MARCH 2021    

3/1/21                              A PRECIOUS GIFT OFFERED                                               1         

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  2 Corinthians 9:15

Recommended Reading: Matthew 7:7-12

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If 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! ¹² Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

. COMMENTS:  Reflection of all God’s blessings and gifts is appropriate often because doing so draws us closer to Him and builds trust and faith in Him to continue to do so.  Builds a willingness in us to trust Him for even greater things and help currently beyond what we are able to do presently.

State with the obvious and continual ones like life and health and sun – air – shelter – food – water…

Then for those who we love and depend on – family – friends – coworkers – pastor – church family.   For God’s abiding presence and help and His Word to council and teach and encourage and … us.

Reflect on ways and times of crisis and hardship when He came to help and encourage and even provide miracles.

If you are a parent, you know the joy of giving gifts to your children and maybe the frustration when they don’t appreciate or even notice the love and sacrifice those gifts cost.  When they show a sense of “entitlement” by expecting gifts and expressing disappointment or anger when their expectations are not met.

Have you even acted that way towards God?  Have you expressed frustration or anger or at least disappointment toward God when He didn’t respond as quickly or in the same way you and I expected or wanted or felt we needed.

Scripture (Romans 6:23) tell us that the Father gives us the gift of eternal life, the gift of salvation Grace (Ephesians 2:8), the gift of His Indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), and so much more – more perfect gifts from above (James 1:17).  Romans 4:17 refers to the gift of life to those who are dead from sin and Romans 8:11 refers to His promise of eternal life to our bodies of flesh.

We are just scratching the surface, but already it is obvious God lavishes us faithfully and continually with priceless gifts that the wealthiest of us would give all we owned for these gifts, but they are given freely without cost to each of us.                                                                                          We serve a kind and gracious God who gives us good gifts, and the most indescribable is Jesus Christ Himself!

“We can bring our little vessels to the spring and take them away filled to overflowing, and the exceeding abundance remains.”  J. H. Jowett

3/2/21                              WHEN DISASTERS COME                                  2                            

Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.  Romans 8:20-21

Recommended Reading: Romans 8:18-25

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

COMMENTS:  We are living in dangerous times.   The speed and magnitude and frequency of disasters are getting worse and are changing the lives of everyone on earth.   Churches are not permitted to gather for worship and when restrictions are lifted, government or even self-imposed rules limit number permitted to gather well below building capacity.

The other consequence is cyber worship through zoom or Facebook live initially was a good way of continuing to outreach to congregation and worship without the risk of spreading covid 19.  However, for many it has become a more convenient way of going to church at a great price for the church body and organization. There is no substitute for gathering together physically and Christ calls His Church to gather.   The early church gathered in small groups because of persecution but still gathered.  They didn’t have large budgets to pay for fancy – large churches nor felt the need for them, which freed them from burden of maintaining structures and freed them to minister to each other and to spread Christ’s Good News of redemption.

Well, cyber worship is a good outreach tool but does not replace the need to gather together for worship and fellowship.   Cyber friends are, likewise, no substitute for real friendships either.

Well, we live in an age when no place on earth is safe.  California has danger of earthquakes and fires and droughts but Missouri has tornados and floods and blizzards.  Escaping persecution for Christians can come from escaping oppressive governments but such persecution is spreading and technology is making it more difficult to hide from oppressive societies or governments or even oppressive neighbors.

But the difference the Holy Spirit made in lives of believers after Pentecost is like night and day.  Not only did God give them a bold message and passion to share it, but overcoming fear of prison and torture and death.   They could see, like Stephen, the reward of heaven awaiting them and also the   reward of gaining others to enjoy heaven with them, which overshadowed any short term suffering they may endure for a while first.

We need to learn from their stories and lives so we too seek and enjoy the Holy Spirit’s empowering and guiding presence too.  Our need is just as urgent and needed as theirs and is just as available now as then.

Our God rules over every area of life, including natural disasters. We can trust Him who died for us and who will one day soon establish His new creation for all eternity.

The Bible presents both the reality of human suffering and death along with hope and assurance for a better future.

3/3/21                                       GOD HEARS OUR WORDS                                         3

Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.  Daniel 10:12

Recommended Reading: Daniel 10:1-14

10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. ² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. ³ I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

⁴ Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, ⁵ I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! ⁶ His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

⁷ And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. ⁸ Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. ⁹ Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. ¹¹ And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

¹² Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

COMMENTS:  God’s response to our prayers are:  No (when we pray contrary to God’s Will and Plan), Yes (when we do), and not yet (when He still has preparation to do in lives of us and others before planned blessing of a “Yes” can be realized.  What we do next is always key.   If we wait on the Lord and seek confirmation and wait for that confirmation, we are exercising and strengthening our faith and learning patience and true trust and faith in God.  When we become impatient and “try to help God” by forcing circumstances or implementing responses as though God gave us a green light of approval, then problems develop that complicate and delay God’s response.  

This is the most common and tragic response we give to God after prayer.  We either don’t wait for His answer or try to force Him to change His mind.   How many times have you, as a teen, tried to wear your parents down to change their minds when you asked them for something or for permission and they said “no”?   I imagine the examples are too many to count.  Later we realize how wise our parents were and now wish we had accepted our parents first answer.

A Vietnamese Church in Philadelphia was set on-fire during the heat of riots.  The pastor, as he watched his church burn to the ground, praying for God to protect the computer hard drives on which the immigration records of many in his congregation were stored.  The computers and other devices were totally destroyed but the computer hard drives were fully functional.  God answered that pastor’s pray but did not spare his church.  The church could be rebuilt and would be but those records were more important in God’s plan and if that pastor had cared more for his building and less for his people, God would have said no and his prayers and his faith and the faith of his congregation would have

That is why it is important to be in close fellowship with Christ and let His Holy Spirit guide and influence us all the time so we are prepared for and ready to act and pray and conduct ourselves more in line with His Will and our prayers get prompt and favorable answers that build our faith and the faith of others.

Prayer is one of our greatest mysteries. We don’t fully understand its power, nor do we know why God values our prayers so deeply. We’re often unaware of the spiritual battles waged in the heavenly places because of our prayers, though we get a hint of the struggle in Daniel 10. But there’s no question about this—God hears our prayers and encourages us to pray to Him about everything. 

“The majority of us have very strong faith in Christ, but a minority, a few new believers, they need their faith to grow. Pray for their faith to take deep root in the love of God so they can be steadfast in Him—not focus on the problem, but focus on Jesus.”  Phillip Pham

3/4/21                          FEAR OF DISEASE                                              4

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.  Revelation 21:4

Recommended Reading: Romans 8:37-39

³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor 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:   What are you afraid of?  Some of us have a fear of heights or falling or fear of snakes or spiders or fear of darkness.  But today we are going to talk about fear of disease and death.

Health is something most of us take for granted when we are young and strong.  We see elderly succumbing to age and illness and convince ourselves we will enjoy a long time before facing such illnesses or death.  Even when we see children or youth taken prematurely, we still believe they are the exceptions and we are still fine.

Well, at some point we begin to notice most of those we know are gone, which should force us to recognize our own mortality.

BUT GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO LIVE IN FEAR OR DREAD OF OUR OWN FUTURE. The dangers and diseases and death are all real.  They are not imagined!  So God does not want us to pretend they don’t exist or don’t apply to us.  Instead He wants us to put our trust in Him to take care of us and guide us safely to the other side of any and all dangers and crisis and tragedy and difficulty that comes our way.  We need to trust and rely on Him totally.  HE IS TRUSTWORTHY!

Fear is defined as a powerful and unpleasant emotion and sense of danger as approach that danger.  But scripture defines fear differently.  The opposite of fear is not courage or happiness or contentment or peace. 

Scripture defines Faith as the opposite of Fear.   Fear is evidence of a lack of Faith and Trust in God.  Faith, then, is not an emotion but a choice. A choice to act in Trust in God whether feel like it or not.  Whether our emotions support that choice or not.

Medical science has made it possible for humans to live longer. But ask the average senior citizen if that excites them and the answer may be, “Yes and no.” Yes, we want to live longer but not while battling a disease. Disease remains a potential source of fear for all humans, regardless of age.

But does it need to be? We know all of creation has been impacted by sin. When creation malfunctions or begins to break down, we shouldn’t be surprised. We know death is coming for all. But we need not be afraid of death or any disease that may hasten its arrival. Rather, we should echo the apostle John’s prayer: “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health” (3 John 2). Health is a desire we should pray for and work toward, while leaving the answer to God.

One deadly condition we can eliminate today is fear! Fear is not from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Live well, pray well, and be well—one day at a time.  God gives us; from His Word, from evidence in lives of His followers before us, and from previous examples from our own lives; indisputable proof He is faithful and trustworthy and able to guide and even carry us safely through or over any and all life’s dangers to a safe and eternal destination.   We are on the winning side when we choose to Trust in Him.  A truth you and I need reminded of daily because we are so prone to forget or doubt when storms come our way, but He is just as close and ready during life’s storms as during times of peace and prosperity and peace.

“The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. “  Oswald Chambers

     3/5/21    FEAR OF FINANCIAL FAILURE        5  

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Matthew 6:25

Recommended Reading: Psalm 37:25-26

²⁵ I have been young, and now am old;Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,Nor his descendants begging bread.²⁶ He is ever merciful, and lends;And his descendants are blessed.

COMMENTS:  There is an issue of balance we all face and struggle with in all areas of life, including our relationship with God.  Balance of priorities demanding our time and attention and resources but also our emotions and our love.  On one extreme some are hoarders holding on to money and things so tightly that they deprive other needs and demands and responsibilities.  Fear of losing financial security place money in a place of importance to be the goal of success instead of a tool in accomplishing a greater goal.

The opposite extreme identifies impulsive and extravagant spenders trading money or even time to first thing or opportunity that comes along instead of budgeting and planning so resources and income is spent wisely while also saving and tithing a portion.

A life without planning is a waisted life, but wise planning and follow-through brings wisdom in life and resource for future and both anticipated and unanticipated needs.

John Wesley said “Earn as much as you can, save as much as you can, invest as much as you can, and give as much as you can.”  He also said “Not how much of my money will I give to God, but how much of God’s money will I keep for myself?”

These two quotes identify the balance Wesley is speaking of:   Earning and investing money and time and even our skills and abilities are all owned by God but put in our hands not as our possessions but as God’s possessions on loan to us to use wisely or foolishly as we choose.  Time is a resource we can’t not hold on to.  Each day and each minute passes through our fingers used for purpose or wasted.   Money and things can be held on to for a time or spent or used or sold or traded as we wish.  If we use or spend them foolishly, then they are not available if a more important and urgent need is revealed later.  Likewise, saving for future needs enables us to better prepared and meet those needs.   John Wesley takes it one step further.   His perspective was that all he had is God’s, so using and spending that resource took on a deeper dive into using it wisely and as God would be pleased with.

God doesn’t want us to hoard excessively nor give extravagantly without regard to personal and family needs.

So how should we set spending and giving and saving priorities.  Well, John Wesley’s life and quotes / writings give us a philosophy and motivation and conviction needed to guide us to a balance and path to discover God’s Will on this matter.  We cannot sustain 24×7 doing God’s Work without rest, so cannot sustain giving away all the income in time and money God gives us.   

Tithing our time and income (10%) and saving 10% are both good practices to accomplish and allowing rest to be used for personal and family responsibilities and needs and obligations.  Most are not able to reach that level of giving and saving, but often those who do also find that discipline enables those percentages to grow higher over time.  Doing this forces us the discipline to put saving and giving to be highest priority and to settle and be happy with less for personal needs.

Living on less is not what society teaching us and is not what most people practice, but God’s Word does.   Think of some personal examples from scripture, from those you know, and even your own life experiences that confirm the above and show the benefits and blessing that come with following John Wesley’s council.

Conversely, spending above income brings debt and income not just paying down that debt for paying interest on that debt.   Those who pay the highest level on interest are typically those who can least afford to pay it.  Usually give is the first to go when debt is used to purchase things.

So how should we face the possibility of financial loss? The psalmist, David, starts at a good place: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3). Facing all fears—including the fear of financial loss—begins at the same point: Trust and obey. “Do good,” in this case, might mean to be a good steward, save, spend wisely, give generously, plan for the future—and don’t worry! That was Jesus’ message in the Sermon on the Mount when He said not to worry about your financial needs (Matthew 6:25-34).   We can only do three things: Be good stewards, trust God, and not live in fear.

“O, the vast, the boundless treasure of my Lord’s unchanging love!”  Robert Robinson

3/6/21                                        SONS OF REUBEN                                                               6

They made war with the Hagrites…. And they were helped against them…for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.  1 Chronicles 5:19-20

Recommended Reading: 1 Chronicles 5:18-22

¹⁸ The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh had forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty valiant men, men able to bear shield and sword, to shoot with the bow, and skillful in war, who went to war. ¹⁹ They made war with the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. ²⁰ And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. ²¹ Then they took away their livestock—fifty thousand of their camels, two hundred and fifty thousand of their sheep, and two thousand of their donkeys—also one hundred thousand of their men; ²² for many fell dead, because the war was God’s. And they dwelt in their place until the captivity.

COMMENTS:  Human nature is to run or hide from danger unless that danger threatened loved ones or children or other “defenseless” individuals or groups not able to defend themselves.  Likewise, courage tends to grow when in the midst of large groups of like mindedness.  What can’t be accomplished by one can be in midst of a large group working or fighting together.   Such a group with an able leader is able to accomplish more than the sum of individual abilities.

That is why a group of believers in a church body are stronger than as individuals.  They are accountable to each other and work together to accomplish goals.  As long as they seek and follow God’s council and leadership, they will prosper and be entrusted with more of God’s blessings as well as a destination of eternal life at the end of their path, but when they fail to do so and follow their own wisdom and desires, sin and disobedience and ultimately God’s judgment and destruction will be the destination of their path.

God is patient and forgiving but there will be a time when His mercy will be replaced by His judgment.                                                                                                                                                       We all face battles in life, and the devil sends “Hagrites” our way. But we shouldn’t shrink from the conflict. The Bible likens us to soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3). Don’t fear or flee in the battles of life. Cry out to God in the battle and put your trust in Him. He heeds our prayers and gives the victory.

“Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious.”  Watchman Nee          3/7/21                             FINDING CALMNESS FROM GOD                                                       7

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.   John 14:27

 Recommended Reading: Psalm 89:1-9

89I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.² For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.”

³ “I have made a covenant with My chosen,I have sworn to My servant David:⁴ ‘Your seed I will establish forever,And build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah

⁵ And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.⁶ For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord?⁷ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints.  And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.⁸ O Lord God of hosts,Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.⁹ You rule the raging of the sea;When its waves rise, You still them.

COMMENTS:  At great cost and work, God has provided a clear and open source and accessible way of discovering and enjoying a personal relationship with the One and Only Creator and sustainer of all creation.  God’s Word gives us an accurate and details history of God’s relationship with those before us.  He gives us His Holy Spirit to establish and sustain that same relationship with each one of us today, He gives us Christ as the sacrifice and redeem, the High Priest, our Advocate so God can see us clean and forgiven.

Pastor Franklin Logsdon told of an elderly friend who was rushed to the hospital for an emergency operation. The man’s son arrived just as the father was being wheeled into the operating room and asked, “How are you, Dad?” The father said simply, “Even though the storm is raging without, Son, there is always calmness when the Prince of Peace is in the vessel.”

Recalling the incident, Pastor Logsdon later wrote, “The peace which our Savior gives is exclusive in its origin, for it is a peace which the world cannot give. It is exceptional in its character, for it is not what the world speaks about, fights and dies for…. No, it is something real, something restful, something refreshing.”

You and I can know that same peace and certainty with the same confidence those before had because of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice and because of the hope and promises He gave for those before us, for us, and for those after us too.  It is during times of crisis that hope becomes evident but that same hope is accessible to keep us anchored in His Grace and Love in times of peace too.

The Bible says, “You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them” (Psalm 89:9). During difficult times we find strength in God’s faithfulness. During emergencies, we find strength when the Prince of Peace is captaining our lives.

“As we pour out our bitterness, God pours in His peace.”  F. B. Meyer                         3/8/21            LEAP OF FAITH                                                     8      

 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Recommended Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

31 Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. ² And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.’ ³ The Lord your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the Lord has said. ⁴ And the Lord will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites and their land, when He destroyed them. ⁵ The Lord will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. ⁶ Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

⁷ Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. ⁸ And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

COMMENTS:  There is much about God we can not comprehend nor understand.  Much we don’t know about Him nor know all the ways He reveals Himself and both exposes sin and provides opportunity for forgiveness and repentance to even those who don’t know nor have heard the gospel.  But God also depends on those who have heard and repented to share that message so others can repent too.  Rehab is one of those who heard of Israel’s God and miracles God did for  them.  She didn’t know and understand enough to seek and accept personal redemption but did understand enough to help the two spies escape and by doing so escaped death and judgment.  What about all the others in Jericho who didn’t have that opportunity and died that day?  Well, I’m sure there is more to the story than reported in scripture, so one day we will discover how God gave them and all, even those never heard the Gospel message, opportunity to make a choice of obedience that would have led them to redemption if they had taken it.

What about Ruth and Orpha?   Both were Naomi’s daughter’s in law but Ruth decided to go with Naomi, which put her on a path to a good husband but also a path and lineage to Christ and a path to forgiveness and eternal life.   What about Orpha?  We don’t know if the faith Naomi taught her became hers too or if she reverted back to the pagan gods of her family and community.  By staying, she could have been an evangelists to them or reverted back to their pagan ways.   That was her choice.

We too are given opportunities to choose Christ and follow the path to eternal life He offers or live in sin and disobedience that leads to eternal death and judgment.  The stakes are high and impact of our choices affects and ripples through many other lives, affecting or influencing their choices and inclinations too.                                                                                                                             

Last year, an apartment building in France caught fire, trapping two brothers, aged three and ten, several floors above the ground. A crowd gathered, and the boys had to jump into the arms of those far below them. The older boy dropped his little brother into the crowd while thick, black smoke billowed from the apartment. Then the ten-year-old hesitated. The crowd yelled for him to jump, and, gathering all his courage, he leaped into the air. Both boys were caught, and neither was harmed.  Both or just the older could have died that day.   The older boy made choices that saved his younger brother’s life and then a choice of hesitation that almost took his life.  The impact of others encouraging him to jump also impacted his choice.    

We never know when we’ll have to exercise sudden courage. When we put ourselves in the ten-year-old’s shoes, we wonder whether we’d have the courage to leap off a burning ledge. But God gives us courage like He gives us grace—just when it’s needed. If you’re facing something frightening, take courage. “Be strong and of good courage.” Don’t be afraid, for the eternal God is your refuge and underneath are His everlasting arms.

When your knees are knocking, it might help to kneel on them.

3/9/21                                  THE RIGHT PATH TO HAPPINESS                                              9         

• He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.  Proverbs 16:20

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 16:18-21

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.¹⁹ Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ He who heeds the word wisely will find good,And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

²¹ The wise in heart will be called prudent,And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

COMMENTS:  Pride is such a sinister and destructive sin.  In God’s eyes it is the worst sin because of its power to deceive.  Society looks on pride with a high level of acceptability and even encourages pride.   But pride unbridled and unrestrained is responsible for opening doors to many other sins.  Pride has inspired murder and hatred between individuals and between groups of people, even nations.  Pride also builds a wall between God and each of us by hindering or preventing us from being open and seeking of God’s council and help.

Pride was what sparked a heart of disobedience in Lucifer. Pride caused Lucifer to first inflate his own abilities and then question God’s.   Pride resulted from the first temptation Lucifer gave and was directed to himself.  When he yielded to that temptation, pride began to take root in his heart and set him on a path away from God and toward his own, a path to judgment and death.   A path he has been tempting people in every generation to follow him to.  A path most in every generation have followed him to.   But a few in every generation have resisted Lucifer and turned to God for redemption.  That plan of redemption began in Old Testament times through a sacrifice and at the cross was replaced by Christ, our ultimate and final sacrifice, on the cross – the altar of redemption.                                                                                                                                              

Even now God still loves Lucifer in spite of all the destruction he has done. He remembers Lucifer before his fall.  He also knows the terrible judgment that awaits Lucifer and all his followers once day.  He is not looking forward to that time of judgment but knows it is necessary.   So judgment is coming, and likely soon.  The only way we have of avoiding that judgment and enjoy God’s mercy and forgiveness purchased at the cross is to confess our sins and seek and accept Christ’s forgiveness purchased at the cross.  Then to begin a life of seeking and following God’s will and direction.

In spite of how destructive Lucifer’s choice caused, God still said of him: “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! ¹³ You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.^{[b] 14} I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ¹⁵ But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.         Isaiah 14:12-15

God has that same level of grief and compassion for each human but will execute the same judgment on each who refused to receive His forgiveness.  The same judgment He will exercise on Lucifer and his demons one day.  He is dreading that day because His love remains and He knows the pain and suffering those lost will suffer for eternity.

God does not desire any to face His judgment and does not enjoy disciplining or even judging His creation.  He delays such as long as can because He knows the pain and suffering such causes them, but still must do so in order to protect and save the rest of His creation.

In contrast, we have many examples of how God helped and protected and brought a very good destination to those who walk life’s journey with Him obeying Him and being in and staying in relationship God faithfully and completely.  Daniel and Joseph and Esther and Mary (mother of Jesus), Job, Noah, Enoch, Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, ….  The list goes on and on.   None of them were protected from suffering but that suffering did have limits in intensity and duration.  Job gives us clear evidence of the source and reason for suffering.  I wonder about conversations satan and Jesus may be having about suffering and temptations that come my way especially some days.

Trusting God is a tonic for the body, mind, and soul. The Bible doesn’t often use the word happy. The biblical writers preferred to write about joy. But Proverbs 16:20 doesn’t hesitate to tell us that trusting God brings happiness to our heart. It enables us to cast our cares on Him, focus on His nearness, feed on His promises, anticipate His coming, and share His message.

No matter what is happening around us, when we trust God, the destination is always very good –  God’s best.  “A key to enjoying the Christian life is connecting the dots between our happiness and God’s provision.”     Randy Alcorn

3/10/20                                           FEAR OF BEING ALONE                             10

I alone am left a prophet of the Lord…. I alone am left…. I alone am left.  1 Kings 18:22

Recommended Reading: Hebrews 13:5

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

COMMENTS:  Loneliness is a fundamental fear and dread of humans.  We need other people to be fulfilled and complete.  Teens and young adults, especially girls, dream of finding that perfect mate and life partner.  Boys do too but not as early nor to same extent.   God has put in the mind and heart to certain needs and desires, but satan has corrupted those needs and desires to point they are not recognizable compared with how God designed at creation.

But God has given us the deepest and greatest need and desire to be a continual relationship with Him.  That need and loneliness, when lacking, is a close relationship and fellowship with Him.   A relationship He also passionately desires to have with us too.  The loneliness we feel when neglecting fellowship with God was even felt by Christ when on the cross receiving the guilt and punishment for all our sins.  He felt the rejection of the Father and separation from Him, and was a bitter time.

But a time He accepted and endured because His love for us exceeded His desire for fellowship with the Father while living as a human on earth.   HE endured and experienced all the emotions and weaknesses and limits humans do, including loneliness.

Loneliness also comes when the path God leads us on is different than path family and friends take, and when they reject and judge us for taking a less popular path.  Martin Luther is one example when he dared to proclaim a biblical Gospel in 1517.  He joined an army of ancients who walked a lonely path set by God for them too.  Many endured martyrdom and prison while some milder persecution and ridicule.

We may never be called upon to stand alone for God in the face of death. But even in the face of criticism, or being ostracized or ridiculed for our faith, we can stand firm because God stands with us. Remember: God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

“Great eagles fly alone; great lions hunt alone; great souls walk alone—alone with God.” Leonard Ravenhill

3/11/21                            RECEIVE & GIVE COMFORT                                            11

For Demas has forsaken me…. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you.  2 Timothy 4:10-11

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 18:24

²⁴ A man who has friends must himself be friendly ,But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

COMMENTS: Are we to give before receiving or do we give what we have received?  Seems like a play on words.  How can we give what we haven’t received, but then again aren’t we to act of faith believing God will provide what we need in order to do ministry and meet our needs and needs of others?   So which is right?   Are we to give first believing God will provide because of our faith and trust in Him? Or are we to wait ‘til He provides and give out of gratitude trusting that which remains will be sufficient?

Tithing is returning a portion of what God provides before paying and spending of what is received.   Faith pledges are also appropriate for giving, trusting God to provide after the pledge to give is made.   There is a time and purpose in both, but most of the time, the tithe is how we are to manage our giving.  By doing this, we give God first priority and His Word our first focus.  Then we manage bills and obligations out of what remains.  By doing this, the temptation to spend any reserve after bills is avoided.   Tithing becomes nearly impossible if wait until all other bills and expenses are paid.

Do you have experience with tithing? Today tithing is not a popular or frequent topic of church sermons and studies but the value and power of the tithe is evident in history.   Tithing is an act of faith but also an act of worship and praise.  It is an expression of praise and worship too.

Luke 6:38 “³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.””

Genuine friendships are rare but vital.  Friends hold each other accountable and strengthen and help each other.  Friends shield each other from evil and temptations and dangers.  Friends stand by each other in both good and difficult and even tragic times.

But our verse from Proverbs tells us that our God is a friend who sticks closer to us than even a brother. 

So, why does God feel so far away at times?  Why does He allow us to endure hard times? Why is one of the most commonly asked questions to God.

Granted, God always has a reason, but not always evident or clear or even understood at the time.  But He has promised never to leave or forsake us.

For sure, He provides comfort and companionship to us so we will able to do so for others.  Paul (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) reminds the church that God provides comfort so they may comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort God has provided to us.

So, instead of dwelling on our own problems and needs, we need to go to Him seek comfort and help but also asking who we should share that comfort and help towards.

We tend to withdrawal from others when hurting, gravitating to isolation.  But it is then we need others the most for strength and encouragement and support.   Providing comfort helps and strengthen us while helping and strengthening others.  Doing so draws us closer to each other and to Christ too.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The next time you are hurting, go to God for comfort. Then ask Him, “Who can I comfort with this same comfort?”

“My God, how excellent Thy grace, whence all our hope and comfort spring! “  Isaac Watts

3/12/21                                                           BLESSINGS                                                   12

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

Recommended Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

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

COMMENTS:  When is the last time you stopped and enjoy a sunrise?  Light begins to bleach out the darkness and stars ever so slowly at first but then light overpowers the darkness and finally the sun itself reveals itself above the horizon. The earth can no longer block it’s light from shining.  The miracle of each new day brings opportunity to either build off previous day’s work and experiences or fix the errors and mistakes done on previous day.  A time of rest energizes for a new day.  Each new day shouts God’s mercy and redemption.  Darkness enables sleep and rest while light reveals dangers to avoid or prepare for.   Have you ever worked in the dark?  Work is more difficult without light, yet many learn to do so who endure blindness.   God provides a way to use other abilities and senses to help compensate for lack of sight.

I believe, God’s greatest miracles happen every day and even though are common, they are no less miraculous.  The sunrise, life, the beauty of each season and how God’s creation comes to life each spring, birth and growth and ability of the body to heal to mention just a few.  But most of all, the miracle of the transformation God’s Grace and forgiveness brings.  The miracle of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit orchestrating that positive change and and ongoing daily guidance to anyone at any time willing and open to receiving His help and all at the same time and all the time without pause or rest. 

It is miracle how God uses even evil to bring us good.

It is a miracle how we can reason and think and process information and respond to our surroundings and environment.  

So I invite you to take some time and reflect and ponder the blessings and ways God has been involved in your life and has both helped you manage crisis or helped you avoid crisis.

No matter your trial—illness, unemployment, family struggles—God is still blessing you. The blessing may come through a comforting verse in His Word or through an encouraging card from a friend. It might appear in the unexpected gift from a family member or the worship song sung at church. His blessings are all around us. These small blessings are not so small when they bring great joy to our hearts, but perhaps the greatest blessing we receive during times of trial is the blessing of drawing closer to God. As we trust Him and cling to His promises, our relationship with the Father deepens. What an indescribable blessing!

“We are ever surrounded by undeserved blessings. Even in His silence, [God] blesses us.”Erwin Lutzer

3/13/21                       FIGHT OR FLIGHT!   PETER AND JOHN                                                13         

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.   Acts 4:20

Recommended Reading: Acts 4:13-22¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

¹⁸ So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” ²¹ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. ²² For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

COMMENTS:  The change in the disciples after Pentecost was dramatic.   Peter, for example, went from denying Jesus 3 times due to fear of prison – torture – death, to boldness preaching out in the open.  He still had to seek the Holy Spirit’s council in order to know “when to run and when to confront”.  Peter was not alone both in fear and in boldness.

The influence of the Holy Spirit made all the difference. The inspiration and council God’s Spirit provided and continues to provide makes life transforming difference in the lives of believers.  But truth is, courage required to face real dangers forces hard choices and a willingness to sacrifice life or freedom.  Daniel faced real dangers when he chose obedience as he entered that lion’s den.   He didn’t know if God would protect him from those hungry lions.  Those lions could have easily ripped him apart alive – a very painful and terror gripping way to die.  

Some faced such death by lions or fire or … without being spared during Babylonian rule or later by Roman rule, or in each generation since to present, without being spare.  Some were spared like Daniel.   But either way, all discovered the peace and courage and even joy of knowing, like Paul, that to die means heaven with their Savior and to live means more opportunity to share His Good News.  

The Roman leadership and Jewish leadership didn’t know what to do with the disciples and Christians after Pentecost.  They didn’t know what to do with decent – peaceful – loving individuals who would not deny Christ and showed love instead of hate when persecuted and faced death.   Such courage and peace was not humanly witnessed or possible by any other group of people, even among the Jewish leadership or by the most seasoned and trained Roman soldiers.  Why?  Because they didn’t know nor believe in the eternal life and heaven that Jesus described and promised.

When Jewish leadership commanded the Disciples to cease their teaching, Peter replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

Many forces are still trying to silence Christians in the world today. Though two thousand years have passed, the age long opposition to the Gospel still exists. In some lands, it takes the form of overt persecution. In others, secular forces seek to intimidate believers into silence.

But the Word of God cannot be silenced, and true Christians will always find ways of proclaiming the Good News. We are not retreaters who flee, but soldiers who fight. Our Gospel is unstoppable in this world.

“Boldness is acting, by the power of the Holy Spirit, on an urgent conviction in the face of some threat.”                   Jon Bloom

3/14/21           WAITING ON THE LORD REQUIRES GREAT FAITH AND TRUST BUT   ALSO CONTINUAL PRAYER BUT IS WELL WORTH THE WAIT!                       14  

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

Recommended Reading: James 1:22-25

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

COMMENTS: The hardest  thing, as humans, to discipline ourselves to do is to Trust God enough to wait for His best and wait for the best timing.   Major life decisions come at great cost and risk.   The risk is going down a wrong or poorer path that at best wastes precious time and resources and at worst ends in a dead end or even death.

Christ is our perfect example as well as our sacrifice for sin as well as our God – Advocate with the Father – our best Friend and abiding Protector and Champion.    Champions are traditionally skilled warriers who fight the battles and provide protection of those who are weaker and ill prepared to fight their own battles.   So why does God commonly ask and even  require us to wait –  when evidence indicates waiting  will bring no good result?

Waiting due to fear of failure or indecision waists time and resource.   Fear tends to weaken and breed more fear and indecision.

 Yet, timing is a key part of obedience.  How often we starting praying much later than we should have and yield to temptation of impatience and act ahead of God instead of waiting on Him, with disappointing or even tragic results.                       

I am so grateful the most important decisions I have made were made with prayer but also included waiting on the Lord.  I came to the Lord at a very young age because of the foundation my parents gave me from their own faith and example.   An influence before teen years took hold.

Finding a wife was not a priority for me until I completed my formal education at age 21, but by then I had a mind set to seek and follow God’s choice.  That choice came 4 years later thru a mutual friend and sister in Christ who my wife knew from church camp and I knew from work.   I later discovered that friend had felt God’s leading 2 years earlier.  The delay is an interesting story but is evident to the fact that God’s plan sometimes is delayed due to our lack of listening but is certain if we remain faithful and resolved to “Wait on Him” even if we miss opportunity.

This is not the only personal example I could share but am more certain than I was then, some 45+ years ago, to follow the advice of the famous hymn “Trust and Obey” – Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.

Well, the urgency of our prayers does drive us to act more impatiently and ahead of God, but waiting on Him is vital to learning “Trust and Obey” and choosing God’s Best instead of settling for something less or even opposite.

Take some time to reflect and recall and gain wisdom from the examples from your own life.  I also encourage you to also re-discover the examples from scripture like Daniel’s or Joseph’s in contrast to King Saul’s, as some examples.

God has a wonderful way of turning even our most foolish and sinful choices into good choices or at least providing “do-overs” to enable a course correction from a path of disobedience into a life giving path of obedience.   What that means for me is likely different than for you, but if we both choose His path, the destination for both of us will be the same – Heaven bringing along others we will influence (He will influence thru us) along the way.  After all, the most important reward, which we will treasure in Heaven most, will not be wealth or a beautiful home.  It will be others whose life impacted us positively and others who were positively influenced by our lives directly and even indirectly.  It will be living with and being near Christ along with our loved ones and those who will become our loved ones in heaven.  To be a child in His family.  AMEN?  AMEN!

The Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures will expect obedience to the Scriptures. A. W. Tozer

   

3/15/21                                      REPAY GOOD FOR EVIL                                                            15

•   Romans 12:21
• “²¹ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:²² For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.²³ The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.”
•    What is the purpose of a car horn?  Is it to alert others of danger or to say hello to someone you know?  Or is it to order someone or another car to get out of our way?  A train whistle or horn has a primary purpose to warn passersby to get out of the way because of danger of the moving train not being able to stop quickly.   Train engineers use their train whistle while moving through communities or pass train crossings to warn those wanting to cross tracks not to cross in front of a moving train.  Engineer’s purpose in using the whistle to keep others safe from harm or death.  He uses the whistle motivated by concern, not by anger or disgust.

The driver who uses his car horn often is motivated by anger or disgust and makes a big difference in response or effect of its use.

How often do we respond to rude or disrespectful or even mean actions or words of others in kind, thinking such a response is deserved or justified or even needed?  Such justification may be motivated with a desire to discourage such behavior by creating a consequence to deter further rude or mean behavior.  Yet does that every work or does it just encourage even worse behavior?   Consider how common “road rage” is which often escalades to far worse consequences than original offense would justify in the mind of any reasonable or rational person.  Permanent injury or death as a consequence of a rude action or word is not acceptable in any society or by any rational person, but that is exactly what is happening every day somewhere.

We are quickly on a path to become a society of intolerance and mean – unkind behavior towards each other.  Acts of kindness and forgiveness becoming rarer and more unnatural in our society.  Well, what should we expect after removing God from our schools by prohibiting His moral teachings and freedom to pray to Him and share His love with others.  What should we expect after removing “the 10 commandments” as a moral code of conduct from schools and other public places and, yes, from our courthouses.    Removing God’s influence from places of leadership results in foolish decisions being made.  Wisdom is redefined as what feels and sounds good and not gaged against God’s code of conduct and guidelines.  Removing evidence and examples of those before us recorded in ancient history books and in our Bible.  History is being re-written removing any evidence of God’s influence and benefits to those who followed God’s lead and instruction.

Solomon was the wisest human who ever lived, except for Christ, but lost that wisdom when he allowed pagan influence into his palace and his life.  By marrying many pagan wives, that influence first diluted and corrupted his wisdom, wisdom God gave him, and then snuffing it out.  The same happened to Samson and his great physical strength failed due to the corruption of evil.

God will not tolerate evil for long.  He will leave and His blessings and protection with Him.  We likely will not notice or feel His leaving but will soon notice the consequences.  Israel faced invaders and other dangers overcoming them when they rebelled and forced God to leave. God will not reside where He is not welcome.  IS HE WELCOME IN YOUR LIFE AND IN YOUR HOME AND IN YOUR CHURCH? 

Payback is never a good thing, especially when anger is hot.  So, let’s choose to make a cooler and better thought response.  A response God inspired instead of satan connived. A response not in kind but a response of kindness.  Return an act of evil with an act of good.  We might just turn an enemy into a friend but at least we will plant a seed of change for the better.  If an enemy chooses to remain an enemy, God at least is then able to treat us like a friend instead of enemy.  When we return evil for evil, we are making God our enemy too.  That is NOT A GOOD THINK!  So, would you rather have someone else as an enemy or God as an enemy?  Well, when I say it that way, then it seems pretty insane to continue to respond in kind with evil for evil. To know about God vs. having a relationship with God is like the difference between night and day, between being in a terrible storm vs. being in beautiful sunny peaceful weather.

Christ is offering us forgiveness and a home in heaven, but He is offering us much more too.  A relationship with Himself and a helping hand to live the new Christ-like life we love and desire from reading about how He lived.                                                                                                                              “Injuries cost more to avenge than to bear.“ John Blanchard

3/16/21                           RECEIVINGAND GIVING GOD’S LOVE                                     16

Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?  John 21:16

Recommended Reading: John 21:16-19

¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. ¹⁸ Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” ¹⁹ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

COMMENTS:  It was deliberate that Christ asked 3 times of Peter “Do You Love Me?”  Three times Peter responded with “you know I love You”.  Then 3 times, Jesus instructed with words “Feed My sheep”.   These 3 times was Jesus’ confirmation that He had forgiven the 3 denials Peter made when asked if he knew Jesus.

So today’s confirmation from scripture was that Peter’s sin was repeated but still completely forgiven.    Yet, lesson does not end there.  Peter was then given instruction on what he was to do.   Peter was to be unashamed in preaching and sharing Christ’s good news.  He was not prepared to do so and too fearful.   That fear continued to grip his soul until Pentecost.  He was forgiven.  His threshold of faith was not high enough to do what he was called to do.     Then, when the Holy Spirit came to and in him and others at   day of Pentecost, he was strengthened – encouraged – inspired to proceed through and beyond his “threshold of faith”.  Like Daniel as he approached the lion’s den or his 3 friends as they approached the fiery furnace, Peter too faced  certain persecution – prison – torture – ultimately death when he proceeded to begin preaching the Gospel of Christ. His encouragement came quickly – He witnessed conversion of 3000 from his message that first day.  A message that came to him from God and not from his own mind.  The other disciples gained courage too from the Holy Spirit that day and from the inspired words Peter preached.  Then again, they also witnesses each person present hearing those words in their own language   while they heard those words and understood them in their own language.  They all learned the value and importance of obedience, especially when the risks are great and dependence on God vital.              

Tony Evans wrote, “Our fundamental problem as Christians is not really obedience. Our problem is keeping our love for Christ fervent, for love makes obedience a delight. A decline in obedience is the outgrowth of a decline in love.”

We reaffirm our love for Jesus by telling Him we love Him, and by doing what He says. Furthermore, our love for Jesus will spill over into our human relationships. We love others because we love Him. Love is the energy of life. It motivates us in our service and in our servanthood.

“When you are first a lover, God’s love will effortlessly energize your believing, and your believing will open to you the abundance in God’s healing Word.” Larry M. Jaynes

3/17/21                           FEAR GOD, NOT MEN                                               17

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 29:25

²⁵ The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

COMMENTS:  We have been living in dangerous and unsettling times.  Covid 19 has caused families to isolate themselves from others and even from each other.  Elderly members are isolated from family to avoid exposure to Covid 19 while being exposed to Covid 19 through caretakers or use of portions of convalescent homes when hospital capacity exceeds demand from Covid patients.

Gatherings like church worship and eating in restaurants and sports and family reunions, to mention a few, have been outlawed or discouraged or fined by government to discourage spread of Covid.   Even now as vaccinations expand, isolation is still encouraged.  Virtual family gatherings and church worship have become the norm but are not a substitute for face to face.  

So, what would God have us do?  The answer may not be clear or consistent from our vantage point.  We can’t see the impact of timing and  circumstances and affect on others or future events.  The choices made will likely continue to be life changing for good or for bad.   Is Covid 19 evidence of God’s judgment for sinful rebellion and disobedience or is it a test to motivate a greater dependence and reliance on God?   Well, I think the answer is yes because both are the result.

God is on His throne with authority over all and insight and wisdom and awareness of everything everywhere all the time and every time.   He is also not confined too or limited to time.  His love for us is infinite but His authority and power to heal or destroy is not equaled or exceeded by anyone, not even satan himself. To follow satan puts those doing so at great peril of judgment from God.  Judgment that is permanent and eternal.  But to follow Christ places us under God’s protective shield.  Nothing endured as a follow of Christ will last and will be replaced for eternity with blessing and reward and joy beyond our imagination and for eternity.  Likewise, any suffering God will use for good – both good that will strengthen us and strength those we influence.

Our scripture tells us to fear the One who has control of our eternal future instead of the one who can only do what God permits, which will be stopped after a brief trial or time.

David poses the question in Psalm 27 “Whom shall I fear? . . . Of whom shall I be afraid?” (verse 1) David is making a statement in the form of two questions that imply a “No” answer: “I shall fear no one; I shall be afraid of no one.” It’s a powerful way to say, “Since I fear God, I will not fear man.”

If you fear (honor, respect, obey, worship) God, then you have a divine Protector. Why would you fear anyone or anything else?

“Only he who can say, “The Lord is the strength of my life” can say, “Of whom shall I be afraid?””                        Alexander MacLaren

 

3/18/21                              DON’T FEAR TROUBLE                                                                     18            

Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.  Job 5:7

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 50:7

⁷ “For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.

COMMENTS:  No one likes or wants troubles, but reflect on how often we are grateful for the lessons learned and faith strengthened and relationships impacted positively as a result of those troubles and way God used them for good.  No, we all would prefer life lessons be learned through blessing and health and prosperity and peace instead of by trials and troubles.  But truth is that troubles are a far better teacher, as history and experience will remind us if we listen.

Granted, tragedy like “911” or Covid 19 came as a result of evil actions or a consequence of satan’s evil work.  The loss of life is tragic and causes great harm.  But God also brings good out of evil if we take the time to notice and receive that good.  To trust God enough to put tragic situations and life’s troubles in His hands and let go of temptation to retain control and act ahead of God’s timing and Will.

On “911” people were running away from the twin towers to escape danger and save their own lives while others were running to the towers to save lives. Many lost their own life trying to escape while others lost their life try to save others.   Some may say it didn’t matter because both died that day.  Some would say, what is the point of putting ourselves in harm’s way to save others? 

Well, the impact of the sacrifice of those who died trying to save others is a legacy that has inspired and compelled others to give as well.

Fear of danger and death is a natural – human emotion.  But courage comes with overcoming fear with a decision to go a path into danger for a greater purpose.   Christ, as a human did so on that cross for a purpose that resulted in a path to redemption and eternal life for any and all who will simply accept that redemption and life.

Well, it is human to fear trouble.  Even Christ faced that temptation to fear, but we too have a choice of either running from fear to running to face and conquer that fear to achieve a greater purpose.

We live in a time of making heroes of those undeserving.  Of those who destroy instead of those who build.  Heroes of those who do evil instead of those who do good.  Heroes of those who kill instead of those who save.   Jesus is the ultimate and best Hero and sets the standard for us to strive for, but not alone.  His Holy Spirit is here all the time guiding and encouraging and strengthening and warning.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Do you fear trouble? Don’t! Better to be with God in trouble than to be without trouble and without God.

“Down through the centuries in times of trouble…God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him.”  Billy Graham

 

3/19/21                       ALWAYS DEPENDING ON HIS WORD!                                 19

On the same day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
Mark 4:35

Recommended Reading: Mark 4:35-41

³⁵ On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

COMMENTS:   Who are those you can always trust and depend on?  Take some time to list their names.  Does list include your parents, pastor, spouse, close friend(s)?  How about a special teacher or Sunday school teacher or even a supervisor or co-worker?  I dare say the list is not very long even though there is likely a longer list of those who we can depend on somewhat, who are less committed to our well being.

Well, the closer we get to Jesus, the more we will realize His trustworthiness and dependability far outshines even the best and most trustworthy friend we may have.  His Word gives us an accurate account of God’s involvement in history and details of  His involvement in the lives of those  who did trust and obey / follow God.

Children grow up desperately needing to trust and depend on their parents.   The influence of parents is a powerful influence on children, either for good or for evil.  Parents not  worthy of their children’s trust are all  too common and their children usually grow up to pass on that same curse and destructive influence onto  their children.  By contrast, the  influence of Godly parents who did example and demonstrate positive influence will leave a positive legacy that will last many generations, but depends on how effective each new generation of children becoming parents learn and pass that legacy on to their children.

The standard and effectiveness in passing on the best legacy greatly depends on how close each parent is to Christ and how obedient each is in learning and practicing the truths and conduct given in God’s Word.  But also depends on how close and current a close relationship is maintained by each parent.  Those who do so more commonly pass on the same to their children.  But all this depends on willingness of each child to receive – embrace the faith and source of that faith and make  the faith of their parents  their own.  

In instances where Godly parents are not available, God has a wonderful way of putting others in a child’s life to provide that influence.   But all this depends on willingness to follow God’s lead and direction.

When a child becomes a follower of Jesus, he learns something new: God’s Word never fails. Jesus’ disciples learned that when He summoned them to cross the Sea of Galilee and a dangerous storm arose, threatening to sink them. The disciples were full of fear until Jesus quieted the storm and they continued their trip. Here’s what they learned: When Jesus said they would cross the Sea of Galilee; they would cross the Sea of Galilee! No storm or circumstance would prevent them from reaching the other side. There was a storm, yes. But it was only a challenge, not a change. God’s Word tells us we will reach “the other side” for eternity if we have faith in Jesus. Never let a circumstance in life be a reason to doubt God’s promises.                                                                        “There are parts of the Bible which cause me difficulty, but none which cause me doubt.”   John Blanchard

3/20/21                  FIGHT OR FLIGHT : NEHEMIAH                            20

Should such a man as I flee? Nehemiah 6:11

Recommended Reading: Nehemiah 6:1-14

6 Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), ² that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.

³ So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

⁴ But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

⁵ Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. ⁶ In it was written:

It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. ⁷ And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together.

⁸ Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.”

⁹ For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.”

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

¹⁰ Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.”

¹¹ And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” ¹² Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ¹³ For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

¹⁴ My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.

COMMENTS:  Nehemiah was given the impossible task of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls in the midst of waring groups of people bent on stopping him.  Nehemiah’s workers succeeded in rebuilding the wall by having a sword in one hand and building tools in the other.    But God was with Nehemiah and gave him discernment as well as courage.  He not only was able to see through the trickery of attempts to pull him from his work but pull him away from the protection of his faithful workers and the protection God had put around them all.   The only work on the wall remaining was to mount the gate doors and them city and wall could be defended by fewer people and temple and city could be fully rebuilt.  Nehemiah had the approval of the Medo-Persian king but not of the rulers of the local tribes.   But even more than the king’s approval, Nehemiah had God’s approval and as long as he acted in God’s Will, Nehemiah would continue to enjoy God’s protection no matter the odds or force being gathered against him.

The Israelites had been in bondage to Babylon and new Persia for over 70 years and now were   about to gain back their land and homes, but not before facing a final test to prove they had repented of the sin of rebellion that caused them to fall prey to Babylon’s invading forces many years before.   Nehemiah and they had heard stories of Babylon’s invasion from their parents and grandparents but also had God’s word to tell them why they became slaves to them and the sin that made them vulnerable – the same sin that now they were tempted to fall prey to again.

Nehemiah was a great leader because He chose to only listen to God’s voice speaking to Him and conveyed great passion and determination to do so on to his people.

What Nehemiah was trying to do was tense and dangerous. He had returned to Jerusalem to lead the fledging Jewish community in rebuilding their city walls and creating a stronger presence. The territorial officials opposed this project, and they were determined to stop it even if they had to murder Nehemiah. They accused him, ridiculed him, and sought to intimidate him. Finally, Nehemiah received a message telling him to flee for there was a plot afoot to kill him that very evening.

“Should such a man as I flee?” Nehemiah said, as he stood his ground.

What did Nehemiah mean by that phrase? Did he mean, Such a strong man… or such a brave man… or such a well-protected man? 

No. He meant, “Should such a man who is doing God’s work, living in His will, standing on His promises, and guarded by His grace flee?” 

Nehemiah’s boldness didn’t come from his own resources. He knew his God—and the people who know their God will fight, not flee.

Oh my soul, put on Christ, and put off fear: put up prayer, and put down dread. From whom should such a man as I flee? Of whom should I be afraid?  William Mason

3/21/21            THROUGH IT ALL GOD’S LOVE GIVES US LIFE!                                     21

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us … made us alive together with Christ.  Ephesians 2:4-5 Recommended Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. COMMENTS:  God has perfectly planned our future and our future home.   He is furnishing it with who   is precious to Him and us.  He is furnishing it will all we need to enjoy heaven and its occupants fully.   He is furnishing it with anticipation as He also plans on residing there with us. When we consider that, then what we endure and problems we encounter here seem so much less significant or important.  But today’s problems do demand attention and require God’s wisdom to guide us to the best resolution.  Yet, instead of seeking His help and council all the time, we tend to only seek His help when all else fails, when we’ve tried everything we can think of and all have failed. So instead of throwing our own resources that God has already offered us, we need to put our focus on what will make eternal difference.   Focus on encouraging and witness with example, with words, and with action and conduct, especially during times of trial and crisis. Crisis is something we try to avoid at all cost, but all too often doing so just puts us deeper into crisis.  The familiar expressions, “You can’t see the forest for the trees” is true of so many situations life throws at us.  We can’t see the path to the desired destination because of all the obstacles and distractions satan and others keep throwing at us.   Distractions that demand immediate attention and keep us from attacking problems logically and one at a time based on proper priorities and urgency. God not only provides help and council and wisdom that is based on His will and experience and knowledge, He provides a way that seems foolish to world thinking but has perfect logic and purpose.   After all, the God who created a universe of perfect order and function, who created our bodies, all our surroundings and so much more, is more than able to help and guide us through our problems and needs no matter how great and overwhelming they are to us. There are many people physically alive today who are without God and without hope in this world. We are in the 40-day period of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday morning.  Consider ways to give them hope during this “month of love”—a gift, an encouraging word, an act of service, or the Gospel. Because of your love, you might see them come alive in Christ. “The gospel is not a doctrine of the tongue, but of life.”  John Calvin   .

3/22/21                                              ALWAYS JUST                                             22                                                     

As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.  Job 37:23

Recommended Reading: Genesis 18:25

²⁵ Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”                                    COMMENTS:  Job is considered one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Old Testaments books in our bible.   Not oldest w.r.t. to time when Job lived but oldest when written down and preserved.  Job helps us understand the mind of God a bit better and His perspective.    Job didn’t understand until later why he had to suffer one tragedy after another, nor why God permitted that suffering.  He couldn’t recall a sin that motivated such suffering, in spite of what Job’s friends accused him of.   Job had a close enough and time proven relationship with God sufficient to trust God completely.  Enough not to become angry when he lost all his livestock and home and all 10 of his children and all of his worker – servants save one.  Then to lose his health with painful sores. All without a word of encouragement or explanation from God.  All he had was accusations of his friends.

Job felt he was unjustly accused and likely felt so from God because at the end of his time of suffering his grief and pain began to overwhelm him.  But instead of God encouraging him, God reminded him of God’s perspective and might.    He reminded Job how vast His domain and power and wisdom and knowledge was.  How vast His power and influence was, so Job could trust the outcome of his suffering would come.

God did stretch Job’s faith and endurance to its limits, but not beyond.

God then restored Job’s health and riches and even replaced his children.  God didn’t restore his dead children, but gave Job assurance his dead children were safe and he would one day be   with them again.

No, life is not fair from our perspective, but God isn’t fair either and we need to be glad He isn’t.  God isn’t fair but He is merciful and longsuffering.  If He was fair and just without mercy, we would all be dead and facing judgment. 

God’s longsuffering resulted in Him waiting for us to accept His offer of redemption and eternal life.  He is still waiting for others to come, but scripture warns us the time of waiting is not eternal.  One day soon, His judgment will begin and then His justice will come upon all those who refused His mercy or put it off too long.

If God was only just, He would only need to offer redemption one but since His justice is delayed as long as possible, His mercy is offered countless times to one and all.

Job, and we through his story in scripture, ultimately discover that justice and righteousness is the issue, not fairness is not the issue. Was it fair for Job’s family and livelihood to be destroyed for seemingly no reason? Not on the surface. But beneath the surface (which Job didn’t see until the end of his deep dive into God’s character), God was being just in His judgments and His use of power. It was more important for Job to know God than to have his life of smooth sailing be undisturbed. At the beginning of Job’s saga, he was angry with God for being unfair. By the end, He was worshiping God as the all-powerful Creator and Judge of all things (Job 42:1-6).

Here is the “takeaway from Job: God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). But even when we don’t understand His ways, we can trust in His character.

“There is nothing that I have done that can stand the touchstone of God’s justice.”  John Bunyan

3/23/21                                 LIONS ON THE ROAD                                                         23

My soul is among lions.  Psalm 57:4

Recommended Reading: Psalm 57

 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!For my soul trusts in You;And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,Until these calamities have passed by.

² I will cry out to God Most High,To God who performs all things for me.³ He shall send from heaven and save me;He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. SelahGod shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

⁴ My soul is among lions;I lie among the sons of menWho are set on fire,Whose teeth are spears and arrows,And their tongue a sharp sword.⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;Let Your glory be above all the earth.

⁶ They have prepared a net for my steps;My soul is bowed down;They have dug a pit before me;Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah

⁷ My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;I will sing and give praise.⁸ Awake, my glory!Awake, lute and harp!I will awaken the dawn.

⁹ I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;I will sing to You among the nations.¹⁰ For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,And Your truth unto the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;Let Your glory be above all the earth.

COMMENTS:  This morning on Christian radio I listened to Dr. David Jeremiah’s program “Turning Point” as I do every week day morning.  Today he talked about depression and referred to Charles Spurgeon’s battle with depression and others who achieved great success in ministry.   He shared an observation that the height of good experiences is followed by depths of difficulties of the same magnitude.   He noted Elijah’s peak at Mt. Carmel was immediately followed by desperation begging God to take his life and spare him being sought and killed by Queen Jezebel.   Have you noticed similar times in your life when a time of trial followed a mountain top experience?  I would say we all have.  Why is that?  Why can’t we all live on the mountain tops? Well, children would prefer to live on candy and ice cream and play all day instead of eating their vegetables and go to schools and do their chores. 

I notice children who are allowed to live undisciplined with only loose rules to follow tend to be selfish and angry and bullies.  Children who do well in school and are obedient and work hard and responsible are taught such by their parents and teachers.  Consequences of bad choices and behavior is a powerful teacher and incentive.

John Bunyan’s book “The Pilgrim’s Progress” describes the Christian’s journey to the “Celestial City” and the obstacles and dangers and people encountered along the way.  One example was two lions who were hungry and angry and ready to kill any passerby.  Christian stopped in fear at a distance.  He then noticed they were chained and he would be safe if stayed on the middle of the road and need not fear them.   The chains would hold them and keep them from harming him, but he had to have faith the chains would hold them.  The lions were on opposite sides of the road so if he would try to get further from one lion, he would be closer to the other.

You and I face dangers and threats that tempt us to make poor choices that come with consequences, while also testing our faith.   Tested faith is stronger and a better guide to a desired destination  and blessing and reward when that destination is reached.  The road of life we are on is to a destination of God’s design and plan.    To venture too close to the edge of the road puts us in unnecessary danger and more vulnerable to disaster – consequences of poor or sinful choices.

God has a wonderful way changing wrong choices into detours back to right path and then to redeem time lost, but that can only come if we heed His call to repentence and to the gift of forgiveness and healing He offers because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.  He does so eagerly and willingly but we can only have this gift if accept it.   Redemption is still our choice, but is offered to all.    There are many reasons why people refuse His precious gift.   What were the reasons you put it off as long as you did?   Chances are you didn’t want to and wanted to enjoy a sinful lifestyle awhile longer.  You thought about what you would have to give up and not about what you would gain.

But what God asks us to give up is replace by so much more.  Those who choose God’s way discover what he gives is far better than what He asks us to give up.     What He asks us to give up only brings misery and death and what He offers gives Joy and life – eternal life.  When the choice is camouflage and less clear, it is then that our faith and trust in God becomes stronger when we choose His way..

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply

3/24/21                                NOT FEARING DEATH                                                24                                         

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
John 11:25

Recommended Reading: Hebrews 2:14-15

¹⁴ Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

COMMENTS:   When asked what their greatest fear was, we would expect the number 1 answer would be death, but it wasn’t.  However, I would expect fear of sickness and death has become higher on the list in the midst of Covid 19.

Likewise, those young in years and physical strength and health view their own mortality as a distant concern and not an immanent concern would put fear of death lower on their list of concerns.   But as death comes closer as it takes more of those closer to us and those of our age or younger, we begin to realize our own mortality is inevitable.

In contrast, as financial instability and war and violence and job instability come to the forefront and impact more of those closer to us, then the priority of those concerns become higher on our list of concerns.

All this may be human nature and an issue with everyone, it is also true that because Christ lived and gave up His human life willingly as a sacrifice to pay for our redemption from our own sins, then we all have a real answer and way of dealing with any and all fears and concerns that come to us.

When I was a young teen and young adult, I was convinced that Christ would return long before I would be old enough to retire and certainly before I would die.  Yet, as the decades have passed, more and more of those of my parent’s generation and then of my school classmates and friends generation passed; I began to realize death may be in my future too.   It didn’t diminish my reason to be a Christ follower and do what His Word and His nudging in my soul asks.   It didn’t diminish the urgency to be ready.

But death is coming for us all (except those Christians who are alive at the Rapture of the Church). And there is no reason to fear it. Jesus said that those who believe in Him “shall never die” (John 11:26). How can that be? It’s true because those who believe in Him have eternal life today. Eternal life doesn’t begin when we die physically; it begins when we believe spiritually in Christ (John 17:3).

It has been well said, “Until we’re ready to die, we’re not ready to live.” Make sure you are living eternally today through faith in Christ.

“Those who have welcomed Christ may welcome death. “  Matthew Henry

3/25/21                   THE DEATH OF DEATH                                                    25   

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.  Romans 6:8

Recommended Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

⁵⁵ “O Death, where is your sting?O Hades, where is your victory?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

COMMENTS:  If we are born once, we will die twice.  If we are born twice, we will only die once.  What does this mean?  Well, if we are born again (born twice), we are forgiven and spared from God’s judgment (the second death).

John Owen, a Puritan theologian in 17^th century England, wrote a book “The Death of Death in the Death of Christ”.  This book deals with the profound impact of Easter on the eternal future of the believer – those who accept Christ’s offer of forgiveness and redemption that His death on  the Cross bought.  To refuse or put off accepting such a precious gift exposes us to and put us at risk of God’s judgment and outside the protection provided by His sacrifice.

Owen likely was inspired to this  title by Paul (I Corinthians 15:54 “Death is swallowed up in victory”. “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). When Christ died, death was the victor. But then came the Resurrection three days later and death was defeated! We can shout with Paul, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [over death] through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). The Resurrection of Jesus is why those who believe in Him should never fear death. The Resurrection of Jesus took the “sting” (the fear) out of death.

Give thanks to God today that there is eternal victory even in the face of physical death for those who belong to Christ.

“There is a resurrection after death. Let this never be forgotten.”  J. C. Ryle

3/26/21                           THE RIGHT KIND OF FEAR                                                             26

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.  Psalm 33:8

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 33:6

⁶ Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times,And the strength of salvation;The fear of the Lord is His treasure.

COMMENTS:  Fear within certain limits or boundaries can be good.  Some fear of heights or snakes or wild animals can be paralyzing and cause us to make irrational decisions that can prevent us from making wise choices, but some fear can sharpen our awareness of the dangers and risks.  Such a fear towards sin and the temptations satan tries to lay on us has the potential of motivating us to “flee temptations” before they take hold of our minds and souls.

Fear of God is not talking about terror of His power and ability but deep respect of Him and His deeds.  But also a fear of judgment He warns of to those who do not receive His redemptive forgiveness.

Luke 11:52 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge” is Jesus’ word to the scribes and Pharisees in the Temple of Jerusalem.  The key of knowledge is not specifically identified but a clue is found in Isaiah 33:6 “Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is His treasure.”   A newer NIV translation is “The fear of the Lord is the key of of wisdom and knowledge.”

So, the fear of the Lord is a key to gaining wisdom and knowledge about God and living rightly with Him.  This is supported in the old testament (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7/2:5/9:10/14:26-27/19:23.   Proverbs 23:17even says “zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day”.  Characteristics of “fear of the Lord” is: honor, reverence, awe, submission, obedience, but not a fear of terror but a fear of respect with love and gratitude.

“The fear of the Lord is not just the end of wisdom but its beginning.”   Edmund P. Clowney

3/27/21                     LEARNING TO  FEAR                                      27

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  Psalm 34:11

Recommended Reading: Deuteronomy 31:12-13

¹² Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, ¹³ and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”

COMMENTS:  The fear of the Lord involves being aware of His abiding presence and influence in our lives and in our world and universe all around us.   To begin to grasp just how involved God is and the awesome power He has and uses all the time helps us begin to develop a love and trust and reliance on Him.  But the ultimate power and control He demonstrates also makes us aware of how much we are at His mercy and completely exposed and vulnerable to Him, which naturally causes us to fear Him.   That fear is not a fear of terror but a fear of love and respect from knowing Him.

Formal education varies for each of us.  For most it involves up to 12 years of undergraduate studies.  For some it then includes college or trade school training to gain knowledge and skills necessary for a desired field of employment. For some, formal education then includes post graduate studies for a master’s or even doctorate degree.  But education is not complete or sufficient without the instruction of experience.  Christian experience as we learn from our study and fellowship with God, our ability to live and conduct ourselves in a Christ-like manner is stretched and strengthened and duration.   Sustaining a Christ-like conduct in actions and words and even thoughts is an            impossible goal but one that can certainly achieve regular and even daily improvements as we strive towards as we walk and fellowship with Christ and allow His Holy Spirit guide and council and strengthen and guard us.

Yet, in doing so we may not notice or recognize the importance and value of maintaining a genuine and healthy fear of God too.  We recognize God as a true friend and counselor but forget that He is also Almighty God – Creator of the Universe and all that entails and                                               includes.   There is no-one more powerful nor greater than He and no-one ever will.  Lucifer thought enough of himself to believe himself to be equal to God even though a creation.  His lies have deceived even himself, but one day soon he will discover God’s judgment and authority will not be delayed forever.  Then even he will be forced to bow and submit to God’s Will and Authority and Commands.  So will we either by free will or by force.   Oh how much better it will be for us if we do so now before God’s judgment instead of waiting until it will be too late to repent.   His delay is not due to weakness but do to passion for each of us to not miss out.   The offer of forgiveness and redemption is open to all who will receive it, but most either refuse or postpone making that choice too long.   Easter is quickly approaching and with it a perfect time to accept Christ or to return to Him.   He is still patiently waiting.

Citizens of Israel were expected to be taught how to fear the Lord—how to honor Him, trust Him, love Him, worship Him, and more. And the main vehicle for that learning was the Word of God—the words of His law (Deuteronomy 31:12-13).

When you read and study your Bible, think of it as learning to fear the Lord—a curriculum that lasts a lifetime.

“Let us learn to trust [God] for who He is.”  Elisabeth Elliot

3/28/21                     FIGHT OR RUN – A SHEPHERD BOY CHOOSES                                                  28  

You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.  1 Samuel 17:45

Recommended Reading: John 7:37-39

³⁷ On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” ³⁹ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

COMMENTS:  The story of David and Goliath is a story known by everyone student of the Bible.  It is amazing that David had enough faith and courage to face a skilled warrior let alone one 9 feet tall.  No wonder ten of the 12 spies Moses sent into the promised land were too afraid to enter.  But if they would have had the faith of David, their future would have been much different and better and 40 years wondering in the desert.

David, even though a boy, possessed all the tools he needed to defeat Goliath.  The most important tool was faith.  The next was experience in acting on that faith.    His sling shot skills were polished and formidable from practice and killing wild animals that would attempt to attack his flock.  I wonder why fathers would put young sons in such a dangerous place instead of older sons.   But then again, the responsibilities of being a shepherd were significant but the job commanded little status and respect in those days.  That is probably why the job defaulted to those who couldn’t find work anywhere else and to the younger sons. 

God gives us many scripture examples of how His perspective is different than ours.  He holds the shepherd at a high status and exampled that by identifying Himself as the “Good Shepherd” and honored the value that good shepherds put on each sheep and puts himself in dangers defending them.

David was a very good shepherd and his years doing that job gave him the skilled he needed to defeat Goliath with his sling.  David had 5 stones but Goliath had 4 brothers who might have come to help Goliath.  By Goliath was too proud to ask for help to defeat a small weak boy.  But armed with his skills and his trust and great faith in God, Goliath was no match and am sure he and his brothers together wouldn’t have either.  God made sure the stone went to the intended target.    The stone probably didn’t kill Goliath but rendered him unconscious long enough for David to kill Goliath with his own sword.

Well, David was the same boy Samuel anointed as the next king and the same boy who later hid from King Saul and took refuge instead of facing King Saul and his army like he did years before facing Goliath.   Times of weakness and doubt come to everyone.  That is why it is so important to sustain daily fellowship in prayer and study and relationships with other believers as well as with God so we will be accountable and strengthened when weak and vulnerable, as we all are at times.

OK, running isn’t always showing weakness, but strength when God directly.  Paul instructed Timothy to flee youthful lusts.  Exposing ourselves to temptations and dangers is foolish.  “Snake handling” churches expose followers to poisonous snakes and by so doing needless dangers in an attempt to demonstrate their faith.  Faith and courage in midst of unavoidable dangers at God’s direction is one thing but seeking out dangers or artificially creating dangers are   really tempting God.

It was the Holy Spirit in David’s heart that gave him the wisdom to fight rather than to flee. How greatly we need the same anointing! As Christians, we have the Spirit living within us. Let’s ask for a fresh empowering by our indwelling Spirit for every giant we face. We should never assume we know God’s Will without seeking His instruction and council first.  Our ideas and will and insights are so far below and different from God.  So we shouldn’t presume to know God’s Will no matter how many years we have followed Him.   He doesn’t change but as we grow in our faith, we discover and understand a bit more of His character and Will.  But He will never contradict His Word or the instruction He gives in His Word.  AMEN?   AMEN!                                                                                                                                                               “If we are ever to do anything for God and for his Church, we must be anointed with holy oil…. You cannot do David’s work if you have not David’s anointing.”  Charles Spurgeon

3/29/21                                                WHEN GOD IS DETERMINED                                        29

Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up.  Acts 2:23-24

 Recommended Reading: Acts 2:22-39

²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— ²³ Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; ²⁴ whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. ²⁵ For David says concerning Him:

‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.²⁶ Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.²⁷ For You will not leave my soul in Hades,Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.²⁸ You have made known to me the ways of life;You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

²⁹ “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, ³¹ he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. ³³ Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

³⁴ “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand,³⁵ Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’

³⁶ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

³⁸ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

COMMENTS:  That mean old devil is determined to destroy anything and everything God holds precious of His creation.   At the top of that list is every human.   Satan failed at stopping God’s plan of redemption that Christ completed on the Cross and resurrection.    That plan satisfied the Father’s requirement of payment of sin while still allowing each human to either reject or accept that plan for his or her own redemption.  Satan believes he succeeds with every human who yields to his deceptive temptations, including shaming or silencing the witness and testimony of Christian organizations and individuals.  Such has been true in every generation, but persecution of Christians is getting worse, which we can expect as Christ’s return and foretold time of tribulation approaches.   Well, persecution was terrible during the peak of Roman Empire domination.   But God made satan’s mischief a way of launching and growing His church.  The roads built by Rome to help its army conquer more land also made it easier for Christians to flee and move and spread God’s good news.   

There’s no word higher, greater, or possessing more authority than that of sovereign. Notice the last five letters: REIGN. The prefix, so, means “super” or “above all.” In his Pentecostal sermon in Acts 2, Peter stressed the sovereignty of God in matters related to the crucifixion of Christ. The Jewish leaders weren’t in control of the events. Pontius Pilate wasn’t the determining power. The Roman soldiers weren’t in charge. None of the civil or religious powers wrecked the plan of Almighty God. Jesus was delivered to death “by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God.”

Notice the power of the word determined. The death of Christ was a determination made in heaven in order to provide the world with forgiveness of sin and eternal life. From eternity past, our Heavenly Father determined to love you, to save you, and to give you an eternal inheritance at the cost of the blood of His Son, whom He then raised from the dead.

Nothing is outside of God’s determined sovereign rule, and that should make us feel very secure!  Never forget, God’s side is the winning side and satan’s side is doomed to failure.           “Behind Calvary’s cross is the throne of heaven.”  James Stewart

3/30/21                                 SALVATION ONLY BY JESUS BLOOD                                  30                        Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the [heavenly] Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.  Hebrews 9:12

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 2:12-13

¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

COMMENTS:  Redemption has always been available but includes a process.  That process for David, for example, included admitting sin and turning from that sin and seeking and asking for God’s forgiveness.   An animal sacrifice was required as an outward act of obedience and sacrifice to pay for and confirm sincerity of repentance.

God’s laws and instruction related to animal sacrifice was clear but not complete.  Completion came when the perfect sacrifice was done, Jesus dying on that Roman cross.  You and I don’t know what it was like to live under the “old covenant” which required animal sacrifice for forgiveness. We have evidence of a few who enjoyed intimate fellowship with God.  They stood out above the crowd because of their obedience and God’s influence on their lives.  I’m sure there were many other examples we don’t know about because they are not recorded in scripture, but just as profound and wonderful.  Those stories and how their impact rippled down through the centuries changing history and lives for good will be shared and discovered by us in heaven.  What joy it will be to learn those stories too and what joy they will inspire to praise and worship our Lord along with those before and after us too.

We are quickly approaching Easter Sunday, but for now continuing in Holy Week.   The last supper (Maundy Thursday) and the crucifixion (Good Friday) begin tomorrow.

Christianity has been called a ghastly religion because of its emphasis on the shedding of blood. Indeed, the writer to the Hebrews says, “Without shedding of blood there is no remission [of sins]” (Hebrews 9:22).

Here’s where our theology takes a serious turn. The image of blood is no ghastlier than what it corresponds to: the ghastliness of sin. We forget, at times, just how serious sin is in the face of a perfectly holy God. It was God’s plan to enjoy fellowship with His creation for eternity, and He ultimately will. But when man sinned—a ghastly offense in the sight of our holy God—it required a correspondingly serious solution. A perfectly sinless Man had to die—that’s what “shedding of blood” means—for a perfectly sinful mankind. So Jesus shed His blood instead of God shedding ours. And in doing so, He “obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).

Contemplate today what God did to ensure eternal fellowship with us. He allowed His Own Son to die that we might live.

GOD HAS A WONDERFUL WAY OF TURNING SINFUL “DEADENDS” INTO DETOURS TO REDEMPTION AND ETERNAL LIFE AND THEN REDEEMING LOST OR WASTED TIME THOSE DETOURS AND DEAD ENDS CAUSED!  AMEN?  AMEN!!

“Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood; sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!”   Philip P. Bliss, “Hallelujah, What a Savior!”

3/31/21                                            CHRIST’S ASCENSION                                                   31         

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.  Hebrews 9:24

Recommended Reading: Acts 1:9-11

⁹ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

COMMENTS:  This is Wednesday of Holy Week – half way between Palm Sunday and Easter.  The disciples still don’t seem to have a clue of what is to come and certainly not after the next few days.   But those days were approaching so quickly.  Maundy Thursday is tomorrow when Jesus would have His last supper with His disciples followed by Judas’ betrayal and Jesus arrest.  Good Friday would come next with a gruesome death of Jesus.  We, like the disciples have had 40 days to prepare for Easter, but we are discovering that we are still not prepared for Easter.   Neither were the disciples.  Why?  Well, because they were not capable of preparing themselves so their weaknesses came to the surface and grew stronger in the midst of coming crisis.  That crisis was the Jewish leadership and Roman invaders united against Christ and His followers, which pushed them into hiding.

But what Christ demonstrated and the Holy Spirit later enabled was for these weak Christ followers to begin showing boldness and courage and confidence instead of fear and doubt.   Even Christ battled such temptations but His resolve to follow the Father’s plan became the resolve of each disciple and Christ follower.  A resolve that would not be shaken or destroyed by satan and all his demons. 

But once the Holy Spirit indwelled those disciples and the Christ followers going forward, the power and effectiveness of the Gospel was evident in the lives and witness of those followers.  That transformation made the Gospel credible the source of hope – something to look forward to.  For those under oppression of Roman rule, the confidence of a eternal home free of age-sickness-death-persecution but also with the God of all who created all, governs all, loves and provides forgiveness and mercy to all without  regard to status or influence or talents/gifts. A new home available to any and all who will simply repent and accept that gift without cost.  That message and the impact of that message has transformed people of all nationalities and status in every generation since.

That mean old devil still hasn’t given us but neither has God and not only has a plan in place to stop satan once and for all, but has given us thru scripture what to expect ahead until satan is bound.

It will get much worse before it gets better.   Suffering is just for a brief time, death is freedom from that suffering, and ultimately we will have a home and fellowship with others and with God that will be more fulfilling and loving and joyful than we can comprehend or imagine and will be without end for eternity.

God is offering us so much and satan not only is not able to deliver his promises, but he wouldn’t even if he could.  Why?  His goal isn’t our wellbeing but to bring God pain.  He knows hurting and killing us grieves God.

BUT GOD HAS A WONDERFUL WAY OF TURNING A DEAD END PATH SATAN LURES US ON INTO A DETOUR BACK TO HIS PATH TO ETERNAL LIFE!  HE THEN REDEEMS LOST TIME BUT ALL IN HIS TIME AND PLAN!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The ascension of Christ into heaven forty days after His resurrection—one of the most important events in all of Christian theology. Going verse-by-verse through the New Testament means you only encounter three references to this important event: Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-11. But an entire chapter of the book of Hebrews discusses the implications of the ascension: Christ entering the heavenly sanctuary as our High Priest and Intercessor before the throne of God (Hebrews 9).

We should take great joy from the Ascension of Jesus and contemplate what it means for us. As our High Priest, Christ presented Himself to the Father and secured the eternal redemption of His Church by His own blood. As our Intercessor, Christ stands between us and God the Father, defending us against Satan’s accusations (Romans 8:33-34). You are saved, and remained saved and sanctified, because Christ ascended to heaven.

Praise God today for what the ascension of Christ means in your life: saved, sealed, sanctified, secure forever.

Astronauts sink into insignificance beside this Ascension!  Vance Havner

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-entries-2013/ )

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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:

SUGGESTED READINGS (HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS):

SUGGESTED READINGS (SPIRITUAL STANDARDS)

DYNAMIC DOCTRINES

PRACTICAL PRECEPTS:

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT: