Past Devotions

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

I enjoy spending time in the Book of Psalms. Spending time in the Psalms does wonders for the soul. There are two very important lessons we can learn from becoming familiar with these songs. First, they teach us how to pray – honestly pray. We can express our thoughts to God from the deepest level of our hearts; nothing is off limits.

The Psalms also teach us how to worship. They sing of the goodness of God, His protection and care for His own. We learn to sing with Israel’s singers, “How wonderful you are, O LORD!”

We are going to spend August in the Psalms at church. Today’s message comes from Psalm 118. Take a moment to read Psalm 118 today. This was Martin Luther’s favorite.

The author of Psalm 118 reminds us of God’s victories and deliverances. He reminds us of God’s goodness, His enduring love and mercy.  He also reminds us where we should place our trust.  Verses 8-9: It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Where is your trust? In people? If so, you will be greatly disappointed. People will always disappoint, they are fallen beings just like us.

Is your trust in governments (princes)? Even “princes” will fail us.  After all, governments are made up of people.

God, however, is good, His mercy and love endure forever. He will never fail us.

“Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” [Ps 5:11-12 NKJV]

Yesterday I was reminded by David in Psalm 5 that we can lay our requests before God and know that He will hear us. We can wait expectantly and know that He will respond to us. [vs 3]

This morning I was reminded that there is a response to God that should mark our lies … joyful rejoicing. Knowing God’s favor upon His children should produce a glorious response in us. We should be shouting for joy, ever delighting in Him.

“The Lord is good, His mercy [love] endures forever.” That is the theme of the Old Testament. That song was sung at the dedication of Solomon’s temple, repeated by the psalmists. It was sung by Jehoshaphat’s army as they went in to battle and by the people who returned from captivity at the completion of the foundation for the post-exilic temple. It was acknowledged by Jeremiah and by Daniel.

In the New Testament it was Peter who reminded us that the Lord is good. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” [1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV]

Have you tasted that the LORD is good?  If so, there should be a joyfulness that stretches far beyond circumstances and trials. There should also be a loud rejoicing that expresses that joy so that others might come and “taste” that the LORD our God is Good!

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMY3ivdNzwE&list=RDeMY3ivdNzwE&start_radio=1

I was to be all alone today with only one thing on my schedule, lunch with a good friend. Bob was going fishing to a lake that is far enough away he’d spend the entire day getting there, fishing and getting back. The trip was canceled.  Following my surgeries, we’ve been home together a lot. I love him but he’s a bit of a hoverer when he thinks I’m sick or down physically. It would have been nice to have had an entire day to myself.

I’ve been unable to do my 2-mile worship walk in the morning after breakfast. I’m gradually increasing my step count but mainly by walking around the inside of the house. It’s just not quite the same as a long walk with my worship music, singing and praising God in the early morning. My soul has suffered. I know that because of the difficulty I’ve had this week prepping for Sunday’s message.

I think David was a morning person. I love the way he opens Psalm 5, “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” [NIV]

The psalms are full of reminders that when we lay our requests before God, He hears and answers. While we may not perceive His immediate response, we can be assured that He has heard us and that He will respond. So, we do what David did, we “wait in expectation.”

God will never ignore His children. His response can take many avenues. He might say yes or no. He might change the direction of our thinking. He might ask us to wait or tell us to start moving. The one thing we can be absolutely sure of is that He hears the voices of His children and He will act in our behalf. Amen and Amen.

Ever look around the congregation in your church. Hopefully what you see are people of all ages and backgrounds and social stations. Hopefully, you also see people at various levels of Christian maturity, babes amid the mature, milk-drinkers alongside meat-eaters!  People should be coming from every and all directions.

That’s exactly what Mark reported in his opening chapter. Jesus had gathered disciples around him, Simon, Andrew, James and John. He had cast an evil spirit out of a man in a synagogue, healed Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever and spent that evening healing all the sick and demon-possessed who were brought to him.  The next day he began to travel through Galilee, peaching and healing.

As people witnessed the work of the LORD in their midst, they began to flock to Him.  Mark reports, “they came to [Jesus] from every direction.” [Mark 1:45 NKJV]

I’ve been told repeatedly that the church needs to utilize more and varied methods and means to reach people, that people won’t just come to a church anymore. While I acknowledge that may be true, I can’t help but wonder why. Is it because people have changed … or is it because the church has changed?

I look around at our world, at our society, and I don’t think it is because people have changed. They still age, still suffer sickness, accidents and traumas. They are anxious, nervous, addicted, rebellious, and perverted (to name just a few conditions). In other words, they are the same fallen human beings they have been since the Garden.

So then, if people aren’t coming to church to find relief, healing, and freedom from what plagues them, it must be because the church has changed … perhaps it is because we’ve driven the true Jesus and the revolutionary power of His Spirit out of our midst. When Jesus has been banned, there’s really no reason to come to church. But, when Jesus is present and allowed to move among us, people will be drawn to Him “from every direction”.

Col 1:6: “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” [NIV]

Following is a quote from an email from Voice of the Martyrs (VOM): “When 500 jihadis from the Fulani tribe attacked the areas of Barkin Ladi and Jos South on June 23–24, Christians in the area could only pray and flee. By the time the attacks had ended, hundreds lay dead and more than 10,000 — primarily Christians — had been displaced from their homes and villages.

“The Fulani Nationality Movement took credit for these violent attacks and warned of even more attacks. ‘Our men are waiting,’ the group threatened. ‘We are eager to fight.’ The group has promised to fight against all those ‘raising their voices against us and against Allah.’”

One of those attacked was an 8-year-old boy named Dalo. Dalo’s entire family was killed in the attack and Dalo suffered second-degree burns over most of his body. VOM reports that when Dalo was brought to the hospital, he was praying and has continued to pray. He is asking God to heal him and praying for others injured in the attacks. He is also doing something else, he is asking God to forgive his attackers.

“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing.” As I read about Dalo, I was reminded that there are many parts of the world where being a Christian is life-threatening and the fruit that is born is done amid tribulation and sorrow.  I was reminded of something else … that sweet little phrase found in Isaiah 11:6: “and a little child shall lead them.” [KJV]

His name was Epaphroditus. He had been chosen by the Philippian church to send a care package to Paul who was imprisoned at the time.  Epaphroditus went beyond just delivering the gift from the Philippians, he stayed to help Paul.  Paul calls him “my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier.”  He says that Epaphroditus took care of his needs while there and even risked his life to provide Paul the help he needed.  That’s a great testimony to the man’s character from the Apostle.

While with Paul, Epaphroditus fell ill, so ill that he almost died.  Even then, Epaphroditus wasn’t concerned with himself, he was worried about the distress hearing about his illness might have on the church who sent him. If you have read the second chapter of Philippians, you’ve read about Epaphroditus.

What you may not know about him is what his name means. His name is of pagan origin and means “belonging to Aphrodite.” Aphrodite is the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. The name of the pagan goddess is actually incorporated in Epaphroditus’ name.

At some point, Epaphroditus heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The power of that Gospel set him free from dead paganism to serve the Living God. No longer was Epaphroditus “belonging to Aphrodite,” now he was “belonging to Jesus.” The old life had no more claim on him; he was a new creation in Christ.

We may not think often about Epaphroditus, but he is a perfect example of what God can do when He gets hold of a man or woman. He’s a perfect example also of someone who is so in love with and thankful to God that he is willing to sacrifice it all for the cause of Christ.

May there be a little Epaphroditus in all of us.