# 2 2021 Dev. Psalm 103:8. Compassion! Read all of Psalm 103. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 103:8 “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Ps. 101 starts a new series of 10 Psalms This series is like a Psalm within the Psalms. The series is complementary from front to back: Ps. 101 corresponds with 110 and 102 with 109 and so on. Psalm 103 is a hymn by David about God’s love and compassion toward His people. This is a Psalm familiar to many of us as the closing to a communion service. The Ps. is divided into three sections, v. 6 and v.19 transition to the next section.

Vs. 1-5 praises the Lord for “all his benefits… forgives all your sins… heals all your diseases… redeems your life… love and compassion… good things… youth is renewed.” This is a message for all time but particularly needed at this time. This is a message meant for all people everywhere but applies for those who praise the Lord. Praising God seems less and less today as people forget the source of our freedom, our health, and our well being. Pray for a revival!

V. 6 is the transition to section two: “the Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” Vs.7-18 describes God’s righteousness, justice and God’s love. These verses are a great source of comfort at that time and in our time today. We all have fallen short of the will and precepts of God but when we seek His face, God is “compassionate, abounding in love, he will not always accuse.” Vs. 11-12 shows us God’s great compassion: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” This is a great source of comfort for us and the example as well.

Vs.13-18 moves us into a more personal concept of God’s love; “as a father has compassion on his children”. But there is a condition, “compassion on those who fear him.” The Lord is our creator, He knows our failures, our weakness and the shortness of our lives. Vs.17-18 is an issue that should concern us and comfort us at the same time: “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” 

The transition, v. 19, is the call to praise God: “The Lord has established his throne in heaven and his Kingdom rules over all.”  Praise the Lord in heaven, praise him “you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord all his works.” And last but not least: “Praise the Lord, my soul.” This is what it comes down to: are you praising God for all of his gifts to us, even at this time? In this New Year, me and my house will praise the Lord!

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# 1 2021 Dev. 1Peter 5:7. Comfort! Read all of Ch. 5. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

1Pe. 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

In Ch. 5 Peter encourages church leaders and church members. Peter is speaking out of experience, as a witness to the suffering of Christ and he suffered as well. Apparently the followers of Jesus were going through a time of suffering and it is clear that Satan was working hard to bring down God’s Kingdom exemplified by the church. Today we see his activity all around us.

Peter encourages leaders to watch over God’s people; not out of obligation but a labor of love. Be honest, be a good example, not lording over your charges, you are shepherds along side the “Chief Shepherd”, Jesus Christ, who rewards the faithful.

Peter also encourages the followers of Jesus; be respectful to the elders, be submissive and everyone be humble “toward one another…” that God “may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” This is also encouragement for us today; no matter what may be going on, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are right there besides us and dwell in us, we do not need to be afraid. Today, we should apply Peter’s encouragement toward the church, to our families as well, to singles, to fathers, mothers and children.

But we are warned as well, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Recognize the enemy, “resist him standing firm in the faith” your faith, it is a gift to be cultivated by the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. The universal suffering that Peter was talking about was perpetrated by Nero who burned down much of Rome in AD 64 and made followers of Jesus the scapegoats. After this warning and before his final greeting Peter gave them and gives us this benediction:

 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” This blessing is very much in need today!

Peter ends this letter with greetings from Rome and encouraging you (and us) testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it! Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” Amen and amen, have a blessed New Year.

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# 52 2020 Dev. Psalm 102:17. Love! Read all of Psalm 102. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 102:17 “He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
    he will not despise their plea.”

Ps. 101 starts a new series of 10 Psalms This series is like a Psalm within the Psalms. The series is complementary from front to back: Ps. 101 corresponds with 110 and 102 with 109 and so on. Psalm 102 is a prayer as well as a lament seeking God’s favor. It appears to be a personal request for healing, he is “reduced to skin and bone,” he experiences what he feels is God’s rejection, he is alone. Today, this prayer could be prayed in almost any country of the world.

Vs. i-2, the Psalmist’s appeal, “when I call answer me quickly.” Vs. 3-11, he describes his condition, “My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I wither away like grass.”

Vs.12-17 In these verses he pivots to his faith and addresses God directly: “enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations”. You “have compassion, the appointed time has come.” The land is dear to God’s people as the God’s Kingdom is dear to the followers of Jesus. The Lord will rebuild Zion” as God will rebuild our lives. God “will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
he will not despise their plea.” After much darkness we start to see light, God responds because of His compassion and loving kindness, God is always near His people, especially when we feel abandoned, he will not reject those who call upon His name. God is with us during this difficult time. Praise Him!

Vs.18-22, the Psalmist raises the issue of responsibility of teaching the next generation, “that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” They are to know that God ‘looked down’ and heard the ‘groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.’ That is what we celebrate at this time of the year, God’s Love, He sets us free from the chains of sin, and gives His life so that we may have eternal life. Praise the Lord!

Vs. 23-28, The Psalmist goes back to his personal prayer, he requests a long life. He praises God for His eternal reign and for His creation but points out the that human life is tentative and fleeting. Yet, God’s salvation is the bottom line in his prayer: “The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.” From darkness to light is the result of God’s love. Today we celebrate Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Today all we need to to do is to respond to His Love. Have a blessed Christmas!

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Gremar delivered this couple’s first born giving them great joy! _{Image subject to copyright.}

# 51 2020 Dev. 1Peter 4:13, Joy!  Read verses 12-19. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

1Pe. 4: 13 “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

We are in the Advent Season, we look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth and we anticipate Jesus coming again. Peter here brings up a difficult issue, “suffering for Being a Christian”, not a subject we want to hear about at this time of the year. Even so, it is not just in Peter’s time, suffering is with many people today, people in this country, and people in countries around the world. Is Christian suffering going on right now? I say yes, when you consider that the many restrictions on society are perpetrated by some godless leaders and religion is singled out. There are places in this country where there is no restriction, go figure.

Because Jesus suffered for speaking the truth, suffering will always be with the followers of Jesus. Peter says: “do not be surprised…” what “has come on you to test you…” Evil is perpetrated by the evil one who is out to destroy the Kingdom of God but at the same time a testing for Christians allowed by God. At this time of the year we are drawn into a world of soft cuddly babies, gifts, celebration and family gatherings but meaningless if separated from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Peter gives us some advice when we are suffering; “rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” Peter here is anticipating Jesus’ second coming. If you suffer “you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” Peter sees the suffering God’s people are going though in his time as the Judgment of the last days.  That thought has been on our minds as well.

But the bottom line is that the Spirit of God and of Jesus dwells with us and in us. As a result, we are to rejoice and praise God this Christmas season, celebrating, giving gifts, thanking God for His gift of salvation. We are to rejoice at such a time as this, a time for Hope, Peace and Joy!

Paul agrees with Peter, his final exhortations: Php. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE!” Amen!

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# 50 2020 Dev. Psalm 101:6. Peace! Read all of Psalm 101. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 101:6 “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
    that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless
    will minister to me.”

Ps. 101 starts a new series of 10 Psalms This series is like a Psalm within the Psalms. The series is complementary from front to back: Ps. 101 with 110 and 102 with 109 and so on. Psalm 101, the King is speaking the words of God.

Vs. 1-3a. The king’s world and life view: “I will be careful to lead a blameless life… I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.”

Vs. 3b-4. The king is still speaking in the first person: “I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part of it. I will have nothing to do with what is evil.” The king makes a personal decision. In todays everyday life and political life, we would do well to pay close attention. The king’s words and actions bestow peace upon the the people of the land.

Vs 5-6 are the center of the Psalm, they are opposed to each other and stand alone. V. 5 the slanderer and the “haughty” will not be tolerated. V.6 but he approves the “faithful” and the “blameless will minister to me.” What is evil tears down, what is good builds up.

Vs. 7-8 The king will not tolerate “deceit” or “falsehood” or “wicked” people or “evildoers”. The king is speaking as one ordained by God to suppress evil and do good; that is the role of those who God has placed over the land. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Ro 13:1-5). If we are to have peace in the land leaders must do what the Psalmist is telling us. However, it is not enough to desire peace in the land, we also must have peace in our hearts, without fixing our hearts we will not find peace. That was the meaning of the first Christmas and still is the true meaning today: that people turn their hearts back to God, that we turn our hearts back to each other. Christmas is a time for hope and peace, Christ came to set us free from the evil the Psalmist opposes. Please pray for our country and for a change in our hearts. We thank God for His salvation!

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This is one of the Babies my wife delivered at the school in Niger State, Nigeria. ^{Image subject to copyright}

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# 49 2020 Dev. 1Peter 4:7. Hope!  Read verses 1-11. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

1Pe. 4:7 “The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

We are in the Advent Season, we look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth and we anticipate Jesus coming again. Peter connects chapter 4 with chapter 3 as he has consistently done throughout his book.  He connects Christ’s suffering to our suffering: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (Chapter3). “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin” (Chapter 4).

This is a hard concept, not much understood but think about it. When people are suffering by illness or persecution you move to look outside of yourself, for followers of Jesus they look to Him.  When we are forced to look outside ourselves and we are out of our comfort zone, reality sets in and the fragility of life comes into focus, changing our life styles.  Let’s be clear, all illness, persecution, corruption, exploitation and all that makes humans miserable by the actions of others comes from Satan as God allows it.  As followers of Jesus we know that one function of the Holy Spirit is to suppress evil in the world.  The bottom line is that God is in control!

The next section, vs. 7-11 gives us the direction and comfort we need in a broken world, be of “sober mind so that you may pray” our first line of defense. “Above all love each other deeply.”  Love overcomes! “Use whatever gifts you have received to serve others.” Live God’s grace, everyone has gifts. Speak with “the very words of God.” In other words, know your Bible in your heart and live God’s Word. Serve “with the strength God provides…” serve not in your own strength but in the power of the Holy Spirit. This section is titled “living for God”.

 What does that mean for you? We worship, we hear His Word, we are encouraged, we give funds to organizations helping the poor and to missions and we support our churches and Christian education. Is that the full measure of living for God? The church is more than that, we are to impact our families and our neighbors, people living next door, we are to impact our neighborhoods, we are to impact the powers that be, those who God has set over us. The purpose of the church is worship daily, thereby changing the world and the abuses of the people of the world. You are asking yourself, why do all that?  Well, that is why God established Christ’s church and Peter adds: “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

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^{This picture was taken in Niger State, Nigeria during the dry season at a time of harmattan (fine dust, hanging like fog, blown off the Sahara Desert carried for hundreds of miles).} _{Image subject to copyright}

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# 48 2020 Dev. Psalm 100:5. Thankful Praise! Read all of Psalm 100. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
                        his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalms 90 through 100 are a series of eleven Psalms that open and close with “Lord” (Adonai) or “the Lord” (Yahweh). Psalm100 is the classic praise song that many followers of Jesus memorized and taught to our children. It does, of course, fits perfectly into this Thanksgiving Season and ends this series of Psalms. We look back to Ps. 90 that introduces this series: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Teach us to acknowledge you and “to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom”. “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days”. Ps.100 is the culmination of the call to worship concluding this series.

The Psalm calls “all the earth” to praise and worship with “joyful songs”. Every human plus all the rest of creation foreshadowing the coming reality of God’s praise by all things in heaven, on the earth and all things under the earth. Whether we realize it or not, all of life is worship or it is rebellion to God.

Still in the context of “all the earth, know that the Lord is God.” He is our Creator and the Creator of all things, we, us, all people belong to Him, along with all of the universe. To know God moves way past acknowledging God. The Psalmist here is speaking of an intimate spiritual relationship. A relationship that flows both ways as indicated by the pastoral language, a shepherd’s loving care: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).

The Psalmist enters into God’s presence with thanksgiving, with praise. His gates and His courts is a reference to the temple where there was worship every day. Today we understand that all of creation is God’s sanctuary, we worship in our man made sanctuaries but the sweep of this psalm covers all of life and every day of our lives. Again, we have set aside a day for thanksgiving, thanking God for His many blessings and giving thanks for family and friends. What have we learned over this year? I hope we have learned that we are not in control of our health, our lives, our jobs or our happiness but we know the God who is in control.

The last verse is our hope in these difficult times: “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” We thank God every day!

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This picture was taken in the Sahel, Niger State, Nigeria, in the dry season at 117 degrees fahrenheit. ^{Image subject to copyright}

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# 47 2020 Dev. 1Peter 3:10-12. Good and Evil! Read verses 8-22. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

1Pe. 3:10 “For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.’

Vs. 8,9 are precepts that apply to last week, living together and suffering for doing good. Vs. 10-12, Peter here quotes Ps. 34 to help those who suffer for doing good. God supports those doing good and opposes those doing evil. In v.13 Peter asks a rhetorical question: “who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” In other words, it is unconscionable to be opposed when one is doing good but it has been my experience as a missionary, the more good one does the more one is opposed by evil and by evil people. I would have never believed it but that is now a major movement in our own country and it is supported by every evil person, by some churches and by many people claiming to be Christian. Thankfully, Peter comforts us: “but even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” Praise God!

In vs.15-17 Peter doubles down on how to deal with unjust persecution: “revere Christ as Lord, always be prepared…to give the reason for the hope that you have.” The reason for hope, what is the reason other than politics? Today, are we able to express the hope Peter is talking about?  Surprise, the hope of real followers of Jesus is not politics!

Vs.18-22 Peter gives Jesus as the perfect example of suffering for doing good. From the beginning Satan tried to keep salvation from being offered to all people of the world. By faith salvation is available by the promises of God. Peter tells us that Jesus is chosen to die for sin “to bring you to God” reaching back to the beginning and reaching forward to the end of time. Jesus tells us that the unjust suffering He experienced will include all who have the hope of salvation in Him. Throughout history persecution of the followers of Jesus has been and continues to be experienced by two hundred million people.  There is no natural place to stand in this life, people either follow Jesus or are in bed with the world. Make your choice now!

Peter gives us the example of Noah saved by water that “symbolizes baptism” validating our salvation “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”, now glorified in heaven and is our advocate. That is our hope, we are saved by faith in Jesus beginning the day we believe, and faith motivates followers of Jesus to do good. Evil and evil people will continue to appose what is good, I see it all around me every day. You must decide for yourself, including politics, what is good and what is evil. In that light we listen to God’s Word: Ps. 34:12-16 “For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.’ We thank God for the hope of the followers of Jesus, in that hope, we live and promote peace!  

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Isaiah and Family, We visited with him in 2010, Isaiah grew up along side of our son Steve at Sabon Gida Akwangwe, Nigeria, where his Father Nahum served as pastor. Isaiah is the Pastor at Tatin Ndoro, on the Baissa road. We thank God.

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# 46 2020 Dev. Psalm 99:2. Be an Example! Read all of Psalm 99. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 99:2 “The King is mighty, he loves justice—you have established equity; In Jacob you have done what is just and right.”

Psalms 90 through 100 are a series of 11 Psalms that open and close with “Lord” (Adonai) or “the Lord” (Yahweh). Psalm 99 is a song about God’s justice and is the example for leaders of the people. “Moses and Aaron… Samuel… they called on the Lord and he answered them.” The song is divided into four stanzas; First, “The Lord reigns; second, justice; third, the witness of Scripture; fourth, the Lord exalted.

Vs.1-3 introduces God’s universal reign, His power, His judgment, His holiness and His impact on the world. These verses beg the question: does God impact the world? If so, how? How many people ask that important question? When you really think about that, what is your answer?

Vs. 4,5 expands on God’s power and justice: He “established equity…done what is just and right.” Is there anything as important as justice and law and order in our country today? Do you really believe all the riots and killings are over?

Vs. 6,7 answers some of our questions and introduces reality into our national and personal lives: here we have the example of leaders, who “called on the Lord and he answered them.” Leaders not only called on God but “they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.” That is the answer and the reality of God’s presence in the world: it is through national leaders, it is through churches, church leaders, but God’s greatest impact is through every day people who call on His name, those who are His witness in their daily lives. For those who do not acknowledge God and do not call on His name will have the government they deserve.

Vs. 8,9 culminates what the Psalmist introduced in the first three verses. God is addressed in the first person: “you answered them” assuming all, and I do mean all who call on you. You are “a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.” The footnote on v. 8; Or God / an avenger of the wrongs done to them. Forgiveness and punishment is what makes God just. It always was the hallmark of the national justice system: they work together: not in this way, no forgiveness no peace, no punishment no peace, rather no forgiveness no justice, no punishment no justice, no justice no freedom. That is why calling on God and “in God we trust” is the only way to preserve our freedom. What the Psalmist is telling us in our time: God reigns! Call on His name! Accept his forgiveness and punishment! Apply all this to our own lives and be free! Keep on praying!    

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