January 2nd Devotion

Ephesians 2:3 says that we are born “with an evil nature.” In other words, we are naturally concerned primarily for ourselves. Through the prophet, Jeremiah, God revealed that the human heart is “most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (17:9) Such, is the result of Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden. We see the impact of the human heart very early in the Bible. When the first two boys grew up, Cain “brought to the Lord a gift of his farm produce, while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock” (Genesis 4:3&4). Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God while Cain’s wasn’t. Abel’s sacrifice represented the best of what he had while Cain thought he could appease God with a token gift from some of his leftovers. Abel’s sacrifice required faith while Cain’s sacrifice didn’t (Hebrews 11:4). When Cain saw how his brother’s sacrifice pleased God and his didn’t, Cain became angry. Now, God tried to warn Cain of the consequences if he didn’t get his anger under control (see James 1:19&20), but Cain didn’t listen. Cain’s envy resulted in Cain taking the life of his own brother (Genesis 4:6-9) and God punished him for doing so. Evil has a way of infecting others and spreading like yeast in dough (I Corinthians 15:33; Matthew 16:6,11&12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1; Galatians 5:9). By the time of Genesis 6:5, people had become so bad, the Bible says, “Now the Lord observed the extent of the people’s wicked-ness, and He saw that ALL their thoughts were consistently and totally evil.” That is a horrible indictment, but it is the result of man’s evil heart. The only hope for mankind is the promise of a new heart (Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 11:19&20; 36:26; II Corinthians 5:17), made available to us because of Jesus Christ. It is absolutely essential that the lives of those who have new hearts in Jesus, look totally different from the lives of those still being influenced by their old hearts.

January 1st Devotion

The Bible opens with these words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (1:1). In fact, the Bible tells us that God simply spoke creation into existence. “Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (1:3). “And God said, ‘Let there be space between the waters, to separate water from water.’ And so it was.” (1:6&7a). “And God said, ‘’Let the waters beneath the sky be gathered into one place so dry ground may appear.’ And so it was” (1:9). “Then God said, ‘Let the land burst forth with every sort of grass and seed-bearing plant. And let there be trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. The seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.’ And so it was” (1:11). And God said, ‘Let bright lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. They will be signs to mark off the seasons, the days, and the years. Let their light shine down upon the earth.’ And so it was” (1:14&15). “And God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind” (1:20). “And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth every kind of animal - - livestock, small animals, and wildlife.’ And so it was” (1:24). Then God said, ‘Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves” (1:26). Without a doubt, the crowning achievement of God’s creative work was and still is, human beings (Psalm 8:3-8). And when God made human beings, Genesis tells us, “God created people in His own image; God patterned them after Himself; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27; 5:1&2). Two questions? Who is the “us” in vs.26? And, what does it mean to be made in “God’s image”? The “us” in vs.26 is the earliest indication of the Godhead. Within the One God, there exists and has always existed three personalities; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As we read through scripture, we will see each of these three personalities described in more detail. Even though it is hard for humans to comprehend how three persons can comprise one person, it is a biblical truth and the Bible account reveals that truth right from the beginning. Since “God is a Spirit” (John 4:24), and since a “spirit does not have flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39), then it is obvious that human beings are not made in God’s physical image because God doesn’t have a physical image. If we were all made in God’s physical image, we would all look the same. We are all made in God’s spiritual image. God has breathed into human beings, “the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7), which is His spirit. Because that is true, human beings have the ability to reason, to think, to feel emotions, and the freedom to choose. And because Adam and Eve used this freedom to believe Satan’s lies (Genesis 3:1-7; John 8:44) instead of God’s truth, they disobeyed God by committing sin. The consequences of their sin for all mankind are described in Genesis 3:16-19, but the consequence for the sin each of us commits, is described in Romans 6:23.

Week 52 Devotions

December 24 - - The best evidence when trying a criminal case in a human court is always an eye witness. Circumstantial evidence is helpful in supporting the eyewitness testimony, but it is much more difficult to come to a conclusion of innocence or guilt based solely on circumstantial evidence. The apostle John outlived all the other of Jesus’ apostles. During his lifetime, there were those who tried to say that Jesus was only a figment of people’s imaginations, that he had never really lived or existed. John was able to say without hesitation that he had seen Jesus with his own eyes. He had even touched Jesus and everything he had seen and heard of Jesus proved to him beyond a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God and the Word of Life (I John 1:1-4). Now, one of the major teachings of Jesus was that we love one another (John 13:34&35). In fact, John repeats over and over that our inability to love others is proof that we haven’t truly come to love Jesus (I John 2:9-11; 3:10-20,23; 4:7-21). When asked by the Pharisees what the greatest commandment was in the Law of Moses, Jesus replied without hesitation, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31). IF we truly love God, we will love those created in God’s image. And IF we love those created in God’s image as God loves those created in His image, we really don’t need any other laws. In fact, no other laws we create mean anything unless we do have love for God and love for God’s creation. Jesus summed up the law of love in this one command: “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14). December 27 - - The end of each year is usually a good time to take inventory in our lives and evaluate whether we are accomplishing for God all He has equipped us to do. We would be wise to do the same as congregations of believers in Jesus Christ, as well. In Revelation 2&3, Jesus has a message for seven different churches located in Asia. Interestingly enough, many modern day congregations can usually see themselves in one of these seven churches. Like the church at Ephesus (2:1-7), some churches do many right things, but they seem to have lost their momentum. They have forgotten why they exist and need to remember the mission and purpose given to them by Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Like the church at Smyrna (2:8-11), some churches are going through great persecution because they are doing what Christ has called them to do, very well. Jesus assures them to keep going for he will be with them and they will overcome. Like the church at Pergamum (2:12-17), some churches have remained loyal to Christ in spite of intense persecution and pressure, but they are tolerating teachings within their congregations that are leading many faithful from the truth. Jesus says they need to root out the false teachers if they expect to ultimately be victorious. Like the church at Thyatira (2:18-29), some churches do many things well, but they permit evil to exist within their congregations, that threatens to influence the entire congregation like leaven, if they don’t deal with it. Like the church at Sardis, (3:1-6), some churches have a lot of activities going on and many would think they are alive and active, but in reality, their activity masks their spiritual deadness. Jesus says those churches need to concentrate on their spiritual growth instead of their outward programs. Like the church at Philadelphia (3:7-13), some churches are doing exactly what Jesus has called them to do and consequently, he promises to continue opening doors to them for further witness to him. And like the church at Laodicea (3:14-22), some churches are doing nothing more than going through the motions of looking like a church. They aren’t on fire, but neither are they totally ineffective. Jesus is nauseated with lukewarmness and promises to bless those churches prayerfully asking for his blessings. Which congregation does your church look like?

Week 51 Devotions

December 17 - - The writer of Hebrews tells us that God chose to reveal Himself to the world “many times and in many ways” (1:1). God would speak through the Patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. He would also speak through angels. And each time God spoke, He would reveal a little more of His character. But, all of that was simply a prelude to His final revelation; His Son. The Hebrew writer tells us, “The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly” (1:3). The apostle Paul adds, “For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body” (2:9), and, “God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ” (1:19). The apostle John also adds, “the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father” (John 1:14). “No one has ever seen God. But His only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart; he has told us about Him” (John 1:18). In Jesus Christ, God wanted us to understand His self in terms we could relate to. “Because God’s children are human beings - - made of flesh and blood - - Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form” (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus showed us how God wants us to relate to people, how God wants us to view suffering and temptation, how God wants us work and play, when God wants us to be serious and when God wants us to enjoy humor. “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). But, another major point we sometimes miss is that the Hebrew writer brings to a close any new revelations. “In these final days, God has spoken to us through His Son” (Hebrews 1:2). God’s Holy Spirit gives us insight into the truths He has already revealed through His Son and in His Word. God’s Holy Spirit helps us apply the truths He has already revealed to our own lives. But, to think that God is still revealing new truths that apply to all of mankind means that any well-meaning person could say, “God told me........”, and who of us could question that? Since, “God is not a God of confusion” (I Corinthians 14:33), it was necessary that He be the One responsible for Divine revelations and not ourselves. It was necessary that God let us know any universal revelations from Him would cease in the person of Jesus Christ. December 20 - - There are many “Hall of Fame’s” that exist today. There’s one for Rock N’ Roll, Country Music, the International Drum Corps, Baseball, Basketball, Football, NASCAR, Wrestling, Volleyball, etc. You get the picture. Each of them recognizes individuals who have outstanding achievements in their respective fields. Christians are to “walk by faith, rather than by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7). What does that mean? It means our hope is based not on the rewards of this world, but on the rewards to come (Philippians 3:12-14, 20&21). It means our decisions are determined not by what we can humanly do on our own, but on what God enables us to do (Philippians 4:13). It means some-times moving forward on projects or goals that others ridicule and make fun of us for, because they don’t possess the same vision or power that we do in Christ. The Bible contains some great names of people who made it into the Bible’s, “Faith Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 12. These people are examples to us of courage, vision, persistence, trust, and loyalty. They are also an inspiration to Christians today who want to lead a life that also “pleases God” (Hebrews 11:6). Perhaps, the best tribute to all of them is this phrase, “they were too good for this world” (11:38), or as the NIV reads, “the world was not worthy of them.” And while there many named in this Faith Hall of Fame, the author acknowledges there are many others too numerous to name. That would have been true in all of the time prior to the writing of Hebrews, as well as the nearly 2,000 years since Hebrews was written. After naming these great people of faith in Hebrews 11, the author then challenges us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” (Hebrews 12:1&2a). We should not, cannot, and must not forsake the truth that has been passed down to us. It would be a sin to trample on the memories of those who have sacrificed greatly of their own lives that we might have this truth today. With the power and presence of our Lord, and the encouragement of all the people of faith who have preceded us, we must also “run with endurance the race that God has set before us”, whatever that race may bring our way. May people someday say of us, “the world was not worthy of them.”

Week 50 Devotions

December 10 - - Paul wrote the letter to his Christian brother, Philemon, while he was imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28:30&31). Philemon was living in Colosse so this letter was probably penned about the same time he wrote the Colossian letter and both were delivered at the same time. Paul was obviously a close friend of Philemon’s, having been instrumental in his conversion to Christ (vs.19). Apphia is probably the wife of Philemon and Archippus their son. Having been at the home of Philemon before, Paul might have known some of Philemon’s slaves. One of them, Onesimus, has escaped and fled to Rome. We don’t know the timing of Onesimus’ trip to Rome. Did he know that Paul was there and so he purposely went to meet with Paul in Rome? Or, was Onesimus already in Rome and he sought a meeting with Paul when he heard Paul was a prisoner in that city? Or, was Onesimus in Rome and he and Paul had a chance meeting? What we do know is this; when God begins His work of redemption and transformation in us at our invitation, He aims to finish what He’s begun no matter where we go and no matter what we do. “I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again” (Philippians 1:6). In this process of changing our character so that it resembles the character of Christ himself (Phil.3:12-14; I John 3:2; II Corinthians 3:18), God will use many people, many unusual circumstances, and the power of His Word to mold us and shape us as He wills. We have the promise that “all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God’s plan for our lives simply will not be deterred, no matter what turn our lives take, and regardless of whether we always make the right decisions or not. God had begun a good work in the life of a slave named, Onesimus, in the city of Colosse. We don’t know whether Onesimus was a Christian before he was purchased to be a slave in Philemon’s house or if Onesimus found Jesus while employed by his Christian master, Philemon. What we do know is that God aimed to complete His project in Onesimus, regardless of where this slave went or what he did. If God took such careful consideration to bless Onesimus and help him find the Lord, than God would also take care to make sure that Onesimus grew in his relationship with the Lord. “Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else (we need to live and grow)?” (Romans 8:32). The answers God gives to all His promises, confirm the answer to this questions is a resounding, ‘yes’! What is true of Onesimus, is also true of us. God has a plan for each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11-14). He has predetermined that when we begin searching for spiritual answers to our lives, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29; Matthew 7:7&8; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 8:29). And when we find the Lord and commit our lives to Him, He begins a transformation in us that will ultimately be completed when we leave this life for the one beyond. December 13 - - The largest war began somewhere in the heart of one person. “What is causing quarrels and fights among you?” James asks (4:1). It’s wanting something we don’t have. It’s when we are jealous of someone and desire something that doesn’t belong to us. And in our selfishness, we determine to get what we want, whatever the cost to anyone else. That’s how wars begin. And then we convince others to help us in our quest. We need to realize that if there is something we legitimately need, then we should begin by asking the God who is able to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19). He is the God who freely gives to His children because that’s just the way He is (1:17; Matthew 7:7-11). Part of our problem is that we’ve never truly gone to our Father in faith and asked, believing that He could and would grant our requests (James 4:2). And part of our problem is that our motive in what we are asking for is purely selfish and wrong. A good parent is not going to supply everything his/her child asks for because the parent is wise enough to know that some things a child asks for would be a disaster for them to receive. That is where trust comes in. We have to believe that the God who created the entire Universe, the God who knows our every need because He knows everything about us, is the same God who will supply everything we truly need and withhold those things He knows we don’t need. Prayer is powerful because it accesses the very riches and powers of heaven. Prayer touches the divine power which is able to heal people physically (James 5:13-15). Prayer can change the outward conditions around us (5:16-18) and prayer can change the inward conditions of the heart that result in people finding their way to God. So, consider carefully what you ask for. Some things aren’t nearly as important bringing before our Father as we think, and other things should be brought before the Father that we think are too trivial to bother Him with.