Past Devotions

Ever read warning labels, especially those on small appliances?  I remember reading a warning label on an iron I had purchased. It said something along the lines of “do not iron clothes while wearing them.” I laughed and thought who would be dumb enough to iron their clothes while they were wearing them? Then a co-worker came in one morning with a burn on her leg.  I asked her about it, she blushed, said she got it when she tried to iron out a wrinkle on her skirt. She explained that while she pulled the skirt away from her leg, she didn’t realize that the steam would go through the material and burn her.

Now this was an intelligent woman, who later went on to become an ICU nurse. I told her that, finally, I met someone for whom warning labels were written.

Psalm 19 is a song of David. Right in the middle of the psalm, David remarks about the perfection of the law of the LORD, the testimony of the LORD that makes those who heed it wise, the statutes of the LORD that bring rejoicing, the commandment of the LORD that brings illumination, the fear of the LORD which endures forever and the judgments of the LORD that are true and righteous.  He adds that they are to be desired more than the finest gold and that they are sweeter than honey.

Then he adds the warning label in verse 11: “By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” 

God has put forth his law, statues, commandments and judgments. He has given His testimony in both nature and the written word. To heed them (the fear of the LORD) brings a great reward. While not overtly stated, David reminds us that to ignore or reject them will bring a far different outcome.

Father, may your testimony enlighten us, and your commandments bring rejoicing. Amen!

It was 107 degrees in Caldwell last Friday. In the morning, I opened the windows and slider to cool the house down before the outside temperature rose. Then I shut everything to keep it as cool as possible. Around 5 PM I noticed the house was getting warmer than it should. Then I noticed the air conditioner wasn’t running. Checked breaker—no problem there, but the air conditioner was just sitting quietly still while the house got warmer and warmer.

Saturday morning, we still didn’t know what was wrong with it except that it was not running. We anticipated finding air conditioner service companies when it is 107 degrees in August would mean a long wait to get someone to check it out. So, I was left with my thoughts…

“It’s going to be hot at least through the next ten days. That means I’m going to be miserable and grumpy. It’s going to cost a fortune if it needs replacing. I’m going to be miserable and grumpy and broke. We’ve invested in a kitchen repair this year and two surgeries. The dryer is also making sounds that say it’s going on the fritz, now the air conditioner. Maybe it’s time to sell!”

 And while I had all those anxious/grumpy thoughts, I was also reminded that, “You, O LORD, are exalted forever.” [Psalm 92:8]

Our God reigns. These temporary problems are just that—temporary. Our LORD is eternally exalted. And one day we will stand before His throne and with the saints of all the ages, alongside the heavenly angelic choirs, we will sing: “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory.” [Rev 19:6-7 NKJV]

If I am going to be glad and rejoice and give God glory then, I will be glad and rejoice and give God glory now! The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNS. HALLELUJAH!

One of the precious thoughts in Psalm 92 comes in verses 14 and 15. “They [the righteous] will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green, to declare: “The LORD is just; he is my rock. And there is no unrighteousness in him.” [Christian Standard Bible]

I’m sure those verses mean so much to me because I am in that time of life described as “old age.” Although, as I have often mentioned, the only old age part of me is this perishing body that is heading “back to dust.” My soul and my spirit are still vibrant and youthful.  (That’s why it is so shocking when I walk by a mirror and see myself as others see me!)

The righteous will still bear fruit in old age, they will be healthy and green. I’m not a big fan of the King James simply because it is often difficult to translate those words of antiquity into modern English, but I must say I really love verse 14 in the King James.  “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”

Fat and flourishing!  Love it!  And as the psalmist reminds us, in our old age we have a declaration that is unmatched – “The LORD is just; he is my rock. There is no unrighteousness in Him.”

After all these decades I can declare that to be true. God has proven He is just and He is the foundation of all life. He is good Father; the righteous, true, compassionate, healing, kind, loving, grace-giving LORD who reigns forever.

Amen & Amen!

This morning’s message at The Way will be from Psalm 92. There are a few thoughts in Psalm 92 that I am going to focus on in my message.  One is the comparison of the foolish/wicked with the righteous. About the wicked Psalm 92 says this: “though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be eternally destroyed.” [verse 7 Christian Standard Bible]

The righteous, however, are described this way: “The righteous thrive like a palm tree and grow like a cedar tree in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, they thrive in the courts of our God.” [verses 12-13 Christian Standard Bible]

It’s summer and we’ve had lots of sunshine in the Treasure Valley. Because of the heat, Bob waters the lawn frequently. Between the sunshine and the water our lawn grows rapidly. He is always out mowing to keep it trimmed.  The psalmist describes the wicked and evildoers as flourishing grass.

Those who have placed trust in the LORD, YHWH, aren’t like the grass. They, instead, are like palm and cedar trees.  They are thriving, reaching high and strong toward God Himself. The reason they can thrive is because they are planted in the house of the LORD, in the courts of God.  We abide in the sanctuary of God’s presence. Our life is hidden with Christ in God and when Christ appears, we will appear with Him in glory. [Col 3:3-4]   

The present prosperity of the wicked is so much easier to see than the promised flourishing of the righteous. You can practically sit on the patio and watch the grass grow. But we must always remember that whoever hardens their hearts against God has destruction as their destiny.

Thank you, LORD, that you have rescued us and transplanted us in the house of the LORD so that we might thrive in Your courts. Amen.

Christian maturity. I wrote a little about that in yesterday’s post.  Jesus gave us a peak at what constitutes Christian maturity in the Parable of the Seed and Sower.  After telling the parable to the crowd, his disciples gathered around privately with Him and asked Him to explain it.  You can read the parable in Luke 8:4-15.

Jesus described the seed that fell among the thorns, “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” [v14 NKJV]

Then He went on, “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” [v15 NKJV]

In those two sentences Jesus described what we see in the lives of the immature and the mature. The immature are those who are choked with cares, riches and pleasures. They are those who bear no fruit “to maturity.”

One of our neighbors planted four fruit trees next to his house, an apple, pear, peach and cherry. I’ve walked by those trees for a few years during my morning worship walk. Every summer they sprouted nice green leaves and a few buds. They looked like fruit trees, but they bore no fruit. This year is different. There are beautiful red apples, green pears, deep red cherries and plump peaches mixed in with the green leaves. They are bearing fruit.

Jesus told the disciples that when seed falls on good ground it is received, kept, and fruit is brought to maturity. When the spiritual seed of God’s Word falls and takes root in our hearts, we should begin to bear fruit—Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. [Gal 5:22-23]

It’s simple. No fruit=No maturity. Fruit=Maturity.

I love talking to the people of the LORD. I had a great conversation before prayer last Tuesday about Christian maturity with a lovely woman of God. We talked about salvation, the Holy Spirit, about sanctification, and what constitutes Christian maturity.

Epaphras was a fellow worker of Paul. While Paul was imprisoned in Roman, Epaphras ministered to the church at Colossae in his stead. Then he brought a report of the health of the church to Paul in Rome. Paul was so cheered in his heart by what he heard that he wrote the wonderful epistle to the Colossians, which Epaphras took back with him to his flock.

Perhaps what Epaphras should be most noted for is his prayer life.  Paul writes of him, “He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea and for those in Hierapolis.” [Col 4:12-14 Christian Standard Bible]

It was the desire of Epaphras, and of course Paul, that those they ministered to would stand firm in all the will of God, mature and full assured.  That brings me back to the question of what constitutes Christian maturity. The word Paul used is teleios (tel’-i-os).  It is sometimes translated as “perfect” and means to be complete in labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.

Maturity comes when we can stand firm in the will of God, no matter what His will brings into our lives. It means we are fully assured of the goodness of God even when beset with trials and surrounded by evil. It is so much more than merely years spent since our conversion – we can be saved for decades and still not be mature. Maturity requires determined cooperation with the Spirit of God in our lives to become more like Jesus every day.

Father, that is my prayer – that all reading this today will attain to fullness of Christ-like maturity in their lives. Amen.

Wow, the things you can learn from reading online. Recently, I learned that Robert Redford is retiring from acting. (I thought he had already).

I learned there’s a new video series of a magazine feature called “Stars—They’re Just Like Us!”. (Really? Just like us? I don’t remember anyone ever following me around with a video camera while I bought groceries at Walmart.) And that Corinne Olympios is going to be featured in that video series. (I have no idea who Corinne Olympios is, but then I don’t recognize half of the so-called stars that are featured in the news now.)

I also learned that Sweden has a “bizzare obsession with salty licorice.” (I love licorice, the black kind not that faux red stuff.) And that Seattle’s Space Needle debuted a see-through floor that not only looks 50 stories straight down but also revolves! (That I want to walk on!)

I learned a few other things from reading online … although I wasn’t reading the news reports, I was reading an online Bible.  I learned that “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” 

 I also learned that “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 

And I found out that “Those who look to [the LORD] are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” 

The LORD hears me when I cry out, He delivers me from trouble, He remains close to me when life leaves me broken and crushed, and He has removed all my sin and all my shame. You can find all that wonderful news (and more) in Psalm 34. [NKJV]

I have never been one to spend the day in my PJ’s. My morning routine is to awaken early, post my devotions, read my Bible, pray, write, prep for Sunday’s message. After a couple hours, I head to the shower and then get dressed – do my hair and sometimes even add makeup. Then breakfast and a walk. I ditch the PJ’s early.

I know lots of people relish spending the day in their PJ’s and I think that’s great, but it’s never been my thing. Last Saturday was different. Bob left early in the morning to do some local fishing, thinking he’d be back by noon. I did my morning routine, but instead of putting on jeans and a t-shirt, I put on a clean pair of PJ’s. I wasn’t planning on going anywhere, so I spent the entire day in them, enjoying every minute.

Taking a break and lounging about in PJ’s is something we can do without much consequence. It’s not going to have any long-term effect on our lives.  But failure to clothe ourselves every day with the Lord Jesus Christ will have consequences.

Paul reminds us in Romans 13: “Do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed…. Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” [vss 11, 14]

We need to be ready – understanding that the LORD could return at any time. We need to clothe ourselves spiritually every day with the righteousness found in our Lord Jesus Christ, putting aside thoughts that spring from the desires of our fallen nature. We need to be awake and be prepared!

Ps 24:8:  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. [NIV]

Ps 140:7: O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle —  [NIV]

The other day Facebook brought up a post that I had written in 2013. It read that I came across a thought that day (however, I failed to acknowledge where that thought came from).  It was this thought: “God is there regardless of our emotional condition. He is faithful even when we feel weary or unengaged. God is not weakened by what weakens us.”

“God is not weakened by what weakens us.” Upon an initial read, we’d all agree with that statement. God, after all, is all-powerful. The Bible is resplendent with the power of our God. Whether Old Testament or New, we see our God acting on behalf of His people with strength and might. He is, as the Psalmist writes, “The LORD mighty in battle.”

Yet, in our daily walk with God, we often act as if we don’t know that to be true. We think that what diminishes us has also diminished our God and that He is unable, or at the least, unwilling to be strong on our behalf. But as the Psalmist also wrote, The LORD is “my strong deliverer who shields my head in the day of battle….”

What battle are you facing? I have friends and family who are right this moment battling cancer. I know others who are battling financial issues, aging issues, loneliness, grief, and opposition. It matters not the type of battle; it matters only that our LORD is mighty in it and that “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” [1 Cor 1:7-9:  NIV]

I love getting up in the morning, publishing my devotions, and then heading for my email. I never know what I’ll find in my inbox. This morning I found an article informing me of the nine things I need to know about heaven before I die. Most of the time I delete much of my email, smiling sometimes at the titles of the articles. This one intrigued me enough that I decided to read it.

First the author established that there is a heaven – that’s a great start! “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” [Ps 103:19 NIV]

Then the author, Robin Bertram, answered common questions people have … such as, will I look the same, will I be married, will I have a mansion.  (You can read the article by Robin Bertram using the link below.)

Personally, the only thing I need to know about heaven before I die is that Jesus is there. That is what matters to me more than anything. All the rest is wonderful, reuniting with my loved ones, having a dwelling place all my own, but the singular, most important thing is the presence of my Lord and Savior. If Jesus is there; everything else will be right.

I want to see Jesus. I want to bask in the light of His Presence. I want to hear His voice telling me how much He loves me. I want to hear Him say, “Well done.” I want to touch Him, as the woman with the issue of blood did and know the power of His eternal healing.

Yes, if Jesus is there, then everything I need or could ever want will be there also.

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/72423-9-things-to-know-about-heaven-before-you-die?utm_source=Charisma%20News%20Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=subscriber_id:663209&utm_campaign=CNO%20daily%20-%202018-08-03