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.

Just Try It!

I want to share this article by R.T. Kendall in his book, entitled, Tithing: "Becoming a tither provides a definite breakthrough for every Christian. It unlocks the door of his mind, heart, and will. It releases. It emancipates. It frees. Becoming a tither is a milestone in a Christian's life.... There is a release from within that is very liberating and pleasant....This release is not only a feeling of peace and rest but a grace to do things with more vigor than ever before - - whether it be effectiveness on the job or understanding the Bible. In other words, tithing does something for you spiritually.....It does something for you that cannot be explained in terms of material return. It sets you on a course to become more than you have been - - more what God wants you to be, more of what you are naturally capable of being. Tithing is so essential to your development as a Christian that nothing will be it's adequate substitute. Why is this? Because tithing is as much a part of Christian gratitude and obedience as any commandment God ever gave. We are so made that until God has all of us, we are unhappy with ourselves. Augustine put it like this: 'Thou hast made us for Thyself; our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.' We are made to respond graciously to God. This response, if it does not affect our checkbooks, is very minute indeed. Until we consistently, regularly, and faithfully tithe there is something defective about our Christian life that will not be remedied by any other form of Christian obedience. But, when that area of obedience is dealt with, the reward is wonderful indeed. Reward is possibly not the right word. It seems at first that the blessing should be called reward. But the time is likely to come that one sees the reward as tithing itself - - not the blessing that emerges from doing it, but merely doing it! At first we are like babies, or children, who need reinforcement and encouragement. But there is a stage in which a Christian doesn't even look at it that way. He thanks God for the privilege of tithing. Tithing, then, becomes it's own reward." SO, have you tried it?

What Separation?

If we say something often enough, even if it has absolutely no basis in fact, people who want to believe it, will believe it. In our nation's 236 year history, the United States Supreme Court has never found either the wording or the concept of the "separation of church and state" in our U.S. Constitution. A research of the context in which Thomas Jefferson used the phrase, "separation of church and state" in a letter he wrote, proves my point. Many Presidential proclamations, as well as quotations from U.S. Supreme Court justices further prove that our nation's leaders have either been ignorant of such a clause or it has never really existed. In truth, many Bible verses were used in writing the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and most of the State Constitutions. The very concept for our judicial, executive, and legislative branches of government came directly from Isaiah 33:22. The so-called "law" revoking the tax exempt status of non-profits violating this mythical clause did not exist until the 1950's. "Google" Lyndon Johnson and find out why. While some threaten evangelical and conservative Christian churches with losing their tax exempt status if they engage in campaign activities, no church has actually ever lost their tax exempt status. Why do these same people not complain or threaten to revoke the tax exempt status of churches where the Revs. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Jeremiah Wright, and others, use their pulpits to criticize government leaders, or tell people how to vote? Michelle Obama, recently addressed a church convention of 10,000 African Methodist Episcopal Church members with these words: "If anyone says the church is no place to talk about these issues, tell them there's no place better. Ultimately, these are not just political issues, but moral issues. They're issues that have to do with human dignity and human potential, and the future we want for our kids and grandkids!" After reading the entire speech, one can easily conclude that it was an obviously political speech delivered at a church convention. Did anyone tell the President's wife she shouldn't have brought politics into their convention? I actually support Mrs. Obama's Constitutional right to deliver a political message at a church convention. But, I also expect the same Constitutional right for every American, regardless of which part of the political spectrum they belong to.

Change You Can Believe In!

In the 2008 Presidential Campaign, candidate, Barack Obama, promised voters that he would deliver a, "Change You Can Believe In!" He has certainly delivered change in our country, but many debate whether it's the kind of change we want, need, or should believe in.
During the time of the Judges in Israel's history, the Jewish people would fall away from God, repent, and then ask God for a leader to deliver them. In time, God would grant their request, they would be set free and temporarily change, but later they would fall away from God again and set the whole cycle back in motion. This happened many times. They eventually came to the prophet, Samuel, and asked God to give them a king, so they could be like all the other nations around them. In spite of God's warnings otherwise, they continued in their request until God gave them what they asked for in a man named, Saul. Though he was physically built for the task ("he stood head and shoulders above anyone else"; I Sam.9:2; 10:23), Samuel was a rather insecure, shy, and unassuming individual (I Sam.9:21; ; 10:16,22). But, Samuel assured Saul with this promise from the Lord, "the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you with power, and .......you will be changed into a different person" (I Sam. 10:6,9). Later, when the Ammonites threatened the Israelite city of Jabesh-gilead and and promised to spare the people of that city, only if they all agreed to have one of their eyes gouged out (I Sam.11:1&2), the people sent messengers throughout Israel to find someone who would help them. It was Saul who became righteously angry, summoned God's people to battle, and led the army of Israel in victory over the Ammonites. And while Saul started out in his reign by following and obeying the Lord, he later became stubborn and disobedient to the Lord and fell out of God's grace.
God promises you and I in the New Testament, "if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come" (II Cor.5:17). Only God can bring about a change in our individual lives, our marriages, our families, our churches, our communities, and our nation that we can TRULY believe in. "Now if you will fear and worship the Lord and listen to His voice, and if you do not rebel against the Lord's commands, and if you and your king follow the Lord your God, then all will be well. But if you rebel against the Lord's commands and refuse to listen to Him, then His hand will be heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors" (I Sam. 12:14-16). There will be many who promise change for others, or promise to change themselves. But, only God can bring about REAL change that is from the heart, and REAL change that will last. Choose this day and every day to, "fear and worship the Lord and listen to His voice.....follow the Lord your God, then (and ONLY then) all will be well."

First Amendment Rights

While attacks upon Christianity from the liberal left have occurred for some time now, the Obama Administration's assault on religious liberty in America now seems to be on steroids. The latest example is an announcement from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, on January 20th. Sebelius dictated that ALL private insurance plans must pay 100% of the cost of all FDA-approved birth control (including abortion-causing devices and drugs like the IUD, and 'morning-after' pills), along with surgical sterilization. This also applies to any health insurance provided by religious based employers like hospitals, colleges or universities, and other service organizations that help millions of people each year. While a clarification later exempted churches from this "law", are we so foolish to think that exemption will last? Since it is now illegal under Obamacare not to buy health insurance, and since insurers are forbidden from charging the users of these specific services a co-pay, EVERYONE who has health insurance will collectively bear the cost for practices that violate our religious beliefs. This is about so much more than government's claim of insuring that all women have free access to health care. And, it's about so much more than just a Catholic issue over contraception. This is an issue of the government violating the First Amendment of our United States Constitution and telling religious people they cannot practice their beliefs. IF the Obama Administration is allowed to force all employer's to not only pay for contraceptives, but abortion services through their health care plans, what else will the Obama Administration tell churches, religious organizations, and Christians they can/cannot do? Peggy Noonan from the Washington Post writes, "there was nothing for the President to gain (with this edict), except, perhaps, the pleasure of making a great church bow to him." And while the Administration has publicly said it is willing to work out the details of a compromise over the next year, this Administration's history demonstrates it's not going to budge in the next year. Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York said: "In effect, the President is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences." In other words, the President is saying, "get over it!" Even if the Administration changes it's mind on this issue, they've already revealed their true intentions.
So, there is no confusion, the opening words to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech…." To those who say the church has no business meddling in politics, it is clear from the writings of the authors (check out The Federalist Papers), of the Constitution, they were more concerned about keeping the government out of religion than they were keeping religion out of government.
In a letter dated January 26th, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio stated, "We cannot - - we will not - - comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second-class citizens. Unless this rule is overturned," he writes, "we Catholics will be compelled to choose between violating our consciences or dropping health coverage for our employees (and then suffering the penalties for doing so)."
There reaches a point when free people must draw a line in the sand and say, "Enough is Enough!" Count me on the side of the Catholic Church and others who believe the Administration has once again ignored, stomped on, and marginalized our United States Constitution!

Get Reading!

In the early part of 2000, I committed myself to reading through the entire Bible in one year, every year, for the rest of my life. I had read through it twice prior to that, but I wanted to be more consistent. So, if you are keeping track, this will be the twelfth consecutive year that I've read through the Bible. It takes approximately ten minutes every day to do so. I can't usually tell you what I read yesterday, or sometimes what I read earlier today. Likewise, I'll bet you can't tell me what you ate yesterday, or maybe even what you ate earlier today. But, all of us would agree that whether we remember what we ate yesterday, last week, or last year, our bodies must have received nourishment from our consumption of food or we wouldn't still be here.
Similarly, even though we can't remember word for word what we read from the Bible last week, last month, or last year; the fact is, our soul was nourished by what our mind took in and our character grows as a result of doing so. My attitude and my view of people, my relationship with God and my relationships with others, have all grown IMMENSELY during the past twelve years. We are what we think. And what we think is determined by the information we feed our mind. We can either take in the garbage and lies we are so often fed through the secular world's music, television, news, etc., OR we can take in the eternal truths we receive from God's Word. But, our worldview WILL be shaped by what we continually program into our mind (Philippians 4:8&9; Colossians 3:1-3). Our primary source of spiritual sustenance should not be from a Bible class or even a small group that we attend with others our age. It should come from our quiet time we each spend with God in His Word.
Lamar Vest is president and CEO of the American Bible Society. He says, "We buy the Bible in increasing volume, we revere the Bible, we give the Bible as gifts, but we Americans do everything with the Bible except read it. And we find that only about 20% of Americans are actually engaged with scripture on a regular basis." Gleaning spiritual truth from another, including a preacher, is not intended to be the only time we receive spiritual nourishment. It should, instead, challenge us to read and study the Bible for ourselves.
If you are not already doing so, might I challenge you to begin reading through the Bible for the rest of your life, beginning in 2012? For those who are older, it is never too late to begin. But, the younger a person begins that habit, the more they will understand God's plan for their lives and truly live His eternal principles on a daily basis.
We have hardbound copies of the Chronological Bible in the New Living Translation at the church for $20. Buy one for yourself. Buy one for someone else as a Christmas gift. Reading God's Word for yourself is one of the best gifts you can give another person. "For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innner thoughts and desires." (Hebrews 4:12)

Patience

The theme for so many of us might well be, "I want what I want, and I want it right now!" I remember how impatient I was as a kid, waiting for a cupcake to bake in my sister's Easy Bake Oven. Even today, I find myself wondering why God doesn't see life the way I do and give me what I want and when I want it.
When Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, was sick and needed Jesus' attention immediately, Jesus delayed going to see his friend (John 11:1-7). In the meantime, Lazarus died. His sisters couldn't understand why Jesus didn't come sooner. They firmly believed Jesus could have prevented Lazarus from dying. But, Jesus had something grander in mind. He would raise Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the grave four days. God's timing, especially His delays, may leave us thinking He doesn't care for us, but in reality, His delays are always for a very good reason.
When Jesus visited in his hometown synagogue, he dared to suggest that God loves Gentiles as much as He loves Jews (Luke 4:25-30). And even though they wanted to kill Jesus for making such a suggestion, the Bible says he pushed through the crowd and went on his way in spite of their efforts to kill him. We see the same thing happening on other occasions (John 7:30; 8:20, 58&59; 10:39). God has a plan for everything that happens in our lives. It wasn't time for Jesus to die so God didn't allow Him to die. Faith is trusting God, even when things don't go our way. Faith is believing that God always knows what He is doing and God will use our situation, whatever it is and however bad it may be, to bring about good in our lives and glory to Him (Romans 8:28). You see, God's timing is ALWAYS the right time (Galatians 4:4). "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Trust Him in all things and at all times. God knows what He is doing and we often don't see His wisdom until much later (Isaiah 55:8&9).