Heavenhigh

Don’t Work for Nothing

#35 Aug 31, 2015

2015 Devotional. Our goal for these weekly devotionals is to grow in humility and to grow spiritually by memorizing selected passages, putting them into context, and by applying them to our daily living. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All passages are from the NIV.

Psalm 127:1

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.

Ps. 127 is one of the Psalms of “Ascents” (Ps 120 -134). These are poetic songs sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for the three required festivals; Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacle during the time Israel was a Theocracy (Exodus 23:14–17). In the Near East poetry is used to express what is important in life and culture. As all Scripture these passages are important for the Church today and for the followers of Jesus because these passages speak to the reality of life and to the problems we face in our culture. (see Calvin Institute of Christian Worship)

The verse we are memorizing is part of a Psalm of Ascent. Psalm 127 includes much of our daily lives: the places where we live, our cities, our comings and goings, and half the Psalms speak to family. The Psalm flies in the face of Planed Parenthood, legal abortions, disregard for life, and hold up children as one of the major blessings of God. The Psalm starts with our personal environment, our homes. It moves on to our extended environment, our towns, cities, and our state, country, and world. It moves on to personal actions, eating and sleeping. The Psalm ends with the most personal of all our actions, intimacy, conceiving, bearing, and raising children. The overriding theme is that God is in control and we trust Him by following Jesus. Make God part of your life!

That is what verse 1 is talking about “unless the Lord builds the house the builder builds in vain”. When we retired we started an addition in 2010 that would take about a year. We did not know God was going to call us to do a very specific ministry overseas. Satan placed obstacles in our path, raising funds, illness, and militant Islam but the addition to our home was not one of them. We just received our Certificate of Occupancy, Aug. 2015. Praise the Lord! God builds our house by keeping our priorities of serving Him first! God also protects us in our cities and country. We are no longer a Christian country, yet God protects us. Make no mistake; God is in control of every situation either by His allowing or by direct intervention. Let us pray and ask Him to build our lives and protect our nation.

Spiritual Eyes

#34 Aug 24, 2015

John 12: 46

⁴⁶I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

This verse is found in the section of this chapter labeled as, “Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews”. All four Gospels are about the work of Jesus during His life on earth. However, the Synoptic Gospels are very similar one to the other, about 75% of each Gospel is contained in the other two. Matthew, Mark and Luke were written between 50 AD and 60 AD while eyewitness were still available. John’s Gospel was written later, somewhere in the 90’s AD. John is an eyewitness to all of the time Jesus was on earth and he is an eyewitness to the major changes in the world, the fall of Jerusalem being a major event for Christians at the time. While the Synoptic tells the same story to different audiences, John is speaking to a persecuted church. Therefore, 90% of John’s gospel is not found in the other three Gospels.

In the area of unbelief John quotes Isaiah 53: 1 and 6: 10 to explain why some leaders believed and some did not. Believing in Jesus is a choice; we choose to believe and ask for the faith to do so. Those who choose not to believe do not ask for faith. But John’s quote of the Isaiah passages makes belief much deeper than our choosing. The leaders of the Jews and the teachers of the law had Isaiah’s writings at hand and had much of it memorized, they had no excuse: They closed their eyes and minds, unbelievers and some believers as well “for they loved human praise more than praise from God“. We turn to Ephesians 1: 3-14 for the deeper understanding of choosing to follow Jesus. Belief is a “Spiritual Blessing in Christ”: “for He chose us in Him before the creation of the world”(v. 4). “In Him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works everything in conformity with the purpose of His will…” (v. 11-12). We must choose to respond to the Love of Christ!

Going back to the verse we are memorizing: Jesus is “the LIGHT of the world”, we see by His light with spiritual eyes and He is here for us always keeping us on the right path in a dark world.

All Things Good!

#33 Aug 17, 2015

Philippians 4:8

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

In this last chapter of Philippians Paul addresses a lack of unity between two co-workers (See Dev. 30). The verse we are memorizing is part of Paul’s “Final Exhortations”(v.4-9) to “dear friends” and co-workers, whose names are in the book of life”. Paul’s final advice is for followers of Jesus and has a duel focus.

Verses 4-7 advises us to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus; He is close to us, we rejoice in His presence, we trust His direction, and we pray continually, He gives us peace, and He “guards your (our) hearts and your (our) minds”

Paul’s second piece of advice, verses 8-9, highlights our own responsibility in cultivating our relationship with Jesus Christ. The peace of Jesus is not given wholesale but with our own good choices: truth in our lives, honorable actions, choose what is right and pure, “whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”. We must concentrate on making good choices and we do so by following Paul’s and other followers of Jesus examples. God’s Word and our Praxis!

The above choices are not found in today’s culture, day in and day out we are bombarded by secular, selfish and often decadent examples. Staying close to Jesus, and cultivating a close relationship is the way to find and have peace in this chaotic world.

Sheep and Goats

Aug 10, 2015

Matthew 25:40

⁴⁰“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25 is about Jesus teaching in parables. Jesus teaches in parables so that only those having the Spirit of God will be able to understand and access the Kingdom of God (Mt. 13:10-17). The passage we are memorizing is in the context of the parable of the sheep and the goats (Mt. 25: 31-46). Jesus puts himself in the parable and he is teaching about the judgment; it is about the separation of believers and unbelievers at the end of the time.

The parable is unnerving giving the impression that a person is saved or lost by a person’s works. However believers are only saved by Jesus’ love and the work He does for us, and we are not condemned by our works but our work is judged. Unbelievers however are condemned by their work, apart from Jesus no work is acceptable to God no matter how good that work may be for mankind.

Believers do their work in the name of Jesus Christ out of gratitude to Him, that work follows them to heaven, lasts forever, and become building blocks in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Take note that believers and unbelievers give Jesus the same answer when told by Jesus what they did and what they did not do for Him. Lord, when did we see you hungry, homeless, jailed, and needing clothes? The difference is the power of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life: Believers see Jesus in the needs of people because “they are the body of Christ” and Jesus came to save people physically and spiritually (Lk. 4: 18 and Isa. 61:1). Without the Spirit of God we cannot see! The Spirit of God is his gift to all who respond to His love (Jn. 3:16-21), the promise we must accept and believe.

Set Yourself Free!

#31. Aug 03, 2015

Luke 6:37

³⁷“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

This passage we are memorizing is set in the context of Jesus choosing and teaching his disciples when they went up on a mountain to pray. After that Jesus teaches a large group of diverse people gathered there on a level place (Lk. 6:20-49). We know it as “The Sermon on the Mount” (Mt. 5,6,7). Luke’s rendering is not as comprehensive as in Matthew who fills three chapters but the gospel of Mark does not cover it at all. The corresponding passages to Lk. 6:37 we find in Mt. 7:1-5, Matthew adds the parable of: “the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye”. Luke adds two more parables: “give and it will be given to you” and “Can the blind led the blind”. Luke puts the emphasis on Jesus as the perfect human and the way of salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike. Luke also emphasizes the family and the poor. Matthew puts the emphasis on Jesus as the King of the Kingdom.

Verse 37 is Jesus’ Word and He tells us not to judge, do not pronounce judgment. This is a legal term, meaning censure, giving us the modern term “acting as judge and jury”. We must discern what is right or wrong but judging is not a believer’s right, judging belongs to God. We must not condemn or pronounce guilty or you may be guilty and condemned, only God truly condemns. Instead forgive, especially if forgiveness is not asked for, and be set free. Unforgiveness destroys a person in three ways, it is like a prison that separates you from life in the community, separates you from your spiritual life with Christ, and slowly eats away your quality of life. Life is too short to let yourself be hampered by what other people do! Forgive and be free!

Rejoice Always

#30. July 27, 2015

Philippians 4:4

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Chapter 4 is the final chapter of Philippians. and begins with “Therefore” pointing back to ch. 3. Paul is dealing with disunity among his sisters in Christ. He addresses them by name, and urges them to look to his and other followers of Christ’s example. This passage addresses disunity among us as well. Paul instructs us to “have no confidence in the flesh” nor in our own accomplishment (Php. 3: 1-11) but “take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (of us). Christ by the power of the Spirit takes hold of us in order to bring us back to God, to belong to Jesus and, to be like Him (Php. 3:17-21).

Apart from Christ our “mind is set on earthly things”. Paul tells us: “but our citizenship is in heaven”. To be like Christ and to exemplify Him we are called to be “of the same mind in Christ.” This sends us back to Chapter 2: 1-8. How are followers of Jesus like Christ and what is the example we are called to present? It means to display Jesus’ humility, His acceptance, His grace, His love, His non-condemnation, and His forgiveness into every area of our lives.

Christ’s love for us is the reason Paul urges us to rejoice not only in good times but he emphasizes his command: “I will say it again: Rejoice!” I see that emphasis as: to rejoice always, in every situation and in every season of life. Praise be to God.

Complete Joy

#29. July 20, 2015

John 15:11

^“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Recently we memorized verse 9 of this chapter that summarized the main theme: The first division of chapter 15, “The Vine and the Branches” is the introduction to verse 9 and to the rest of the chapter. This chapter is about being with Jesus, more specifically being in Jesus and “remaining in His love”. The introduction tells us to stay in Christ like a branch to the vine. Apart from the vine the branch is dead and so with us we cannot do anything apart from Jesus Christ. The verse we are memorizing this week is about joy: joy that is full, complete joy.

Joy is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, one example being; “in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16: 11). “The joy of the Lord is our strength”. (Ne. 8:10). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22-23). “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Php. 4:4) and also in John, I John, and 2 John. Joy comes with God’s presence. Is God’s presence with us today? Yes!

Followers of Jesus who seek God experience His presence, “Come near to God and he will come near to you” Jas. 4:8, The Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in us (Jn. 14:15-21). One reason we may not feel God’s presence is that we are able to suppress the Spirit in us or the world may be too much with us. The Spirit does not force himself on us. God wants a close relationship with us in all aspects of our lives. God gives us His Spirit and He gives us faith. The result is God’s constant presence and increasing joy, joy that is full and complete. Praise is to God!

God’s Glory!

#28. July 13, 2015

Matthew 23:11-12

¹¹”The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹²For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Matthew 23 is about the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law during Jesus’ time on earth. Most of the religious leaders of the day had rejected Jesus because he exposed their comfortable situation in society, He threatened their authority, and they were extremely jealous of Jesus’ popularity with the people. Yet because they held the position of Moses Jesus tells the people listen to them, but “do not do what they do for they do not practice what they preach”.

Today the church in America is on the decline for that very reason; young people and others as well see a lot of hypocrisy in some of the leadership and in many of those who claim to be Christian. We do not practice what we preach and we have lost our connection to the Holy Spirit! I know many of us would like to think that the church building and the people who attend are a light in the community and in some cases that is true. But it has been my experience for the 6 years I worked as a church planter in Mich. that the physical shape of the building and the label “Christian” has bad connotations for many people who have experienced the condemnations of the church and the resulting disregard for their spiritual well being. Condemnation is easy to do; we can do it by not saying a word. The fact is that sin is sin: a gossiper or an adulterer is equally sinful in God’s eyes. We must not condone sin but we must walk along side the sinner and guide them to a better place, a place that is pleasing to God. That is an important aspect of the work of the church that has been ignored for too long.

Jesus gives his disciples the solution to the problem of prideful and condemning leaders of his day and what must change for leaders and Christians today. The answer is in the verses we are memorizing v. 11-12. Here we find a solution and a negative promise but also a positive promise to those who really follow Jesus. Jesus the Messiah is our instructor, no one else; He came to serve and to suffer on a cross. “We are not greater than our master” Jesus tells us. Therefore, leaders must be servants to the flock and especially to those outside of the flock because Jesus “came to save the lost”. It takes humility to serve other Christians but great humility to serve those broken by sin, those over-whelmed with life, and those antagonistic to the church and all it stands for. Serving the lost involves disappointment and suffering. Human nature in us wants recognition even glory but that leads to being humbled, Jesus tells us. Humility in serving leads to glorification but not our glorification but the glorification of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let us humble ourselves for God’s glory and for the building up of the church!

Jesus: Remain in Me!

#27. July 06, 2015

John 15:9

⁹“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”

The first division of chapter 15, “The Vine and the Branches”, is the introduction to verse 9 and to the rest of the chapter. This chapter is about being with Jesus, more specifically being in Jesus and “remaining in His Love”. The introduction tells us to stay in Christ like a branch to the vine. Apart from the vine the branch is dead and so with us we cannot do anything apart from Jesus Christ. That is a truth we easily forget, we want to serve but sometimes we go in our own strength not getting the results we should, yet, God is faithful and uses us, even in our short comings. Further, we may “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”, if we remain in Him. This is in the context of bearing fruit for God’s glory, and showing us as disciples of Jesus. “Bear much fruit,” indicates the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Verse 9 “As the Father has loved me” Jesus here is teaching us God’s love, Devine Love that does not fail, never gives up on a person, always forgives, always gives us multiple chances, and lays down His life. As Jesus loves us we are to love each other, the passage here is speaking of a Devine Love taught us by Jesus Christ. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We are commanded to remain in Jesus’ love. We make that choice for ourselves but we do so in the Spirit of God. Jesus says: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (Emphasis mine) It is an amazing concept made clear in Eph. 1:3-14. Why us, why me Lord? It is a matter of God’s grace, His election, and His eternal plan, and His blessings with no imput or value on our part. We cannot understand God’s purposes, but we can respond to his choosing with thanksgiving and service; we acknowledge God’s love by bearing fruit. Bearing fruit is the concept behind “Now remain in my love”. God’s love is to be our love insofar as we are able to use the gifts God gives us and He is with us (Mt. 28:20). Praise be to God!

Following Jesus

#26. June 29, 2015

Luke 9:23-24

²³Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

In the NIV Luke nine has nine major divisions and is full of the major themes from Jesus’ ministry on earth. The verses we are memorizing are in the context of discipleship verses 20-26. The end of the chapter (v. 57-62) is more definitive of the cost of discipleship. Jesus gives us several examples of those who want to follow Him but life gets in the way.

Do you wants to follow Jesus? Is the Holy Spirit at work in you to make a full commitment to follow Jesus but things get in the way? I don’t mean going to church as important as that is. I don’t mean studying God’s Word as essential as that is. I don’t mean living as Christians at home and with family as imperative as that is. Following Jesus means that His humility, His spirituality, His compassion, His love, and His forgiveness are applied to all areas of our lives. It means making disciples: praying for and seeking the lost, showing direction to those who have lost their way, loving and helping those stuck in a destructive life with no way out on their own. God wants to reconcile mankind back to Him, and he uses followers of Jesus to do it! (II Cor. 5:11-21) “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:”

The above is the Great Commission that Jesus commands and continues to command to all those who follow Him (Mt. 28:16-20). If Jesus is visible today, His love, His forgiveness, all of His perfect human attributes, they can only be found in Scripture and among true followers of Jesus. This is what Jesus is talking about in Lk. 9:23-24 Where Jesus says: “Take up their cross daily and follow me” Jesus carried his cross willingly, knowing he would be crucified on it. Are we willing to deny ourselves like Jesus did always putting others before ourselves, willing to give our lives to follow Jesus? Saving ones life, as Jesus puts it, means to have only earthly ambitions, living only for ourselves, grabbing all we can out of this physical life with no thought about the after life. Living apart from our Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in this life take away our eternal life with Him. The opposite of that kind of earthly living is losing our life to follow Jesus and having eternal life with God. Does that mean only suffering in this earthly life? No! Not necessarily, but it may, many Jesus followers are persecuted in many places today. Even so, as a general rule those who follow Jesus rejoice, live longer, are happier, have peace, love more than those who do not follow Him, and have eternal life beginning the day we commit to follow Him. That is what Jesus means in Verse 24: “whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Praise God!