do was to include devotional scripture but add my own thoughts and comments only so there would be no issue of copyright infringement. Creating and maintaining journal by computer also addressed my deteriorating handwriting ability. I started an electronic devotion journal January 1, 2013 and have been faithful to that practice every day since. I prayed about method and level of distribution. My initial intent was to only share it with my two children by email, but quickly discovered others in my family, my church, and friends from work (both retired and still working) who knew me and wanted to be included in distribution when they learned what I was doing. I now distribute by email my daily journal at the beginning of each month to over 150 friends and relatives. God has richly blessed and encouraged me. I am concerned with the state of our church and nation, and world for that matter, believing we are living in the end times the prophets of old and Christ have talked about in scripture, so time is short. I desire to be true to my Savior and a witness to help others come to a saving knowledge of Him and equipped to share His Good News too. If my journal can encourage and help others, I believe God wants me to share it. I struggled, for a time at first, because I know many others keep similar journals but only for their own edification and do not want to share them because they are private. However, Christ has stirred my heart to share it as a witness tool. Our son and daughter have a long-time friend who grew up with them who we also befriended nearly 25 years ago. He had a lot of family problems, so would gravitate to our family as a refuge and eventually thought of us as his adopted parents and he as our adopted son. We lost contact with him for some time when he grew up and left home. He traveled around the U.S. and eventually ended up in Ukraine where he resided for next 10 years. He had to return to the US to renew his visa and took opportunity to recommend I begin a blog of my devotions and helped me set it up. He is also an active blogger and has been an email subscriber to my journal for several months, so he has been suggesting I expand my distribution by starting a blog to get broader exposure. After reflection and prayer, I concluded God was in this, so he is helping me set up my blog site. This brief autobiography is my first entry. He returned to Ukraine, then resided there until circumstanced made him decide to move back to US with his young son. This biography was my first post February 29, 2016 . I have published 600 posts from 2016-2023 automatically sent to all my Facebook friends, published on WordPress to be accessible to anyone curious or seeking a deeper walk with God. I decided to take a sebatical to prepare for a new chapter. In 2014 I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease which affects patient ability to walk, drive, do physical work, and eventually talk. By mid 2023 it became evident our home for last 42 years (previously owned by my parents for previous 44 years and by my mother's grandparents for 39 years before that) would eventually not meet my needs so we decided to sell it and move into 1st floor of a duplex we also owned that was the town school from 1855-1913. Likewise, the property was requiring more maintenance that I was no longer able to keep up with. 2023 involved selling our home and moving into apartment next door and then in early 2025 an opportunity to move closer to our daughter and granddaughter in Kentucky which was completed in May 2025. For a number of months I have been seeking direction seeking God's direction and timing to return to blogging as my journey with Parkinson's continues to unfold with God's guiding hand in mine. I hope and pray my devotions will continue to be a blessing for you. God certainly has become closer and more real to me since started this blog in 2016. I have spent time with Him studying scripture and praying and listening and writing this journal. I will continue seeking God’s help and will welcome your input to make this site as meaningful as I can and true to God, who is motivating me to create and maintain it. I will also welcome input in order to make format more meaningful going forward. Don & Arlene McDaniel In His Service, Email: mcdanieldonald769@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Don1951 If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 600+ blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present (https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/link-to-dons-devotional-journal-entries-2013/ ) 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. View all posts by donsdevotions

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donsdevotions

Christian Devotional Journal – Ministry Resource Source

DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL – MAY 2020 – DON MCDANIEL

5/13/20 SAVED BY GRACE FOR GOOD WORKS 13

MOSES WROTE ABOUT JESUS ₁₅

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: 1 JOHN 5:14-21 “¹⁴Now this is the confidence that we

Our Go-Between 18

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN

5/22/20 OPEN DOORS 22

RECOMMENDED READING: COLOSSIANS 1:2-6. ” To the saints and faithful brethren

“Share His love by telling what the Lord has done for you. Share His love by sharing of your faith”. William J. Reynolds

 A merry heart does good, like medicine—Proverbs 17:22

“I have seen many find their way into a life of victory through rejoicing.” Joy Ridderhof

James 4:3

” You are not fighting for victory—you are fighting from victory. This battle has already been won” Tony Evans

5/31/20RULE OF ONE 31

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5/13/20 SAVED BY GRACE FOR GOOD WORKS 13

MOSES WROTE ABOUT JESUS 15

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: 1 JOHN 5:14-21 “14 Now this is the confidence that we

Our Go-Between 18

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN

5/22/20 OPEN DOORS 22

RECOMMENDED READING: COLOSSIANS 1:2-6. ” To the saints and faithful brethren

“Share His love by telling what the Lord has done for you. Share His love by sharing of your faith”. William J. Reynolds

 A merry heart does good, like medicine—Proverbs 17:22

“I have seen many find their way into a life of victory through rejoicing.” Joy Ridderhof

James 4:3

” You are not fighting for victory—you are fighting from victory. This battle has already been won” Tony Evans

5/31/20 RULE OF ONE 31

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MOSES WROTE ABOUT JESUS ₁₅

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: 1 JOHN 5:14-21 “¹⁴Now this is the confidence that we

5/31/20RULE OF ONE 31