#9. March 2, 2015

2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All passages are from the NIV.

 

I Corinthians 13: 13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.                                                                                     But the greatest of these is love.”

This well-known chapter on love begins in Chapter 12, “Spiritual Gifts” and goes on to Chapter 14, “Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues.” The major issue in these three chapters is unity; unity of the Spirit and unity of the body of Christ, the church. This is what Jesus prayed about in his High Priestly Prayer in John 17. Verse 21 stands out: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” In a practical way Paul picks up on the divisions in the Corinthian church over the gifts of the Spirit. He points out in Ch. 12:11 “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them (gifts) to each one, just as he determines.” Also, verse 7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” When are we going to learn that truth and practice it? So many Christians and congregations are doing their own thing. Paul goes on with an example of the unity of the Body, verse 25,26 “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” When, we ask, will there be concern for each other, when will there be concern for those outside of the body? (Jesus’ prayer Jn. 17:20-25).

I believe that the lack of unity in the church and among Christians is the crucial issue of today. There is a lack of unity in our own denomination. “Ministry shares” unifying our recourses for ministry continues to decline, there is no sense of unity in the denominational agencies. It is becoming difficult to work together and the leadership lacks a spiritual vision for outreach. The Mission that the Holy Spirit calls us to do together (Act 13:1-3) is almost non-existent. Individuals and congregations, claiming they have all the gifts, are doing their own thing. There is no longer a unified vision for “making disciples of all nations” using all the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given the Church. It is the way of society today, we are divided socially, economically, politically, religiously, educationally and instead of the church setting direction for society, society sets direction for the church.

This all sounds rather negative, and it may be more comfortable to pretend we are living in “la la land” but it is a reality we must not ignore. Paul tells us there is a “most excellent way”, it is the way of love, chapter 13. Whatever gifts we (the church) have, whatever we have accomplished, whatever we have planned for the future is meaningless without love. “Love is” v.4-7 and it “never fails”! All things will pass away but faith, hope, and love, the greatest of the three remain.

Faith: we believe what we do not see,

Hope: we always expect the best for us and for others,

Love: the Greek uses a superlative, is much greater because it is God’s love (I Jn. 4:19), the kind of love with which we love God, love ourselves, love our fellow believers, and love those who God loves but have not yet turned to Jesus. This love is the definition and the foundation of the church of Jesus Christ, and is the motivation for missions! Amen!

#8. Feb. 23, 2015

2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All passages are from the NIV.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God;

                             I will be exalted among the nations,

                              I will be exalted in the earth”.

The book of Psalms is a book of prayer and praise songs to God. Psalm 46 is a praise song; the title suggests a liturgical and probably a responsive song with two or three groups of singers answering each other initially used in temple worship but later also sung in procession up to Jerusalem/temple. The Hebrew term “alamoth” in the title means; young women, but here may also mean youth. The term suggests the participation of women dancing with tambourines to accompany the song. It may also suggest youth answering their elders in a responsive song.

Besides Psalm 46 being a praise song it praises God as our protector and comforter in tumultuous times, stanzas one v.1-3. Also He is our provider by his Holy Presence, stanzas two v. 4-5. God is in control of the earth and the nations on it, stanzas three v. 6-7. God’s works are on display and He opposes war in dramatic fashion, stanzas four v. 8-9. To the men’s/ women’s back and forth praise God responds with a command and man responds with God “is our fortress”, stanzas five v. 10-11.

Martin Luther wrote the Hymn; “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” based on this Psalm which has been called “The Battle Hymn of the Reformation”. In early Reformation times the song was sung in many situations: at times of war before battle, while Christians were being led to the inquisition by fellow Christians, while being led into exile, and while heading for martyrdom. Later it became a favorite Christian song for Lutherans and other Christians in many denominations. In more modern times the song has been used and abused by the entertainment industry (Wikipedia).

Verse 10 begins with two Hebrew imperatives: “be still and know”, God is commanding us to be silent before him. Stop! Don’t speak! Don’t think! And do know Him, suggesting not a superficial awareness but a deep and intimate knowledge of God. This is God’s response to the praise of the stanzas’ that are sung before this last one. It is a difficult command to come to grips with as Christians. As in the past, Christians today are led off to be killed and they call on God. The answer “be still and know that I am God!” But God, we are about to be beheaded, thinking now of Coptic Christians who refused to apostate. “Be still and know that I am God!” What matters here is that Christians will not suffer the “second death”. Nothing, nothing will hurt us spiritually and nothing, nothing will separate us from God’s Love (Rom 8: 28-38). I think that the tribulation Scripture talks about has been going on for centuries and is increasing and will continue to do so until it becomes the “great tribulation”. Christians are not exempt from it but God is our refuge and strength.

God continues in verse ten with, “I will be exalted among the nations and in the earth”. Those who are faithful exalt God, and those who choose death over apostasy exalt God! God is exalted now! Also, the Hebrew terms indicate “I am”. Therefore, God says: “I am exalted and I will be exalted among the nations”. “I am exalted and I will be exalted in the earth” (my translation). The Lord our “God cannot be mocked” and those who do so are playing with fire! In contrast God is with those who acknowledge Him; He is our refuge and strength. Let us bring our praise and exaltation to Him!

#7. Feb. 16, 2015

2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All passages are from the NIV.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah is a very poetic book and is divided into two parts: God’s judgment of the nations including Israel ch.1- 39 and God’s comfort and salvation for Israel ch.40 – 66. The hint of redemption begins already in Isa.35 and is the back story of ch.40.

Verse 31 for this week is a promise and a great source of comfort beginning at verse 28-31. “ Did you not know? Have you not heard?” If we are listening to nature (God’s creation), if we are listening to the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and if we are listening to the Word of God, then we hear God and we know Him in so far as he is revealing Himself to us. Verse 28c,“He will not grow weary”; His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa.55: 8-9). He is able to make strong those who are weak (all of us!) Further, Isaiah makes a comparison to those in the prime of life; the self-assured, the strong, those not needy, yet they “stumble and fall;” “but (not) those who hope in the Lord”.

We go back to the beginning of chapter 40. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God”. God is speaking directly to Isaiah and to us. The wages of sin is death but tell them their sin, our sin is paid for. Ch. 40 is the back story of John the Baptist v. 3-5, the story of mans inability to save himself v.6-8, the story of salvation v.9-11, the story of God’s majesty, the works of his hand, the folly of men v.11-27, and the story of God’s grace v.28-31.

Verse 31 speaks about us: “Those who hope in the Lord”, those who seek Him, those who trust Him, and those who turn to Him with the expectation of grace being extended. We “will renew (our) their strength.” We will and do exchange weakness for power! We are set free to soar like the eagle saved from the entanglement of sin, freed to heaven from this earth, untangled from the anxiety of life without Jesus. We have the energy to run (Heb. 12:1) and the ability to walk in the Light Pr. 8:20. We are blessed!

#6. Feb. 9, 2015

2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All passages are from the NIV.

II Peter 3:18   “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen”.

The context of I Peter is persecution from outside the church and II Peter addresses heresy inside the church. That is the background of the passage that we are looking at. The emphasis of II Peter is: 1. Biblical faith informing and conforming our everyday life. 2. Heresy is exposed by the knowledge of God’s Word, 3. The “Day of the Lord” is assured. The Lord is on the way! (my emphasis) Scripture in general is not only theological (about God) but also how it is applied and proclaimed in our lives by our thoughts and deeds. Peter gives us the reason for writing the book: he writes to remind believers that they should listen to the prophets and the commands of our Lord Jesus. In other words, know and apply the Word of God. (See II Peter 3:1-2)

This verse 3:18 should not be separated from what comes before it (II Peter 3:10-17). Peter is making a comparison of true believers to those who distort the Scriptures calling them lawless, ignorant, and unstable men/women. It appears that a very early stage of Gnosticism was rearing its ugly head in the church. As the last verse of the book, we see this as a benediction, but it is a benediction that instructs us.

“Grow in the grace and knowledge” of Jesus Christ. The grace of Christ! Are we able to attain it? We are saved by grace Eph. 2:8-9, “God’s grace to us is undeserved favor”. I believe we are to be like Jesus and extend His grace to others: having His compassion for sinners, for the sick, for the disenfranchised (Phil. 2:1-8). Peter adds: grow in the knowledge of Jesus. That means knowing and applying the Word. The Bible is a living book, the Holy Spirit instructs us as we read it. Further, the Bible is living in that it instructs us based on our need. The same passage may touch us in different ways at different times of our lives, when we depend on Jesus all Biblical knowledge is available to us. Jesus brings it to mind as the need arises. In contrast to those glorifying themselves in their esoteric knowledge, Peter gives all glory to Jesus “both now and forever! Amen”

#5. Feb. 2, 2015

2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All Passages are from the NIV.

Psalm 23: 1-3 ¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he restores my soul.
He guides in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

This Psalm may be the best-known passage of the Old Testament as John 3:16 is in the New Testament. Both of these passages bring us great comfort when we by faith believe that God loves His people (His creation) and has our best interest on this earth in mind but also, and more importantly, our salvation. God wants His people back so to speak. Ps 23 is David’s response to God’s care and love for him. The Psalm is a very personal description of God’s love for David. The last verse gives us the result of God’s love and David’s faith in Him: “ I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” John 3:16 projects this goal as well: “Whoever believes on Him (Jesus) will not perish but have eternal Life”. Here it is personal but also universal: “whoever believes”!

David understands the work of a shepherd: protect the sheep, sense and address the dangers to the sheep, feed the sheep, calm the sheep, and keep the sheep on the right path. The idea of God as a shepherd goes way back to Gen. 48:15,16 and the idea of a shepherd comes to full expression in Jesus Christ. (Jn. 10) Jesus is our Shepherd and we “will not be in want”. We who believe will have everything we need, but not everything we want and the wisdom to know the difference.

He will make us “lie down in green pastures”. A pastoral scene but finding good pastures consumes the shepherd judging from having lived and worked among herding people. Distance, time or weather is no object, what matters is that the herd/flock is fed. Jesus the Good Shepherd has given His life for us “the sheep of His pasture” (Ps. 100:3). Nothing more is required, “It is finished”! Praise the Lord! Life goes on and in that regard green pastures become very important. It is a metaphor for God’s written Word as well as His living Word now among us by His Holy Spirit. We are fed in so many different ways, God’s Word in Scripture, our involment in a church, a Biblical marriage, and a trustworthy and spiritual friend. Further, Jesus “leads us besides quiet waters”. We are fed and we are comforted. Comfort comes softly, over time by following the Shepherd and by spending time with the source of a quiet and restored soul.

“He guides us in paths of righteousness” or “along the right paths”. (Pr. 12:28) All that comes before are stepping-stones through the turbulent river of life on this earth. The path of God’s grace, God’s care, His Word, His Spirit in our lives, our faith, our submission and seeking His will, and our thankfulness in service, are the right paths. Practically, it comes down to how we ought to live and how we actually live as people of God. God leads us to good pastures and fresh water but He does not force us to eat or drink. When we respond in faith, life it as Pr. 4:18 tells us: “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” It is about quality of life, Amen and Amen!

#4. Jan. 26, 2015

2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith.  All Passages are from the NIV.

Matthew 6:9-13 ⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.^[b]

The larger context of this passage is Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”.  Jesus is teaching his disciples but it appears there is a large crowd as well.  Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom is here (Mt. 4:17) and it dwells in our hearts, but it includes all of creation. The church is not the Kingdom but reflects the Kingdom, therefor the “Sermon on the Mount” is about practice, a way to live. In this passage Jesus is teaching his disciples and us how to pray.

Take note of the context: when you give vs.2, when you pray vs.9, when you forgive vs.14, when you fast vs.16, when you store up treasure vs.19 and when you worry vs. 25.  (Chap 6)   It is all about practicing your faith and what you believe! Take note also of the immediate context: vs. 8. “Do not be like them (v 2-7 hypocrites, and those of many words) for your Father knows what you need before you asked him”. Also vs. 9 “Thus therefore pray ye” (Greek text). “Therefore” always sends us back to the previous verses.  God knows our needs so we pray this short prayer in faith.  Prayer however is not limited to this prayer, we pray and fast so that we know our needs and know our inability to meet those needs.  We approach God in the way Jesus teaches us to pray as the Spirit guides us.

This prayer in Matthew is a short but not a simple prayer.  “Our Father in heaven”, we approach God directly, He is available 24/7. He never sleeps (Ps. 121:3-4). Hallowed be your name”, we glorify Him for His mighty works (Rev. 5:12-13). “Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”. Many of us pray this request without much thought but we are asking for the end of the world, as we know it (Rev. 6: 9-10; 11:15; 21:1-4).

The prayer now focuses on ourselves, our physical and spiritual needs: “Give us this day our daily bread.” What are asking for and what are we expecting? (Read Pr. 30: 7-9). It also means thanking God daily for our physical needs. And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors”. Forgiving others brings forgiveness into our lives and drives out bitterness (Mk 11:25). Forgive always!   “And lead us not into temptation”  (Jas. 1:13-14). What we are asking here is not to be tested more than we are able to resist.  “But deliver us from the evil one”. Do not be deceived; many people do not believe that there actually is an evil one but 1 Pet 5:8 makes clear that there is: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  God will not only rescue us (I Cor.10: 13) but also forgives us when we fall if we turn to Jesus! Praise be to God!

#3. Jan. 19, 2015 2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith.  All Passages are from the NIV.

Genesis 1:1-3 “1. In the beginning^(A) God created^(B) the heavens^(C) and the earth.^{(D) 2} Now the earth was formless^(E) and empty,^(F) darkness was over the surface of the deep,^(G) and the Spirit of God^(H) was hovering^(I) over the waters.³ And God said,^(J) “Let there be light,” and there was light.^(K)”

“In the beginning God”, creation begins with God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jn1:2-3, Ps. 104:30)! When the creation account is discredited as it is today God is minimized and mostly rejected. For those who believe the Bible, creation makes sense. We may disagree as to the length of the 7 days in the story, and we struggle with the physical realities of the world: dinosaur bones and carbon dating but let us all agree that, “In the beginning God created”! We know that all is created out of nothing (Col. 1: 16) As secular scientists learn more about the marvels of creation evolution is inadequate to explain the intricate design of our universe so the term “intelligent design” is now being used. It does not explain what we know about God and His creation. God does not need His creation or us, He is complete in Himself: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, complete in love and complete in fellowship, nothing is needed. Even so God chose to create to glorify Himself. Creation is good, very good! Free will is included, man must chose to love God in the beginning and so today. There is more here than we as humans are able to get our minds around because man did choose to rebel against God. Yet God continues to love and provide a way back to Him, (Gen 3:15, Jn.3: 16) but more importantly, Eph. 1: 3- 14 “For he chose us in Him (Jesus) before the creation of the world”. Wow! God has a plan for us (Jer. 29:11).

On the first day God creates light. What kind of light is this? Verse 4 says God separates the light from the darkness. Is this physical light? Probably, but there is more since the sun, moon, and stars were created on the fourth day. Perhaps light for the eyes, but here we are talking about God’s light (Rev. 22:5). Darkness is the absence of light; evil is the absence of God’s light.  What we are talking about besides light for the eyes is justice, compassion, grace, salvation, and the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The light of life! (Jn. 8:12)

1. The creation story is encouragement for us; from the beginning of creation God had us in mind.

2.From the beginning of creation God’s salvation was prepared for us.  (Eph. 1)

3. God continues to create. (II Cor. 4:6; 5:17-18) 4. God’s creative power today is directed to salvation and reconciliation and He calls us to share it with Him. (II Cor. 5: 17-21)

#2. Jan. 12, 2015

2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith.  All Passages are from the NIV.

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”.

This is a Psalm of thanksgiving and of praise to God. Further, it is a profile of God’s love and salvation for his people. It is one of the Messianic Psalms as expressed in verse 22, but I think verses 23 and 24 should also be included, although not referring to Jesus directly, it is the cause, “The Lord has done this” and the effect, extreme rejoicing and gladness in God in the day He makes.

What is the story behind Ps. 118? The Ps. begins and ends with: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and his love endures forever”. Something big has happened! Could it be a God given victory over an exceedingly large enemy force?  Perhaps the finishing of the first or second temple overcoming overwhelming odds? Perhaps the finishing of the wall by Nehemiah? All those have been suggested but we really do not know.  They cried out to the Lord in trust and faith!  Nations surrounded them, they were cut off, they were swarmed like bees but in the name of the Lord they prevailed.  They are pushed back and falling but “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” This is a personal story. He “shouts of joy and of victory”, he is chastised of God but he is alive and enters the gates of righteousness. “You (O, God) have become my salvation”.

This is a personal story that anticipates our story and thus becomes our own story of salvation. We all have experienced Satan’s oppression; we are surrounded on every side, and sometimes are pushed back and fall.  We are not overwhelmed and are picked up; “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things”. We enter the gates  “where the righteous may enter”.  “The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes”.  Jesus, showing the religious leaders of His day the depth and the result of their unbelief quotes Ps. 118: 22,23 in Matt. 21:41-43.  A warning for today as well! By the grace of God we believe in Jesus and every day the Lord God has made is a time for service, for rejoicing and for gladness in Him.  Praise be to God!

#1. Jan. 5, 2015

2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know”

by Freeman-Smith.  All Passages are from the NIV.

John 3: 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.”

These are the words of Jesus as he taught Nicodemus about the Kingdom of God.  Nicodemus was confused and he came to Jesus to try to understand His purpose. His confusion is understandable because Jesus is at odds with the religious establishment of the day. If Jesus came today as He did the first time He would associate with the down and outers: people addicted, the homeless, ex convicts, ladies on the wrong side of the law and society, like Nicodemus many religious people would be confused. Jesus’ and God’s plan for salvation is much more radical than some people are comfortable with.  Looking at God’s plan in John 3:16 shows us how radical it is.

Salvation comes from God! He promises it in Gen. 3:15. He is bringing it about in history, Gen. 18:17-19, and salvation comes to completion in this week’s passage.  It is all about God’s love (Rom. 5:8) for the world, it is not only about mankind.  The word “world” in Greek means the world, the universe, and mankind. God is redeeming His creation but here He concentrates on His creatures, men and woman.  God sacrifices Himself in Jesus Christ, not his “only Son” but “only begotten Son”. (The Greek: “only, unique”: but from early Christian history commentators thought that John uses this word as “the only begotten”). God’s Son, Jesus is the only worthy and perfect sacrifice that is acceptable to God.  Jesus is the last and ultimate sacrifice that is exemplified in the Old Testament and now once and for all is superseded by Jesus on the cross. Jesus is God’s gift to mankind (Isa.9: 6). We cannot contribute to our own salvation, not by church attendance, not by some perceived goodness; we have nothing to offer God. We simply believe in Christ, that is our response to God’s love. What is so radical is that salvation is extended to “whoever”! No one is excluded here, certainly not sinners because that includes all of us (Rom. 5:8). We simply must believe. Our believing is the work of God (Jn.6: 28-40)! We believe by the power of the Holy Spirit and in doing so we will not perish (the spiritual death of unbelievers) but have eternal life. Think about the men crucified with Jesus. One rejected Him, the other said “Lord remember me”. Jesus’ response, “today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:39-43) Praise be to God!

What does this passage mean for Christians?

1. We have assurance of salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn it nor is there anything we can do to lose it (Jn 10:28,29).

2. We have a message for the lost: God loves you and we love you!

3. Once you accept Jesus and believe in Him, nothing will be able to come between you and your Savior (Rom 8: 31-38). Amen and Amen!