Past Devotions

(I sent this out in 2017, but decided to resend it today)

People were jealous. The king liked him better than they did them. They searched for a way to topple this favored one but could not find anything amiss in him. They decided instead to deceive the king into making a ruling against praying to anyone except the king. The ruling was only in effect for 30 days, but the punishment for breaking it was severe—death. These jealous men were hoping that the favored one would ignore the ruling and continue to pray to his God so that they could accuse him before the king and do away with him for good.

The favored one, of course, was Daniel. And Daniel did exactly what his foes thought he would do. “But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” [Dan 6:10 NLT]

Isn’t that amazing? All Daniel had to do to avoid the lion’s den was wait 30 days for the ruling to expire. Or he could have simply given his thanks to God silently out of sight. But Daniel did not change—not even when giving thanksgiving to God became against the law of the land and punishable by death.

There are places in our world today where men and women face death by publicly acknowledging faith in Christ Jesus, where the giving of thanks to Jehovah God brings the wrath of others upon them. We need to lift them up in prayer every day so that they might have the courage of Daniel.

Father, I confess today that there have been times in my life where I have failed to offer my thanksgiving to you. I confess today that I often forget those who are risking their lives for their faith. I pray today to be more like Daniel. And I pray today for those who are suffering and dying for their faith. May their testimony resound around the world. Amen.

About an hour before I am ready to go to bed each evening, Bob often finds a Western on the television. I grab my earphones and computer and head to YouTube to listen to songs that touch my heart instead. One of my favorites is “Hallelujah Praise the Lamb” by the Talley Trio.

When I look around me, I see so much injustice, so much hurt, danger, and evil. I see people oppressed by the enemy of their soul. I see the enemy getting a foothold in their lives, causing them to question God’s love for them. I see them loathing themselves and coming under condemnation, instead of understanding the conviction of God’s Spirit to restore and heal. And I cry, when?  “When, God, will you set things right?”

The waiting for God to set all things right can be so difficult. But as I listen to “Hallelujah Praise the Lamb” I remember that the Lamb of God purchased for us “mercy, grace and love that knows no bounds.” And that “though guilty and condemned I now am free.” And “forever I’m forgiven for Christ the Lord has risen and risen with Him we shall one day be.”

When I remember those things, as that song reminds me, I know it is going to be all right. My heart can sing His praise again! As I listen, I hear God whisper the promise, the same promise He makes in Revelation 6:11 to the ones martyred during the tribulation.  They were told “to wait a little while longer” for Him to make it all right.

Thank you, Father, for the sure promise that there is coming a time when You will make it all right, and wrong will be banished forever. Help me to spend my “wait,” my life, for Your Kingdom. Amen, come quickly Lord Jesus.

It would be foolish to deny that this world is full of evil. This past week saw the assassination of one man, another school shooting, and the memorial for those killed in a massive evil strike on 9/11.

Much has been written, and to add my words would provide little to the dialogue. I would simply remind us this morning of Paul’s words to Timothy in what is probably his last written words. They were written from a Roman prison where Paul was awaiting execution for his beliefs. The letter was written to encourage Timothy to stay the course amid great struggles.

His words should remind us that evil exists in this world. Modern civilization has not destroyed it. Education has not eradicated it. Politics have not abolished it. Our Constitution has not eliminated it. Evil is here and will be here until it is forever banished when Christ returns and sets us His Holy Kingdom.

And it will get worse. As Paul prophesied, “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that…. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.” [2Timothy 3:1-5, 12-13 NLT]

So, what do we do in the face of such evil. Paul told Timothy what he was to do, and it is still good and true for us. “But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught…. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true.” [2Timothy 3:14, 16 NLT]

Stay true.

I have battled impatience all my life. Every time I think I have conquered it, something comes up to remind me that I still have a way to go. Like this recent neck surgery. I began weaning myself off the neck brace on the 3^rd. Wouldn’t you think I would be much better by now! After all, that’s nine days ago!

Then I remember that the doctor told me that six months from the surgery I will look back and think “I am glad I did it.” Six months, not a little over seven weeks.

Yes, I am impatient. I know it. God knows it. And when I get a little cocky about it, He seldom hesitates to remind me that I have yet to reach patience perfection.

I know some say you should never pray for patience because you will get tribulation, but we are going to get tribulation in this life whether we pray for patience or not [John 16:33], so I might as well go ahead and pray for it when I need it. There is no caveat attached to that “tribulation in life” truth.

In Paul’s great prayer in Colossians 1, he reminds us that we have a source of patience and endurance in God’s glorious power. We can seek God’s power in our search for patience and God will provide us with all we need. And He also through Christ Jesus will provide the forgiveness needed when we allow our impatience to flare.

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all [God’s] glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need…. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” [Colossians 1:11-15 NLT]

We live in a culture that is emotion-driven. We live emotion-driven lives. Too often we practice emotion-driven faith. If we are emotion-driven in life we will never find stability or experience that unmovable faith that cries out, “I know my Redeemer lives!” no matter what trial or circumstance we experience.

Still, an emotion-less life is not good either and emotion-less faith can become cold, uncaring, legalistic. In the Gospel of Mark we see Jesus, our High Priest, described as having all kinds of emotions; he was angered, filled with compassion, and deeply distressed to name just a few.

Christ Jesus, understands our emotions … “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” [Heb 4:15 NLT]

So, is it emotion-driven or emotion-less? Neither. It’s realizing that we have redeemed-emotions. When Christ redeemed us, He did it completely, spirit, soul (mind-will-emotions) and yes, eventually a redeemed body. When our emotions are redeemed, they fall into the correct place in our lives. They no longer drive us, nor remain hidden. They follow.

Faith by grace fills our spirits. Our minds are made new through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God which allows us to know His good and perfect will. Our wills cooperate with the Spirit and become obedient (sanctified) to God’s will. And our redeemed-emotions flow with praise, worship, delight, and joy beyond expression. Redeemed-emotions come alive with God’s compassion and love.

To leave our subdivision I often drive past the local elementary school. For the past few months during summer break the building has stood empty. I know that inside those walls there are classrooms and libraries and a cafeteria just waiting for that first busload of students when the new school year starts.

Each time I passed the building this summer I thought about how lovely the school building and grounds are. However, until that first busload of students arrives eager to explore and learn, the building is useless. It may look good, but it DOES no good sitting  there empty of learners.

Each time I drive by I think about how our Bible is like that building, it DOES no good sitting unopened on a shelf or coffee table. All the wonderful treasures inside only come when we open it and eagerly explore and learn from it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17:  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. [NIV]

Thank you, Father, for giving us Your Word to teach, rebuke, correct and train us. May we search its depths and discover its riches every day. Amen.

Recently I was listening once again to that Amazing song about God’s Amazing Grace. I was singing those old familiar verses. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…. When we’ve been there 10,000 years bright shining as the sun….”

I thought about that wonderful reminder when we hear those words of God’s salvation and the marvelous future we shall have with him. Then I stopped; my thoughts had totally skipped over the middle verses. I heard God’s Spirit whisper … those middle verses are where you live right now.

“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.” [Amazing Grace, John Newton 1779]

God’s grace, God’s Amazing Grace has brought us to where we are. God’s Grace, God’s Amazing Grace will lead us home to Him. That’s where we live, beloved, in the power and presence of God’s Grace in our lives. His unmerited favor is stronger than anything that might come our way. His undeserved Grace will embrace us and lead us every day in Him. How could I ever forget that truth?

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for reminding me that my past is covered with God’s Amazing Grace, my future is promised in God’s Amazing Grace, and my present is protected by God’s Amazing Grace. Amen!

Isa 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” [NIV]

God’s right hand is synonymous with His omnipotence and sovereignty. It is the place of highest favor with God the Father. Throughout Scripture, God’s Right Hand spoke of the Messiah that was to come.

Acts 2:33-34: “Now [Jesus] is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.” [NLT]

Peter reminded his listeners on the Day of Pentecost that the Messiah they had been waiting for was the man Jesus, and that God had raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to that place of power and authority. That testimony was also confirmed by Paul in Romans, Ephesians, and Colossians; by the author of Hebrews; and by John in the Book of Revelation. [Ro 8:34, Eph 1:20, Col 3:1, Heb 1:3, Rev 5:7]

When we look at this world, at our nation, it would be easy to become dismayed, discouraged or even fearful. The enemy of our soul wants us to focus on the here and now.  Instead, we need to lift our spiritual eyes to the heavenlies and see Jesus exalted to the Right Hand of God, pouring out His Spirit upon us.

Even now, Jesus is sitting on the throne and ruling over all things. This is the One we love. This is the LORD we serve. Thank you, LORD.

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.”  That is the way Jesus begins the Parable of the Sower and the Seed in Mark 4. He goes on to cite all the places where that seed might fall. It can fall along the path, on rocky places, among thorns or on good soil. Jesus tells his listeners also about what happens to the seed in those various places. Later the disciples ask him to explain the parable to them. And Jesus begins his explanation with, “The farmer sows the word.”

 The focus of this parable, of course, is the harvest that is produced. Natural seed that falls on good soil produces the most. The Word of God sown like seed on “good soil,” on those who hear and accept it, will produce a wonderful crop. But while the focus is on the seed and what is produced, we should also pay attention to the farmer. His role in this parable is simply to scatter the seed—everywhere. That’s his job.

Beloved, that’s our job also. We are to scatter the Word everywhere by our words and by our actions—by our very life itself. We aren’t to hold back or be selective or stingy with our “seeds.” It isn’t our job to determine whether the seed will take root and produce a harvest or simply be choked out. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring the seed to harvest.

I am reminded of this truth especially when summer gives way to the harvest season. I am to scatter the seed of God’s Word, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit and the hearts of those who receive that will determine if it takes root and produces a harvest.

Father, may I always and in every place be faithful to scatter the seed of Your Word. Amen.

I had my six-week postop appointment on Wednesday. I was looking forward to good news. My greatest hope was that the x-rays taken last week showed all was well with the surgery. They did. My second greatest hope was that I could stop wearing the neck brace, especially at night so that I could go back to sleeping in a bed on my side. The doctor told me I could “wean” off the neck brace at my own speed.

Freedom from the brace! Yes! Well, not exactly. Six weeks in a neck brace tends to weaken the muscles. I found that a few hours without it and I needed to be back in it for a while. “Wean” is probably the key word. This is going to take some work.

Then I discovered that going back to sleeping in a bed on my side again without a brace wasn’t as comfortable as I expected. In fact, I think I warped my body with six-weeks in a neck brace sleeping on my back in a recliner. I am back to the recliner, although without the brace.

This was not exactly what I hoped for. But then in life we don’t always get exactly what we hope for. Our hope is often infiltrated by contingencies, circumstances, and unanticipated problems.

Not so with our confident hope of salvation! “This hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” [Romans 5:4-5 NLT]

God loved us when we were still His enemies, still sinners. He gave us His best in the sacrifice of His Son for our salvation. The hope we now have in Him never ever leads to disappointment. It is always MORE than we can think or imagine!