Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

January 15, 2010

A Second Chance

READ: Lamentations 3:22-33
His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. -Lamentations 3:22-23
A year ago today, 155 people on US Airways Flight 1549 thought they were going to die. During take-off from New York City, their plane struck a flock of geese, disabling both engines. In a powerless glide, the captain maneuvered over the densely populated area, then announced: "Brace for impact." Less than 90 seconds later, the crippled plane made a water landing in the frigid Hudson River, where boats and ferries quickly arrived to rescue the passengers and crew, all of whom survived. People called it the "miracle on the Hudson" and praised the pilot and crew. One grateful passenger said simply, "We have a second chance in life."

In times of crisis, we grasp the importance of every hour. During our ordinary routine, however, we often forget that each day is a second chance. "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I hope in Him!' " (Lam. 3:22-24).

We can choose to live with thankfulness for God's mercy and grace, with confidence in His faithful care, and with hope because He is with us forever. Today, God offers us a second chance in life. Let's make the most of it!  - David C. McCasland

As shadows of night give way to dawn's light,
God opens the door to a brand-new day;
And with it come mercies from His gracious hand
For giving new mercies is always His way. -D. De Haan

Our God is a God of second chances.
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The Comforter

Today we are going to look at the fifth "C" of soul winning, and that is the Comforter.  Many times when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, He referred to Him as the Comforter.

In Acts 1:4-5, after the resurrection, Jesus said something to the disciples that was very intriguing,

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

He had already told them to go into all the world, but then He said, "Hey, you need to wait for something.  There's some equipment you need before you go.  Don't go start a Bible study, don't go pass out a tract, don't do anything.  You need something first.  You need to be baptized with the Spirit."

Then look at what He said in verse 8,

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

The Holy Spirit gives us power to be a witness.  There is something beyond even living a life of integrity.  There is a supernatural, captivating element when a person is filled with the Holy Spirit that makes the witness of the gospel even more inescapable.

Jesus was so strong on it He said, "Look, don't leave Jerusalem without it."  God has given us His Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to empower us to reach our generation for Christ.
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Read: Exodus 5:22-6:11
I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. - Exodus 6:6


TODAY IN THE WORD
Political leaders are notorious for their promises. Very rarely can an elected official fulfill every goal laid out on the campaign trail-some don't manage to live up to any. Plans for resurrecting an economy or cleaning up the political system are usually beyond the power of any one person, so it's easy to blame an opponent for failure. But when plans succeed, most politicians are quick to take the credit and watch their popularity skyrocket.
God's promise to Israel was loftier than any human leader could guarantee. And unlike the flimsy plans of men, God's prediction didn't contain the word if. His superiority was definite, and the deliverance of His children was a statement of fact. But the certainty of God's acts wasn't the only notable thing about this promise.

At this point, God didn't even ask the people of Israel to believe Him. He was making an unconditional promise that required no action from them. He would do all the work. He would bring them out. He would free them. He would redeem them. He would take them as His people and be their God. And He would bring them to the land of promise.

The only action ascribed to Israel was knowledge: they would know that the Lord was God and that He alone delivered them out of slavery in Egypt (v. 7). At the time, they dismissed the message Moses carried to them because to them those promises were just loud words from a strange man who had made their workload even harder. Without proof, they would never believe.

The chapters that follow tell the rest of the story. God gave Israel all the proof they needed and more. He demonstrated His power over Pharaoh's false gods, and He showed His mercy to those who believed in Him and followed His instructions. To ignore what He had done would be nothing short of criminal.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you having trouble believing in the power of God to rescue you from any hardship or to provide you with whatever you might need? That could be because you have forgotten what He has done in the past. Take some time to write down the ways God has helped you in the past, beginning with His gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. There is no greater feat nor deeper love than the redemption of a sinner. Thank God for all He has done and praise Him for His ability to continually meet your needs.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 16, 2010

Glory Deflectors

READ: Acts 14:8-18
I will not give My glory to another. -Isaiah 48:11

Barbara Mertz has a complaint about Egypt's Pharaoh Ramses. In her book Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, archaeologist Mertz writes, "One gets so tired of Ramses; his face, his figure, and/or his name are plastered over half the wall surfaces still standing in Egypt-at least it seems that way." Insatiably thirsty for glory, Ramses reveled in Egyptian religion, which taught that the pharaoh was divine.

Contrast Ramses' desire for glory with the attitude of Paul and Barnabas. On one of their missionary journeys, they faced a situation during which they refused to accept vainglory. When a crowd in the idolatrous city of Lystra saw them heal a crippled man, the people exclaimed, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" (Acts 14:11). They immediately prepared animals to sacrifice in honor of Paul and Barnabas. But the two quickly objected, saying, "We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God" (v.15).

We do not rival the apostles in our accomplishments for God, but we all have things we do for Him. It's then that we must be "glory deflectors," making sure God gets all the glory for everything we have done.  - Dennis Fisher

May everything we do-
By word or deed or story-
Be done to please the Lord;
To Him be all the glory. -Roworth

Man's greatest goal: Bringing glory to God.
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Convicting and Convincing

In yesterday's devotional, we talked about the fifth "C" of soul winning-the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is such an important part in witnessing I want to take you to another passage today to help you understand His role more clearly.

The passage is John 16:7-9.  Here Jesus is talking to the disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth.  It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  And when He has come He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  of sin, because they do not believe in Me."

Jesus is not telling us that we need to pray, "Holy Spirit, go convict this person."  Rather, the foundation from which He is speaking is found in John 14.  In that passage He says, "When the Holy Spirit comes, He will no longer just be with you, but He will be in you."

In the following verses, He then talks about all the things the Holy Spirit does within us.  And here, when He talks about the Holy Spirit convicting people of sin (and, as the Amplified Bible says, convicting and convincing the world of sin), He does that work when we engage them with the gospel.

When we talk to people about Christ, the Holy Spirit then goes to work.

I think about that little boy who told me about Jesus-a Spirit-filled 12-year-old.  I had never heard the gospel in my life, yet there was something so captivating, so arresting about him, I could not get him out of my mind.

It was the power of the Holy Spirit working through him.  And He wants to work through you as well.
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Read: Numbers 14:11-44
How long will they refuse to believe in me? - Numbers 14:11


TODAY IN THE WORD
When Moses was with the Lord on Mount Sinai and the rest of Israel had crafted the golden calf as their new object of worship, God expressed His desire to destroy the people and to make a new nation from Moses and his descendants. Moses pleaded with the Lord to relent, citing the negative image it would leave in the minds of foreign nations and recalling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 32). God had mercy on His rebellious children.
A little over a year later, Moses found himself in an almost identical situation. We read yesterday about Israel's mutinous reaction to the plan for entering Canaan. Today's passage begins with God's furious response, renewing His intentions to destroy the rebellious people and start anew with Moses. Once again, Moses asked forgiveness for His people, and once again the Lord answered his request. However, Israel would not go unpunished.

All the Israelites who were at least twenty years old were sentenced to die in the wilderness, a result of protracted wandering over forty years. The spies who had given bad reports because they were more afraid of the Canaanites than of God were all killed immediately with a plague. Of the adults, only Caleb and Joshua were permitted to enter the Promised Land, but even they had to wait forty years before it happened. The punishment for Israel's crime this time came directly from God. He withheld the benefits of His special promise from those who refused to trust Him.

Ironically, Moses' pleas for mercy may have indirectly prevented him from entering the Promised Land. Many leaders would have seized the opportunity to become the father of a new nation, but Moses acted unselfishly. Yet later in the book of Numbers, Moses' frustrations with these same people incited him to disrespect God's commands, and his penalty was God's ban on leading the people into Canaan (20:9-12). A wicked people can create the conditions for the downfall of their own leaders.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Failure to trust in God will always lead us to miss out on blessings He intends for us. You might not see your rebellion or the cost as specifically as Israel did in the wilderness, but you may very well spend decades wandering aimlessly with little reward. When God asks you to trust in Him, obey without hesitation-though you should take the time to ensure you are acting on faith in His true will and not selfish impulse. Be willing today to do what is right, no matter how difficult it may seem.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 17, 2010

Respect For Life

READ: Psalm 139:13-16
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. -Psalm 139:14
In Psalm 139, David describes God as fashioning his tiny body together in the darkness of his mother's womb. God loved David before he ever existed.

God designed the person David was to be, and He brought that person into being according to His predetermined plan. In this psalm, David used the intriguing metaphor of a journal in which God first wrote His plan and then brought that plan into fruition through His handiwork in the womb: "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written" (v.16).

Put another way, David was shaped by his heavenly Father's love into a unique creation. He came from the inventive heart and hand of God. What was true of David is true of you. You are special-along with everyone else in the world.

This being true, we must be pro-life in the purest sense of the word. We are to respect and cherish all human life: the born and those still in the womb; winsome children and weary seniors; the wealthy executive and the financially destitute. All persons are unique productions of our Creator's genius. With David, let's exclaim: "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (139:14).  - David H. Roper

By God's wise designing
We are wonderfully made,
Every part essential
And in perfect balance laid. -Anon.
All life is created by God and bears His autograph.

All life is created by God and bears His autograph.
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The Priority of Purity

We live in a highly sexualized society.  It is amazing the number of people, even pastors, who fall to sexual temptation.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 we are told straight out,

For this is the will of God, your sanctification:  that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.

God expects for you and me to live in sexual purity.  You need to know how to possess your body in sanctification and honor; otherwise your body will possess you.

God has created a strong sexual drive that is an awesome blessing in marriage!  But, you know, it is so strong that sometimes it just wants to flow out of the banks and go somewhere it shouldn't go.

We must learn how to possess our bodies in sanctification and honor, and live morally pure lives that bring pleasure to God.  Here are three practical ways:

Avoid temptation.  2 Timothy 2:22 says, Flee youthful lusts.  Avoid the very scenes of temptation.  Stay away when you know you might get in trouble.
Feed your spirit, not your flesh.  In Romans, we are told of the great war every Christian experiences, the war between our spirit and our flesh.  Whatever you feed is going to be stronger, so make sure to feed your spirit.
Rely on the Holy Spirit and His power.  If you will acknowledge Him and look to Him for strength, you will find He is a very present help in your time of need.
Make a commitment today to practice these three principles for purity.  If you do, you will live in the sexual purity God desires. 
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Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-25
Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you. - Deuteronomy 6:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Certain events in popular culture capture the public's attention and dominate the conversation-they become known as water-cooler moments. It could be celebrity gossip, sporting events, a television show, or (especially in corporate culture) the latest office rumors. What we talk about in those moments when we have nothing else to discuss says a lot about what is most important to us as individuals and as a society.
It is telling, then, that the subject of God and His Word are more often taboo than the topic of our water-cooler discussions. God instructed Israel to do the opposite. He wanted to be at the forefront of Israel's conversation. And it made perfect sense, especially if there had been no official written copy of God's Word prior to God inscribing the Law or Moses recording the Pentateuch. If God's Word wasn't on their lips, it was unlikely to be on their hearts.

Today's passage is one of those chapters that uplifts the spirits of the reader. Israel was being encouraged, not scolded. The Lord spoke reassuringly and with certainty of the victory they were about to enjoy and the relationship of righteousness they would encounter with Him. He did include a warning about the consequences of disobedience, and it stands out in the middle of this passage (vv. 14-16). God was not only jealous, but He was also dwelling among the people of Israel (v. 15). For them to assume that He could not see their actions would certainly be a terrible mistake.

The overall tone of the passage is very positive and reassuring. Even so, God anticipated the skeptical question that would come from the next generation: Why do we have all these rules (v. 20)? The answer had nothing to do with joyless restrictions. God rescued His people from slavery, and He wanted them to prosper and to preserve their legacy as people of faith in the Lord their God. Their obedience to the Law demonstrated the reality of their relationship. True obedience could never be independent of their faith in Him.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Try reading this passage as God's exhortation to you with some New Testament substitutions. Instead of bondage in Egypt, think of how God freed you from slavery to sin. Instead of the inheritance of the Promised Land, consider your eternal inheritance. And when you reach the final verse, read Philippians 3:9 in its place: "And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
Read: Numbers 14:11-44
How long will they refuse to believe in me? - Numbers 14:11

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

18, 2010

It Is My Business

READ: Leviticus 19:11-18
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge . . . , but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. -Leviticus 19:18

In 1955, when the South was still highly segregated, Emmett Till, a black teenager from Chicago, visited relatives in Mississippi. After Emmett "dared" to talk to a white woman, two white men brutally murdered him. An all-white, male jury found the two "not guilty"-after deliberating for barely an hour. The two men later confessed to the crime in a Life magazine article.

Following the verdict, Emmett's mother said, "Two months ago I had a nice apartment in Chicago. I had a good job. I had a son. When something happened to Negroes in the South, I said, 'That's their business, not mine.' Now I know how wrong I was. The murder of my son has shown me that what happens to any of us, anywhere in the world, had better be the business of us all."

Making another's concerns our own is what Leviticus 19:18 calls us to do: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus quotes this verse and interprets it as not placing any limitations on loving those around us (Matt. 22:39; Luke 10:25-37). Our neighbor doesn't just mean someone close by; it's anyone who has a need. We are to care for others as we care for ourselves.

To love our neighbor means to make the persecution, suffering, and injustice of our fellow human beings our own. It is the business of all who follow Christ.  - Marvin Williams

For Further Thought
How can we be a good neighbor? Be respectful to all. Lend a hand. Volunteer. Join a neighborhood association. Speak up when others are treated unjustly.

Compassion puts love into action.
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Are You Rebelling Against Authority?

If you are in the pits, you need to make sure you are not in rebellion against God's established authority, or aligned with those who are.

In Numbers 16 there is an instructive story of Korah and his followers.  They openly confronted Moses and Aaron, and challenged whether they were really God's ordained leaders. 

Moses and Aaron were flawed and fallible just like every one of us, but Korah wanted to usurp authority that did not belong to him.

God had placed Moses and Aaron in their position of authority, but Korah tried to undermine that authority and lead people against them.

Look at the result of Korah's rebellion.  Moses is speaking in verses 30 and 31,

"But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD."  Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.

Notice that it was not just Korah who was destroyed.  All those who were aligned with him also went into the pit.

I don't think the ground is going to open up under you if you rebel against the authority that God has set up.  But you may find yourself in an emotional, physical, or financial pit that you cannot get out of until you get the rebellion out of you.

If you are in a pit today, check your heart and make sure you are not in rebellion against God's ordained authority.   
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Read: Judges 6:1-40
Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. - Job 35:9

TODAY IN THE WORD
The decorated war hero and controversial Army general George S. Patton knew more about bravery than most people can imagine. But he also knew plenty about fear. He said, "Courage is fear holding on a minute longer."
As we discussed at the beginning of our January 6 study, Gideon's accomplishments in battle empowered by the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Lord were quite remarkable. We'll study his bravery in more detail tomorrow, but today will show that Gideon was also considerably plagued by fear. The cause of his fear was not his own sin, but the wickedness of his family and his community. The Israelites had done evil in the eyes of the Lord.

The exact nature of that evil reveals itself through the discourse in today's passage. The Israelites had been oppressed by the Midianites and Amelekites and other people groups in the land they had come to occupy, but they had also grown quite comfortable worshiping the false gods. Gideon's initial fears may have been directed toward the invading foreigners, but his fears over destroying the Asherah pole and altar to Baal stemmed from his own family (v. 27).

Gideon did eventually obey-after several rounds of testing. He needed proof that the angel was of the Lord, which also frightened him (possibly because of the warning in Ex. 33:20). Then he needed proof not once but twice that Israel would be saved by his hand (vv. 36-39). Gideon's problem wasn't an unwillingness to obey, but rather a surplus of fear.

The wickedness of worshiping foreign gods had infested the Israelites, making them vulnerable both to the wrath of God and the oppression of foreign people. But the fear was compounded within their own ranks. All the evidence points to Gideon being a man of faith and obedience, but a community overrun with sin and spiritual infidelity had created an environment of fear for those who truly loved God.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Does this description sound at all familiar in today's culture? When sinful practices abound and biblical beliefs are ridiculed, believers naturally feel threatened. On one hand, Gideon's story should encourage you to stand against the current of popular thought. But on the other hand, we must all recognize the warning that our sins are not only personal-they contribute to an atmosphere in which people are afraid to live righteously. Our sins weigh on the consciences of those around us. Remember that today.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 19, 2010

Never Satisfied But Always Content

READ: Philippians 3:7-14
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:14

Tiger Woods is clearly the greatest golfer of his generation. His ability to perform under pressure and win is becoming legendary. Yet what motivates Woods is not just winning, it's his passion for excellence. Despite his great success, Tiger has repeatedly refined his swing in an ongoing effort to improve his game and be a better golfer. His desire for excellence leaves him never satisfied.

The apostle Paul was also driven by a desire for excellence-but in his relationship with Christ. Paul, however, taught that we're to have balance. While we're never to be satisfied with our spiritual progress, we're always to be content in Christ.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul expressed both realities. While writing from prison, he declared his contentment with life's circumstances, entrusting them to God's care (Phil. 4:11). Nevertheless, he refused to be satisfied with his own spiritual progress. He did not count himself to have "apprehended" (to have arrived and achieved it all). Instead, he was committed to pressing on toward the goal (3:13-14).

Learning to balance contentment with a desire for excellence may be the forgotten key to our ongoing spiritual growth and advancement.  - Bill Crowder

I give my life to You, O Lord,
To follow and obey;
Grant me contentment as I strive
For excellence each day. -Sper

Godliness with contentment is great gain. -1 Timothy 6:6
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Worry About Work

In 2 Corinthians 11:28, the apostle Paul says something very interesting,

Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily:  my deep concern for all the churches.

You may be wondering, "Bayless, what does this have to do with my life?"  Let me show you.

The phrase "deep concern" literally means anxiety and worry.  And that phrase "to come upon"in the original language literally means "it conspires against me in order to overthrow me."

The apostle Paul's job was to oversee the churches that God had used him to establish, and in this verse he is confessing, "I daily have to battle with worry over these churches.  How are they doing?  Are they being misled by false prophets?  Are they staying true to good doctrine?" 

He was dealing with worry about those churches.  Every day he grappled with that worry, and he had to throw it down.

It is easy for all of us to worry about our job.  Some people, even though they are at home, never leave their job.  They carry the burden around with them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

They are always worrying about the job, even when they are home with their family.  "How are things going at work?  I wonder what they're saying.  I wonder about the competition.  What about sales?  What about my job security?  What's going to happen tomorrow?"

Consequently, when they get home from work, they are carrying this burden of work around with them, and they are robbing their family.  Their own spiritual life is robbed, many times almost to the point of bankruptcy.

Do not let your family be robbed.  Do not let your own personal and spiritual life be robbed because you carry the care of your job around with you.  Instead, give it to God.
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Read: Judges 7:1-25
Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised. - Judges 7:1-25


TODAY IN THE WORD
One clinical approach to addressing fear, anxiety, and phobias is exposure therapy. By forcing patients to face their fears, even in a controlled environment, psychologists can teach them that they are capable of coping. They see that being paralyzed by fear is actually worse than addressing the threat head on. As Helen Keller put it, "Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."
If Gideon had any fear remaining in his heart, God forced him to face those fears to the extreme. The Midianites and their allies swarmed the valley where they camped, and even their camels were innumerable. The next chapter states that 15,000 men survived the battle, which claimed the lives of 120,000 swordsmen (8:10). Whatever the number of opposing soldiers, Gideon probably didn't share the Lord's assessment that his own army of 32,000 soldiers was too large. The prospect of fighting with only 300 men was unthinkable.

That's exactly what God wanted Gideon to do. Was he afraid? Verses 10 through 12 indicate as much, but the Lord didn't criticize Gideon's fear, He erased it by allowing him to hear the enemy express fear not only of the Lord but also of the army that Gideon commanded. Gideon's response was uncharacteristic of his usual hesitant approach. The time for testing was over. He was emboldened by the fears of his enemies and the assurance of His God; he acted immediately and rallied his brave, wise, but very small army.

Once the ingenious plan to surround the enemy, manipulate their fears, and allow the Lord to confuse them further unfolded, the size of Gideon's army increased dramatically. He quickly called for the men from the tribe of Ephraim to join in the fight and apprehend the leaders of the Midianite army. By obeying and trusting in God, Gideon saw the force of his efforts multiply and the threat of his enemies dwindle before his eyes. His fear was replaced with boldness, his inaction with mighty works.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes it may feel like life would be easier if all the directions and orders for our life were spoken directly to us by the angel of the Lord. But while we may not receive specific verbal instructions, we also don't often face pagan armies while outnumbered three hundred to one. One battle we do wage is the battle within, the struggle against the lure of this world system. Are you longing for material possessions and pleasure? Ask God for the courage to seek instead after His kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 20, 2010

Redirected

READ: Genesis 39:1-10
The Lord was with Joseph. -Genesis 39:2

At the age of 16, pianist Leon Fleisher made his formal debut at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic. He went on to win prestigious international competitions and played in the world's finest concert halls. But at the age of 37, Fleisher was struck with dystonia, a neurological condition that crippled his right hand. After a period of despondency and withdrawal, he turned to teaching and conducting, because, as he said, he loved music more than he loved the piano.

When our dreams are shattered, how do we react? After Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, was sold as a slave by his brothers (Gen. 37:12-36), he could have given in to self-pity and self-indulgence. Instead, Joseph remained true to the Lord. Four times in Genesis 39, we read that "the Lord was with" Joseph (vv.2-3,21,23), and his actions revealed his own faithfulness to God. By his exemplary life, those he served in Egypt recognized God's presence with him.

Do we love God more than our own dreams? Although Joseph must have grieved the loss of his past and what his life could have been, the Lord led him to a calling he had never imagined. Today, the Lord longs to lead us. Are we willing to be redirected by Him?  - David C. McCasland

My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away;
But still I'll trust my Lord to lead,
For He doth know the way. -Overton

A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. -Proverbs 16:9
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An Original

1 Samuel 15:19 and 24 provide us with real insight into an area of anxiety for many people.  One that may control your life today.

This is Samuel talking to Saul,

"Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD?  Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?"

Saul gives his answer in verse 24,

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice."

Hmmm!  "I feared the people and obeyed their voice."  Saul confessed that he was worried about what other people thought of him and what other people would say about him.  As a result, he made a horrible decision that was counter to what God wanted.

Too many people, even good Christians, are eaten up with worry over what other people think and say about them.  Let me tell you, the worst place to have your peace is in somebody else's head.  As Proverbs 29:25 says, The fear of man brings a snare.

Saul is a perfect example.  He never fulfilled his destiny, he never fulfilled his purpose in life, because he was too worried about what people thought about him even though God chose him to be king.

Someone wisely said this:

"It is not what I think I am that molds me and drives me, and it is not what you think I am that molds me and drives me.  It is what I think that you think I am that molds me and drives me."

Is that your concern today?  If so, let me give you some advice:  Be yourself.  You were created by God as an original, and it would be a shame if you died a copy.
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Read: Judges 7:1-25

Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised. - Judges 7:1-25

TODAY IN THE WORD
One clinical approach to addressing fear, anxiety, and phobias is exposure therapy. By forcing patients to face their fears, even in a controlled environment, psychologists can teach them that they are capable of coping. They see that being paralyzed by fear is actually worse than addressing the threat head on. As Helen Keller put it, "Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."
If Gideon had any fear remaining in his heart, God forced him to face those fears to the extreme. The Midianites and their allies swarmed the valley where they camped, and even their camels were innumerable. The next chapter states that 15,000 men survived the battle, which claimed the lives of 120,000 swordsmen (8:10). Whatever the number of opposing soldiers, Gideon probably didn't share the Lord's assessment that his own army of 32,000 soldiers was too large. The prospect of fighting with only 300 men was unthinkable.

That's exactly what God wanted Gideon to do. Was he afraid? Verses 10 through 12 indicate as much, but the Lord didn't criticize Gideon's fear, He erased it by allowing him to hear the enemy express fear not only of the Lord but also of the army that Gideon commanded. Gideon's response was uncharacteristic of his usual hesitant approach. The time for testing was over. He was emboldened by the fears of his enemies and the assurance of His God; he acted immediately and rallied his brave, wise, but very small army.

Once the ingenious plan to surround the enemy, manipulate their fears, and allow the Lord to confuse them further unfolded, the size of Gideon's army increased dramatically. He quickly called for the men from the tribe of Ephraim to join in the fight and apprehend the leaders of the Midianite army. By obeying and trusting in God, Gideon saw the force of his efforts multiply and the threat of his enemies dwindle before his eyes. His fear was replaced with boldness, his inaction with mighty works.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes it may feel like life would be easier if all the directions and orders for our life were spoken directly to us by the angel of the Lord. But while we may not receive specific verbal instructions, we also don't often face pagan armies while outnumbered three hundred to one. One battle we do wage is the battle within, the struggle against the lure of this world system. Are you longing for material possessions and pleasure? Ask God for the courage to seek instead after His kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 21, 2010

A Mutual Friend

READ: John 15:9-17
I have called you friends. -John 15:15
Imagine being a visitor in a foreign land, showing up unannounced at a gathering of people you have never met and who have never heard of you-and then being allowed to address that group just a few minutes later. That can happen only if something breaks down barriers- something like mutual friends.

It happened when I took a missions team to a church service in Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Before we left the US, my friend Dorant Brown, a Jamaican pastor, recommended a church to attend. So when we arrived at the church, and I mentioned Pastor Brown, we were not only welcomed, but I was also asked to speak briefly and our team was asked to sing.

While sharing Dorant's name was vital, I really don't think it was that mutual friend who got us such a warm welcome. I think it was our shared Friend and Savior Jesus who opened our Jamaican friends' hearts to our visit.

Have you experienced a connection with someone you just met when you tell them you too know Jesus? He's a friend who laid down His life for us (John 15:13), and He makes brothers and sisters of all who believe (1 Peter 2:17).

Jesus. Our Savior. Our mutual Friend. He joins hearts around the world under the banner of His love.  - Dave Branon

Join hands, then, brothers of the faith,
Whate'er your race may be;
Who serves my Father as a son
Is surely kin to me. -Oxenham

Those who are drawn to Christ are drawn to each other.
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The Power of a Word

Proverbs 12:18 gives us some valuable advice,

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Did you ever know someone who is good at making cutting remarks?  They spoke like the piercings of a sword?

Over twenty years ago I was at the house of some friends.  We were all just kind of hanging out and I made a comment to one of the brothers in the family.  It was a clever little comment and was basically meant to take a jab at him.

A couple of the family members heard it and snickered and said, "Oh, way to go, Bayless!  You got him!"  But as soon as I said it, his countenance fell, and my heart just sank. While I looked for an opportunity to apologize to him that night, I didn't do it because he ended up leaving early.

I've regretted that comment ever since.  I repented, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleansed me from that sin.  But you know what?  Those words were out, and I couldn't get them back.

Shortly after that night, he went feet first into a very destructive lifestyle involving his sexuality.  I have to think that quite possibly my words pushed him away from God.  It may have been that little jab of the sword that pushed him off the edge.

The New Testament says in Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but only that which is good for edification or for building up that it may minister grace to the hearers.

Are your words ministering grace to those who hear them? Are they building up? Or are they tearing down?
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Read: 1 Kings 12:16-33
Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt. - 1 Kings 12:28


TODAY IN THE WORD
Adam and Eve broke the one command given in Eden. Cain, Moses, and Abimelech violated God's hatred of violence. Lot's daughters and David and Bathsheba taught us of the monumental consequences for sinning against God's standards of purity. And as they stood at the threshold of the Promised Land, Israel committed the deadly crime of refusing to trust God. These sins represent specific actions, violations at key moments in people's lives.
But the crime we're currently examining is one that dominated the history of Israel in a chronic cycle. It's the sin of rebellion against, departure from, and unfaithfulness toward the Lord God of Israel. This crime is more of a lifestyle than a single act or decision, and it produces many sins and broad consequences. It is, in a sense, its own punishment. In general, the time between the death of Solomon and the birth of Christ was a dark period in Israel's history, but it holds powerful lessons for the believer.

Today's reading follows the aftermath of Rehoboam's cruel treatment of Jeroboam. The insurrection was immediate. One of Rehoboam's officials was killed (v. 18). Jeroboam was swiftly made king over the Northern Kingdom (all tribes except Judah and the bulk of the divided tribe of Benjamin). Had God not spoken through His prophet Shemaiah, a civil war would have followed (v. 24).

Jeroboam's first major act as king of Israel was despicable. To prevent the affections of the people from swaying back to the line of their greatest king, Jeroboam simply created a new form of worship and a revised history of their nation. He made a cheap knock-off of the Hebrew faith, complete with places to worship and falsified festivals. The instruction to select priests from the tribe of Levi was thrown out as well. In Jeroboam's court, anyone could become a priest (13:33). These were God's chosen people, but under the people's chosen king they no longer served the one true God. The Northern Kingdom's legacy of evil had begun.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Not every conflict has a bad guy and a good guy. Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam reigned in times of great evil. There's a lesson there for us when we find ourselves in conflict with someone we know is in the wrong. Have you ever used someone else's blatant sin as proof that your actions are right? It isn't enough to oppose the wicked if we aren't truly following God in what we do. If you (or someone close to you) are engaged in a dispute, seek godly advice and avoid the consequence of perpetual sin.


GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 22, 2010

Neighborly Love

READ: Luke 10:29-37
You shall love the Lord your God . . . and your neighbor as yourself. -Luke 10:27
It would have been simpler just to buy a new hair dryer. But determined to save a buck, I decided to fix it myself. In order to loosen the screw that was buried deep in the handle, I took out the ultimate handyman's helper-my pocket knife. As I put pressure on the knife to turn the screw, the blade folded back-on my finger.

I learned a lesson that day: I love myself. And I am urgent about meeting my needs. There was no thought of, "Well, I don't really have time to stop the bleeding now. I'll get to it later." Also, there was a tenderness about how the need was met. I instructed my first-aid team (my wife and kids) to wash my finger gently and then to put the bandage on in a way that would avoid having the hairs on my finger pulled up when it was removed. My thoughts, words, and actions were driven by my love for myself.

To love "your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27) requires the same urgent kind of love. It's a love that notices the need of another person and won't rest until it's been met. It's a gentle, tender love that thinks and acts carefully. It's the sacrificial and compassionate love that a nameless Samaritan had for a fallen traveler. It's the kind of love God wants to share with your neighbors through you.  - Joe Stowell

Lord, help me see the heartfelt needs
Of those within my care,
And grant that through my words and deeds
Your love with them I'll share. -D. De Haan

You cannot touch your neighbor's heart with anything less than your own.
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No Fear

People tend to worry in these days about world events.  In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus tells us this,

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places."

Jesus said, "When these things happen, don't be troubled.  Don't worry.  They must come to pass."  Think about some of those things.

Earthquakes in various places.  I have been told that around the world earthquakes are increasing both in frequency and in size.  They are happening more and more, and they are getting worse and worse.  It is a sign, my friend.

Jesus mentions pestilences-diseases without cures.  Ring any bells?  There are certain nations where it is reported that 50 percent of the population is infected with AIDS.  It is rampant in many countries of the world.  It is an incredible problem even in our own country.

Jesus points to famines.  There is drought, which is causing famines, which is causing starvation around the world.

Then Jesus talks about wars, rumors of wars, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom.  You can't turn on the news without hearing about some terrorist attack.  There are countries today aggressively pursuing nuclear capabilities.  Nations are poised against one another.

The leaders of our nation and other nations make decisions that affect literally the whole world.  It seems like the world is on fire!  Things are hanging in the balance.

Our response?  It should not be fear, but rather recognition that these things must come to pass before Christ returns!
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Read: 1 Kings 16:29-33
There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. - 1 Kings 21:25


TODAY IN THE WORD
Mario Mendoza was known for his defensive skills on the baseball diamond-and his lack of prowess with the bat. In his nine-year career, he hit a total of four home runs, and his low batting averages became the standard for judging poor hitting-a .200 average is known as the Mendoza line.
In the annals of Israel's kings, Ahab set the standard for wickedness. He is known almost entirely for worshiping foreign gods, oppressing his people, and persecuting the prophets of God (especially Elijah). If Jeroboam had initially appeared to be the very worst king imaginable, Ahab crossed new frontiers of evil. The worship practices instituted by his predecessor were tame compared to the depths to which Ahab stooped. He adopted the Baal worship and Asherah poles that Gideon had torn down so long before because, like Solomon had done, he married the daughter of a foreign king.

Baal worship dominated Ahab's rule, as evidenced by the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal (see 1 Kings 18). He built a temple and altar to this false god and essentially turned Israel into a pagan nation. Were it not for the prophets who spoke the truth about God, Ahab would have eliminated true worship if he had gotten his way. The major consequence of his actions was simple: the Lord was very angry.

But as awful a king as Ahab was and as many wicked things he did toward God and against the people he ruled, even Ahab became the recipient of God's grace. Near the end of his rule, Ahab was confronted a final time by Elijah with a stern rebuke of condemnation. When Ahab heard it, he mourned and fasted and humbled himself before God (1 Kings 21:29). Despite the fact that in 22 years of ruling Israel he had unceasingly provoked God to anger, Ahab garnered God's compassion because of one moment of humility. He still paid for his crimes, but even Israel's wickedest king was a candidate for mercy.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you are feeling guilt or shame over something you have done or are doing, don't think for a moment that God won't forgive you. Nothing in your past can compare with the crimes of Ahab, nor can any sin run deeper than the forgiveness found through the blood of Christ. What you must do, however, is humble your heart. If you are harboring sin, pride is at work. Confess it and feel the relief of having your burdens lifted by the One who gave His life for you.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 23, 2010

Giving Up?

READ: 1 Kings 19:11-18
I alone am left; and they seek to take my life. -1 Kings 19:10

Have you ever felt like giving up? Elijah did. The Lord had just used him to show the nation of Israel that the Lord is God (1 Kings 18). Yet, the threats of Queen Jezebel so alarmed him that he ran to Beersheba, 100 miles south (19:3). Then he walked another 150 miles south to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Twice God asked Elijah what he was doing there (vv.9,13). Both times he answered with identical words-"I alone am left; and they seek to take my life" (vv.10,14). He had become so preoccupied with his own fears that he had forgotten what God had done through him at Mount Carmel. Despite his great victory, Elijah plunged into the depths of discouragement. How easy it is for us to do the same.

God did not accept Elijah's notice that he was quitting. Instead, He commissioned his tired servant to handle three major tasks (vv.15-17). And by the way, Elijah was wrong when he said he was the only faithful one left. God had 7,000 others who had not bowed to Baal (v.18).

Perhaps, like Elijah, you are despairing at the circumstances in your life. Let God speak to you (v.12). Instead of allowing you to quit, He will show you what you can do through His strength.  - C. P. Hia

Our strength and hope is in the Lord-
We rest secure in His sure Word;
And though we're tempted to despair
We know we're kept within His care. -D. De Haan

When you're working for Jesus, it's always too soon to quit.
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Could It Be Today?

In yesterday's devotional, we looked at Matthew 24 and some of the things people worry about today that are going on in our world-earthquakes, famine, pestilence, war, and rumors of war. 

Now, it is easy to be concerned about these things, but earlier in that passage-in verse 3-we find out why we should not worry,   

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be?  And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

Jesus was answering the question about the signs of His return, and what will point to the end of the age.  That is why He said, "When you see these things begin to come to pass, it is not time to start worrying."

It is time to lift up your head because He is coming soon!  Hallelujah!

Think about it.  When you open up the paper today and read about the things happening in the Middle East, it seems like Bible prophecy is being fulfilled almost on a weekly basis.  What a time we are living in!

Beloved, Christ is going to return, and from the way things are shaping up, it is not far off at all.  I want to live like He is coming back today, and I want to plan and work like He won't be back for a hundred years.

But it could be any day.

Jesus is coming soon.  Are you ready to meet Him?  Think about it.  Are you living in a way that you know when Jesus Christ comes, you won't be ashamed at His coming?  I pray you will be able to look up with a joyful face and heart and say, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!"
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Read: 1 Kings 22:1-40
They delight the king with their wickedness, the princes with their lies. - Hosea 7:3


TODAY IN THE WORD
In the film, Finding Neverland, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies is found to have a serious illness, but she has no desire whatsoever to learn more. When she finally agrees to further medical examination, she tells her friend, the playwright J. M. Barrie, to allow her to pretend that she's alright: "I'll have the examination, and I'll take whatever medications they advise. But I don't want to know what they're for." She preferred her imagination to the truth she couldn't escape.
King Ahab (along with Jehoshaphat, Ahab's royal counterpart in Judah) took a similar approach to his affliction with sin. He didn't want to know the truth. But Jehoshaphat didn't feel secure in the twisted version of reality supplied by the 400 prophets. He recognized a twist in their word choice. Depending on which Bible version you're using, you may notice that in verse 6, the word Lord looks different than the LORD used in verses 5, 7, and 8. The second style indicates the name of Yahweh. The prophets used the word adonai, meaning lord or master. Jehoshaphat demanded a prophecy from Yahweh, and Ahab, begrudgingly, knew where to find it.

Micaiah's first message (v. 15) and his narrative about God and the heavenly host (vv. 19-23) seem troubling. Micaiah's initial statement was a carbon copy of the false report from the other prophets-it may have been sarcastic or otherwise unbelievable, for Ahab didn't accept it. The king was equally dismissive of the second, conflicting report (vv. 17-18). But no one, even we as readers, expected the news that God was intentionally luring Ahab to his doom and that He would use a deceiving spirit to do so.

God did not violate His character. He cannot lie (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2). The deceitful message came from a spirit under the dominion of God-as all beings are. The message that came directly from the Lord was the truth. Ahab weighed what he wanted to hear against what he suspected to be true and proceeded into battle based on the lie. His death was a picture of his life. He refused to follow the truth and paid the price.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God always makes the truth available to His people, but He will not shield you from lies that you long to believe. If you feel convicted about something in your life that you suspect might be sin, don't consult people you know who will say anything to make you feel better. Find a friend or some godly leader who will give you the truth. When one person says "no" and four hundred say "yes," don't let the popular vote outweigh your conscience and the testimony of God's Word. Choose to obey, and choose life.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

January 24, 2010

A Powerful Word

READ: Hebrews 4:12-13
The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. -Hebrews 4:12

When a teenager named Poh Fang learned about Jesus' love for her and received Him as her Savior, her parents weren't sure about the merits of Christianity. So they sent her older sister with her to church to keep an eye on her. But something happened that they didn't expect. The powerful Word of God penetrated the heart of the older sister, and she accepted Jesus as her Savior as well.

The psalmist said of the Word of God, "Your precepts . . . have given me life" (Ps. 119:93). That's the testimony of Poh Fang and her sister and of all who know Christ as Savior. His Word is "powerful . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12).

God's Word shows us our sin and its consequences: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23); "the wages of sin is death" (6:23). It tells us of God's love and salvation: "God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, . . . made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Eph. 2:4-5). And it gives wisdom for daily living: "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105).

Thank You, Lord, for Your powerful Word, which gives us life and direction for daily living.  - Anne Cetas

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
'Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime. -Lillenas

Many books inform, but only one transforms- the Bible.
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Wise Counsel   

Our testimony is powerful and should be shared.  But even though that may move people and influence people, folks need to know they are anchoring their trust in the promises of God.  Not just in a feeling they have gotten, not just because they feel influenced and moved-even if that is by the Holy Spirit.

Why?  Because feelings change.  Our feelings can go up and down like a rollercoaster.  You may be feeling God today, and tomorrow feel like He is nowhere around.  Ever felt that way?

I have had days when I have woken up and not felt God at all, even though I had experienced a good time with Him the night before.  In those times, if I would have gone by my feelings, I would have said, "God, You have deserted me this morning."

But I know He hasn't because God's Word makes it clear that He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  When a person is saved, they need to be anchoring their faith on the promises of God, not on their feelings.

Promises like Romans 10:9-10,

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So when we witness to people, we need to give them the counsel, the promises of the Word of God. 
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Read: 2 Chronicles 24:1-19
As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the LORD. - 2 Chronicles 24:14


TODAY IN THE WORD
Mike Tyson never had a model life. His father abandoned the family. His mother died when Tyson was only 16. His boxing manager Cus D'Amato became his legal guardian and was a father figure for the talented boxer. But the mentor died in 1985 when Tyson was only 19. Within a few years he fired his trainer, came under contract with the notorious promoter Don King, and his personal and professional life went into a tailspin from which he never recovered.
As the young king of Judah, Joash looked like he would reign as a godly king, but as it turned out, he was simply a king with a godly advisor. His efforts to restore the Lord's temple were an extension of the covenant Jehoiada made with the people of Judah and the king: they were committed to being the Lord's people (23:16).

Joash's ascension to the throne was the final blow in the process of eliminating Ahab's descendants from reigning over Israel. Athaliah, Ahab's daughter, had seized rule over Judah and attempted to kill all the heirs to the throne. But Joash was hidden from her (by Jehoiada's wife, who was Athaliah's sister) and kept safe for six years until assuming power (2 Chron. 22:10-12). The renewal of the temple, the instruments of worship, and the tithe of the people to the service of God were all gestures of the good faith of Jehoiada.

But when Jehoiada died, everything changed, most importantly Joash's circle of trust. After years of rebuilding, the temple was abandoned in an instant, along with the covenant to follow God. It is like a broken record in the chronicles of Israel. Again and again they reject the ways of the Lord and follow foreign gods that bring them nothing but trouble, war, and subservience to other nations. Apparently, the roots of Joash's faith were extremely shallow. It wasn't that Joash no longer heard the truth-God sent prophets to ensure that he did. But Joash and the people who followed him had no interest in the Word. They followed pagan gods that encouraged them to feed the desires of their flesh.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It is of utmost importance that young people who grow up in the faith mature to the point where they can make the faith their own. They need to grow to the point where they make decisions out of a desire to obey and not just a compulsion to please their mentors or parents. But making your faith your own does not mean you need to be left alone. We are called to be disciples, not loners. If you see a young believer in need of guidance, don't critique them harshly. Help them and teach them the ways of God.


GOD BLESS!