| 10/1/2022 At the Feet of Jesus 1 |
“There is room enough in Christ for all comers.” Matthew Henry
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.: Matthew 11:28
COMMENTS: The problem I have with predestination theology that Calvinism teaches leads to conclusion that God preordained and chose some to be sinful and condemned to hell so opportunity to repent and accept Christ would not be an option. Free will to choose Christ or not is not an option for them. That conclusion, in all fairness, is not the conclusion many or most Calvinist Christians hold to but some do.
I Timothy 2: 1- 6 “2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. “
This scripture is one of many that clearly states that God desires everyone to know and be in relationship with Him. He loves and longs for Christ’s forgiveness to be accepted by everyone, not just those who have or will repent of their sins and accept His forgiveness. FORGIVENESS IS AVAILABLE TO ALL BUT NOT FORCED ON ANYONE. SALVATION IS A CHOICE AVAILABLE TO EACH OF US, NOT ONE GOD MADE OR WILL MAKE FOR US!
I am again reminded of the wonderful hymn “There’s room at the cross for you…tho millions have come, there’s still room for one , yes there is room at the cross for you.”
I won’t use space in this journal to give the lyrics for the song, but encourage you to look them up online if care to. The above words by Emma Lazarus, I think, also point us to Christ’s words to you and me at the cross, and also our scripture from Galatians. Equal rights and entitlements are the subject of nearly every news cast and pretty much every political speech and rally, but Christ shows us “equal mercy”. I would much rather have mercy than my rights, but I really don’t have the right to anything but judgment and eternal damnation and neither do you. I don’t want what I’ve earned or deserve. I want God’s mercy and not what I deserve. The trap satan will lead every one of us to, if we let him, is to think we can earn our way to heaven or erase past sins with good deeds. To think we can become good on our own or earn our way to redemption is a lie straight from satan and totally goes against every example and teaching both in Old Testament and New Testament. So why do we still believe it? Why is it so much more appealing to us to believe the lie instead of embracing the grace God has paid dearly so we can have? I really don’t know but still feel, at times, a pull to want to believe the lie. I think some of the reason is we still have an element of pride that makes us want to believe we can do it ourselves and feel like we’ve accomplished it ourselves. Oh how foolish and needless folly such thinking brings. And, oh, what blessed fellowship with our Savior we miss by thinking that way. So much to loose and so little is gained by such thinking. Oh how we must grieve Him every time we entertain such thoughts. We are equal in His eyes but all equally unrighteous, but all who accept His precious gift are equally redeemed and clean!! That is the good news He wants us to believe and accept and share….
Not only is Christ’s death and resurrection the only way to heaven (John 14:6), but it is available to any and all who will confess their sins to Him and seek and accept His forgiveness, which is available with cost to us (I John 1:9 ““If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”, Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you are saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so no one may boast.”, and Romans 6:23 “ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
So if salvation is free and available to everyone and God desires all to receive His forgiveness paid for by His own death and resurrection, then why do a majority of people die without experiencing Christ’s forgiveness?
The Father’s justice requires punishment for sin but Christ paid that price. He desires to forgive and implemented the only way that would spare us from paying that price. He does not want our obedience to be forced but a choice each wants to make out of a love and desire to be nearer to Him.
Satan is skillful and experienced at deceiving and is highly motivated to keep every human from making that choice. Why? Because he hates God and knows the only way to hurt Him is through us. If satan can keep us from accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord, whether by distractions or lies or making evil attractive, he has succeeded. But God doesn’t give up on us and finds a way to continue providing opportunities for as long as possible.
Yet, a day is coming when it will be too late, so putting off accepting Christ is so foolish and dangerous because we don’t know when death will find us or when Christ will return to take His followers home. I Thessalonians 5:2 “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” Revelation 16:15 “Listen! I will come at a time you don’t expect, like a thief. Great blessings belong to those who stay awake and keep their clothes with them. They will not have to go without clothes and be ashamed for people to see them.””
Christ is coming soon and in order to be ready, we need to be clothed in His forgiveness and righteousness so the Father will see us through Christ’s grace that covers and removed our sin and unrighteousness from us and clothes us with His righteousness.
We can not fully understand this or how it works or is possible, simply believe. There is no other or better offer. If we submit to His cleansing gift, He will cleanse and forgive and begin the process of changing us to become more like Him. But even in that process we must daily choose if we will choose following His council and direction instead of temptations and our own selfish wills of our past. The rewards are great and eternal, again not earned but must be accepted. Salvation is the beginning of those gifts! AMEN? AMEN!
10/2/2022 ABIDING IN CHRIST 2
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, He it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
| COMMENTS: We live in a mobile world. Traveling 50 to 100 more miles daily is common especially in the free world. Many travel many thousands of miles each year for work and leasure. Amish community travels shorter distances normally due to choice of shunning modern devices, but still travel a few miles each week for family and work and worship events. We fuel our bodies and vehicles so they can take us a distance from our home base and back to that base again. Well, travel is necessary and good. Christ traveled too but not to distances as a human that we do. But what He exampled and instructs us in today’s verse is not to wonder from God, but to abide in Him and allow Him to abide in us constantly so His influence and help are available as needed without delay or depletion. One of the amazing discoveries about scripture is how incredibly precise and perfect it is even down to specific words used. Jesus’ words comparing God as the vine and us as the brances reveals how much and how important our dependence on Him is and consequences if are sepaerated from Him even briefly. As the source without dependence on anyone else, He is able but also willing to go with us in order to stay connected to us. “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 Lord, thank you that you are my very life. My life is hidden in yours. I draw my identity, my strength, my wisdom, my righteousness, my salvation, my hope, and my joy directly from you and nowhere else. In you, I live and move and have my being. Forgive me for imagining I have some limited “battery life” and can live on my own for even one minute. I can’t nor want to. Amen. |
10/3/2022 OUR ROLE IN ETERNITY 3
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
2 Corinthians 4:17
COMMENTS:
Keeping proper perspective is not a human strength. Humans tend to spend / waste valuable energy and resources on less important problems while ignoring or putting off or delaying focus and resources to deal with more important or more urgent problems.
We tend to gravitate to solving easier or quick solved problems first and putting off the harder or longer resolving problems instead of setting priorities and letting impact of problems set priorities and respond accordingly.
Asking for direction when traveling or asking for help tend to be a “ last resort” instead of first approach. That tends to be a greater – more common flaw for males than for females.
Well, even our best and wisest choices are infinitely below God’s so being connected to Him and following His council and accepting His help earlier needs to become our goal and focus and choice.
Job is a wonderful insightful book in scripture, giving us a view from God’s perspective. I’ve often reflect on suffering Job endured without knowing the interaction between the devil and God that resulted in Job being exposed to intense and non-stop tragedy for a time. The story gives us the purpose background but also the outcome.
Well, the next question then tends to be has God and satan had similar conversations when I or someone I know endured suffering or tragedy?
God’s Will and purpose remains a mystery, so being connected to the true Vine and being \ staying in obedient fellowship with Him is just as vital as it was for Job. “The purpose is that all the angelic powers should now see the
complex wisdom of God’s plan being worked out through the Church, in conformity to that timeless purpose which he centered in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” Ephesians 3:10-11 “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Father, I recognize that my perspective is so narrow and small. It’s like looking at the Milky Way through a pinhole! Please help me comprehend today just a little bit more of your eternal plan and purpose in my life. And if you choose to use me as an audiovisual aid before the angels, help me bring honor to my Savior. In his strong name, Amen.
10/4/2022 Blessing Your Critics 4
“As for those who try to make your life a misery, bless them. Don’t curse, bless.”
Romans 12:14
COMMENTS: What would you expect the life of an incarnate God to be? What would He look like and be able to do? How would He spend His time and accomplish? Who would He associate with and where would He spend His time and go? What would He accomplish and how long would He live? Since He would have the power to do anything He wants, we would expect Him to be a world leader, strong and powerful with great physical strength and rule with great wisdom. He would have all He desired and no-one would be able to kill or stop Him and
would stop anyone one in His way.
We would expect Him to show anger and judment – to punish those who opposed or tried to stop Him.
But Christ’s life and teaching was and is quite the opposite and the way He was treated was the opposite we would expect, especially knowing who He was and is and the love and compassion and way He treated and responded to rich and poor, healthy and sick, old and young, slaves and privileged.
Jesus endured ridicule and rejection and doubts and hostility satan could create through others, but was determined to fulfil the Father’s mission He came to complete – showing every generation what God is like and what He requires of us. Then to show how much God loves us but also to pay the ultimate price our sins demands in order for God’s mercy and forgiveness to be available. Even God could not forgive sin unless the price for sin had been satisfied. Animal sacrifice was the short term solution until Christ came and paid that price with His own life as our permanent, perfect, and final sacrifice. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross made God’s forgiveness available to any and all who would simply seek and accept it.
Christ’s forgiveness made indwelling of the Holy Spirit available to all – God abiding in us all the time. God can not abide where evil dwells but God can dwell in humans who are forgiven and welcome God’s cleansing.
It was Jesus’s goodness and kindness that got him into trouble with people. In fact, it frightened them. One village asked Jesus to move on after he healed their town’s most notorious psychotics. Others whom he greatly helped seemed too embarrassed or preoccupied to even turn and thank him. Many avoided
him for fear of getting kicked out of their synagogues. But this negative response never intimidated Jesus for a moment. He never backed down. He kept to the furrow he was plowing. Have you ever found yourself the subject of gossip in your office or at school because of your witness for Christ? Do neighbors whisper behind your back? Have people winced or smiled stiffly at your words of witness and then said, “No thanks”? Have you ever felt left out at parties, or found you’re the last to be invited to sit at the “popular” table in the lunchroom? It’s okay. It’s what happened to Jesus many, many times in his earthly walk. Don’t fret or feel intimidated. If Jesus kept to the furrow he was plowing, you must too. After all, you are the servant following in the Master’s tracks. Do what Jesus did. Bless those who shun you—bless, and don’t think bad of them. Those who reject or disdain you around others may secretly be observing you very carefully. In a time of crisis, in a day of worry or danger or despair, it may very well be you they turn to, rather than their shallow, superficial “friends.” “As for those who try to make your life a misery, bless them. Don’t curse, bless. Share the happiness of those who are happy, and the sorrow of those who are sad. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t become snobbish but take a real interest in ordinary people. Don’t become set in your own opinions. Don’t pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone.” Romans 12:14-17
Since you can’t control how others respond to you, make it your aim to be positive, friendly, non-defensive, and interested in others. Rather than bringing attention to yourself, this will ultimately bring attention to your Lord. Let goodness and kindness be the rule in all your dealings with others, and he will get the glory.
10/5/2022 RIDE DEATH CLOSE 5
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” PSALM 23:4
COMMENTS:
Facing death can be terrifying because it is permanent. Even for a believer, fear of death may
Death is a fearful subject, when we face up to it. Yes, death is still much larger and stronger than us, but fears of death need not control us. When we engage, examine, and talk about death—when we ride death close—we can say, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). The Apostle Paul, who faced death again and again before his eventual execution in a Roman dungeon, described a believer’s passing as being “swallowed up by life” (2
Corinthians 5:4). In other words, when the moment finally arrived, it wasn’t death that took him at all… it was Life with a capital “L”. As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. – Philippians 1:22-25 Lord, thank you for the magnificent homecoming you have planned for me in the very instant I step out of this life. In the meantime, help me to make the very most of this day of life on earth, pointing as many people as I can toward the path of Life.
10/6/2022 NOT WHY BUUT HOW? 6
| “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” | ||
| Matthew 25:23 | ||
| COMMENTS: Being faithful to prepare daily by prayer and devotion – bible study, and worship that includes praise and thanksgiving are vital ways to prepare ourselves for obedience and service, but also to prepare us to be alert to sense and hear God as we go about daily lives. God invests 24 hrs. in each of us intended to be used to serve and obey Him, which includes worship and praise and fellowship with Him. Also included is taking advantage of opportunities He gives us to listen and encourage others, and share God’s Good News. Being faithful includes using resources and time God gives us wisely. Also using times of peace and prosperity but also times of turmoil and suffering and tragedy and poverty wisely. To give our tithe and gifts during both times, demonstrating hope and joy of being in fellowship with Christ, thereby being an example others will be drown to seek and follow too. | ||
| The key is right there in the word how. Don’t ask God why, but rather ask him how. How do we keep on? How do we live? How can we care about others when we carry such a heavy load ourselves? How can we be kind and civil when we are racked with pain so much of the time. Dr. Michael Easley, who suffers constant pain from degenerative disk disease, will often say, “Just do the next thing.” It’s what I tell myself when pain intrudes, elbowing and clawing its way into my day. I will say, “Joni, just do the next thing.” It’s overwhelming at times, and I tire of the journey, but God remains faithful and kind to us in the midst of our suffering. We live in a terribly fallen world. Remembering this, I comfort myself knowing that while I am a sinner deserving only hell and punishment, he has by his grace and kindness saved me eternally, and this life is only temporary. My pain—and Barbara’s, and yours—is just a tiny little taste of the hell from which Christ has rescued us. If you are dealing with pain today, or depression or grief or paralyzing anxiety, I encourage you to “just do the next thing.” It may mean simply getting out of bed or up off the couch. Or getting out of the house. Or doing the laundry or washing those dishes that have been sitting in the sink. And as you do it, ask him to give you joy in some small but noticeable way. Press on as best you can, and lean into his embrace. And take heart. One of these days you will hear those wonderful words from your Savior, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” all because you got up and did the next thing. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow…. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:2-3,5, NLT What is the “next thing” in your life today? Ask the Lord for the grace and courage to step into it, whatever it is. | ||
10/7/2022 THE SLOWNESS OF GOD 7
| “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” | ||
| Psalm 5:3 | ||
| COMMENTS: Methuselah is a name given to an ancient California Redwood tree which is an estimated 4,789 years old. Tree is still alive and growing but ever so slowly compared to a young tree. | ||
| From our perspective God’s grace sometimes moves slowly. Paul remained in a Caesarean jail for two long years before he finally arrived in Rome. God’s people waited in Egypt four hundred years before they were ready for the next challenge. The Israelites sometimes camped in one spot in the wilderness for a year at a time, waiting for the cloud of God’s presence to signal a resumption of their march to the Promised Land. Does it seem to you that God’s pace for your life has slowed down to a crawl? You may be waiting for healing…waiting for relief from your pain…waiting for a job…waiting for a mate…waiting for word from a wandering child. You must remember that “the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness” (2 Peter 3:9). The important thing is to walk with him, whether that pace seems slow or suddenly speeds up, as it often does. In Galatians 5:25, the Apostle Paul had the best advice of all: “Keep in step with the Spirit.” The best thing in all of life is simply staying close to him. ‘”on’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you.” – Psalm 27:14, TLB “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” – Psalm 5:3 You and I have one matchless, incomparable advantage as we wait for the Lord to rescue us, help us, or change our situation. He waits with us! As he promised in Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” | ||
10/8/2022 BUYING THE FIELD 8
| “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” |
| Matthew 13:44 |
| COMMENTS: Joni Eareckson Tata shared in a devotion that she is celebrating her 73rd birthday this month and is reflecting on the spiritual riches / insights / revelations / ministry God has showered on her during the 50+ years of paralysis. She shares the signisficance of a spiritual treasure God revealed to her found in Matthew 13 concerning the parable of buying a field. The fi eld was not a thing of beauty but barren and neglected but overrun with wild flowers. Life is much like that field, barren and covered with debris and garbage but containing a hidden treasure. Knowing the value of the hidden treasure hidden in the field makes value and motivation to buy it priceless. Hardships and even tragedy is an instrument God often or even commonly uses to offer to us a hidden treasure priceless in the perspective of eternity. A wheelchair, for Joni, was such a barren field and the hidden treasure for her was a rich life of love and ministry and even a faithful husband to share and be a worthy helpmate in that life and ministry. Joni had to give up the treasures and dreams and goal she had first before God could begin preparing her for and opening doors to the treasure of ministry He designed her to do. Little did she know then He was preparing her husband, Ken Tata, to be her helpmate in that lifelong ministry too, which would include sacrificially caring for her physical needs as a paraplegic. What barren field is God grooming for you and what hidden treasure is He also burying in that field. A treasure priceless in eternity! |
| Lord, thank you for giving us hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places like it says in Isaiah 45:3. I want to be like the man in the parable who happily sold everything in order to obtain the lot where the hidden treasure lay. Grant me the faith to see that my lot in life is the perfect place where God has hidden his treasure for me. |
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.” Psalm 130:5
10/9/2022 KEEP HOPE ALIVE 9
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7
Recommended Reading: PSALM 146:3-6 “3 Do not put your trust in princes,Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;In that very day his plans perish.5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,Whose hope is in the Lord his God,6 Who made heaven and earth,The sea, and all that is in them;Who keeps truth forever”
COMMENTS: Both Old and New Testament is full of examples of those who put their faith and trust in God, developing a close relationship and fellowship with God, waiting on and listening for and to His council and instruction and following that instruction. Some sought and obeyed God’s instruction immediately but most were reluctant and resistant to God and only yielded after repeated encounters from God. Some, like Gideon, asked for a “fleece” or external sign from God as confirmation. Some needed confirmation from a spiritual leader like Samuel as a boy, some were placed in a dangerous or difficult situation at no fault of themselves (like Job or Joseph or Daniel), and some encountered those situations as a result of their own sins or poor choices (like Saul) . But those who obeyed God enjoyed God’s help and fellowship and final outcome for them was both bright and eternal. Those who rejected God and refused to obey and follow His instruction suffered terrible consequences that ultimately ended in eternal suffering.
The record of Jeremiah’s prophetic utterances makes up the longest book in the Bible. The ancient Near East—from Egypt to Mesopotamia—was in a constant state of flux, turmoil, and war during Jeremiah’s life. And that included life in Judah where Jeremiah saw five kings come and go during his ministry.
In many ways, Jeremiah was witness to a level of threat and change very much like what we witness today. Modern nations are threatening, and sometimes attacking, one another. People in many nations and societies live in fear of political and economic instability. And the masses are looking for someone to trust. That’s why Jeremiah wrote, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.” That didn’t mean that war and turmoil would stop the moment people started trusting. Jerusalem was conquered and people—even godly people like Daniel—were carried into captivity in Babylon. But trusting in the Lord dispelled fear of the future.
Trust in the Lord has the same effect today for those who hope in Him. Don’t let the world’s instability cause you to lose hope. Keep hope alive through faith in God.
“Where there is no hope, there is no faith.”
William Gouge
10/10/2015 THE RIGHT ROAD 10
| “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” |
| Hebrews 5:8 |
| COMMENTS: How do we know we are on the right road, the road God intends and supports us to journey with Him? The type of road or difficulty and obstacles encountered may not look much different but commonly the wrong road may seem easier and more pleasant and appealing for awhile. Why? Well, satan isn’t going to discourage us from taking a wrong road but will discourage us from taking the right or road. By contrast, God will commonly use difficult roads to build character and strong and faith in us. Other difficult roads he may intend to discourage us or encourage us to go to Him for course change or change. |
| “If I’m told that the road to my glorious destination is marred by loose rocks and potholes, every jolt along the way reminds me that I’m on the right road. That’s exactly how I feel. The road to our destination is hard and full of potholes and problems. But that tells me I’m on the right road because it is the same road Jesus walked. God never intended that his Son’s path to the cross would be easy or enviable. Jesus suffered physical pain, setbacks, and disappointments. The road to his glorious destination was marred by loose rocks and potholes. But on that road marked with suffering, he learned obedience as he trusted his Father through the things he suffered.” Joni Earackson Tata “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus, thank you for the example you gave us of learning obedience to the Father on a road marked with suffering. Help me to remember that when it comes to the problems and potholes in my life, that every jolt, every painful footstep shows I am on the right road: the road to Calvary where I learn to die to my wants and wishes and live for you. |
10/11/2022 DESPISED BY THE WORLD 11
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you… but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
Recommended Reading: MARK 8:34-38 “34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.””
COMMENTS: Christians are enduring attacks on property, loss of job, disowned by family and community, even beatings – death threats, and even executions in many countries governed by Communist dictators or rulers influenced by athieism and Islam.
In the United States, popularity and respect for Christian world view has spared Christians of such hardships and trials even by those with a different world view and beliefs.
But that is changing especially in recent years. Globally, Christian persecution is growing annually both in frequency and in intensity. Even in free democratic countries, popularity of Christian world view and respect for devout Christ followers is deteriorating. A Bible based understanding of right from wrong is no longer the standard in much of the free world. With facebook and twitter and similar ways of communicating and publishing and sharing information globally brings a new and dangerous way of spreading false information as well as empowering those in control of those tools to “blackball” or “silence” those they disagree with without warning or defense.
Are you afraid of the reaction you’ll get when you mention Christ or articulate a biblical worldview? Keep your eyes on Christ, not on the critics. When we focus on eternity, we’ll realize that temporary suffering has a way of revealing God’s glory. There’s joy in serving the Lord!
Let’s go back to the cross of Christ. Jesus lived with little and died in poverty. But He was buried in a rich man’s tomb, rose in glory, and ascended to guide His children in taking the Gospel to the ends of the world. This is no time to be silenced. It’s time to speak, to share, and to shine!
“I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.” George Bennard
10/12/2022 Look at Me 12
| Luke 18:1-8 – “And Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ “And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” COMMENTS: Selfish – sinful influences tempt children and often adults to demand attention of loved ones or even those we influence. We demand respect but also agreement and support of those subordinate to them. Children who demonstrate such behavior and attitudes tend to show rage or temper tantrums if such behavior continues too long unchecked or corrected. Likewise, sharing loved ones with other siblings. A young father took his 7yr old daughter to a local playground and immediately started swinging on one of the swings. She called out to her daddy, “Hey daddy, look at me!” She’s swinging on a rope—”Daddy, look at me!” She’s climbing up a wall, “Daddy, daddy, look at me!” Her dad and others there could barely get a few words into our conversation without her pulling for his attention. And it reminded me how children thrive under the watchful favor of an engaged father and a mother.” The story we heard from Jesus touches one of our deepest human needs—questions that everybody asks at some point: “Do you see me? Do I matter to you? Am I important?” The widow in the story does not have a supportive community for whom she matters. Instead, she has an adversary, someone who is harming her. She brings her case to the judge, hoping she will matter to him. When she discovers that she does not, she does the only thing she can do. She becomes the squeaky wheel that gets the oil, the interrupting child who will not be ignored. Jesus contrasts this lazy judge with God, the true Judge. Satan, our adversary, tries to fill our heads with false pictures of God to demoralize us. But the adversary is not the Creator. Satan cannot change the way things are, but only our perception of them. God is still faithful. Jesus came to show us. By His death and resurrection, Jesus proved that we matter to God. We were created to relate to God, not like a plaintiff suing for justice before a corrupt judge, not like children seeking attention from a distracted parent, but like a beloved daughter, a son, confident under the watchful eye of the Almighty Father. Well, we have a Heavenly Father who is 100% focused on us. Christ’s sacrifice enables us to receive His full adoption and focus as though we are His only child and creation. But He has full ability and motivation to love and focus on each one of us all the time and fully, so jealosy of others is meaningless and unnecessary and foolish. But we need to give Him our full attention and obedience to enjoy His full focus. WE PRAY: Dear Father, save Your people, bless Your heritage, and carry us forever. Amen. |
10/13/2022 Stepping Up to the Front Lines 13
“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12
COMMENTS: Joni has endured severe paralysis below neck for 57 years – enduring pain, dependence on others – cancer – Take notice of passion and motivation compelling Joni
Earackson Tada’s life and ministry expressed in her own words:
“Every birthday I celebrate with more passion, more joy, and more commitment than I did the year before! As I reach the age of 73, I know my time is short. My years are running out. I am aware that heaven is on my horizon, and it won’t be all that long before I win my last battle for the Kingdom. That energizes me. Just because I’m in my 70s doesn’t mean the spiritual war is winding down. Quite the contrary. It’s getting harder, fiercer. The older we get, the more tempting it is to lean on our Purple Heart medals, thinking that we’ve sacrificed enough. We assume we’re at the age where we deserve time off. We deserve a break. We think, it’s time to cash in on my IRA, retire to Florida, and play pickleball. But I can’t. It’s not just that I can’t swing a paddle to connect with a ball. I refuse to shrink back, withdraw, stop striving, or even quit. If I stepped back from the front lines of the spiritual battle, I’d lose my fighting spirit. Plus, the cosmic stakes are just too high. Too many people are lost and in danger of hell. That is why I’m thankful for my wheelchair. As hard as it is to live with quadriplegia, it will not allow me to retire from the front lines. My suffering demands a courageous response; God has put me in a valiant and noble fight. So, while time is short, I am stepping up to the challenge. It’s like Amy Carmichael once said: “We shall have all eternity to celebrate the victories, but we have only the few hours before sunset in which to win them.” As I celebrate my 73rd birthday, I know the sun is setting. So, I simply can’t delay. There are too many victories yet to win. Pray with me: Lord, it is so tempting to think I’ve suffered
enough, or that I’ve sacrificed plenty. So whenever I’m tempted to slack off or throw in the towel, remind me that eternal victories are worth the inconvenience and discomfort. Give me strength to stand firm on the front lines and keep fighting the good fight. The sun may soon be setting, but don’t let me waste an hour. Don’t let me squander my hardships. For my trust and obedience in them will make the final victory all the more sweet!”
The impact that passion and commitment to ministry has compelled millions to accept Christ and go deeper in their faith and fellowship with Christ.
10/14/2022 They Got It! 14
| Mark 1:14-20 – Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him. COMMENTS: Jesus didn’t invite strangers to be His disciples. He was in constant fellowship with the Father, who knew each intimately as their creator. Jesus makes discipleship personal. He met these four men at their workplace; they were professional fishermen. To these four—Simon, whom we know best as Peter, Andrew, James, and John—Jesus makes a personal contact. He invites them into a deeper relationship with Himself. The Savior wanted them to understand repentance and faith and the Good News of God, and then share it with others. Sure, the disciples were certainly blessed to see Jesus face to face. But how do we spend time with Jesus? Now, Peter and the others talked with Jesus, walked with Him, laughed with Him. But it’s not quite the same today, is it? So, how do we spend time with God? How can we too partake in a one-on-one relationship with the Almighty? The answer is when you spend time in His Word—diving in, digging deep, searching it intensely for the truths it holds. (See Psalm 119:160, 2 Timothy 3:16.) Sadly, we see in Mark’s Gospel that Peter and the others don’t really get it. They don’t get Jesus’ message of repentant faith in the Good News. The same can be true for you and me, too. Where do we resist letting Jesus be our Lord? Where are we not repentant? Where do we trust in sight and not on faith? Against our stubborn hearts, our cry must be, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). Do you know when the disciples finally got it? The resurrection! It was then that Peter and the disciples understood the words of Jesus, and it’s the same for us today. We now have the testimony of Jesus’ disciples written for our edification, pointing us to the cross and the forgiveness God has given us there. In fact, every time we engage the Bible, the Spirit of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is present, guiding us, working in our hearts a deeper repentance and faith in the Good News of God. WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, lead us into Your Word and the light of Your Son Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen. |
10/15/2022 Every Day Is a Gift 15
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” | ||
| Psalm 90:12 | ||
| COMMENTS: Life is something only God can create. Life can only beget life and destroy life (kill it). I am 71 but am seeing early signs physical abilities I’ve enjoyed and even took for granted in my youth and even in recent years area fading and becoming so much more difficult. Even the ability to walk is challenging and exhausting at times. Parkinson’s is the illness that is making these progressing limitations more evident and challenging, but I also realize that I have enjoyed God’s blessings in greater levels and for more years than many or even most people in the world and even in my own community have. God has been so merciful, forgiving, faithful, generous, and protector for me that I fail to realize and thank Him. Taking time to reflect on all God has given and done, to reflect on wise council and ways God has intervened and / or rallied others to help or those I needed to help. To be a instrument for God to use to do His will as well as bless others as well as be open to receive help and blessing from God through others. When I was a young man, senior years and consideration of how God would want to use me to bless others, and wisely use resources (including retirement time) seemed so distant and even unlikely because I thought the likelihood of Christ’s return before my death or even my retirement was likely. But here I am 10 years into my retirement and ½ way through my 71th year of life. | ||
| Such reflection causes me to number my days and make certain to invest my time into things that will last for eternity. To invest my days in people whom I love, people I pray for, and those whom I long to be with in heaven. Every day God gives us each sunrise-to-sunset slice of time as a gift to invest in eternity. We are told in II Peter 3:8, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day”. I believe there’s a formula here which is worth considering. The Lord tells me I am to number my days because each day is an opportunity in which to invest in a thousand years’ worth of heaven. Each 24-hour slot of time is like a millennium in God’s sight. So, a single pain-filled day is my chance to make heaven more ‘heavenly’ for me, as I trust God in my suffering. This perspective gives great meaning to every smile I offer, every prayer I utter, every gentle word of encouragement I give, or every refusal to retaliate when someone wounds me. All these acts of obedience count so much more than we think. So I’m thankful for each new day I have to invest, whether 22 or 72 or 102. Lord, thank you for filling each of our days here on earth with such value and eternal potential. Teach us to number our days so that we gain a heart of wisdom and equip us to make the most of every day you give us. | ||
10/16/2022 The Lord Bless You 16
| “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” | ||
| Numbers 6:24-26 | ||
| COMMENTS: This is a common and powerful benediction used in worship services. Music is often used with it in more formal church worship settings. These words taken directly from scripture are intended to be much more than an expression of good will or a friendly goodby or greeting. They are intended to convey and support faith and hope. To encourage receiver to follow God’s council and lead – to abide with God and listen to and heed His instruction and council. We can’t see the demons hoving around us waiting for an opportunity to tempt us with distractions, with danger, with lures, with misheard words, with any way of getting us to forget or take out eyes off God – His Word – His opportunities all of which draw us closer to each other and closer to Him. But there are also countless angels also waiting to render assistance battling those demons and satan himself when we seek that assistance. How often do we battle satan alone when it is so needless. Christ and all the resources of heaven are only an “ask” away. God is only a prayer – a word of invitation away. | ||
| The more you absorb the Lord’s presence throughout your day, the more you will have to shine out to others. They will catch a glimpse of Jesus himself in your smile, and in your eyes. “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12 Today—this very day of your life—is all about receiving and giving. First, receive the favor, love, kindness, and light God has for you in Christ, but then release it to others at the first opportunity. | ||
10/17/2022 Enduring 17
| “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” |
| Romans 15:5 |
| COMMENTS: God the Father is identical in mind and character and power and conduct with Christ the Son and with the Holy Ghost. Each reveals Himself to humans in different ways but the conduct and decisions and interaction Christ demonstrated while living on earth as a human reflect exactly the character and personality and will of God the Father. The Holy Spirit is responsible for personal relationship of God with willing humans and perfectly reflects God’s desire and personality of the Father and the Son because they all together are God so are seamlessly God. The Holy Spirit’s abiding – continual presence and influence on willing believers enables and guides those believers to conduct themselves and reflect the purity and goodness and wisdom and example Christ demonstrated. Being human means we still fall short of the example Christ lived but over time faithfulness shapes us steadily into being closer to that goal as the years and exposure to God’s influence and presence continues. In heaven we will be free of satan’s influence and the world’s filth on our souls and bodies, so then we will perfectly reflect Christ’s example. However, in the meantime we can make significant progress with the Holy Spirit’s help. Progress the triune God desires and will empower us to reach as we yield to Him. He continues to forgive us when we fall short and fail to yield to Him, but He continues to bless us and our faithfulness when we do yield to Him and follow His instruction and walk the road of faithfulness with Him. |
| When people ask how they can pray for me, I always say, “Pray that God will give me endurance; I want to finish well!” It’s the truth. Endurance to suffering and temptation, but also endudrance to be and remain faithful. And when, by the grace of God you persevere with hope, then the very worst things that happen become a glorious step on the upward path toward knowing Christ better. Godly endurance is not a matter of bearing a hard thing; it’s the Spirit-blessed ability to turn that hard thing into something beautiful, transformative, and glorifying to God. Romans 15 calls our Savior “the God of endurance;” so, if you need help enduring, you know where to go. |
| 10/18/2022 Is There Any Hope? 18 Genesis 4:1-2a, 8-9, 11-12 – “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. … Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, … “The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”” COMMENTS: Adam and Eve didn’t have any idea what the consequences of disobeying God by eating that forbidden fruit would be. But God did warn them and can’t help but believe God also explained to them what death was. But even if He didn’t, He did make it clear what His instruction was. Afterall, they could go and eat and enjoy anything else in Eden and I’m sure the forbidden fruit wasn’t as enjoyable to eat as anything else edible in Eden. Just imagine what it would have been like if they hadn’t eaten that forbidden fruit. But everyone in all generations is given the opportunity of forgiveness and redemption. Even before the Cross, a way of redemption was available and God put in the heart of even those who didn’t know a path of knowing good from evil to follow that would eventually draw them to know God. But it is far better for believers – followers of Christ to show others by example and witness thereby leading them to Christ for forgiveness and redemption. Temptation and persecution is satan’s way of battling God’s plan of redemption. Scripture tells us God desires salvation for everyone even though required to receive that salvation is desire and invitation to receive from each. God never forces Himself on others. However, like Adam and Eve, He warns us of the consequences of disobedience and for rejecting His mercies and salvation. God has made salvation easy while the cost to Him are difficult beyond our understanding. Eve gives birth to two children, and you can hear the hope in her voice when she says, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” She sees Cain as a blessing—maybe even as the fulfillment of God’s promise to save the human race from the grief and trouble they’d gotten themselves into. But it didn’t turn out that way. Cain killed his brother Abel in a fit of jealousy and has to leave home forever. And their parents are left to grieve. Of course, this is the natural result of the first human beings disobeying God back in the garden of Eden. You can’t rebel against God and expect your life to go smoothly. That first sin of disobedience grew and multiplied and contaminated every area of life—work, family and children, even worship. We can see one glowing piece of good news. God is still there—providing for their needs, trying to get them back on track. He has not forgotten them. He has not turned His back on them. If evil is there, God is right there with them too—and He will save them. The road ahead of Adam and Eve was much longer than they imagined. It would be ages before the promised Savior would be born, and that time would be filled with plenty of trouble and grief. But God was getting ready to send Jesus—God’s own Son, born as a human baby into the family of Adam and Eve, “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3b). God did not leave us alone—He came into the middle of our suffering and sadness Himself. He came to save us by laying down His own life for us on the cross—yes, and by rising from the dead three days later, never to die again. On that first Easter day, Jesus broke the power of death over the human race. He destroyed the ancient curse and set us free from the power of sin and evil. Now, everyone who trusts in Him becomes a member of God’s family, God’s people. Our exile from the garden of Eden is over. Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus is bringing us back to God forever in paradise. |
10/19/22 TEARS AT THE POOL 19
| “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” |
| 1 Peter 4:19 |
| COMMENTS: Suffering because of our own sins and foolish choices vs suffering because of persecution from others hostile to our faith in Christ and actions / choices in response to that faith. Suffering due to illness or disease or even genetic weakness relates to results of satan’s influence in the world and is different from persecution as well. Each of these 3 sources of suffering are due to satan’s influence on the world in every generation but there are fundamental differences we should recognize and respond to: 1. Suffering do to consequences of our own poor / sinful / foolish choices. God has the power and will to forgive sin and often removes consequences of those sins and foolish choices but sometimes they remain in order to fulfill greater good. 2. Sickness and harm from disaster and dangers bring loss that is often significant impacting a lifetime. Sometimes God restores what was lost. 3. Then there is real persecution of Christians for exercising their faith in obedience to God. Satan is inspiring people to deliberately hurt and even kill Christ followers. God has a special reward for the faithful and historically uses their hardship to bring great good impacting and converting millions of unbelievers. Consequences for the presecuters and the one who inspired them will be great. Paul was one of the persecutors until he met Christ. He repented and become one of the faithful Christ followers who endured persecution too. |
| God may allow us to endure persecution or a “thorn in your flesh” for a brief time or even for a lifetime. But in the meantime, he might also use that suffering to draw you closer to his heart, shaping and forming you for purposes beyond your imagination. So let him have his way in your life. “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” Peter 4:19 “For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose.” Philippians 2:13, PH The One who has the power to heal and make changes in your life has long-term—even eternal—purposes in mind. He will transform you, his deeply loved child, from glory to glory. That is the deeper healing, and you don’t have to break your neck to receive it! |
10/20/2022 CLOTHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS 20
| “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” | |
| Galatians 3:27 | |
| COMMENTS: A famous saying is “Cloths make the man”. Expensive high quality cloths to current fashion trends historically have been a visible status symbol displaying ability to afford and “good taste” to chose such expensive things. Well, to be honest, nice cloths do help humans to feel good about themselves and gain more confidence that often helps obtain respect and support and cooperation from others as well as an attitude of success. But Cloths are not the best nor most effective way of gaining success, at least success related to most import ant and longest lasting goals. Jesus’ life and example given to us in scripture is our best example. He did not wear or own expensive cloths nor gravitate to the most influencial or powerful or wealthiest. Instead to the poorest and neediest but, most important, to the most open and hungry for what He taught and preached. His passion and purpose came for His Father instead of others or from possessions. | |
| Isaiah 61:10 says, “I delight greatly in the Lord…for he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.” There’s a similar reference in Revelation 19:8. Even back at the Garden of Eden, it was God who provided skins to clothe Adam and Eve after the Fall. Why does the Bible say that God clothes us when it speaks of our righteousness? Then it hit me. Garments of salvation and robes of righteousness are things we cannot provide for ourselves. God provides the salvation and the righteousness. Yes, we can clothe ourselves with Christ as it says in today’s reading, but it’s his righteousness, not ours. Righteousness is something that God does to us and for us. In fact, when we try to impress God by our own acts of righteousness, the Bible doesn’t call them clothes, but “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Can you imagine putting on a garment which you sewed out of smelly, soiled rags? I now have a whole new perspective on my “robe of righteousness” whenever someone dresses me! _______________ The Lord Jesus Christ is our garment of praise, our robe of righteousness, our garment of salvation. Put him on today and delight in all that he sacrificed to clothe you in something so precious, so priceless… his righteousness. Lord God, I want to head into this day clothed in your righteousness, not righteous acts performed through my fleshly effort. I put you on today. Help me to put off sin and self-centeredness and anything that detracts from your glory. You are my robe of salvation, and I couldn’t be dressed in a finer garment! |
10/21/2022 FUTURE MEMORIES 21
| “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” |
| Jeremiah 29:11 |
| COMMENTS: Take some time to reflect on some precious memories and those you care about who are included in those memories. If they are still accessible to you, see if those memories are as precious to them. Their recollection may be a bit different than yours. |
| Well, if we receive Christ’s gift of Grace and Mercy and Forgiveness, we have a bright future with our Creator, Sustainer, and best Friend, and God. That future will include friends and relatives and loved ones who also accept Christ’s gift too. We can play a part in guiding and encouraging them to accept Christ and join us in heaven one day – to share heaven with us. Jesus is the one who makes our future bright. Jesus assures us that our best memories will one day blossom into a more joyous reality than we ever imagined. He is our hope. First Timothy 1:1 speaks of “God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.” In Titus 2:13, he is called our “blessed hope.” |
10/22/2022 A WEINED CHILD 22
“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 131:1-3
COMMENT: It is most common to go to God only when we want something. But it is far more significant to go to God seeking a relationship and enjoy fellowship with Him. That is what He desires from you – to enjoy fellowship with you. When that happens, we discover a deeper meaning in
When you approach God, would you consider yourself a weaned child as Psalm 131 describes? In what ways today can you show God that you desire to be close to him? Carve out time to recite a favorite hymn or scripture song to the Lord…thank him for little things, like the beauty outside your window, the crisp fall air and colorful leaves.
Lord Jesus, draw me close to you this day and quiet my soul. I love you, Lord Jesus, and want to be near.
10/23/2022 THEREFORE… 23
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.”
Philippians 2:5-9
COMMENTS: How was David able to have courage sufficient to battle Goliath or wisdom and insights suffient to write much of Psalms. Well, truth is he grew when he was in fellowship with God and the most prone to sin when he wasn’t. He came close to forfeiting his position as king when he chose to stay home instead of leading in battle against the Philistines and allow himself to be exposed to temptations brought on by too much idle time.
It is unsettling to realize how unaware David was of danger he was in. He didn’t miss the fellowship with God he neglected. He didn’t get alarmed or get concerned when temptation dominated his mind and time instead of time he spent in worship and praise and conversing directly with God. Well, what does this teach us?
If David only succeeded as he spent time in prayer and praise/worship seeking a close relationship with God. God showed David love and compassion but also mercy/forgiveness when he confessed and repented of his sin(s). Fortunately, David did repent and went to his grave a forgiven human – man – king.
David had to humble himself, but God honored his humble – seeking – repentant spirit with fellowship, insights and wisdom, forgiveness, and ultimately a legacy linked to human birth of Christ Himself.
Notice the therefore in today’s reading. Jesus was on a journey of humility—he was God, but he made himself nothing. He was a servant, but he was utterly obedient, even unto death. And not only an average death, but death on the cross. At each level, Jesus humbles himself more. And the point? “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” You may be a “somebody,” but God would have you make yourself a “nobody” in the world’s eyes. But does it end there?
No! Therefore God exalted Jesus…and God will exalt you to be a co-heir with Christ: We are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17).
It’s like a math formula or an inverse proportion. The more we humble ourselves, the more God will raise us up, not to just any old high place, but as a co-heir seated alongside our Savior. Astounding! We suffer with Christ that we may share in Christ’s highest glory. Believers who face the greatest conflict yet hold onto God with all their hearts, these are the ones who have the greatest confidence in sharing Christ’s glory.
In what way can you humble yourself today? Is an apology owed to a friend or a family member? Is there an elderly person in your apartment unit you can help with a chore? Volunteer as a teacher’s aid in the special needs class at church?
“I humble myself today in the sight of you, oh Lord.”
10/24/2022 REJOICING IN INSULTS 24
| “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” |
| Matthew 5:11-12 |
| COMMENTS: Have you seen and noticed public attitudes or views of Christians changing, becoming more hostile or at least more accepting? Gay marriage and abortion issue has created “battle lines” between society as well as individuals both in society and within church denominations and even church congregations. What should be the position of denominations and church congregations and even individual Christians? If look at how Christ and even evangelists like Paul dealt with controversial subjects and people, we see warning against the deception and false teaching of those teaching anything different from scripture teaching, including definition of what sin is and way to salvation. Today anyone or any church group that defines Jesus as the only way to salvation and sinful behavior including premarital sex, marriage of same sex partners with modification including change to definition of “family”, and abortion not being “killing of human life”. Persecution is increasing more common and severe especially in non-democratic countries, especially in Muslim dominated countries, with primary focus of persecution being toward devout Christians. In the US and other democratic governed countries, society persecutes more subtly through law suits of businesses, loss of job or withholding job opportunities for open expression of faith in Christ. Colossians says that persecution is part of what it means to fill up what’s lacking in Christ’s afflictions. It means that Jesus isn’t walking on earth anymore, so people can’t shove him around. So, we get shoved! They can’t get at Jesus, but they can get at you and me. They can’t give Jesus the cold shoulder, but they can give it to us. Remember this the next time you are shunned at coffee break, or not invited to that gathering, or ignored by your neighbor. Take it on the chin but do it with a smile. After all, Jesus says, “Blessed are you when people insult you…Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” |
10/25/2022 Eyes: Blind or Open? 25
| “‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” |
| Genesis 3:4-5 |
| COMMENTS: Sometimes satan gets too much credit but most of the time he doesn’t get enough. Credit for wars and sickness / disease, for divorce and murders and rapes and robbery, for hatred towards each other, for neglect of doing acts of kindness… The list is endless. Satan told Eve that she would not die, as God warned, if eat the forbidden fruit. We envision Adam was not there, so his temptation came from Eve. It is true she rationized but it is also likely Adam was with Eve and heard satans words of temptation with Eve and discussion between Adam and Eve took place after that until they both yielded to the temptation to eat the forbidden fruit. So why did God place the forbidden tree in Eden knowing they would sin? The full answer escapes us, but God does hold to determined resolve to allow people to choose evil or good, disobedience to obedience,judgment to forgiveness, damnation to salvation. He wants and wills passionately for each of us to accept Christ paid salvation and opportunity for eternal relationship and fellowship with Him. However, He must judge evil and those who do evil if they refuse His forgiveness. Judging evil doers does not bring God pleasure but is necessary to maintain order and good in His creation. One day good will totally and completely prevail and evil will be no more. Hell is prepared for satan and those who follow him and reject God’s forgiveness. Only there will evil continue unbridled. Today and throughout the ages past, evil has corrupted and damaged God’s creation but within limits and boundaries God has placed. Boundaries of intensity and damage and time. But one day soon Christ is returning, as promised, to bind satan remove the evil he and his followers did and promoted in the world and restore it to perfect place God created and intended his people to live in and enjoy. The devil will promise you one thing, but always deliver something opposite. Satan told Eve that her eyes would be opened, inferring that she was somehow blind to really great spiritual things. Satan promised he could open her eyes. He promised she would become spiritually wise, knowing the secrets of heaven, and even the loftiest thoughts of God himself. That was the promise. But it was a lie. The exact opposite happened when Eve believed the devil. Second Corinthians 4:4-5 says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” People who do not know Christ cannot see his light. The adversary has blinded them. God is the only one who can spiritually open our eyes. Acts 9:17-18 records the amazing story of Saul’s spiritual eye surgery: “Placing his hands on Saul, [Ananias] said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.” What promise has the devil whispered to you? How has he enticed you to compromise what you believe about God? What command from the Bible has the adversary told you is not necessary? Don’t listen to him. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you” (Ephesians 1:18). Lord God, I choose to listen to you, not the devil. The devil is a liar, but your promises are true. Thank you that Jesus is “the Truth and the Life.” |
10/26/2022 God’s Wedding Ring 26
| “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” |
| Genesis 22:14 |
| COMMENTS: Abraham faced some very difficult trials that God tested him with, but God had great things planned for Abraham requiring great faith and trust in God. Abraham had to learn to trust in God and believe and reply on God’s promised and then wait on God to provide. Abraham did well in leaving his father to go to a promised land without and leaving security and provision of his father and his land. Abraham only knew the practices of his pagan home and culture and family,but when God revealed Himself to Abraham, he obeyed. But when Abraham encountered dangers and challenges that caused him to doubt, then his thinking and faith in God weakened, and he made some foolish and wrong choices that would impact the world thousands of years later. Decisions he would regret later but made sense to him at the time. Decisions like having a son with his wife’s handmade instead of waiting for Sarah to bear Isaac as Abraham’s first born. Decisions like pretending Sarah was his sister to protect himself from danger. But Abraham redeemed himself on Mt. Moriah when obeyed God to point of being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. God needed Abraham’s full trust and obedience in order to fulfill all the promised He made to Abraham. Promised far beyond the scope and time Abraham could envision or even imagine. |
| How good the Lord is to provide for us at the moment of need. And just as he once provided Abraham with a ram for a sacrifice up on Mount Moriah, so he provided for you and me in our great need, with the sacrifice of the Lamb of God on Mount Calvary. Heavenly Father, Abraham was right when he named that altar, “The Lord Will Provide.” In my Lord Jesus, you have provided so richly for me…through the days of my life and into eternity. |
10/27/2022 WHAT IMPRESSES GOD? 27
| “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” |
| Psalm 147:10-11 |
| COMMENTS: When we look at scripture and examples of those who have impressed God, we learn the answer to the question “what impresses God?”. Daniel impressed God when he took a stand of faith to pray openly even into the Lion’s Den. His 3 friends likewise took a stand into the overheated furnace. David took a stand of faith to fight Goliath. Abraham impressed God by fully trusted Him to point of offering his son Isaac. To trust God and respond in obedience to His instruction in the midst of great danger. God paused after each day of creation and appraised and enjoyed what He created and then called it “good”. Psalm 147 tell us that what impresses God is those who fear Him and place their hope in His unfailing love. He is moved when He sees us respond with love and respect worshipping Him in awe and reverence and then to obey His instruction. This touches God’s heart. Dr. John Piper, says that the good news for those who enjoy God simply being God, is that He enjoys them. He delights in those who depend on his power, and He loves to be the God on the side of the needy. Today, you can do something and be someone who gives God pleasure. (Isn’t that amazing? We can actually give Almighty God pleasure!) You don’t have to search the universe for a way to move the Almighty…just place your hope in Him. “Purify my heart, Lord God. Refine my motives, sanctify my intentions, and stir within me a deep desire to worship you with a happy heart.” |
10/28/2022 No Divisions 28
| “God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” |
| 1 Corinthians 12:24-25 |
| COMMENTS: There are no spare parts in the human body, which means if one of those parts is removed or dies, the impact on the body is harmful and must be cut out or death – decay will spread into other body parts and ultimately kill the whole body. But if cut out, impact and spread of death will be stopped. However, the loss of use and function of removed part will be felt by the whole body. Some parts have a minimal impact like a kidney or parts of the liver or appendix. Other parts like an eye or ear or a lung or an arm have a noticeable impact but body can survive without one of these parts because there are two. Impact will be less but body does use these parts to maximize performance and ability to function and do work or play. There are parts like the heart or brain that are necessary to live. The church is viewed by God as being the body of believers as a whole, meaning when one suffers – they all suffer. So each is called to help and encourage the weak and weak should provide help to others with their strengths. Story was shared of a pastor of a large church in Virginia contemplating seeking a transfer to another church because church was struggling due to lack of purpose and vision of God’s calling and inspiration. But that all changed when that pastor’s wife gave birth to a handicapped baby girl. The congregation fell in love with that little girl and she united the church and her own parents The experience caused them to look beyond their own problems and selfish desires. That little girl taught by example by reaching out ot others and giving her love to others without complaint or self-pity. |
| Spirit of God, show me if I have a spirit of dissension or discord, jealousy or selfish ambition. I confess to you any factions which I may be a part of. Help me to promote unity in my church. Like you, I want no divisions in the body of Christ! |
10/29/2022 SKIPPING LIKE CALVES 29
| “For you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.” |
| Malachi 4:2 |
| COMMENTS: Satan convinced Eve and Adam that the restriction on eating the one forbidden fruit was fencing them in unfairly and was unnecessary. Satan did not want them to discover that restriction was keeping harm and pain and death from them. Fence was keeping evil out and not keeping them in. They did not realize what they were giving up by following satan’s temptation. When we accept Christ’s redemption, the joy of being in relationship with God and forgiven by Him brings joy and freedom and confidence of an eternal bright future not possible in satan’s camp. Today’s scripture speaks to this freedom and genuine joy salvation brings. |
10/30/2022 THE DEVIL’S REAL WEAPON 30
| “He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” |
| Colossians 2:13-15 |
| COMMENTS: A guest on a Christian talk show was telling about an exorcism he performed. He described frightening displays of demonic power in the room of the demon-possessed individual. Furniture moved and the demoniac howled horribly. Several friends heard the same program; they said, “You’ll never find me getting into stuff like that!” Fear gripped their hearts, making them think that demon-possession was the worst of all evils. But is it? The devil’s most damning weapon is not demon possession, or even the oppression he forces on weak Christians. His most damning weapon is not evil spirits, ghostly appearances, weird sounds, green flashing lights, levitation, or chairs scooting around a room. The devil’s most powerful weapon is unforgiven sin. It is the only ammunition he has against us. Sin that we try to shield from the Holy Spirit’s scrutiny becomes a weapon in the devil’s hands. With it, he can accuse us, belittle us, strip us of confidence and, finally, he can rob our joy and peace of mind. Take heart from today’s verse. Jesus took away our sin and nailed it to the cross. Having done that, he disarmed the powers of darkness—even making a public spectacle of demonic forces. Your sin was nailed to the cross, but you nevertheless have the responsibility of bringing every sin before the throne of God in confession. God wants you to acknowledge your transgressions and iniquities. When you do, those sins are no longer weapons the devil can use to defeat and discourage you. What wrongdoing can you acknowledge before God today? Lord Jesus, thank you for nailing my sin to the cross. Search my heart, Holy Spirit, and reveal any transgression I need to turn from. |
10/31/2022 THEREFORE 31
| “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” |
| Philippians 2:5-9 |
| COMMENTS: |
| Notice the therefore in today’s reading. Jesus was on a journey of humility—he was God, but he made himself nothing. He was a servant, but he was utterly obedient, even unto death. And not only an average death, but death on the cross. At each level, Jesus humbles himself more. And the point? “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” You may be a “somebody,” but God would have you make yourself a “nobody” in the world’s eyes. But does it end there? No! Therefore God exalted Jesus…and God will exalt you to be a co-heir with Christ: We are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). It’s like a math formula or an inverse proportion. The more we humble ourselves, the more God will raise us up, not to just any old high place, but as a co-heir seated alongside our Savior. Astounding! We suffer with Christ that we may share in Christ’s highest glory. Believers who face the greatest conflict yet hold onto God with all their hearts, these are the ones who have the greatest confidence in sharing Christ’s glory. _______________ In what way can you humble yourself today? Is an apology owed to a friend or a family member? Is there an elderly person in your apartment unit you can help with a chore? Volunteer as a teacher’s aid in the special needs class at church? I humble myself today in the sight of you, oh Lord. |
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
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