Week 5 Devotions

January 29th - - Avoid's Satan's Deceptions Writing to the Christians at Corinth, Paul said, “I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed” (II Corinthians 11:3&4). Jesus said that the Devil has always hated the truth (John 8:44). Why? Because, even the Devil knows the truth sets people free (John 8:32). Satan knew what God had told Eve and the parameters of what fruit she could eat and what fruit was off-limits. So, when Satan approached Eve, he did so with a question that has a little bit of truth, but not the whole truth. “Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1). And when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he did so with a little bit of truth, but not the whole truth. “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He orders His angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone’” (Matthew 4:5&6; Psalm 91:11&12). Even as he had in the Garden, so Satan now in the wilderness, attempts to confuse people by throwing in only enough of the truth to confuse those who don’t know more of the truth. Satan veils his lies with just enough truth to make his lies believable (II Corinthians 3:13-15; 4:3&4). Even well-meaning people can be used by Satan’s deceit if they aren’t careful in applying the truth they do know. There are many truths stated by Job’s friends. Elihu correctly says, “Surely, it is God’s Spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent” (Job 32:8). “God is all-powerful” (36:22). “God is exalted beyond what we can understand” (36:26). “We cannot comprehend the greatness of His power” (37:5). “People who are truly wise show Him (God) reverence” (37:24). But, Elihu wrongly applies God’s truth to Job’s situation. Cults are started when well-meaning or not-so-well-meaning individuals use only enough truth to deceive those not versed well enough in the whole truth to confuse them. It is important that we know the truth and that we know when and how to speak the truth so that the truth accomplishes God’s purposes, rather than being misapplied to suit Satan’s purposes.

Week 4 Devotions

January 22 - - The Proverb writer reminds us, “Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent” (17:28). “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” (10:19) “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions” (18:2). “There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking” (29:20). “A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook” (18:4). “If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble” (21:23). At the risk of being as judgmental as Job’s friends, it would seem that maybe what Job needed from them was a little less talk and a little more understanding. It’s not that some of the things they were saying weren’t true because they were. But, when we talk too much we end up saying things that really are not from God, and that's what they did. On the other hand, it’s not that some of the things Job said in his defense weren’t true because they were. But, too much talk on his part resulted in his accusing God of things that simply were not true, either. It’s no wonder James told us in the New Testament, “my dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (1:19). For the fact is, “we all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every (other) way, (as well)” (3:2). Some wise individual has said, “better to be silent and let people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” The wise King Solomon put it like this, “there is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.....(there is) a time to be quiet and a time to speak up” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7). As Jesus was on trial for trumped up charges that didn’t have an ounce of truth to them, there were times when he chose to speak and there were times when he chose to be silent (John 18:19-23; 33-37; 19:8-11; Matthew 26:62-64; Mark 14:60-62). May God grant us the wisdom of Jesus to know when is the right time to speak, and when is the right time to remain silent. January 25 - - Jesus reminds us, “Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged” (Matthew 7:1&2). This truth made a tremendous impact on Jesus’ half-brother, James. He wrote, “there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over His judgment against you” (2:13). “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy....” (3:17). “Don’t speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters.....God alone, who made the law, can rightly judge among us.....what right do you have to condemn your neighbor?” (4:11&12). Having said that, the apostle Paul was quick to tell the Christians at Corinth that they were wrong in not judging one in their midst who was sleeping with his stepmother (I Corinthians 5:3-13). “It is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, ‘You must remove the evil person among you.’” (vss.12&13). What is the difference between what Jesus and James say and what Paul says? Paul is speaking specifically to sin committed by Christians that is open and public. Paul is talking about Christians who seem to have no remorse for the sin they are practicing. To not judge this kind of obvious sin taking place in a Christian’s life and deal with it, is to allow that sin to have a similar effect on others within the body of Christ and send a horrible message to those who are unsaved that sin is allowed in the lives of believers. Jesus and James are referring to a judgment of one’s motives that we have no way of really knowing. That is the kind of judging that Job’s friends were doing. “Is it because of your reverence for God that He accuses you and judges you? Not at all! It is because of your wickedness! Your guilt has no limit!”, Eliphaz says to Job (22:4&5). He then goes on to list some of the things Job must have done because in his mind there was no way Job would be suffering the way he was unless Job were guilty of the things Eliphaz says. According to scripture, Job’s friends probably did not receive much mercy from God in their judgment because they certainly had shown none to Job. To sum up; it is not our responsibility to condemn someone for motives we are really not sure of. On the other hand, to not judge our brothers and sisters in Christ for obvious and public sins against God is a failure to demonstrate a Christ-like love that wants to restore people to spiritual health (Galatians 6:1-3; James 5:19&20). We need God’s wisdom to know the difference between the two and also knowing when to be silent and when to speak.

Week 3 Devotions

JANUARY 15th Devotion We’ve all played the game before. “I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news. Which do you want first?” While Joseph was in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Pharoah’s baker and chief cupbearer were thrown in prison with him. Both had dreams and Joseph inter-preted both dreams. One (cupbearer) received good news and one (baker) received bad news. The cupbearer was returned to his position three days later while the baker was impaled on a pole three days later. How many of us have ever had to tell someone news that bad? “I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?” After interpreting the cupbearer’s dream and telling him that he would be restored to his position with Pharoah, Joseph asked if the cupbearer might remember Joseph and put in a good word for him. The cupbearer said he would. The bad news is that when he was restored to his position, he forgot about Joseph and he forgot about his promise to Joseph (Genesis 40:23). The good news is that two years later when Pharoah had two dreams that no one could interpret, the cupbearer was reminded of his promise and he did tell Pharoah about Joseph. From there, Joseph was elevated to a position second only to Pharoah over Egypt (41:39-44). Life is a series of good news and bad news situations. Faith is trusting God to use even the bad news situations in our lives as preparation for the great news reward of heaven. “That is why we never give up,” Paul wrote. “For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (II Corinthians 4:16-18). That doesn’t mean that our only good news will come after this present life is over. Joseph was falsely accused and sat in jail for many years, but God elevated him in this life, to a greater position than he had ever known before. Someone has said, “Every experience God gives us and every person He brings into our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” Every situation in our lives (good news and bad news), and every person in our lives (good people and bad people) are used by God to mold and shape us for the future. We all receive good news from time to time. The best news we can receive here on earth, is the news about Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. But, even that news pales in comparison to the great news we will receive when we cross over from this life to the next! JANUARY 18th Devotion It is David who receives credit for these famous words, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:1-4; King James Version). We are given many pictures of shepherds in the Bible. When Joseph sent for his family to come from Canaan and live in Egypt, he instructed them to tell Pharoah they were shepherds. “When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the land of Goshen, for shepherds are despised in the land of Egypt” (Genesis 46:31-47:6). That sentiment seemed to be shared by many other people in the world, as well. David was somewhat despised, even by his father and brothers because while he was taking care of the family’s sheep, his brothers were off doing the important work of soldiers (I Samuel 16:10&11; 17:14&15, 28-30). But, God elevated the status of shepherds when they became the first people on earth to receive the Good News of the Messiah’s birth (Luke 2:8-20). And, consequently, those who watch over God’s flock are also known as shepherds (Jeremiah 23:1&2; 50:6; Ezekiel 34:1-10; Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2). To be sure, some shepherds of God’s flock are good at what they do and others are not. As Jacob nears the end of his life, he pays a tribute to God that we would all be wise to heed: “God has been my shepherd all my life” (Gen.48:15). That attitude demonstrates a depen-dence upon God’s provision and God’s protection, and a change in attitude from when he was younger. In his earlier years, Jacob seemed content to use his own scheming to get what he wanted. But, as the years went by and Jacob had seen God at work in his life, he came to the realization that God had always been there for him. And God had always demonstrated His goodness in Jacob’s life. We are not much different from Jacob. It takes us far too long to realize that God is the One who has taken care of us, provided for us, and done many wonderful things in our lives. There is a definite maturity and an accompanying security and peace in being able to say with David and with Jacob, “The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything that I need.” Can you honestly say that with the same confidence, trust and belief that David had? Is the Lord truly your shepherd or is he something else in your life?

Week 2 Devotions

Many of Christ's disciples at New Hope Christian Church have committed themselves to read through the Bible in 2013. My sermons each weekend will examine some verses from the previous week's Bible readings. In addition, I will post on my Blog a couple of devotions for that week. January 8th - - Even Families Have Diversity Children stretch us and grow our character in more ways than we can imagine. Doesn’t it always seem that if we have two or more children, God makes sure they don’t have the same personality? In His abundant humor or wisdom, God gives us at least one child who is compliant and one child who is rebellious. I suppose if all of our children had the same personality and we figured out how to raise that one personality, we’d think everybody should have it as easy as we do. We wouldn’t be able to understand why some parents struggle raising their children and others don’t. As it is, the diversity within our children’s personalities, behaviors, and talents keeps us from ever feeling comfortable, or from ever thinking that we’ve arrived as parents. Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah. We don’t know for sure what type of personality Isaac had, but any child who would agree to be sacrificed by their dad has to be a pretty compliant child, don’t they (Genesis 22:9&10)? And we are told quite plainly that Ishmael was “a wild one - - free and untamed as a wild donkey! He will be against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live at odds with the rest of his brothers” (Gen.16:12). That must have been an exciting household to be a part of! And then Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, have two sons; twins, no less. And what does the Bible tell us, but they were striving with one another even while in their mother’s womb (Gen. 25:21-26)? Even as God creates diversity within the rest of His creation, such as the plants and animals; so He creates diversity within a human family. He knows what He is doing and He has His reasons (Deuteronomy 29:29). In time, we see His wisdom and can give Him thanks for the variety He has given to us within our family (Isaiah 55:8&9). January 11th - - Blessed to be a Blessing “I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2&3). God told Abram that the reason He was blessing Abram was so Abram might be a blessing to others. Sodom and Gomorrah were evil cities (Genesis 19:1-11). God had determined to destroy them, much for the same reason He had earlier flooded the earth. There were none left who were good (Genesis 6:5). Because of Abraham’s intervention, God was willing to spare Sodom if only ten righteous people could be found (Gen.18:22-33). Since ten righteous people couldn’t be found, God destroyed the city. While Jacob had his issues that were not godlike (deceitfulness the chief of them {Gen.27; 30:25-43}), he obviously honored God in other ways and God blessed him for it. Not only did God bless Jacob, but also blessed Jacob’s father-in-law and employer, Laban, because of Jacob Gen.30:27-30). When we are living in obedience to God’s Word, He blesses us and He often blesses those around us, as well. And it may not always be in material and financial ways that He does so. Maybe, God blesses us with opportunities to share our faith. Maybe, God blesses us by shaping our character in the midst of hardships and persecutions. Maybe, God blesses us with special relationships. But, it would appear that when God’s people are blessed for their obedience, there are many times He also blesses those we come in contact with or those with whom we associate. When Joseph was sold by his brothers as a slave in Egypt, he wound up in the home of Potiphar. The Bible tells us, “The Lord was with Joseph and blessed him greatly as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did” (Genesis 39:2&3). Jesus said, “whoever is faithful with a few things will prove faithful with many things” (Matthew 25:21,23,29). Because Joseph was faithful in the small things Potiphar gave him to do, Potiphar increased Joseph’s responsibilities. And because Joseph did so well, “the Lord began to bless Potiphar for Joseph’s sake” (39:5) and Potiphar did not worry at all about his household with Joseph in charge. Later, God not only blessed Joseph when he was imprisoned, but God also blessed the prison when Joseph was placed in charge of it (Gen.39:19-23). Jesus said it like this, “Let your light shine. Don’t hide it under a basket!” (Matthew 5:14-16). And when the light of the Lord is shining through us, every dark environment we enter will be a brighter place because He is there in us. We will be a blessing to others because we have first been blessed by God.