4/1/22 GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? 1
| “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’—which means,‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” | |
| Matthew 27:46 | |
| COMMENTS: Have you ever felt alone and abandoned by God? To feel that way is common especially when going through a dark time of suffering or loss of a loved one or in uncertain times. Pain and suffering are inevitable, but it seems like some endure more than others. Some suffering is self-inflicted due to foolish or sinful choices while others due to choices imposed on them by others. So, why does God permit suffering especially to innocent victims. Well, such is a age-old question every generation asks. We do have many examples given in scripture to help us better understand and answer this question, but even more important instruct us on right way and wrong way to respond. God does not cause tragedy or disaster except to stop evil. Generally, or more commonly, God does not cause suffering but permits satan to inflict suffering within limits. Job is the most familiar example. So, when suffering comes, it is satan we should be angry with and blame and not God. But you likely will quickly ask, isn’t God above to prevent or stop suffering. The answer is YES and He doesn’t limit suffering instead of letting satan do all the evil he wants. We have no idea what evil satan would do if allowed. Far worse than what Hitler inflicted or other dictators from the past. But we have so many examples from scripture and from history to tell use how God uses both good for eternal good but also even evil intended for great harm to also to accomplish great eternal good. The cross was satan inspired to inflict death and painful suffering in order to intimidate conquered subject into submission during Roman domination. The cross changed from a symbol of evil and death to a symbol of salvation and redemption and eternal life because of Christ’s sacrifice and death and then resurrection. Joni Eareckson Tada was tragically paralyzed at age 17 during a diving accident but living with handicap for nearly 60 years following Christ’s lead has resulted in a global ministry that has helped and led millions to Christ who otherwise may have never had received if she hadn’t been paralyzed. From a eternal perspective, even 100 years of suffering is well worth enduring if results in eternal life in heaven. So, 100 years from now, will our suffering be worth it? If we were able to ask anyone this question who is now in heaven, what would they say? YES! YES!! YES!!! Jesus helps us know that for sure in the teaching and in parables he shared like the story of Lazarus and the rich man. So, how should we respond when hard times come? Well, we may still need to recover a bit at first, but best to seek God’s help to respond in a way so He can reveal to us opportunities He is preparing for us to make a eternal positive difference. It’s frightening to feel that the Lord has turned his back on you. But if you’ve ever experienced that dark emptiness, you’re not alone. Jesus felt the same way. There was a time when the Son of God himself was unable to experience closeness with his Father. It happened on the cross. And when he felt separated, he cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” Lord Jesus, I can’t begin to imagine your agony of feeling separated from the Father. I’m simply grateful that you understand my feelings today. With you, I am always close to God—thank you for assuring me that you will never leave or forsake me. |
4/2/22 PREPARING FOR A CROSS 2
| “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” |
| John 16:13-14 |
| COMMENTS: The disciples enjoyed 3 years of fellowship – one on one training and instruction with Jesus, but that last passover in Jerusalem became their graduation. They were still unprepared for what was to come. In spite of all Jesus told them and exampled for them, they were still unprepared for what was to come. That’s no doubt how the disciples felt the evening they enjoyed the Last Supper with the Lord Jesus. Up until the end, the evening had been warm and personal—there was even that touching moment when Jesus washed their feet. But the mood shifted when Jesus spoke those strange words to Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” Judas left and from that point on, the tone of the evening changed. It was as if the Lord realized he had pressing things to say and only a short time in which to say them. He spoke about vines and branches, peace and persecution. So much packed into those few hours! How would the disciples remember it all? Jesus knew their dismay. But the Lord also knew that everything would become clear. That’s why he promised them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would be teacher and guide. Are you any different from the disciples? Not really. Sometimes you feel that God is pouring million-gallon truths into your one-ounce brain! But the Spirit will help you to understand. He will bring God’s Word to your mind and memory, making all things clear. Almighty God, today help me to remember that, in time, you will make known to me everything I need to understand. I welcome you, Spirit, as my teacher and guide. |
4/3/22SOWN IN TEARS3
| “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” |
| Psalm 126:5-6 |
| COMMENTS: |
| Such and powerful and wonderful promise. When you sow in tears, what a marvelous and abundant return you will enjoy on your investment. “But,” you may be thinking, “when have I ever gone out weeping, carrying seed to sow?” If you have ever reached through an invisible wall of pain to embrace God with willful thanks, you have sown in tears. If you’ve ever been rejected by a dear one and yet turned the other cheek in love, you have sown in tears. If you have patiently endured physical affliction, or responded in love through a difficult marriage, then Psalm 126:5-6 could be your life verse. Think of the pain young Elisabeth Elliot must have felt as she continued to serve as a missionary to the very people who had murdered her husband! Truly, she sowed the seed of God’s Word in tears, but oh, the songs of joy that ring from the millions who have been touched by her testimony. When you hurt physically or emotionally, it’s hard to muster a patient or godly response. Pain has a way of screaming for our undivided attention. But when you either offer a sacrifice of praise to God in the midst of your hurt, or respond in faith to a heartbreak or hardship, you are sowing in tears. Take heart, for one day God will reward you with sheaves of joy—all because you were faithful through tears. “Lord, thank you for the hope and help you offer me through my hurt. Help me to remain faithful even though my tears sometimes blind my way. May I remember that for every tear, there will be a song of eternal joy!” |
4/4/22 GETTING OUT OF IT 4
[Then the religious leaders] began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this Man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a king.” And Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “You have said so.” Then Pilate said … “I find no guilt in this Man.” But they were urgent … And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. (Luke 23:2b-5a, 7)
COMMENTS:
It’s clear that Pilate wants nothing to do with Jesus’ case. He does a brief examination, and when the religious leaders won’t stop yammering, Pilate finds another dodge. He ships Jesus off to King Herod on the grounds that He is a Galilean. Maybe Herod will take care of the problem for him.
You might recognize this game from your workplace—or your community, or even your church. “It’s not my problem, someone else can deal with it.”
What a good thing that God does not take the same attitude with us! When we are in deep trouble, He pays attention. He involves Himself. He focuses His wisdom and concern on us, and He stretches out His hand to pull us out.
That’s what Jesus was doing that very day as He stood before Pilate. He was God in the flesh, getting involved, pulling His people out of the power of sin, death, and the devil. Nobody else could help us, but Jesus could. His suffering, death, and resurrection would remake our world and redeem us to be free, blessed, living children of God.
“Thank You, Lord, for making us Your problem. Amen.”
4/5/22GETTING TO KNOW GOD BETTER 5
| “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” |
| Ephesians 3:17-19 |
| COMMENTS: No matter what attribute of God becomes a focus of study, we soon realized we are unprepared to absorb even a portion of what God is revealing to us. God’s love is one such attribute. A surface or casual study is overwhelming and life changing because the contrast to human – selfish – superficial love is so dramatic. Even the best examples of Christ-like love demonstrated by devout Christ-followers still fall far short of example Christ demonstrated even though scriptural account isn’t exhaustive. That shouldn’t surprise us because God is infinite and perfect. Such realization should not and is not intended to discourage or overhwelm us but instead to excite and energize us to seek a deeper discover of Him. |
| When I think of God the Father’s special gift to us, I think of his plan of salvation. The Father was the one who came up with the idea. That’s why I often spend time worshiping him in reverence and respect. Other times in my prayers, I think about God the Son and his special gift to us of grace. Jesus is the one who followed through on the Father’s plan of salvation. And my response? Gratitude that he’s my Savior, and obedience to him as Lord. When I dwell on the Holy Spirit and his gift of strength and encouragement of heart, I remember that he’s the one who gives us assurance and joy. That’s why I take care not to grieve, quench, or oppose him. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: I am filled to the measure of all the fullness of God as I commune with each member of the Trinity. It’s a glorious way to experience a full communion with the Lord and thereby discover how wide, long, high, and deep is the love of Christ. God desires to fill you to the brim with the fullness of his love. Although Ephesians 3:17-19 says that such love surpasses knowledge, we can still enjoy his love’s fullness as we enter into a complete and well-rounded communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “Lord, thank you for wanting to fill me with the fullness of all of your love. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… I worship you.” |
4/6/22 THE LOVE OF CHRIST 6
| “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” |
| Romans 8:38-39 |
| COMMENTS: We are quickly approaching Easter Sunday when we celebrate the resurrection of our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which begins the Holy Week between Palm Sunday and Easter. Palm Sunday was when Jesus entered Jerusalem with His disciples for the last time. The crowd gathering for Passover gathered and praised and honored Him laying palm branches on His path when riding a lowly donkey into Jerusalem. He knew what awaited Him but didn’t shy away. In fact, He knew the cross would be necessary even before creation, but still created! The cross was a symbol of evil – death – suffering, but Jesus transformed it to a symbol of good – eternal life – joy. Rome designed the cross to intimidate conquered subjects by fear to comply to their rules and commands but Jesus changed it to draw – invite all to a eternal life free from sin and it’s consequences. Suffering and physical sickness and persecution and death still affects everyone, even those who accept Salvation which Christ bought on the cross. That doesn’t mean Christ’s sacrifice was not enough or ineffective. Satan is still roaming about influencing / tempting / deceiving / destroying. But the day is coming when He will be bound and judged along with his followers. The freedom to choose Christ is in force but the consequences or blessing will be enforced by Christ and are sure. The above scripture in Romans 8 gave Christians enduring Roman persecution assurance that eternal life promised to Christ-followers is guaranteed by Christ along with abiding fellowship with the Holy Spirit in the meantime that give strength and courage to endure any short term suffering. No one will be able to take that from us no matter how powerful or popular or strong they are. |
| The supreme reason that you can and should trust God through suffering is found at Calvary, for no better argument can be voiced apart from the cross. That he would endure the full fury of hell so you could escape it should tell you something as you face your own hellish circumstances. The greatest love scene in the world happened when Christ hung and bled on the cross. It was God saying, “Look, see, this is how much I love you!” What’s amazing is that he played out this love scene while we snubbed him in cool, callous indifference. Who would want to escape that kind of love, or ignore or deny it? And what Christian could ever dare doubt it? Christ died for you. What love! Absolutely nothing, can separate me from his constant outpouring of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. At times we ask for the “reasons why” before we decide to trust him with our circumstances. We want the blueprint spread before us. But the bruised and battered Apostle Paul who probably had every reason to wonder “why,” never said, “I know why all these things are happening.” Rather, he said, “I know in whom I have believed.” The love of Christ was enough. “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” |
4/7/22 THE DEAD WILL RISE 7
| “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:16 |
| COMMENTS: Christians have a joy and confident hope far different and more powerful than anyone else, which is impossible to undestand unless experienced. Other religions may promise eternal life or heavenly rewards for service, which compels followers to sacrifice family and life and wealth serving in obedience of what they believe their god wants. Each believe their god is real and their religion is the best or only true religion. Some want us to believe all religions are equally good or bad, true or false, beneficial or harmful. Others want us to believe one particular religion and god is genuine and all others are false and harmful and their followers evil. Still others believe there is no god or gods and rejecting all religions is the only way to true and freedom. They believe any definition or moral law or standard for judging right from wrong is biased and evil. That everyone should set and follow their own standard and not judge or impose their standard on others. So what should we think Christianity and should be used to establish moral and legal law and standard to judge and enforce acceptable and unacceptable behavior and conduct and even thinking? So, who is right and does that mean everyone else is wrong or deceived? How can or should the “one who is right convince everyone else they are wrong?” How can we objectively other religions or even our own objectively and accurately. Well, shouldn’t we think the true and real God would be able to speak for Himself and imagined or false gods would only have followers to convince seeks through intimidation and force or ability to eloquent persuasion. More recent Christian apologists like Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel did their own research and Lee even started research convinced there is no real God but evidence became too persuasive and overwhelming God is real and Jesus is all He said He was. Personal revelation, especially in recent years, has become a common way Islam followers, in countries controlled by Islam leaders who outlaw and persecute Christians, are introduced to Jesus. Experiences like Paul had on the Damascus Road as recorded in Acts. Well, there are plenty of examples of those in each religion who did great evil and harm in the name of their religion and god, including Christianity and even some who did good in the name of their god too. Study of the journey of others like Lee Strobel is helpful in order to help us in our journey , but our journey needs to be ours and not letting others impose their journey on us. So, I invite you to devote quiet alone time reading the Bible and praying sincerely seeking fellowship and insights from Christ Himself. Look closely at Christ’s life as recorded in scripture and focus on asking Him to reveal Himself. Keep in mind, if Christ is who you are seeking and want to know, He will be like the Christ revealed in scripture. The next discovery will be if we starting acting and thinking like that Christ. Today’s verse is one of God’s promises that Jesus is preparing an eternal home for us and will be returning to take us there to be with Him and loved ones forever. When we visit the grave of a loved one, that help to remind us not only that we will see them again if we and they accepted Christ’s redemptive forgiveness and mercy, but also that at their grave sight we are note only standing on the sight they were buried but the sight or location where they will be resurrected from when Christ returned to take all His forgiven followers to heaven one day soon. I Thess. 4:16-17 tells of that. Salvation is not earn but a gift offered to all but received and opened by those who admit they sin and accept this gift bought and paid for by Christ when He died on the cross as payment for judgment required by the Father. Good works become a work of love and gratitude instead of a labor to earn salvation. If you have a burial plot, realize it is there you one day will be buried in and one day Jesus will resurrect you from when He returns. If His return happens before you die, you will meet loved ones who died and join Christ with them to be go to that heavenly home, not because you or they earned the privilege but because of His mercy and Grace showered on us by Him. Amen? Amen! The Resurrection is not something to be spiritualized away. One day actual spirits will return to actual graves and reunite to rise. Dead men, one day, shall live, hallelujah! Lord, You are the Resurrection and the Life and I praise You that eternal life is Your glorious gift to those who believe. One day the dead shall rise—me included! |
4/8/22THE CALL TO OBEY 8
| “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” |
| John 14:15 |
| COMMENTS: What would you think if your spouse greeting you with these words, entering your home from a day at work? Does this approach work with your children? Well, such a approach with other people, especially with family members, reflects an attitude of authority over and even superiority over others and not one of love. Jesus showed His love by serving and sacrificing. He didn’t ask for nor expect to be served as a slave would serve his master. By contrast, perfectly loved and demonstrated His love, which inspired past generations and inspires us to love and serve Him likewise. As we do that, we more naturally will see and love other like He does too. Mean and hateful people are difficult or even impossible show love and compassion to, but Jesus did and does. He sees who they could become – their potential, and provides doors of opportunity for positive change. These words from John 14:15 did not come from a Jesus shaking His fist demanding obedience but from a Jesus expressing compassion and love showing and telling them how they need to demonstrate show their love for Him. He is also telling them that they can objectively appraise their love and strengthen their love by obeying His commands. He is also saying obeying Him becomes possible as they discover and learn to love Him more than their own wills and selfish desires and wants. To learn to give up selfish habits and thoughts and conduct in order to follow His Plan and even Commands. |
| “If you love me, you will obey” all too often has disastrous impact when said with a threatening attitude. When motivation to obey becomes an oppressive pressure to do the right thing, to do what’s expected of us as Christians, then it breeds serious problems. Obedience that is only seen as rule-keeping ruins the love relationship between us and the Lord. Why? Even though the rules may be biblically based, we will end up obeying them rather than God. Concern with the letter of the law will cause us to lose the spirit of love. The Lord’s words in John 14:15 are not a threat. His words are to be read as a promise: “If you love me, that is, if you make me the center of your thoughts and do your most ordinary duties with an eye to my glory, then you can’t help but obey me for it will be your heart’s desire.” When we view the Lord’s call to obey as a promise, we won’t so much follow His rules as we will follow His voice. “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). Lord, may I rush to obey You not so much because it’s the right thing to do, but because I long to please You with all my heart. |
4/9/22FAITH THAT BLESSES9
| “So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” |
| Galatians 3:9 |
| COMMENTS: The day after tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered Jerusalem with His disciples. He knew that His mission on earth, His ministry, and His human life was near completion but He also knew His disciples were still a long ways from being prepared to take over. He knew the tremendous burden that would be put upon Him, the guilt of our sins, and pain He would endure. But mostly He knew He would endure separation from the Father for a time as He carried the burden of our sins. God the Father would pronounce on Him the judgement and punishment we deserve. Spring is such a wonderful time. Birds begin singing early in the morning even before the sun comes up, as though they are thanking God for another new day. Then as the sun starts to drown out the star lit sky and illumine the sky and landscape, coming into view is the grass starting to get it’s color back, spring flowers starting to show themselves and leaf buds getting bigger on trees. Some mornings thick frost still greets us on the grown and roofs, but with the assurance that soon it will be gone until next winter. Life starts to spring up everywhere, reminding us that even though Jesus died on the cross, He is alive! The cross no longer is a symbol of suffering and terror and death but a symbol of God’s mercy and forgiveness – the symbol of Christ’s redeeming love! Spring not only reminds us of the Easter Story, but the bright future His sacrifice bought for you and me and all who simply accept the redemption Christ bought for you and me, for any and every one who accepts that gift. Spring is a time of new life, a perfect time to go to Him in prayer seeking that new life with a grateful and penitent heart. He promises us eternal life in a place He is preparing for us with Him and with loved ones. Faith involves belief but also noticing and observing God’s hand in absolutely everything that happens. Faith to believe that the flashing wings of a blue jay fluttering across the yard is a gift orchestrated personally by the Lord. What a way to live! Those who are able to see God’s sovereign hand in great or small things are full of joy. Look around you today and have faith to see His gifts. You will be blessed. Lord, today I want to see Your hand in everything that happens. Give me faith to believe that every gift is from You. Help me to recognize the wonderful ways You minister to me today. Give me eyes of faith, and I shall be blessed. |
4/10/22A GOOD SOLDIER10
| “Endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” |
| 2 Timothy 2:3 |
| COMMENTS: God’s ways and timing is so foreign and illogical from a human viewpoint. Old testament scripture reveals how much God loves and honor’s the faith of the weak and vulnerable like: David as a shepherd boy, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Noah… He chose a young – poor girl, Mary as His earthly mother; 12 disciples none of which were rich or strong or educated. Instead of picking people with outstanding abilities, God chose people willing to simply listen to and obey His instruction and commands. Those willing to obey and trust without knowing what that road of obedience would encounter or cost or even go. We have the experiences and examples of so many in scripture to help us know and better understand God and what He desires and requires. We learn how He interacts and communicates and intervenes and blesses His followers and reasons He allows hardship and suffering within limits of time and severity, but also who causes them. He demonstrates His love and faithfulness and abiding presence but also how He blesses and rewards faithfulness and obedience. Likewise, He also shows His longsuffering and patience and mercy but also His justice and firm punishment. History also reinforces scripture too, but so does contemporary experiences we gain first hand. We are about to enter the week prior to Easter – “Holy Week” when we remember the final days prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is important to prepare. The bible is a wonderful action packed story as well as a historical account of God’s creation and involvement with that creation with a wonderful conclusion that has yet to be fulfilled. The “bad guys lose and the Good Guys win”. The story, thanks to the Author, has a great ending: The Son has won the victory. Your adversary may try to intimidate you because you live behind enemy lines while here on earth, but the whole universe knows the truth. One day the Son will be crowned the rightful King of Kings, and the entire kingdom will come back under His domain. God has given you a battle plan to invade the Devil’s territory and retake earth under the banner of your Lord and Captain. You can’t fail; God’s battle plan is perfect. That’s why you must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Good soldiers neither question their commanding officer nor desert the conflict. You’ve been groomed for active duty, so be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. The end of the war is in sight! Lord, strengthen me to take hold of the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith so that when the day of evil comes, I can stand my ground. |
4/11/22 CONSIDER IT PURE JOY 11
| “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” |
| James 1:2-3 |
| COMMENTS: Today’s devotion is one of the hardest live, but lets try to because it gives us precious insights into special places God is waiting is guiding us to, where He is also waiting for us. Trials are never fun or what we want or would choose, but so often they are a consequence of our own poor choices or poor choices of others and beyond our control. Yet, there are also some trials not a result of poor choices but a result of living in a fallen world under the influence of satan. Notice the verse isn’t identifying the source or the nature of the trial but the purpose God has for allowing the trial. |
| A trial is not just an assault to be withstood, it is an opportunity to be seized. And this little verse in James is intended to inspire, showing us that trials are opportunities to prove our love and enhance our faith. With this perspective, life becomes inspiring—not in spite of the trials but because of them. The soldier who is called to the front lines is stimulated at the chance to prove his skills. The officer who is given a position of higher responsibility is roused by the rugged demands of his task. You and I are soldiers in the same way. If you are tempted to slack off from praying and instead you remain faithful, your faith develops perseverance. If you are tempted to feel sorry for yourself, you instead start thinking of the needs of others, and your character becomes refined. The result? An improved you with greater faith, and a closer fellowship with the Savior. This is where the joy comes in! Joy comes with deeper fellowship with Christ as we obey and communicate with and respond to Him. Temptions are satan’s attempt to pull us away from God, so trials are one of his prefered ways of doing that. If we yield, the road is down and dark, but if we turn to Christ, the road is up and hard but easier and brighter if walk it in fellowship with Christ. You decide the outcome by choosing the direction. You can choose to either backslide or advance. You can either fudge the truth or stand firm on the facts. When it happens, consider each test and temptation an opportunity to be seized, a chance to prove your faith. Your goal? A closer friendship with God. “Lord, my lifetime on earth will be the only chance I will have to prove my faith, to show you how much I love you. When I go to heaven, the chance will be gone. Help me to consider it pure joy to face each trial as a glorious opportunity to seize.” |
4/12/22COMPASSION12
| “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” |
| 2 Corinthians 1:3 |
| Comments: It is so hard to witness the suffering of others, especially loved ones. Physical suffering due to illness or accident / injury. Mental / psychological suffering. Grief from loss of a loved one… Suffering is everyone impacting every family and even every individual many times during a lifetime. Some do seem to endure more severe and frequency suffering than others, but no one escapes. Is it worse to endure suffering or to witness suffering in loved ones? I would think most would say loved one suffering is worse. Most parents or spouses would would take on their loved one’s suffering on themselves if they could. What word best describes the way you feel when you watch a dear friend in agony? What is the word you wrap around your feelings when you see pictures on television of starving refugees in Africa, or earthquake victims in Armenia, or the refugees and those trapped in Ukraine? It probably is the word “compassion.” We use that word frequently yet hardly give its true meaning much thought. Compassion is tied to the word enduring with and correlates to the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross. When we feel compassion, we experience what Christ feels. When we say we have compassion for someone, we are standing with that person, agonizing with him, and suffering as though we were in his shoes. Just as Christ placed himself on the cross on our behalf, we are demonstrating compassion when we take on the cross that someone else is bearing. God doesn’t want you to merely feel deeply about a person in heartbreaking circumstances. Aren’t you glad that Jesus did more than just “feel bad” about your sin? He went much further than pitying our sad situation. He put himself in our place, and his love has given new meaning to the word “compassion.” “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) Father of compassion, please use me today to reach out to someone in need. Help me not to just feel hurt and pain for their situation, but use me to help lighten their load. Jesus carried my cross so please grant me your compassion so I may carry the cross of another who needs your hope and encouragement. |
4/13/22 I CRUCIFIED CHRIST? NEVER 13
| “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” |
| Romans 6:10 |
| COMMENTS: Joni Earackson Tata shared how she dealt with the pain and anxiety and anger and dread that gripped and controlled her emotions and actions in the first months after her accident that left her paralyzed. She dumped her anger on her friends and family – those who cared deeply for her. She pushed them away from her in a time she desperately needed them, saying angry and hurtful words she would soon regret. She finally realized that she wasn’t angry at them, but at God even though she was only able to express that anger to those near her. She even justified that anger by convincing herself that the only way she had to hurt God was to hurt others. She was angry with God for not healing her or easing her pain and even for not taking her life. So she took her frustration and anger out on others, not realizing she was hurting God by hurting His followers, even though she was hurting herself even more. Her sins were crucifying Christ too. Over time, she learned to repent and surrender to and trust Him. Her circumstances didn’t improve but her attitude and actions have. She went from an angry – bitter – selfish person to a joyful – grateful – loving – hopeful person God was then able to use to help transform millions of others to love and trust and obey Him too. So, before you strike out at a fellow believer, remember that anger against another is ultimately anger against God. Please, may it never be! You and I don’t have to strike out at the Lord, because we already have. Our sin impaled him on the cross and we would never do that to him again. You don’t need to hammer the nails into his body anymore. One Crucifixion is enough. Lord Jesus, I praise you for having died to sin once for all. One Crucifixion is enough. That means your power frees me from sin, and I am at liberty to love every member in your body, every sister and brother in Christ. Rather than hurting you by hurting others, help me to love you by serving others |
4/14/22WILL GOD GIVE UP ON YOU?14
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” | |
| Isaiah 49:15-16 | |
| COMMENTS: Take some time to reflect on those in your life who have stuck by you. A parent. A best friend. A spouse. A co-worker. A pastor. Stuck by you during a time of loss or illness or grief from loss. Stuck by you when you were hurting and not easy to live with or be close to. Stuck by you when you were mean and angry and they graciously endured and showed compassion to you when you only gave them angry words. Have you ever been such a friend to someone during a dark time in their life? I have been in both places and looking back I can see how helpful and healing and precious that friendship was even though not pleasant at the time. We sometimes feel that way about God. Deep down we know we probably provoke him with our sloppy prayers. We feel that he must be peeved with our ho-hum approach to Bible study. We’re certain that he’s irritated with our sins and annoyed with the constant ups and downs of our spiritual walk. God, we sadly assume, must be exasperated to the point of giving up on us. If we are truly a part of God’s family, we can be sure that he will love us through the tough times. Children can be exasperating—even children of God—but the Lord will never forget us. He will never give up on us. Nothing, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor sloppy praying, nor halfhearted Bible study will be able to separate us from God’s constant and abiding love. In light of this, how should we then live? It should humble us to think that God will not, even cannot, walk away. “Lord, if anyone should be annoyed or provoked, it should be me with my halfhearted approach to prayer and your Word. Forgive me when I grieve you, my Friend.” | |
4/15/22GOD RUNS TO OUR AID15
| “1 I love you,Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. 4 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. 7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. 9 He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. 10 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. 12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. 13 The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. 14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them. 15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. 16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. 19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” |
| Psalm 18:1-19 |
| COMMENTS: Psalm 18 is credited to David, reflecting the miraculous way God protected from King Saul’s attempts to kill him. Saul was king with all Israel’s army under his command and authority, so David’s life was at risk. He had times of great faith in the midst of danger even as a youth when he fought lions as a shepherd and when he fought Goliath. David demonstrated great faith and courage even as a young boy. Such faith did not come easy nor automatic. David’s faith developed from skills and success he had fighting off lions and other wild animals wanting to eat his sheep. But even that wasn’t enough. God began revealing Himself to David during those quiet times tending his sheep. David’s relationship with God grew, as did David’s faith, during those years. Fighting and killing Goliath was possible because of his polished skills but his willingness to do so without any help from even Saul’s mighty army shows how real and strong David’s faith and relationship with God already was. David had more faith alone than King Saul had with his mighty army with him. Many of the psalms, include this one, reveal David’s faith and relationship with God to us as well as show us how precious such a faith is to God. Scripture also tells us that David was human and did experience fear and temptations, including doubts and weakness and fatigue. Mercy came to David because he admitted and repented of those temptations he yielded to. God comes to our aid when we seek His help and ask He to. God moves heaven and earth to come to your aid when you cry to him for help. At your heartfelt plea, your Lord thunders from heaven and scatters your enemies. Psakm 18:16,17,19: “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Don’t ever think that when you pray for God’s support, he remains uncaring or unfeeling about your plea. God is not off somewhere on a mountaintop at an arm’s length from your cry. When you pray for help, he does not lean over the wall of his ivory tower to tell you to beg louder. God is attentive to your needs as a caring father is to his dearest son. When you send out a distress call to the Lord, he parts the heavens to come to your rescue. And if you need to be reminded, read Psalm 18 in its entirety. No one who lets out a genuine cry of distress is thinking about manipulating God. Impossible! A heartfelt plea for help carries with it no desire to control the way the Lord deals with you. Rather, such a prayer implies that you’ve cast yourself on the Lord’s mercy, with no hint of impure motive. When you pray like that, God immediately recognizes the sincerity of your heart and rushes to your aid. “O Lord, how great is your compassion and love toward us!” |
4/16/22 BE A WITNESS 16
| “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” |
| Acts 1:8 |
| COMMENTS: Joni Earackson Tata’s shared that her friend, Jennifer, acted on a special burden she had for waitresses. |
| Once every two weeks, Jennifer and her Christian friends regularly meet for lunch, but before they choose a restaurant, they pray. Once it’s decided where to lunch, they sit down and strike up a friendly chat with the waitress. They learn her name and ask for her suggestions from the menu. Jennifer and her friends visit the same restaurant at least five times, asking the maitre d’ that they be given the same waitress. After so many luncheons, the women become friends with the waitress and invite her to church. Jennifer and her friends have been witnessing this way for years and after visiting scores of restaurants—and as many waitresses—they have seen fifteen women come to Christ. Jennifer is only doing what’s required of her from Acts 1:8, so we shouldn’t think she’s amazing. But what is amazing is her creativity. She and her friends not only have fun together over lunch, but they make an outreach of it. Waitresses are, in fact, their main reason for getting together. No matter where we go or whom we meet, we can have an effective outreach for Christ in our community. No, Jennifer will never organize a group called “Eating Out for Jesus,” or plan a budget or print up brochures. But she will keep on doing what comes naturally: being a witness for the Lord. “Lord Jesus, I want to be a witness for you today. I want to tell others of your love. Show me new ways to share your Gospel with others and use me to make a difference in my community.” |
4/17/22 UNLOVELY TRAITS 17
| “Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” |
| Psalm 86:1 |
| COMMENTS: The human tendency is to go to God in prayer only when in a crisis or recovering from a tragic or dangerous or harmful circumstance. To only go to God in prayer when needing help but forgetting Him when times are good and peaceful. Joni Eareckson Tada endured paralysis at an early age due to a tragic accident. She shares her battles of temptation, which include a tendency to waste precious time in idle daydreaming to escape reality of life with limits. We should use her example to teach ourselves to reflect and identify the ways satan’s temptations distract us from focus on Him either due to dangerous sinful temptations that directly harm ourselves, others, and our relationships with others and most of all rob life-giving time in fellowship with and worship of our Lord. Amy Carmichael has said, “No word can declare with what longings Divine Love waits until the heart, all weary and sick of itself, turns to its Lord and says, ‘Take full possession.’” “Lord, I am poor and needy for I am so often overwhelmed by the unlovely traits in my life. May these things drive me to you, whether it’s pride, half-heartedness, peevish temper, or impurity in thought, word, or deed. Good Lord, hear my prayer, and in hearing, please forgive.” |
4/18/22 IS YOUR WORLD BIG OR SMALL? 18
| “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” |
| Isaiah 58:9-10 |
| COMMENTS: It seems our world is getting smaller almost daily. 150 years ago it took all day to travel 30 miles. Trains were starting to come online, which meant traveling across US went from several months to at best 2-3 weeks. Communication was fastest by telegraph and postal mail took weeks to go across US. 100 years ago, automobiles enable travel across country much more quickly and telephones enabled talking to people across country person to person. Airplanes started coming online and commercial flights enabled travel across country or even globally about 75 years ago. Today one day can take us to anywhere on the globe and internet enables talking to and seeing anyone almost anywhere on earth instantly at a cost affordable to a majority of people on earth. But instruments of war and destruction have also grown more powerful and destructive. Man has the capability of global destruction and extinction within hours. With all the technological advances and ability to access education and knowledge , humans have not improved in ability to get along. Violence and crime is growing in numbers and intensity. The value of life and respect for each other gets worse as one generation replaces the previous. Intolerance is becoming more commonly defined as “others tolerance of my anger and impatience and selfish pursuits” and “unquestioning my beliefs equally right and true as others without any standard of right or wrong to judge or gage them on”. Yet, without a tried and true standard to gage right from wrong, evil from good, truth from lies, the logical conclusion becomes all world views and values are equally good or valid. Well, God’s Law and gives us a clear standard to judge right from wrong, a right way to live and treat each other from a wrong way, but also a real life-giving / creating God to compare others offered to. To judge the example of followers by. Jesus lived a life for us to example and follow, a way to forgiveness and eternal life, a better way to live and way to judge right from wrong, a resource for help and direction in trying times, life examples of those before us recorded in history as well as examples of our contemporaries, …. Whether it’s the big world out there or the small world just beyond your backyard fence, God has work for you to do. It’s demanding, it has to be done, and many are depending on you, whether it’s your toddler or the child you sponsor through a relief agency, your husband or the itinerant evangelist in Uganda who travels from village to village sharing Christ. Our world is desperate for help and hope. But take heart: your prayers and practical action make a dent, a big dent in your small world and a small dent in the big one. Christ really is our only hope and help worthy of our faith and trust. He will not fail us but we need to trust Him to come through, realizing He always keeps His promises, He always does so in the best way and time for us while withholding evidence of that for awhile in order to test and strengthen our trust and faith in Him, but also to maximize the positive impact of His intervention and our obedience on others. Use me, Lord, in big ways and small. Help me make a difference in your world. |
4/19/22 PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE 19
| “‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’” |
| Jeremiah 23:29 |
| Comments: Would you like to have greater faith in prayer? Of course you would. And it stands to reason that if faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, then the Word alone is the source of faith, especially in prayer. The Word of God is the Christian’s true prayer book. The secret to receiving answers to prayer lies in how we use God’s Word during prayer time — that’s why it’s always a good idea to pray next to an open Bible. Do you want to tune your words of praise so they will rise like a beautiful worship song to the Lord? Then fill your praises with glorious words from the Song of Songs or verses of adoration from the book of Psalms. Also, bring God’s Word directly into your intercessions. Pray for your loved one on the basis of Colossians 1 or Psalm 20. Why is this so important? The psalmist said, “I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have renewed my life.” You bring God’s power to bear in the lives of the people for whom you intercede when you bring God’s Word into your intercessions. Read portions of Scripture to prime your pump before you pray. Let the Spirit lead you to certain verses to use in your praise and intercessions. Then, develop personal prayers that are enriched by those same verses. God loves to hear his Word when you pray. It’s like speaking his language. Today, Lord, I praise you that your Word is like a hammer that breaks through my unbelief. Your Word is like a fire that sets my heart aflame. Teach me to use all of your Word as a powerful tool in my prayers. |
4/20/22MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN 20
| “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” |
| 1 John 3:1 |
| COMMENTS: Family is the center of God’s design. The powerful impact of a father and mother is key to a child’s growth and development. Likewise, the impact of grandparents and aunts and uncles as well as siblings and cousins all establish a wonderful way of passing knowledge and personalities and wisdom from one generation to the next. Youth re-energizes the elders and maintains purpose for them while elders pass on wisdom and experience and knowledge that becomes their legacy to them but also continuing the legacy those before them had passed on to them. Winston Churchill made the statement “those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” This familiar sentence didn’t start with Churchill but has been understood for centuries and certainly is biblical too. History not only teaches us the wisdom of putting and keeping God at the center of our family and life, but the foolishness and destruction that comes to those who not doing so. We each are either in or close to family who don’t live or follow God’s instruction and commands nor have a relationship with God nor learn and follow biblical teaching and lessons. To ask God’s forgiveness for our sins opens the door into a new family called “Christian” – God’s family available to any and all who accept His invitation. God offers His love, His fellowship and council and help. He offers fellowship with other followers – eternal life – an eternal home. Many bible commentaries define the word “Christian” a “little Christ”. We are adopted into Christ’s family when we accept His forgiveness, so we are known by His name. What an honor and blessing! What a responsibility to carry and represent His name too. If asked to describe yourself, what title(s) would be first you would say? If others were to describe you, what title or name would they use? Would that name be “Christian”? “I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian; I’m not ashamed your name to bear. I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian; I’ll take you with me anywhere. I’ll tell the world how you have saved me, and how you gave me a life brand-new; I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian, eternal life I’ll live with you.” |
4/21/22MUSCLES OF FAITH 21
| “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness; brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” |
| 2 Peter 1:5-8 |
| COMMENTS: Today’s devotion is one every Christ-follower needs to hear and re-hear often. We all know the importance of exercise. Joni Eareckson Tata shared recently that she had a physical therapy partner, Candy, who was also a quadriplegic. Their wheelchairs were positioned next to each other facing a wall of weights and pulleys for an hour of strenuous exercise. She recalled she would be sweating and straining while Candy only gave a half hearted effort at lifting weights. Years later, she crossed paths with Candy and was shocked how thin her arms were and how weak and tired she looked. Lack of exercise has caused her muscles to atrophy and lack strength and mobility. Many Christians are like Candy, just putting half hearted effort into exercising their faith and obedience. As a result, they have little power in their lives and no stamina when the hard times hit. We must make every effort to become and remain strong in the Lord. Growth in a Christian doesn’t just “happen”; we grow only when we exercise faith. There are many Christians who, like Candy, are playing around, believing that the Christian life will just “happen” to them without any real commitment or tough obedience. As a result, they have very little power in their lives and no stamina when the hard times hit. For this very reason, we must make every effort to remain strong in the Lord. Growth in a Christian doesn’t just “happen”; we grow only when we exercise faith. Are you growing stronger in Christ? You can tell if you are by measuring your life up against 2 Peter 1:5-8. Do you possess knowledge and self-control in an increasing measure? Has godliness and brotherly kindness made your life effective and productive? Today may I be strong in You, Lord, and in Your mighty power. Strengthen my heart with Your grace so that I might add to my life goodness and knowledge, self-control and perseverance. |
4/22/22LIFTING BARBELLS22
| “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” |
| Philippians 2:12-13 |
| COMMENTS: If we can’t earn our salvation but simply must accept it as a gift from God with a soul seeking forgiveness for our sins, what does this scripture from Philippians 2 mean? Salvation is an individual who was saved from certain death or received critical medical treatment or surgery that saved their life. In order to strengthen and extend and make that life able to be sustained and be fulfilled and productive, discipline to nourishing and exercising and caring for that life is needed and even necessary. Lack of will to endure the pain of exercise and self-sacrifice of healthy nourishing shorten the potential of quality and length of that life. Support and accountability from loved ones is also critical. We are not designed nor intended to be alone but in community with each other but especially with God! Spiritual exercise strengthens and extends the quality of the eternal life God gives. Growing and succeeding as a born-again Christian requires the exercise of prayer, of studying-meditating on God’s Word, of fellowship with other believers, of seeking and obeying God’s instruction and commands. Will we succeed? What if we can’t lift the heavy weights? Are we too weak? When we finally wrap our hands around the task and begin to exert force, eureka! At that point divine energy surges through us. God’s power works in us at the moment we exercise faith for the task. We can do all things—even lift those barbells—through Him who strengthens us. God created salvation in order to be in fellowship with us and express His Love for us. Our source of life and joy can only be realized when we receive Him and all He offers to us. Salvation is a gift of love to us, but our work is our response of love to Him. As you work out your salvation, God works in you, giving you the desire and power to accomplish His Will. You only have the strength to say “no” to a bad habit when, in His Energy, you say “no.” You only have the desire and the power to read His Word when, in His Energy, you pick up the Bible and begin reading. Lord, today I will face many challenges to my faith and I probably will feel like turning and running away. May I respond positively to each challenge, wrapping my hands around the task, and trusting you to give me divine strength as I obey. |
4/23/22 FOLLOW JESUS23
| “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” | |
| Luke 9:23 | |
| COMMENTS: Salvation is a free gift, not earned, that Jesus paid for and offers to anyone and everyone who will accept it from Him. The cost for Him was His life but what that means and the eternal cost for Him is beyond our understanding to know this side of the grave. But receiving this gift is life changing both during our lifetime on earth as well as in eternity. The cost is His but there is a cost to us. The cost of surrendering our selfish and sinful will to follow and do His Will. To make conscious choices daily that line up with His Will and not follow satan’s temptations and the habit and choices of our past. To invest time and attention to being in relationship with Christ through prayer and study and meditating on His Word, but accepting opportunities He helps us cross paths with to encourage and witness and listen to others. To worship and praise and listen to and enjoy God’s abiding presence daily. To be in relationship with Him daily. We can handle the burdens, those everyday troubles we all must shoulder but not alone. God provides Himself and others to help us carry our burdens. We can accept the thorns, those inconveniences that can’t be avoided. It’s best to accept thorns and get on with living. But a cross? No, it is not our inclination to take up a cross. For unlike burdens or thorns from which we can’t escape, a cross is a choice. In fact, the cross was a choice for Jesus—He did not have to take it up. He could have refused it. But thankfully, He willingly took up his cross so that you and I might have power: power to carry one another’s burdens, gladly accept our thorns, and daily take up our cross and follow Jesus. To take up your cross involves a daily choice. Perhaps your cross could be a difficult duty, a painful service, an unbelieving partner in marriage. The Lord is asking you to willingly take it on and head up the long path with him to Calvary where pride and vanity, stubbornness, and resentment are crucified. “First, I want to thank you Lord Jesus for willingly taking up your cross in obedience to the Father. You could have refused it, but you didn’t! Thank you for the power released through your obedience, power that enables me to take up my cross today and follow you.” | |
4/24/22THE SERVICE YOU FAITHFULLY DO 24
| “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” |
| 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 |
| COMMENTS: Joni Eareckson Tata has endured being paraplegic for over 50 years. On top of that she has battled breast cancer and painful treatments. She also endured deep depression as the years passed and with them hopes of recovery or even prayers for healing being answered with a miracle. But when she finally surrendered to God and began to listen to His answers, she began getting her joy and purpose and a powerful ministery began opening up for her, a ministry that would result in people coming to Christ, especially those with handicaps or crisis – not only in US but globally. A ministry not likely possible nor as impactful without being handicapped herself. Her example speaks more powerfully than her words. Yet, even Joni gets discouraged and even depressed at times and needs encouragement herself. There is always someone worse off than us, but “misery loves company” is not the answer. Turning to – looking to Christ – fellow shipping and walking with Christ is the source of wisdom – strength – confident hope / faith. The cost compared with eternity is God’s perspective especially when the result is salvation of many who otherwise would not have heard the gospel nor experience God’s transforming mercy and fellowship. What challenges or obstacles or problems or even suffering will we face whether the cause is poor choices of our or someone else’s. Maybe even caused by living in a world under the influence of a evil fallen angel named Lucifer. Well, remember that an encouraging word or a attentive ear may be all that is needed to make a huge difference in the life of someone. “Lord, help me to go out today and spend my life for You. Enable me to undertake some special task for You, for this refreshes and enlivens my soul. Help me to exult in distresses of every kind if they but promote service to You and to others.” |
4/25/22MARITAL UPS AND DOWNS25
“But those who marry will face many troubles in this life.” |
| 1 Corinthians 7:28 |
| COMMENT: We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world, so no wonder we have ups and downs in our relationships with each other. Circumstances, how we feel physically and emotionally and even spiritually are all powerful influences on how we relate to and even treat each other. Unrestrained, we naturally will be short tempered and even mean to those we love especially when we don’t feel good but would never act that way when things are going well and we are happy and fell good. But we need not remain slaves to our emotions or circumstances or physical condition. Historic evidence of how God followers have treated each other and even persecutors, contemporary examples from our own time in our own neighborhood and families, is overwhelming proof that it is not only possible but happens every day everywhere. Being Christ-like is our calling but also our responsibility because we are Christ’s ambassadors to the world, which is watching and judging the credibility of our faith and witness by the way we treat each other especially during trials and hardships and suffering. We have the ability to choose the high road instead of the low road, but along with that is welcoming Christ to walk the journey with us along the path that choice takes us. Choosing a life partner (spouse) likewise minded with that same commitment is so vital. Joni Eareckson Tata, the paraplegic wheelchair bound for the last nearly 60 years, shared the recent story below: |
| “The other night I fell into bed with a miserable cold. Mind you, I am not able to blow my nose because I can’t use my hands, and I can’t really cough because I have no chest muscles. I knew I was going to face a rough night. But not as rough as Ken. I woke up at 3:00 A.M. and groaned, “Ken, please get up. Help me sit up so I can cough.” The poor guy threw back the covers, stumbled out of bed, and sat me up to pound on my back. He held a tissue to my nose as I coughed and sputtered. An hour-and-a-half later, we repeated the routine. We were both dead tired and somewhere in between him squeezing my ribs and reaching for another tissue, he moaned, “Did our wedding vows include this stuff?” I sniffed and reminded him, “Remember that part about ‘for better or for worse’? Well, this is the worst part. And remember when we said we’d love each other through thick and thin? “I know, I know,” Ken sighed. “This is the thin part.” Every couple agrees that marriage has its ups and downs. The up times are when love is as plain as day and fully visible. The down times are when love goes undercover and incognito. So commonplace are the ups and downs that one wonders why they aren’t written into the wedding vows. But they are. When a husband and wife vow to love for better or for worse, it includes the full extent of the ups and downs. Marriage will always ask you to prove love. To be married is not to be taken off the front lines of love but to be plunged into the thick and thin of the ups and downs. May my love, Lord, always cover a multitude of troubles.” |
4/26/22THANKSGIVING IN TRIALS & TRIBULATION 26
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5 KJV
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
James 1:2-4 KJV
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:6-7 KJV
COMMENTS:
How can God’s children have Thanksgiving to Him when we’re in the thick of our trials? We can turn to the Lord & put our trust in Him & rejoice IN HIM & be thankful TO HIM for His love, beauty, magnificence, splendor, glory, comfort, healing, hope, peace, joy, wisdom, promise of eternity to His followers, kindness, blessings, provision, mercy, lordship, sovereignty, His Spirit, His Word, for how He transforms us through our trials, for how He draws us closer to Himself, for how He uses our trials to prepare us for eternity with Him & to better equip us to love & help others, for intimacy with Him, and on & on go the reasons we can rejoice & be thankful even in our hardest times!
May these verses be an encouragement to you – to be thankful to God even in the hardest of times in your life!
| “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” |
| Romans 5:2-4 |
| COMMENTS: Most people define Joy as stronger and more fulfilling happiness. However, God defines happiness as an emotion dependent on circumstances and not confident faith in God that is sustained both in good times as well as in times of hardship and suffering and even tragedy. Some people are never going to be happy because emotions never allow them to be happy or content. Life, to them, seems to be a never-ending drudgery of the same, sad routine. Are you this way? Does happiness, like a butterfly, almost flutter within reach but just when you think you have grasped it… it’s gone? Or perhaps you feel your marriage is okay, and your job is acceptable. Yet you feel as though something’s missing. Perhaps you think this is real happiness. Well, life is hard. For some, it is downright hard. Unhappiness seems to be here to stay. But it doesn’t have to be this way, because the answer is not to get rid of unhappiness but to find a new definition for it. Happiness is fleeting and elusive, but joy is an overflow of the perseverance and hope that comes from demonstrating faithful sacrifice and committed service. “Lord of Joy, will You help me redefine happiness in my life? You promise joy in the midst of our suffering, so please let me know Your joy today as I persevere in faithful service and as I demonstrate true commitment in my tasks. Give me Your smile, let me feel Your peace dancing in my heart. That, for me, will be true joy.” |
4/27/22 A SNEAK PREVIEW 27
| “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” | |
| Psalm 103:11-12 | |
| COMMENTS: Scripture tells us that our lives with all it’s detail has been recorded and continues to be recorded. On judgment day, those who never accepted Christ’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life will face God’s judgment and punishment for every unforgiven sin. Our judgment is sure unless we repent of our sin and accept Christ’s forgiveness and salvation bought by His own death and resurrection. When we receive God’s forgivenes, those recordings are erased and will not be used against us. Such good news. Death will not bring judgment but joy by being greeted and embraced by Jesus and loved ones who will welcome us into our new eternal home. People we know and trust will disappoint us at times and some even betray and hurt us. Most times harm is unintentional but harmful just the same. To become bitter and vengeful hurts the victim far more than the culprit. To isolate ourselves from Christ followers because of the sins or thoughtless words or actions of a few deprives us of blessings God intends and provides through them. God does not condone sinful behavior and choices, but does not judge the forgiven. However, the needless harm we do by failing to be sensitive and responsible, we inflict harm to those God wants us to help. Likewise, when we are hurt by others and respond by rejecting God, the Gospel, and brushing a broad brush stroke of condemnation on the Church and Christians because of the sins of a few also causes damage. Instead, God requires that we forgive and focus on ministry. I’ve so often seen good intending Christians do harm both by thoughtless words or actions and also by distracting the church from it’s primary mission and calling because of necessity to focus time and energy and resources to cleaning up the hatred and vengeful responses to those thoughtless deeds. Victims can and sometimes do more harm than the thoughtless culprit who started that dark detour. Take some time to reflect on some examples you remember from personal experiences and especially as the victim or even as the culprit. God is offering forgiveness to the “culprits” but also to the “victims” who responded poorly. | |
God not only wipes clean the slate of your sins when you truly confess and repent, he goes one step further: he credits the righteousness of Christ to you. In heaven, your life will be known for God’s goodness. “Thank you, Lord, for not only paying the debt of my sin but for crediting the righteousness of Christ to my life.” | |
4/28/22 A CALF’S LOOK AT LIFE 28
| “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” | |
| Psalm 34:5 | |
| “On a particularly damp and windy day, hundreds of calves were huddled outside, shoulder to hindquarter, tucked between the fence and the barn. The rain had created a mess of mud and the calves looked dirty-brown instead of the usual black and white. They looked miserable. All except one calf. Although he, too, faced the same windy rain and was covered with the same mud, he chose a different shelter—an open field of muck! In the face of the wind he skipped and jumped like a child. He was oblivious to the downpour. That calf literally looked happy. Life is quite often like the farm scene of the calves, isn’t it? We huddle with others of like misery in hopes that one day our lives will be happy again. Like the calf, however, David, the psalmist, chose an unusual moment in his life to declare the joy of being a child of God. Huddled around him in the cave of Adulam were four hundred smelly, dirty renegades fleeing from Saul. But David had the audacity to declare: “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” (Psalm 34:5) David made a choice for himself. “We may be in a mess and we may be discouraged. But my God knows we are here and knows our need. I will dance and sing.” David was able to dance and sing despite his fears. He submitted his fears to God and was enabled to declare a calf-like joy. Are you gripped with a spirit of fear? Take each fear by the horn and lead it to the face of God. Let your fears see the light of eternal day and you, too, will skip, laugh, dance, and sing. Lord, I desire to skip and dance like a calf despite the problems that face me each day. Grant me the inner sunshine of your Holy Spirit.” |
4/29/22 GIVING ALL YOU GOT 29
| “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44 COMMENTS: We know the story of the widow’s mite and how God notices and rewards such faith and obedience. As adults, we generally are not open to entertain such opportunities risk or sacrifice to such a degree as to risk life or even security in order to be obedient to God’s direction. It becomes easier to trust Christ for our eternal soul than to trust Him to provide our daily bread (daily needs). Have you ever thought about how God provided for the Israelites all those 40 years while wondering in the desolate wilderness. They were years of judgment for not trusting Him to help and protect them against the giants living in their promised land, but God provided all they needed to live each day of those 40 years. No more nor no less each day. When t hey tried to store more, it only spoiled. After awhile, they got accustomed to God’s provision and brew bored and tired of it, so complained and wanted meat. They lost appreciation for God’s provision and forgot how fragile and vulnerable they were without God’s protection and provision – help. God didn’t want nor expect them, or us, to receive His spiritual food and council and then go on alone to succeed or conquer by our own strength. He did not want or expect us to face even the routine daily tasks and challenges and even enjoyments alone . He does want and expect us to invite Him to go with us on each day’s journey and to listen to and follow His council along the way. To stop and turn as He directs. Here is a insightful personal experience Joni Eareckson Tada shared in a recent devotion: “Ken and I have often enjoyed participating in the annual Wheel-a-thon to benefit our local university’s center for people with disabilities. We fill out sponsor forms, and our friends agree to contribute for each lap we complete around the track. One year I used my portable power chair, which goes faster than my old standard model. When the race started, I zoomed ahead, passing everybody in sight. Speeding along, I noticed one man with quadriplegia struggling to push his wheelchair as his father walked beside him. He was pouring every ounce of effort he had into inching his chair forward. I whizzed past him every couple of minutes. I don’t know if he even finished one lap in the allotted hour, but his dad was there every minute, encouraging him on. Somewhere around my seventeenth lap, I slowed my chair to wheel beside this young man. At worst, my arm was aching a little from pushing against the “go” switch of my chair. But here was this man, aching and straining every inch of the way. What determination to complete just one lap! I won the prize for the most laps and was delighted that the center would benefit from all the pledges. But as I look back, the young man’s one lap totally outclassed all of mine. Like the widow in the Bible who gave everything she had, my friend who had struggled to push his wheelchair a single time was the one who took first place in all of our hearts. Father, when I give, may it not be according to my power but far beyond my power to bestow. Help me to give out of what I do not have so that you can miraculously multiply its abundance.” |
4/30/22 Wrong Expectations 30
| “They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest!’” |
| Matthew 21:7-9 |
| COMMENTS: Why did the crowds honor Jesus with praise and palm branches when He entered Jerusalem and just a few days later shout “crucify him”. They had great expectations of Jesus, having hear about and some seeing themselves the miracles He did, hearing the messages and teaching He did and witnessing the compassion and wisdom and discernment and authority He conveyed. They saw Jesus as someone who would free them from Roman oppression and tyranny. Crucifixion was designed by Rome to instill fear and force submission from conquered people, so they were desperate for a savior but wanted one to save them from Rome, not from their sins. But as the days passed after that entry, they became disappointed and even angry that Jesus was not making His move. They were not ready to accept God’s plan and Messiah if it meant abandoning their expectations and trusting a different plan – God’s plan. To accept a Savior from sin before a Savior from evil rulers. Have we sung Jesus’ praises on Sunday and then curse Him with our complaints and angry words and disobedient thoughts and actions on Monday or later in the week? Are we any different from the crowd on that first Palm Sunday or Good Friday? To do so, that means giving Jesus praise for who He is, not who we think He should be. To praise Him during week and not just on Sunday. To follow Him and focus on Him and obey Him during the week and not just on Sunday. Jesus, “I praise you for who you are and what you intend to do. My only expectation is that you will fulfill your glorious purpose in my life.” |
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 650 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present (https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/link-to-dons-devotional-journal-entries-2013/ )
You may also access my Facebook page and request to be my friend and automatically receive my daily journal publications daily. My Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/Dondevotionals/ Many thanks to a pastor and dear brother in Christ in Nepal who set up the above Facebook page to help and encourage and give opportunity for more to explore and use my devotional blog materials.
My hope and prayer are, my blog and devotional materials will become a source of encouragement
GIDEON BIBLE REFERENCE SCRIPTURES:
HELP IN TIME OF NEED:
- The way of salvation: John 14:6, Acts 16.32, Romans 10:9
- Comfort in time of loneliness: Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6
- Comfort in time of sorrow 2 Cor. 1:3-5, Romans 8:26-28
- Relief in time of suffering 2 Cor. 12:8-10, Hebrews 12:3-13
- Guidance in time of decision James 1:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6
- Protection in time of danger Psalm 91, Psalm 121
- Courage in time of fear Hebrews 13:5-6, Ephesians 6:10-18
- Peace in time of turmoil Isaiah 26:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7
- Rest in time of weariness Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 23
- Strength in time of temptation James 1:12-16, 1Cor. 10:6-13
- Warning in time of indifference Gal. 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26-31
- Forgiveness in time of conviction Isaiah 1:18, 1Jn, 1:7-8
SUGGESTED READINGS (HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS):
- The creation Genesis 1-2
- The fall of man Gen 3
- The flood of Noah Gen 6-9
- The call of Abraham Gen 12:1-9
- Deliverance of Israel from Egypt Exodus 11-14
- Dedication of the temple 2 Chronicles 5-7
- The Babylonian Captivity of Israel 2 Chr. 36
- Revival of Israel after captivity Nehemiah 8-9
- Promises of the coming Messiah Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps22, Is.53
- The Birth of Christ Mtt1:18-2:23, Lk1:26-2:40
- The Triumphal Entry Lk19:28-44
- The last supper Mk14:2-26
- The Garden of Gathsemane Mtt. 26:36-46
- The Betreyal of Jesus Mtt. 26-47-56
- The arrest and trial of Jesus Jn 18:12-19:16
- The death of Christ Lk 23:26-56, Jn19:16-42
- The resurrection of Christ Lk24, Jn20
- The ascension of Christ Acts 1:1-12
- The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts2:1-21
- The conversion of Paul Acts 9:1-31
- The heroes of Faith Hebrews 11
SUGGESTED READINGS (SPIRITUAL STANDARDS)
- The 10 commandments Exodus 20:1-17
- The sermon on the mount Mtt 5-7
- The golden rule Mtt7:12
- The greatest commandment Mtt 22:36-40
- The righteousness of Faith Romans 3:19-28
- The Royal Law James 2:8, Romans 13:8-10
- Christ’s New Commandment John 13:34-35
- Christian love 1 Cor. 13
DYNAMIC DOCTRINES
- God’s greatness and man’s weakness Isaiah 40
- The two fold Revelation of God Psalm 19
- Man’s universal guilt Rom 1:18-2:16
- Atonement Leviticus 16, Romans 5
- The new birth John 3
- Justification by Faith Eph 2:1-10, Gal 2:16-21
- Christ, the Good Shepherd Ps 23, John 10:1-18
- Christ’s intercession for His Own Jn 17, Heb 7:25
- The High Priestly Work of Christ Heb. 7:25, Heb. 4:14-16
- Christ’s Humiliation and Exhaltation Philippians 2:5-11
- Resurrection of the Christian Dead 1 Cor. 16, 1Thess. 4:13-18
- The second coming of Christ Mtt 24, 2 Thess. 1:7-2:12
- The Last Judgment Rev. 20:10-15
- The New Heaven and New Earth Rev. 21-22
PRACTICAL PRECEPTS:
- Christian Home relationships Eph. 5:22-6:4
- A model wife and mother Prov. 31:10-31
- Marriage and divorce Mtt 19:3-9, Malachi 2:14-16
- The sin of adultery Prov. 6:23-33
- The prodigal son Luke 15:11-32
- Employer-employee relationships Col 3:22-4:1
- Business and prof. principles Ps15, Prov. 3:1-12
- Seperation of worldliness 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, 1 Jn 2:15-17
- Decisions of doubtful things Rom.14
- Christian fruitfulness Jn15
- Heavenly wisdom James 3:14-18
- Christian responsibilities Rom. 12-13
- Christian stewardship 2 Cor. 8-9
- Christian witnessing Mtt 28:18-20, Jm17:18-20
- Prevailing prayer Mtt 6:5-15, Philippians 4:6-7
- Heavenly priorities Mtt 6:25-33
- Brevity of man’s days Ps 90
- The causes of war James 4:1-4
- The value of the soul Mk. 8:36-37
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT:
- ITSELF: 2 Tim. 3:15-16 , Psalm 19:7
- GOD: Psalm 99:9, 1 Tim.1:17, Isaiah 45:21-22
- MAN: Gen. 1:27, Gen 2:7, Isaiah 43:7
- HEAVEN: Rev.21:3-4, 21:27
- SIN: Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23
- HELL: 2 Thess 1:8-9, Rev. 20:15
- CHRIST –HIS ADVENT Micah 5:2, Mtt.1:21-23, Lk 2:10-11
- CHRIST – HIS PERSON John 10:30, 14:6
- CHRIST –HIS WORK Lk. 22:19-20, 1 Peter 2:24, Col.1:14, Isaiah 53:5-6
- CHRIST-HIS RESURRECTION Lk. 24:36,39, 1 Cor. 15:3-4
- FAITH Acts 20:20-21, Heb. 11:6, Eph. 2:8-9
- LIFE John 3:3, 1:12-13, 3:36, 2 Cor.5:17
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