Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

January 25, 2010

Deadly Sins

READ: John 16:17-24

You now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. -John 16:22
You may be familiar with the list of seven deadly sins that was formulated during the sixth century: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, vengeance, envy, and pride. But you may not know that the original list compiled during the fourth century also included the sin of sadness. Over the years, that emotion was omitted from the inventory.

Some people are blessed with a cheerful disposition. They always seem to be happy. They wear a perpetual smile almost as if they were advertising toothpaste. But then there are others who seem to be chronically sad. They continually complain about life and its burdens. And who can deny that afflictions are discouraging?

While we acknowledge that not everybody is blessed with a bright outlook on life, we need to remember that joy is one of the gifts Jesus promised to His followers. And we need to resist any tendency to let sadness dominate our emotional lives.

Jesus promised His disciples on the night Judas betrayed Him, "Your joy no one will take from you" (John 16:22). Remember that joy is the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Let's ask the Lord to help us look beyond our sorrowful circumstances and encourage our hearts by the vision of joy that awaits us (Heb. 12:2).  - Vernon C. Grounds

You alone, Lord Jesus, can true joy impart,
For You know the sorrow of the human heart;
You came here from glory many hearts to win
And in love for sinners suffered once for sin. -Anon.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that's always in season.
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The Coming Reward

Let me quote to you from Daniel 12:3, which says,

"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."

There is a coming reward for those who turn people to righteousness.

The dearest thing to God's heart is winning humanity and bringing them into His family.  Nothing is more important to God.  He bankrupted heaven and gave His only begotten Son to save humanity.

The Bible teaches us that there will be a reward, my friend:  authority in heaven, a place in heaven, honor in heaven.

In addition to that, I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Someday there is going to be a joy and a fullness in heaven, but there are some who will not experience that level of joy.

The story is told that Cyrus, the king of Persia who had defeated Babylon and set the captive Jews at liberty, was walking through his garden one day with a visitor.  The visitor was looking at all of the beautiful trees and shrubs and exclaimed how much pleasure the garden was giving him.

Cyrus said, "Not nearly the pleasure it gives to me for, you see, I have planted every one of these trees myself."

I think there is going to be something about being in heaven and seeing your fingerprints on people who are there because you shared, because you gave, and because you prayed.  I believe there is going to be a greater joy for some because they did more for heaven while on earth than others.

There is a coming reward!
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Read: 2 Chronicles 24:20-27
The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. - Proverbs 21:12


TODAY IN THE WORD
George Santayana said it best: "When experience is not retained, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." The leadership of the divided kingdom of Israel evidently had no concept of the history of their nation, the faith or sins of their forefathers, or the mighty works of their God. Joash failed to remember even the most recent history in his life, let alone that of his nation. As a result, his reign came to a swift and shameful end.
Joash forgot the faith and kindness of Jehoiada, his foremost advisor. He had already rejected the covenant to remain faithful to God, but he didn't even have the decency to pay respect to Jehoiada's son, Zechariah. When Zechariah chastised him for his wickedness, he had him stoned in the courtyard of the temple, desecrating what should have been a holy place. Ironically, Zechariah's father had spared Athaliah (Joash's childhood attacker) the same indignity when he was ushering Joash to the throne (2 Chron. 23:14).

It didn't take long for Joash to experience the penalty for his wickedness, and the form of retribution was reminiscent of the stories we've studied so far. The Aramean army resembled the army of Gideon, but this time it was the large army of Judah that was overtaken by a much smaller one. Just as Joash had conspired against Zechariah, his own officials turned to conspire against him. But the identity of the conspirators reminds us of yet another grievous deed: they were the sons of a Moabite woman and an Ammonite woman, descendants of the daughters of Lot.

The consequences of the sins of God's people had a way of revisiting generation after generation of Israelites. The quantity and quality of faith appeared to be dwindling, and the magnitude of their sins grew exponentially. Clearly, Israel needed a better plan, a better ruler, and a better way to preserve their faith in the one true God. Tomorrow we will examine that coming hope in the King of Kings.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The more we study the effects of sin, the more reasons we have to stay pure and true in obedience to God. Sin multiplies the more we engage in it, and time alone never heals the wounds it causes. On the contrary, the punishment for sin grows in severity and scope the longer we wait to confess and repent. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of any sin abiding in your heart. Don't wait another day to turn your heart toward Him. We have seen how merciful God is. Sin, however, is relentless.


GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

January 26, 2010

Delayed Consequences

READ: Ezekiel 12:21-28
Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. -Joel 2:13

As a child, I learned to behave properly when adults rewarded my good behavior and punished my bad behavior. This worked pretty well because the reward or punishment generally came quickly after the behavior, making the relationship between the cause and effect unmistakable. When I became an adult, however, life got more complex, and the consequences of my actions were not always immediate. When I behaved badly without getting in trouble for it, I began to think that it didn't matter to God what I did.

Something similar happened to the children of Israel. When they disobeyed God and didn't suffer any bad consequences right away, they said, "The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see!" (Ezek. 9:9), indicating their belief that God had lost interest in them and didn't care about their bad behavior. But they were wrong. Weary of their waywardness, God finally said, "None of My words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled" (12:28 niv).

When God delays discipline, it's not due to indifference; it's due to His very nature-He is gracious and slow to anger. Some see that as permission to sin, but God intends it to be an invitation to repent (Rom. 2:4).  - Julie Ackerman Link

A Prayer: Lord, thank You for being slow to anger and filled with compassion. May I not presume upon Your mercy by assuming that there will be no consequences to my sin. Help me instead to confess it. Amen.

The only way to make things right is to admit you've been wrong.
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Promises, Promises

God has given us His promises because He wants to fulfill them.  Be they promises of peace, restoration, healing, or for material supply, we must keep in mind that the Lord would not have made the promise if He did not want to do it.

Here are four thoughts to help you when it comes to experiencing the benefit of God's promises:

1.      Find a promise from the Bible that covers your need.  Faith begins here.

2.      Consider the promises.

Hebrews 10:23 says, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

And Hebrews 11:11 says, By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

3.      Act on the promise, fulfilling all necessary conditions.  God is not a respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of conditions.

4.      Start thanking God and exercising patience.

Hebrews 10:36 says, For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

And Hebrews 6:12 says, That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

If you will do these four things, you are on your way to experiencing the fulfillment of God's promises in your life. 
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Read: Revelation 7:9-17
Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. - Revelation 7:10


TODAY IN THE WORD
The eye of a hurricane is one of the most intriguing phenomena in nature. It can measure anywhere from a few miles to over one hundred miles across. No matter how large, inside the eye, the winds are low, precipitation is not a factor, and in some cases the sky above it is completely clear. But the boundary of the eye (the eyewall) features the most intense wind and powerful storms in the entire hurricane.
In the book of Revelation, today's passage is like the eye of the storm. The chapters before and after this describe the great turmoil of the end times, but this passage is serene and joyful. The calamity being poured out upon the earth had no place in the throne room of the Lamb, before whom an adoring multitude from around the world worshiped. In the context of the book, this passage is an oasis of peace.

We have seen the recurring failures of the leadership of Israel, but here is the perfect leader. Jesus Christ is symbolized as the Lamb, because He was sacrificed like a lamb on behalf of us all. Yet He is also the shepherd of the people He saved from tribulation (v. 17). Revelation itself is the culmination of the history of sin building into an intense torrent of destruction and suffering. Jesus Christ is the one who brings it to an abrupt end.

The multitudes dressed in white robes had a purpose: to serve the Lord continuously. The benefits were eternal. Gone was their hunger. Gone was their thirst. Gone were the wearying effects of natural effort and trials. Their tears didn't just vanish, either. God Himself wiped them from their very eyes. And the Lamb, Jesus Christ, led them to drink from the waters of everlasting life.

As we have been studying the crimes of man and the unending consequences building over time, this scene gives us a cleansing breath of hope. The failures of thousands of years will be washed from the robes of God's children, and the suffering of mankind will come to an end. Truly, He is worthy of our praise!
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Be encouraged in the storms of life. On this earth, no matter how righteous our own hearts and actions may or may not be, with Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, we will always have a harbor of peace. Depression, fear, anger, hostility-they can't touch our Savior. In our worship of Him at the foot of His throne, we find calm reassurance of exactly who is in charge. Be sure to take time today simply to praise the Lord for all that He is and all that He has done.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 27, 2010

The First English Samurai

READ: Neh. 1:11-2:5
For I was the king's cupbearer. -Nehemiah 1:11

William Adams (1564-1620) is believed to be the first Englishman to reach Japan. Taking a liking to Adams, the ruling Japanese shogun made him his interpreter and personal advisor concerning the Western powers. Eventually, Adams was presented with two swords with rank of a Samurai. This showed just how much the Japanese revered Adams. Because William Adams served his foreign king well, he was also rewarded with greater opportunity for influence.

Centuries earlier, another man in a foreign country also had great influence over his king. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to Persian King Artaxerxes (Neh. 1:11). In the royal court, the cupbearer would test the wine before it was given to the king to protect him from poisoning. But this position also meant he had the king's ear as a trusted advisor. Nehemiah's integrity, administrative gifts, and wisdom made him a confidant to his ruler, which paved the way for the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

Like Nehemiah, each of us has been given a unique sphere of influence. Raising children, church or community work, and employment all provide a platform where we can have a beneficial effect on others. Has the Lord placed someone in your life upon whom you can have an influence?  - Dennis Fisher

When we live with integrity,
We please our God above
And influence society
With truthfulness and love. -Sper

Even a little example can be a big influence for Christ.
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Builder and Protector

Psalm 127:1-2 says,

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

These verses have been favorites of mine for a long time.

If ever I am tempted to worry about the Church, I remember that it is His house and ultimately only He can build it.  My efforts, by themselves, are in vain.

He is not only the builder of the Church, He is the protector of it as well.  These truths take a lot of weight off of my shoulders and help me sleep well at night.  And I believe that is the way God wants it.

Too many of God's children sit up late, worrying and eating the bread of sorrows.  Whether you are a pastor or a business owner or a stay-at-home mom, learn the secret of casting your cares on God.

He is the builder and protector of your life, and He knows the battles you face.  Trust Him today and sleep well tonight! 
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Read: Revelation 7:9-17
Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. - Revelation 7:10


TODAY IN THE WORD
The eye of a hurricane is one of the most intriguing phenomena in nature. It can measure anywhere from a few miles to over one hundred miles across. No matter how large, inside the eye, the winds are low, precipitation is not a factor, and in some cases the sky above it is completely clear. But the boundary of the eye (the eyewall) features the most intense wind and powerful storms in the entire hurricane.
In the book of Revelation, today's passage is like the eye of the storm. The chapters before and after this describe the great turmoil of the end times, but this passage is serene and joyful. The calamity being poured out upon the earth had no place in the throne room of the Lamb, before whom an adoring multitude from around the world worshiped. In the context of the book, this passage is an oasis of peace.

We have seen the recurring failures of the leadership of Israel, but here is the perfect leader. Jesus Christ is symbolized as the Lamb, because He was sacrificed like a lamb on behalf of us all. Yet He is also the shepherd of the people He saved from tribulation (v. 17). Revelation itself is the culmination of the history of sin building into an intense torrent of destruction and suffering. Jesus Christ is the one who brings it to an abrupt end.

The multitudes dressed in white robes had a purpose: to serve the Lord continuously. The benefits were eternal. Gone was their hunger. Gone was their thirst. Gone were the wearying effects of natural effort and trials. Their tears didn't just vanish, either. God Himself wiped them from their very eyes. And the Lamb, Jesus Christ, led them to drink from the waters of everlasting life.

As we have been studying the crimes of man and the unending consequences building over time, this scene gives us a cleansing breath of hope. The failures of thousands of years will be washed from the robes of God's children, and the suffering of mankind will come to an end. Truly, He is worthy of our praise!
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Be encouraged in the storms of life. On this earth, no matter how righteous our own hearts and actions may or may not be, with Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, we will always have a harbor of peace. Depression, fear, anger, hostility-they can't touch our Savior. In our worship of Him at the foot of His throne, we find calm reassurance of exactly who is in charge. Be sure to take time today simply to praise the Lord for all that He is and all that He has done.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 28, 2010

Quiet Time With God

READ: Psalm 23
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. -Psalm 23:2

The word connected captures our contemporary experience of life. Many people rarely go anywhere without a cell phone, iPod, laptop, or pager. We have become accessible 24 hours a day. Some psychologists see this craving to stay connected as an addiction. Yet a growing number of people are deliberately limiting their use of technology. Being a "tech-no" is their way of preserving times of quiet, while limiting the flow of information into their lives.

Many followers of Christ find that a daily time of Bible reading and prayer is essential in their walk of faith. This "quiet time" is a disconnection from external distractions in order to connect with God. The "green pastures" and "still waters" of Psalm 23:2 are more than an idyllic country scene. They speak of our communion with God whereby He restores our souls and leads us in His paths (v.3).

All of us can make time to meet with God, but do we? In Robert Foster's booklet "7 Minutes With God," he suggests a way to begin: Start with a brief prayer for guidance, then read the Bible for a few minutes, and close with a short time of prayer that includes adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication for others. It's vital to take time today to connect with the Lord, who is our life.  - David C. McCasland

We need to set aside the time
To read God's Word and pray,
And listen for the Spirit's voice
To guide us in His way. -Sper

Time spent with God is time well spent.
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God Can Build The Family

Earlier we have looked atPsalm 127:1-2 which says,

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

The Hebrew word for house in verse one can actually be translated family.  That is one reason why the next few verses (3-5) read like this,

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.  Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

If you have sat up late, worrying about your children or your family, you need to know that God can turn things around.

Trust Him to build and protect your family.  Do your part, but look to Him for guidance and strength.  And trust Him to do what you cannot do.

He can cause your "arrows" to be effective against the enemy instead of wounding your own heart.

May you be happy with your quiver of "arrows," and may God be glorified in your family. 
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Read: Matthew 27:1-5
My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. - Psalm 38:4


TODAY IN THE WORD
Bernie Madoff enacted an enormous Ponzi scheme, an investment fraud that affected more people and lasted longer than any other such scam in history. His crime affected the sensibilities of the public especially acutely because it came to light during a major, global economic downturn. He was sentenced to 150 years in federal prison, and his response to the news showed unbearable remorse: "I live in a tormented state now, knowing of all the pain and suffering that I have created."
The perpetrator of the crime we studied yesterday did not receive his sentence in the courts of men, but he did buckle under the weight of unimaginable guilt. Judas could not live with what he had done. The Bible doesn't definitively state Judas's reasoning for betraying Jesus. We established yesterday that he had been greedily stealing from the disciples' treasury, and to some extent Satan influenced his actions (see John 13:2). But when Jesus was sentenced to be crucified, not even Judas could explain or defend what he had done.

Judas hoped returning the money would alleviate his guilt, but the payment for his betrayal could not be refunded. Judas refused to hold on to the money, and then he lost the will to live. The weight of his sin never fully crossed his mind until it was much too late.

Obviously, betraying the Messiah to the point of death was an evil and inexcusable act, but the chief priests and elders who wanted Jesus dead very likely would have found another way to apprehend Him. And Jesus certainly had the power to escape at any moment. It wasn't the end that made the means employed by Judas so despicable.

No, the thing that made Judas's sin even more appalling was that when Jesus was showing the greatest love the world had ever known, Judas was rejecting Him. Jesus would have given up His life with or without Judas, but the betrayal was a slap in the face of God. Thirty pieces of silver was nothing; when he realized his sin, Judas deemed his very life to be worthless.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Every sin is, in a sense, a betrayal against God and against His Son-and for believers, sin grieves the Holy Spirit within us. From the fruit of the forbidden tree to the wrongdoings we commit today, every violation of God's commands and God's character carries a death sentence (Rom. 6:23). Jesus Christ paid that sentence. In the face of what Christ did for us, how can we choose to serve our own desires instead of the will of God? Let us never take lightly our duty to obey the Lord.


GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 29, 2010

Running The Race

READ: 1 Cor. 9:19-27
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. -1 Corinthians 9:24
Spiridon Louis isn't well known around the world, but he is in Greece. That's because of what happened in 1896 when the Olympic Games were revived in Athens.

During the competition that year, the Greeks did quite well-winning the most medals of any nation. But the event that became a source of true Greek pride was the first-ever marathon. Seventeen athletes competed in this race of 40 kilometers (24.8 miles), but it was won by Louis-a common laborer. For his efforts, Louis was honored by king and country, and he became a national hero.

The apostle Paul used running a race as a picture of the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, he challenged us not just to run but to run to win, saying, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." Not only did Paul teach this but he lived it out. In his final epistle, he said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2Tim. 4:7). Having finished his race, Paul joyfully anticipated receiving the victory crown from the King of heaven.

Like Paul, run your earthly race to win-and to please your King.  - Bill Crowder

As we run in this race-
As our best effort we bring-
We are spurred on by the fact
That we must win for the King. -Branon

The Christian's race is not a sprint-it's a marathon.
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Tithing

In Matthew 23:23, Jesus speaks about the issue of tithing in this way,

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law:  justice and mercy and faith.  These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone."

Jesus tells us, "These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone."  Yes, they should tithe, but the things He lists are the most important issues.

While we will touch on these issues in later devotionals, I want to point out the fact that Jesus does say we should tithe.     

The Living Bible paraphrase of this verse is helpful,  "For you tithe down to the last mint leaf in your garden, and ignore the important things-justice and mercy and faith.  Yes, you should tithe, but you shouldn't leave the more important things undone."

You should tithe.  The first ten percent of your income, or the first ten percent of the increase that God brings to you, is called a tithe.  The Bible says in the last chapter of Leviticus that the tithe is holy, and it belongs to the Lord.

So you should tithe.  That is very important.  In fact, I believe it is the first step in getting God involved in your finances, and an important step in you getting control of your finances. 

If you are not tithing, I want to encourage you to open your heart to God's Word in this area and consider the possibilities that He sets before you.
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Read: Acts 5:1-11
You have not lied to men but to God. - Acts 5:4


TODAY IN THE WORD
In the Philippines, gift giving is extremely popular regardless of the occasion, and it has very little to do with materialism or monetary value. In fact, it is customary for the recipient of the gift to wait until the giver has left before opening the present, and discussing the cost of a gift is considered extremely rude. The Filipino culture simply values gift giving as a way to express a single thought of appreciation.
In terms of financial value, the gift that Ananias laid at Peter's feet was quite generous. But the thought behind the contribution from him and his wife Sapphira was more self-serving than selfless. The text doesn't describe the motives of Ananias and Sapphira at any length, but we can judge by the results that they weren't pure.

The gift in question was given in the context of an intertwined, supportive community among the believers in Jerusalem. No one was required to forfeit their possessions, but the general spirit among them was that ownership didn't matter. They placed a priority on sharing everything they had (Acts 4:32). On occasion, landowners would sell their real estate and bring the proceeds to the apostles for distribution to the needy. Land ownership wasn't forbidden or even frowned upon-lying, however, was another matter.

When giving is discussed in church, today's believers hear the term "ten percent" quite frequently, and businesses frequently promise to give "a portion of the proceeds" to charity. There's nothing wrong with giving any percentage to God, but Peter knew that was not the message Ananias and Sapphira were trying to send. The gesture of laying the gift at the apostles' feet rather than giving in private may have been understood to signify a total release of a piece of property's sale. Sapphira, at least, verbalized the lie, claiming that the gift represented the entire profit.

For Ananias and Sapphira, the consequence of their crime-lying to God, particularly the Holy Spirit-was immediate death. But the additional result was the spread of fear throughout the church.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Undoubtedly some believers in Jerusalem had nothing to give. Others gave all they had. The amount given by a believer does not represent a scale of righteousness. We should be very careful when giving based on percentages to do so honestly and generously and without regard to who knows or how much. It is better not to give at all than to give out of selfish motives. Humble yourself before God and ask Him to make your giving selfless, generous, and true.


GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

January 30, 2010
 
Behind The Parted Curtain

READ: Luke 23:39-43
Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." -Luke 23:43
Pastor and author Erwin Lutzer wrote: "One minute after you slip behind the parted curtain, you will either be enjoying a personal welcome from Christ or catching your first glimpse of gloom as you have never known it. Either way, your future will be irrevocably fixed and eternally unchangeable."

Luke recorded a short yet powerful narrative that pictures two men about to go behind that curtain of death. When Jesus was being crucified, two thieves hung alongside Him. According to Mark, both men hurled insults at Jesus (15:32).

One of the thieves, however, had a change of heart as he realized Jesus' innocence, his own sin, and his destiny. He rebuked the other thief and asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. These words were a sign of repentance and simple faith. Jesus responded, "I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Salvation for the man was immediate. He knew that day where he would spend eternity.

Realizing that we are sinners and placing our trust in Jesus' death and resurrection assures us that we can immediately know where we will spend our eternal tomorrows when we slip behind the parted curtain.  - Marvin Williams

Oh, why not turn while y

et you may;
Too late, it soon will be-
A glorious life you may possess
Throughout eternity. -Anon.

To prepare for tomorrow, trust Jesus today.
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Tithing Today?

In Malachi 3:10-11, God says,

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," says the LORD of hosts.

Those are pretty amazing promises!  God says when we bring the first tenth to Him, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing we cannot contain.  He even invites us to test Him in this area!  (As far as I know there is no other place in the Bible where God does that.)

Notice, too, that He says He will rebuke the devourer.  While this was written to an agrarian society whose prosperity was measured in vineyards, crops, and their livestock, you can transpose this principle right into the era in which we live.  God will still bless us, and He will still rebuke the devourer for our sakes.

Years ago, in a small church in Mexico, a friend of mine was teaching on tithing.  A poor man in the church got angry and stormed out.  Later that day, he read the verses from Malachi again and decided to put God to the test.  "Could God fulfill His promise-even in my circumstance?" he thought.

That poor villager later testified-interrupting a service and demanding that tithing needed to be taught again-"because these people need it!"  He told how he had been blessed like never before since he started giving one-tenth of his earnings to the church.

God is not limited by the circumstances that surround us.  He can bless us no matter where we are if we will "try Him" and bring all the tithe into His storehouse.
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Read: Matthew 27:1-5
My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. - Psalm 38:4


TODAY IN THE WORD
Bernie Madoff enacted an enormous Ponzi scheme, an investment fraud that affected more people and lasted longer than any other such scam in history. His crime affected the sensibilities of the public especially acutely because it came to light during a major, global economic downturn. He was sentenced to 150 years in federal prison, and his response to the news showed unbearable remorse: "I live in a tormented state now, knowing of all the pain and suffering that I have created."
The perpetrator of the crime we studied yesterday did not receive his sentence in the courts of men, but he did buckle under the weight of unimaginable guilt. Judas could not live with what he had done. The Bible doesn't definitively state Judas's reasoning for betraying Jesus. We established yesterday that he had been greedily stealing from the disciples' treasury, and to some extent Satan influenced his actions (see John 13:2). But when Jesus was sentenced to be crucified, not even Judas could explain or defend what he had done.

Judas hoped returning the money would alleviate his guilt, but the payment for his betrayal could not be refunded. Judas refused to hold on to the money, and then he lost the will to live. The weight of his sin never fully crossed his mind until it was much too late.

Obviously, betraying the Messiah to the point of death was an evil and inexcusable act, but the chief priests and elders who wanted Jesus dead very likely would have found another way to apprehend Him. And Jesus certainly had the power to escape at any moment. It wasn't the end that made the means employed by Judas so despicable.

No, the thing that made Judas's sin even more appalling was that when Jesus was showing the greatest love the world had ever known, Judas was rejecting Him. Jesus would have given up His life with or without Judas, but the betrayal was a slap in the face of God. Thirty pieces of silver was nothing; when he realized his sin, Judas deemed his very life to be worthless.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Every sin is, in a sense, a betrayal against God and against His Son-and for believers, sin grieves the Holy Spirit within us. From the fruit of the forbidden tree to the wrongdoings we commit today, every violation of God's commands and God's character carries a death sentence (Rom. 6:23). Jesus Christ paid that sentence. In the face of what Christ did for us, how can we choose to serve our own desires instead of the will of God? Let us never take lightly our duty to obey the Lord.


GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 31, 2010

Be The Light!

READ: Ephesians 5:8-14
You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. -Ephesians 5:8

A friend of mine has the opportunity each winter to attend the Super Bowl as a journalist. His job is to garner interviews with Christian athletes and National Football League personnel for a faith-based radio program.

When he first started covering the big game a few years ago, he grew disillusioned with the self-serving, pleasure-seeking atmosphere during Super Bowl week. "I found it to be a very dark place," he says.

One day he told a former NFL player, a Christian, how he was feeling. The athlete looked at my friend and said, "Brother, you are being light in this dark place." That comment reminded my friend why he was there, and it helped renew his excitement for serving God in a place where the light of the gospel is needed. It spurred him to shine his light.

Perhaps you work in a setting where God is not acknowledged, faith is mocked, and godless living is applauded. Maybe you feel that you are going into "a very dark place."

Why not be a light (Eph. 5:-through your smiles, kind words and deeds, and diligent work. Ask God to bring opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ. You may be the only light a co-worker sees today.  - Dave Branon

God put us in this darkened world
To shine as sons of light;
So, help us, Lord, to spread Your Word
And keep our witness bright. -D. De Haan

Our witness for Christ is a light in a dark world.
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Guarding Your Ways

In Psalm 39:1, we are given an important warning,

I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."

The Hebrew word translated "ways" in this passage literally means a well-trodden path.  It paints the picture of a pathway that has been walked down so many times that a groove has been worn in that path.

The psalmist is drawing our attention to something that has been repeated again and again, a response that has been so often repeated that it has become engrained in our behavior-a  habit.

You have probably heard the saying, "He's set in his ways," meaning it is not likely you are going to change the way a person acts in certain instances.  The "ways" are habits, attitudes, and responses that aren't likely to change without a very powerful motivation or without some sort of an encounter with God.

I think virtually every habit we have  initially began with a thought.  Sow a thought; reap an action.  Sow an action; reap a habit.  Sow a habit; reap a character.  Sow a character; reap a destiny.  It all goes back to a thought that perhaps should have been dealt with, but wasn't.

Take some time today to consider your thoughts.  Are you giving way to thoughts that will lead to ungodly habits?  If so, give those thoughts to God and ask Him to help you think the thoughts that will lead to godly habits. 
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Read: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. - 1 Corinthians 15:20


TODAY IN THE WORD
Dostoevsky wrote, "The most pressing question on the problem of faith is whether a man as a civilized being can believe in the divinity of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, for therein rests the whole of our faith." The final focal point of our study on crime and punishment in the Bible is the one who committed no crime and who rose victorious over all punishment, for He is the central figure in the destruction of sin and the end of death. The discussion of sin cannot be complete without considering the resurrection of Christ.
Most of the consequences we've studied have been natural repercussions of ungodly actions, the act that dealt a death blow to sin was entirely supernatural. Today's key verse speaks not only to the miraculous nature of the resurrection of Christ, but also to the hope that those who have died will follow Him back to life. Jesus is the undoing of the curse of Adam's original sin.

To our great anxiety, the progression is not immediate. We wait and serve patiently until Christ's return. It's encouraging to know that the problems that plague followers of Christ, which have been the product of thousands of years of disobedience, will be overthrown by the hand of Christ. Jesus will reign over all. The philosophical questions such as "Why does God allow evil?" or "Why is there suffering in the world?" will be answered once and for all when it all is subject to the rule of Christ and the dominion of God.

There is a perfect completion in God's plan through Jesus Christ. God has given His Son the authority to rule and judge (John 5:27) over that which God already had sovereign power on a supernatural level. By inserting His Son into the realm of creation, sending His Spirit to indwell the hearts of believers, and establishing His reign within that realm as well, God has become all in all. He is not merely ruling over us, He reigns within us as well. We long for that day when there is no crime and no punishment, only a perfect relationship with God in the service of His Son, Jesus Christ.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The promise of the resurrection gives us reason to live holy lives in God's service. Death is not the finish line but a milestone along the eternal road. Later in this chapter, Paul exhorted his readers to "come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning" (v. 34). We are approaching a day when all of creation lives happily under the reign of Christ-why delay that reality in our hearts? There is so much pain that erupts from sin and so much promise ahead in Christ. Recommit your heart to obedience.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

February 01, 2010

The Written Word

READ: Romans 15:4-13
Whatever things were written before were written . . . that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. -Romans 15:4
v
Last January, ESPN television ran a compelling feature about Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who had just been named the NFL's Most Valuable Player. But the feature was not about football. Instead, it explained that for several years, when certain competitors Manning admired were retiring from the NFL, he took time to handwrite a note to them, congratulating them on their careers and their character.

Each recipient who was interviewed expressed deep appreciation that one of the greatest players of all time would do that. It was a great reminder of the power of the written word.

While a written note from a respected athlete such as Peyton Manning has much value, no human's words can compare with the written Word we have from God in Scripture. Paul wrote, "Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4). In the life-changing wisdom of the Bible, we have a personal message that tells us what God desires for us to be and what He desires to be for us. He has given us His written Word so we "might have hope" as we face the issues of life. Out of gratitude, let's read God's written message-and watch it change our lives.  - Bill Crowder

Cling to the Bible; this jewel and treasure
Brings life eternal and saves fallen man;
Surely its value no mortal can measure;
Seek for its blessing, O soul, while you can. -Anon.

God speaks through His Word to those who listen with their heart.
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Uniquely You

Each of us possesses strengths which God has given us.  Psalm 18:32 says,

It is God who arms me with strength.

And in Philippians 4:13,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

And King David said this in 1 Chronicles 29:12,

...in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

God gives us all strength, yet I believe there are specific things He gives each of us that make you and me strong individually.  The book of Psalms says in 33:14-15, From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually.  In the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 12:27 it says, Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

We are collectively the body of Christ, but God has wired us each differently.  God has formed our hearts individually.  He has put certain deposits in one person that may not be in another person.  He has given one person a certain kind of strength that may not be another person's strength.

Here is what I am getting at.  I believe there is something uniquely you that gives you strength and character and presence, something that makes you a person to be reckoned with, something that God has put in you.  It is a foundation, a seat of strength that He wants to move through in order to influence and to bless others.

Rather than coveting someone else's unique giftings and strength, discover and develop your own.  Remember, God individually fashioned you.  There is something wonderfully unique about you, through which God wants to bring blessing to others. 
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Read: Acts 5:1-11
You have not lied to men but to God. - Acts 5:4

TODAY IN THE WORD
In the Philippines, gift giving is extremely popular regardless of the occasion, and it has very little to do with materialism or monetary value. In fact, it is customary for the recipient of the gift to wait until the giver has left before opening the present, and discussing the cost of a gift is considered extremely rude. The Filipino culture simply values gift giving as a way to express a single thought of appreciation.
In terms of financial value, the gift that Ananias laid at Peter's feet was quite generous. But the thought behind the contribution from him and his wife Sapphira was more self-serving than selfless. The text doesn't describe the motives of Ananias and Sapphira at any length, but we can judge by the results that they weren't pure.

The gift in question was given in the context of an intertwined, supportive community among the believers in Jerusalem. No one was required to forfeit their possessions, but the general spirit among them was that ownership didn't matter. They placed a priority on sharing everything they had (Acts 4:32). On occasion, landowners would sell their real estate and bring the proceeds to the apostles for distribution to the needy. Land ownership wasn't forbidden or even frowned upon-lying, however, was another matter.

When giving is discussed in church, today's believers hear the term "ten percent" quite frequently, and businesses frequently promise to give "a portion of the proceeds" to charity. There's nothing wrong with giving any percentage to God, but Peter knew that was not the message Ananias and Sapphira were trying to send. The gesture of laying the gift at the apostles' feet rather than giving in private may have been understood to signify a total release of a piece of property's sale. Sapphira, at least, verbalized the lie, claiming that the gift represented the entire profit.

For Ananias and Sapphira, the consequence of their crime-lying to God, particularly the Holy Spirit-was immediate death. But the additional result was the spread of fear throughout the church.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Undoubtedly some believers in Jerusalem had nothing to give. Others gave all they had. The amount given by a believer does not represent a scale of righteousness. We should be very careful when giving based on percentages to do so honestly and generously and without regard to who knows or how much. It is better not to give at all than to give out of selfish motives. Humble yourself before God and ask Him to make your giving selfless, generous, and true.


GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

February 02, 2010

Time For A Change

READ: Luke 7:37-49
This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner. -Luke 7:39

A friend once told me, "In my lifetime I've seen a lot of things change, and I've been against them all!" Perhaps he overstated the point, but many of us would agree that we don't like change-especially if it involves altering our habits and attitudes.

That's one reason Jesus was so unpopular among the Pharisees. He challenged their long-established system of good works and self-righteous living. Consider the incident when the town "sinner" entered the home of the town "saint" in Luke 7. Simon the Pharisee wasn't impressed with the woman's lavish display of affection for Jesus. Reading Simon's self-righteous thoughts, Jesus immediately challenged his flawed perception of his own goodness by telling the story of two debtors-one who owed much to his master and one who owed less. "Which of them will love him more?" Jesus asked (v.42). Obviously, the one who had been forgiven more. Speaking to Simon's I-feel-pretty-good-about-myself attitude, Jesus said, "to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little" (v.47).

The challenge is clear. Lulled into thinking how good we are, our love for Jesus wanes because we have forgotten that we too are among the ones "forgiven much." And when that happens, ready or not, it's time for a change!  - Joe Stowell

Forgive us, Lord, for failures past,
Then help us start anew
With strength and courage to obey
And closely follow You. -Sper

When God starts changing things, He usually begins with changing us.
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Giving to Get?

Any time I give, I expect a blessing to return.  It is a law that we find in Scripture.  It is a promise of Jesus.

But you know what?  That is not my main motivation for giving.  And that should not be our heart for giving.  Jesus says in Luke 6:32-38,

"But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do the same.  And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.  But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.  For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.  Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.  Judge not, and you shall not be judged.  Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you."

What is the heart of this whole thing?  Jesus said, "Don't love just to get love back; don't do good just so that good might be done back to you; don't lend just hoping to get something back."

He makes it clear that if you do those things for the right motivation, it will come back to you.  Your reward will be great. 

Do not give with the motivation of just getting something back.  Non-Christians have that motivation!  How does that set you apart from them?  Give out of a higher motivation.
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Read: Psalm 94
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. - Psalm 94:19

TODAY IN THE WORD
In the closing days of World War II, a trainload of 2,500 Jews, many of them children, were en route from Bergen-Belsen to another Nazi concentration camp for "termination." Fortunately for them, the U.S. Army's 30th Infantry Division found the train, rescued the starving prisoners, and evacuated them to safety. This stirring episode was forgotten until a few years ago, when a high school history teacher sent his students to interview World War II veterans for an oral history project. When the class posted their project on the Internet, including photos taken by the soldiers, the survivors from that train contacted the school and arranged for a reunion with their rescuers. The long-delayed reunion took place at the high school.
Rescue and justice inspire great joy, as Psalm 94 also shows. The psalmist was experiencing a discouraging situation. The wicked seemed to be getting off scot-free! They spoke and acted arrogantly, using their power to exploit and oppress others and boasting they had pulled the wool over God's eyes (vv. 4-7). How long would He wait to punish them? When would justice be restored (v. 2)? Why did He not come to help those who were obedient and faithful?

No matter how long the delay, the psalmist knew, God would not be mocked. He sees all, knows all, and will certainly act with righteousness and justice (vv. 8-11; Gal. 6:7). From the perspective of those who love Him, such actions are a blessing, even when it means discipline for them (v. 12). God delights in instructing those with teachable hearts how better to obey. For the wicked, though, His actions are a judgment on their pride. Today, believers can still relate to this "anxiety"-that the wicked are triumphing and the righteous are failing. But there is "consolation"-that God cannot be corrupted or fooled and never forsakes His people. These truths bring joy to our hearts (v. 19; see Prov. 21:15)!
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What truths about God bring joy to your heart and soul? Is it His power and awesomeness? His perfect justice and pure holiness? His sweet mercy and lovingkindness? Where would we be without His greatness and goodness in our lives? Sometimes it's easy to get bogged down in circumstances and our own shortsightedness and forget who God is and all He's done for us. Restoring our joy, then, can be a matter of refocusing on truths that endure, rather than fixating on how things seem at the moment.


GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

February 03, 2010

What Will I Do?

READ: James 1:21-25
Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. -James 1:22

A man who has been my mentor and friend for many years often says that his goal in studying the Bible is always personal application. I appreciate his emphasis on putting learning into practice, because it's too easy for those of us who study, discuss, teach, and write about the Bible to take a merely intellectual approach to the Word.

Oswald Chambers said: "There is a danger with the children of God of getting too familiar with sublime things. We talk so much about these wonderful realities, and forget that we have to exhibit them in our lives. It is perilously possible to mistake the exposition of the truth for the truth; to run away with the idea that because we are able to expound these things, we are living them too."

James reminds us that the person "who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (1:25). The key issue is not what is preached or written, but what is done.

When I study God's Word, my first question should not be, "What am I going to say about this?" but "What am I going to do about this?"  - David C. McCasland

We take delight to teach God's Word,
We say, "Amen, it's true!"
But it's of little use to us
Unless His will we do. -D. De Haan

One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it. -Chambers
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The Right Motivation

In yesterday's devotional, we saw how we should not give just to get.  That should not be our sole motivation.  So the question is, "What is the right motivation?"

All we need to do is look at what motivated God to give.  It is found in John 3:16,

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

God so loved that He gave.  And, yes, God certainly did reap a harvest when He gave His Son.  He reaped a harvest of sons and daughters.

You should give out of love and devotion for God.  Give because you do not want people to go into an eternity without God, because you love humanity, because you have mercy and compassion for broken, dying people.

That is the right motivation for giving.  When you give with that motivation, your reward will be great.  God will see that it comes back to you multiplied.

That is a far cry from what many emphasize when it comes to giving today.  It appears to me that a lot of people, when they teach on giving, are just pushing people's greed buttons.  It seems that the main motivation that some leaders are teaching for people to give is, "Hey, give because God will bless you."  And there is no doubt that God blesses those who give.  The scriptural promises are clear.

But what about the weightier matters?  Remember how Jesus rebuked the Jewish leadership in Matthew 23:23 because they, "Neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith"?

God looks at the heart.  Our hearts ought to be like that of our heavenly Father, who is merciful, kind, loving, and generous, even to the most thankless and evil among us.  That is the right motivation.
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Read: Psalm 30
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. - Psalm 30:11

TODAY IN THE WORD
For many high school students, prom is a special event, second only to graduation. But for low-income girls who cannot afford a prom dress, it can be a painful reminder that they don't have the resources enjoyed by their classmates. For ten years, the Glass Slipper Project in Chicago has stepped forward to offer free prom dresses to girls who could not otherwise afford to go. Deserving students with valid high school IDs come to "Boutique Days" at designated locations and take home dresses, shoes, purses, and cosmetics. Volunteers help the girls find just the right gowns and accessories.
With even greater generosity, God steps forward to clothe us with His joy. In our own strength and with our own resources, genuine joy is out of reach, but God delights to clothe us from the riches of His wardrobe (v. 11; see Gal. 3:27). Today's reading is a psalm of thanksgiving for this gift of joy.

How was David doing on his own? He was in the depths, and his enemies were gloating. We don't know if the pictures of being sick and near death are literal or metaphors for desperation, but either way the situation was hopeless, humanly speaking. He felt far from the Lord even as he prayed for His help and mercy (vv. 7-8). What did God do? He stepped in and lifted the psalmist out of the depths, silenced his enemies, healed him, and saved his life. For this, David determined to exalt and rejoice in theLord (vv. 1-3, 12).

Even more, the psalmist called on the congregation of the faithful to join him in praise and worship. It's not just about one specific act of rescue. It's about the bedrock reality of God's faithfulness and love for His people. Based on this, we can say that "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (v. 5). God's work in our lives leads to wailing being transformed into dancing and sorrow into joy.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Embedded in this psalm is an excellent model for an effective narrative hook in a personal testimony. Verses 6-7a are the before, when David was standing firm and things were going well. Verses 7b-10 are the during, when he was dismayed and depressed, praying but feeling on the verge of death. Verses 11-12 are the after, when the climax of God's deliverance turns night into day and spurs fervent rejoicing. Do you have a personal testimony that could be narrated in this way?


GOD BLESS!