Romans 8:31 1/31/2023*

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

The phrase, “These things”, is referring to struggles the Roman Christians were facing.  Paul is questioning their anxieties as they face those challenges. I think he might ask us the same question… ”When did fear become our default emotion?” 

America thrives on anxiety. Fear has become our national pastime… We embrace it, promote it, and attack anyone who refuses to be scared with us. No one is immune and neither side has a monopoly on the method. Dividing us with fear has become the most common technique on the political landscape.

Even some churches today have stopped declaring the power of God and instead have become obsessed with the evil plans of people… We have stopped preaching and started whining… We don’t boldly stand on God’s omnipotence; we tremble at the attempts of sinners to change His plans. 

How foolish can we be?  

The Bible says, “The LORD Himself goes before you”… Why waste another day fixated on man’s attempts to thwart God’s plans? They will not prevail.  God is God. He is not worried or dismayed… So why are you?

James is not suggesting that you ignore dangers. He’s suggesting you stop letting fear control your life. Prudently assess threats… make good choices…and find peace in the confidence you have in your Heavenly Father. Fear isn’t from God, and it won’t improve your decision making. 

Turn off the media for a few minutes and read your Bible… Remember that this is the day the Lord has made and rejoice knowing He will control it.  Stop turning inward and trembling, look outward at the power of God… Instead of feeling threatened by people who disagree with you, try loving them like God loved you when you were lost.

Every Tuesday we discuss choices, and you have one to make today. 

Either follow the crowd and spend the day looking for reasons to be fearful… Or be different and trust God.

If you choose fear, you’ll blend in… If you choose faith, you’ll be distinctively peaceful, and people will be drawn to you like moths to a flame… Tell them God’s bigger than their problems... Let them know they can trust God and that today was created for something more productive than being anxious.

“Worry ends where faith in God begins.” – Anonymous 

Genesis 5:32 1/24/2023*

“Now after Noah was five hundred years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”

Noah’s dad Lamech was 182 years old when Noah was born, His grandfather Methuselah, was 187, and his great grandfather Enoch, was 65 when they started having children. So, Noah came from a prolific family with godly lineage.  But it took Noah twice as long to begin having children as any of his ancestors. 

In those days kids were seen as security. Sons were needed to work as parents aged. Noah probably prayed for a large family to insure his future. Yet for centuries the answer was “no”…or at least “wait”. 

This was problematic because Noah had no one to help him….and because childlessness was seen as a curse which impacted Noah’s social standing as well. He most likely prayed passionately for a son…yet God was silent.

What happens when you pray for something but hear no answer? Do you see it as punishment, or as an indicator that your prayer life needs work?  Consider that in this instance… God waiting to answer Noah’s prayer was not a punishment, but an act of mercy. 

Noah had no idea the world would be destroyed by a flood. He couldn’t foresee the problem a large family would face trying to survive on the Ark for a year. By keeping Noah’s family small, God insured none would be left behind … God’s timing was perfect, allowing Noah’s sons to become married men who could continue the human race - but not allowing the family to grow so big that they couldn’t all get on the boat. How merciful of God to save Noah from that dilemma. 

God’s plans are harder to understand for those of us who cannot see the future. Is there something you’ve been praying about for what feels like a long time?  Keep praying… Remember who you’re talking to and bear in mind that His vision is better than yours. Lean into the trial, trust God,  and look for His plan. 

Remember that Noah had years of waiting for an answer… which he probably questioned. He may have even gotten angry, convinced that his plan was better than God’s.  But my guess is that all that changed - as soon as it began to rain.

Never make the blunder of trying to forecast the way God is going to answer your prayer. – Oswald Chambers

Joshua 3:15 1/17/2023*

^“And it will come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, ...”

We have discussed this verse before, as part of a larger passage but it contains a concept that deserves its own devotional. God is telling His people that His plans usually require faith. In this case, a miracle is promised, but it will be triggered by the Priest stepping into the water. 

If you’re like me, you would prefer for the water to stop before taking the step… but that is seldom God’s way.  In most cases, even with a promise from God, we must get our feet wet. 

God wants faithfulness from His people… Trusting Him cannot be just one of many solutions you are considering. The Lord is interested in knowing if we are committed - or just assessing options.

There was no fallback position in this plan to cross the river. The Priests would have looked ridiculous standing knee deep in the Jordan if The Lord had not stopped the water… Declaring your trust in God is easier than stepping into the river, and He wants to see your faith, not just hear about it.

Am I willing to risk embarrassment,  or do I need a miracle before I move?  Will I risk looking foolish for God, or do I need a way to “save face” if God doesn’t deliver? 

Faith is only faith when you depend on it…. You may like a chair;  be impressed by its workmanship… You might even study the chairmaker …but you don’t have faith in the chair - until you sit in it. 

In the same way – you can be impressed by God, enjoy talking about Him, even study His history – but until you depend solely on Him for your salvation …. You haven’t demonstrated faith in God.

Being a Christian means I must be like the Priest walking out into the Jordan river with only two options ….drown or be rescued by the Lord.

Will I step in the river today…or do I plan to just stand here waiting for the water to stop?

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

1 Peter 4:1 1/10/2023*

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.“

You can’t spread the gospel without accepting the risk of persecution. The threat of being ostracized when speaking the truth is real…In many places physical consequences are possible as well. But Peter is saying that some things are worth suffering for, and that enduring persecution diminishes the  fear of it.  

This passage also implies that the pain of persecution emboldens you by making you choose between a fleshly, or spiritual mindset.  This refines your view of sin and solidifies your goals.

If a running back’s only goal is to avoid getting hurt, he will be unproductive. Being preoccupied with injury will not only get you hurt, but it will also make you an ineffective football player.  It slows down your reflexes, makes you second-guess your movements, and causes hesitation. But if you accept that violence is part of the game, and stop being anxious about it, your focus becomes the endzone. You may still avoid collisions as part of your strategy to reach the goal line, but it will not be because you’re afraid of being hit.  

Spiritually we must seek the goal line as well. And fear cannot permit other objectives to get in the way. Pursuing popularity may interfere with speaking the truth. Needing acceptance, may cause you to preach tolerance at the expense of righteousness. Focusing on fund raising might cause you to water down hard truths. All of these can lead to ineptitude, and injuries in your spiritual life, and in the lives of those you love. 

To be effective you must choose your King and accept that opposition is inevitable. Arm yourself with the resolve that Jesus had and look persecution in the eye without blinking.  Begin today persuaded that you have one goal…  Don’t seek confrontation, but don’t avoid it either, if it means modifying the message. 

Your job is to inform others that truth and righteousness is provided and defined by God alone. Some people will be offended by that.  But no amount of disapproval should alter your resolve to speak the truth in love. 

God’s command was clear….”Go and make disciples”…regardless of the cost. 

“When we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize.” - C.H. Spurgeon 

Zephaniah 3:17 1/3/2023*

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.”

I have learned to see God as my Father. My sin is covered by His sacrifice, and He is not angry with me.  I also envision God as a Warrior who protects me. ….But I still struggle to see Him so pleased with me that He would rejoice and sing over me.

When my nephew was an infant, he was very sick, and I remember seeing my mother softly singing over him in the hospital. Her love for him was evident. But how could God love me like that? How can God sing over someone who is guilty and unclean?

The life I have lived is not worthy of that kind of affection. That sounds like modesty, but that focus is the problem… when I concentrate on my own unworthiness, it is not humility – it is doubt.  It is questioning the power of the blood of Christ.  In God’s plan, it doesn’t matter who I WAS…It matters who I AM. The question is,  have I placed my faith in Jesus, and am I walking in His righteousness?

If you think you're not good enough for God to love…you are looking at the wrong set of qualifications…YOUR actions don’t deserve His love …But HIS actions …make you perfect and qualified. 

How liberating it is to realize that salvation is based on His love and power… Once I accept the gift of grace and take my eyes off me - it is easy to envision His wonderful song as I bring Him joy by walking in the holiness of His Son. 

By accepting His grace - I instantly become free to do good …Not so He will love me, but because He loves me… And I begin serving God from a position of security and strength…as a cherished child – not an imposter desperately trying to earn their way into His presence.  

Put joy in this new year by abandoning your efforts to be good enough for God to love, and instead rest in the completed work of Christ. Then you can focus on the unfinished work of spreading the gospel - which is what set you free in the first place. 

“It is finished” – Jesus 

1 Peter 2: 1-3 12/27/2022*

1 Peter 2: 1-3

"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word…”

That’s a pretty tall order to start the year.  Taking out the trash of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander - and replacing them with God’s Word.

I looked up the garbage to know what to get rid of:  Malice is the intention to do evil. Deceit is lying with words or actions. Hypocrisy is claiming to have morals to which you do not conform. Envy is feeling discontent because of someone else's position or possessions. Slander is lying and damaging a person's reputation. 

That’s a  lot to tackle …you may not have all of them but if you’re like me, you have most  - and there are a couple of favorites. When I struggle with things on this list the common thread seems to be selfishness…and a lack of concern for others.

If this year is going to be any better than last year, I  need to vomit those spiritual toxins out of my system and replace them with the pure milk of the Word of God…I need to consistently read the bible…you probably do to. 

So, you can respond to this in one of three ways:

1. Disagree, in which case next year will look a lot like this year.

2. Agree, and think to yourself that you should change some things…in which case next year will look a lot like this year.

 3. Or you can call a couple of friends and say “Let’s commit to read through the bible together a chapter a week. Let’s create a thread and every morning read a passage of scripture and text our thoughts to each other to encourage and hold each other accountable”. 

…IF you do that.  It will change next year…and it will change your life. 

Few New Year’s resolutions really change anything …but this one will.  Jesus said we live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God so let’s study what God says.   The world will provide junk food for your soul daily. If you really want to change, you must  intentionally consume the pure milk of the gospel which will provide what your soul needs to flourish. 

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

― Charles Spurgeon

Proverbs 12:1 12/20/22*

“One who loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates rebuke is stupid.”

I tried to ignore this verse but no matter how I look at it - the bible just called me stupid.  It is no secret that I don’t love discipline  - and I usually hate it when I am rebuked.

So, what should I do now?... My natural reaction to being called stupid, is to call the accuser stupid, and argue with them… (intelligent response, right?)… or I can ignore them and assume they don’t know what they’re talking about. However, neither of those paths are open to me when it is scripture that implies my lack of intellect.

So, the only reasonable response to this, is for me to decide to stop being stupid…I need to contemplate this verse until I find a way to love discipline and stop hating it when I am corrected.

There is a way to get there if I will appreciate the effects that discipline has produced in my life. The only way to welcome rebukes is if I consider the improvements I have seen when I have heeded them.

But there is a huge hurdle that I must overcome ….Pride.

Pride is the ridiculous notion that I know it all…That I don’t need a press box coach who can help me see things from different vantage points. Pride would argue that those close to me cannot see flaws that I have overlooked, and that I don’t need their input.

What protects my pride is a lack of confidence in myself that makes me instantly defensive when I am questioned. 

If I will simply remember that I have grown in the past when people have pointed out things I needed to change – It will accelerate my progress in the future.

Do I really want to be wise … or do I just want people to think I’m wise? That is what it boils down to… Only humility and confidence will allow me to appreciate constructive criticism. That is the only way my reaction to reprimands can become thoughtful consideration – instead of knee-jerk argumentativeness. To gain wisdom, I must admit that I still have things to learn.

Of course, there is always plan B -  I could just keep being stupid… I guess the choice is up to me. 

“Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.” – John Wayne

 

ISAIAH 9:6&7 12/13/2022*

“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace… The zeal of the LORD of armies will accomplish this.”

This passage predicts the first Christmas and defines Jesus as the Triune God. One God - Father, Son, and Spirit.  

That’s important… Jesus’ own words clarify that He is not a prophet. Jesus said “I, and the Father are one”,  “if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father”… Nor does the Bible teach that God created Jesus, who later became a god with many others. Scripture teaches that there is only one eternal God, and He is called …Father, Son, Counselor, Lord, Prince of Peace….

Although One God with numerous titles is difficult to comprehend, God doesn’t feel the need to limit Himself based on our ability to understand… And many have been deceived insisting that God fit into a box they can explain. Don’t be misled trying to fit the bible into your opinion…fit your opinion into the Bible.

This passage also foretells of Jesus’ mission. His birth, death, and resurrection offer peace and good will to men. His second coming will establish His Kingdom.  

His return will not be as a child in a manger, but as The Zealous Lord of Armies accompanied by a multitude of Angels… It will be an incursion.

These verses remind me of the scene in Tombstone when Kurt Russell yells, “You tell 'em I'm coming! And Hell's coming with me you hear! Hell's coming with me!” 

That threat pales in comparison to the message being delivered here by Isaiah … It is as though he is saying: 

“You tell ‘em Jesus is coming back! And all Heaven’s coming with Him, you hear! Heaven’s coming with Him!”

God came as a baby to bring peace. His second coming will be as The Mighty Warrior God with a battalion of angels to restore righteousness. Accept His love today and be adopted as a child of God so you will rejoice when Jesus comes back…because all Heaven’s coming with Him.

“Next time it will be God without disguise; so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side.” – C.S. Lewis

Exodus 6:12 12/6/2022*

“…Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”

God must find that annoying.  The man He chose to lead the Jews and deliver them from slavery, now has issues with God’s strategy.  The leader He prepared from birth is now balking at the gameplan. 

The Red Sea and other miracles are yet to come… But God wasn’t asking Moses to do anything supernatural…just talk to Pharaoh. Instead, Moses grumbles that even his own people don’t pay attention to him…why would Pharaoh listen?

If you’re like me, and that sounds like something you might say when challenged – then there are three lessons, we need to learn this morning:

1. God’s plan can be difficult – push through it. 

I know that doesn’t sound theological or compassionate, but 1 Peter basically says don’t be surprised in this life when you get hit in the mouth…We live in a fallen place and trials happen… But it also says don’t worry because Jesus is bigger than whatever hit you. 

Be ready for it…take the hit…and keep on going.  

2. God’s plan can be frightening – do it anyway.

Giving an unpopular lecture to Pharaoh was a dangerous thing to do…Moses had no speechmaking skills, that wasn’t in his wheelhouse…and a mistake could be lethal.  But God said do it anyway. Sometimes your plans and Gods won’t match up – choose His.

3. God uses flawed men to do marvelous things – saddle up.  

This is the big lesson. Don’t hide your fear under false humility. Moses wasn’t humbly stating that he wasn’t a good speaker, he was saying he was afraid to speak. He was bowing to fear – and fear doesn’t come from God.  

Moses didn’t believe he was qualified – and he wasn’t.  That is part of what qualified him… If you think your competent to do what God has called you to do,  you probably have either overestimated your abilities - or underestimated Gods plans. 

Trust me, you’re not prepared for His vision – but fortunately it won’t be accomplished by your strength.  The Lord intends to do far more than you could ever ask for or imagine.

God doesn’t need you to be ready or capable…He just wants you to trust Him and show up.

"Courage is being scared to death ... and saddling up anyway." 

~ John Wayne

PSALM 19:7-10 11/29/2022*

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

God has provided directives that are steadfast and true …. The question is do you plan to follow them?

God has given laws, testimony, precepts, and commandments that make the way clear. Unfortunately, our culture has deemed many of these to be strange, and offensive. We have “corrected” God and altered His instructions. Some denominations have gone so far as to formally reject God’s teachings and “cherry pick” the laws that better fit their lifestyle.

The church has its finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing and has started following instead of leading. Our pastors have replaced laws with suggestions, testimony with opinions, and commandments with recommendations. Fear of the Lord has become unfashionable, and wisdom has become exceedingly rare.   

It is understandable when those who have no compass drift off course, but the church is without excuse. The commandments of God are clear, and our detours are not unintentional, they are rebellion.

The laws of God are nonnegotiable. Facts don’t change based on our opinion of them, and truth doesn’t adjust to fit societal norms… The laws of nature say that if you put your hand in a fire you will get burned…you may disagree, but your opinion doesn’t change the truth – and you will become aware of that as soon as you choose to ignore it.

God’s laws are the same. The Bible explains God’s love for you and tells you how to enjoy this miraculous life He has provided you. It also tells you how to avoid being burned by sin.   

Follow His laws - or don’t - the choice is yours…But know that ignoring The Truth doesn’t change it…You can disagree, be offended, or even outlaw it – but the fact remains that if you put your hand in the fire you will quickly realize that God is telling the truth - and that His laws are not there to burden you, they are there to protect you.

"The Law of God sends us to Christ in order that we might be saved, and Christ returns us to the Law to frame our way of life." - Alistair Begg