Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

March 16, 2010

The Real Hero

READ: John 3:22-30
He must increase, but I must decrease. -John 3:30

Louis B. Neumiller was known for his humility, integrity, and commitment to quality. As president of the Caterpillar Tractor Company from 1941-54, he led the manufacturer of earth-moving equipment through the challenges of World War II into global expansion. In the book In Their Time: The Greatest Business Leaders of the Twentieth Century, authors Mayo and Nohria describe Neumiller's leadership as "success without fanfare." His mark of greatness, they note, was that he took his identity out of the business and "let his company become a hero instead of himself."

We see the same quality of selflessness in John the Baptist, the dynamic preacher who repeatedly affirmed his mission of paving the way for the Messiah. When John's followers became concerned that Jesus was baptizing people and crowds were following Him, John replied: "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' . . . He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:28,30).

As followers of Christ, are we lifting Him up instead of seeking honor for ourselves? Rather than being disappointed when our contribution is unnoticed, we should be glad because our highest privilege is to magnify the Lord. He's the hero!

Honoring Him is the mark of greatness.  - David C. McCasland

A Prayer: Lord, teach us to be humble. May our desire be that You be known, honored, loved, and exalted in every thought and action-above ourselves. Amen.

The great Christian is one who is small enough to let God be great in his life.
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How to Pray for the Unsaved

In the last two devotionals, I have stressed the importance of praying for the unsaved people in our lives to be saved.  Today, I want to give you four ways you can pray for them:

1.      Pray for openness and understanding.  Acts 16:14 says the Lord opened the heart of Lydia to heed the things spoken by Paul.  Paul was speaking the gospel.  And if the Lord can open Lydia's heart, He can open your Aunt Mildred's heart.

2.      Pray that God would send laborers to them.  In Luke 10:2 Jesus said, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  I am confident that God will answer any prayer He has commanded us to pray, and this prayer is not a suggestion.  Jesus commanded us to pray that God would send out laborers into the harvest.

3.      Pray that God will visit them and reveal Himself to them.  I do not know of a specific promise in the Bible where it says God is going to visit someone in a dream or give them a vision.  But I do see in Scripture where God reveals Himself to people in such ways, like Saul of Tarsus, who, on the Damascus Road, had a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved.

4.      Pray for personal direction and for personal opportunities to share.  Jesus, in Luke 10:2 said, "The harvest is great, laborers are few.  Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest."  In the next verse Jesus said, "Behold, I send you."  You can become the answer to your own prayer!

So pray for the unsaved people in your life, and do not stop praying until they get saved. 
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Read: Jonah 3:1-4:10

The Lord replied, "Have you any right to be angry?" - Jonah 4:4

TODAY IN THE WORD
The Assyrian empire was one of the most brutal regimes in human history. As one scholar catalogued their cruelty, the Assyrians made pyramids of human heads, left bodies to rot and be ravaged by dogs outside the city gates, and impaled women and children around the city walls when they conquered an area. They were perhaps best known for showing no mercy to their opponents, whether king or infant. The Assyrians had oppressed Israel for decades, finally causing the defeat of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. (see 2 Kings 15-19). Nineveh was their capital, and Jonah had been sent by God to preach there.
Our passage today starts after Jonah's famous encounter with the great fish. God told Jonah again, "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you" (3:2). Jonah finally obeyed, and his worst nightmare came true: his mission was successful. Nineveh repented, and God relented. Jonah was furious (4:1). His complaint was rooted in the very gracious and loving character of God. The irony is that Jonah had experienced God's mercy firsthand when he was delivered from the fish, but he was unwilling for his enemies to participate in redemption.

So Jonah pouted. His huffing and puffing is comical in itself, and it's even more ridiculous given the situation. God gave Jonah an object lesson in compassion, first providing him with a vine for shade and then taking it away. Upon the loss of the vine, Jonah declared that he wanted to die (v. . For the second time, God challenged Jonah's right to be angry, noting that Jonah had more concern about the life of a vine than about an entire city of people created by God. Ultimately, Jonah was concerned only for himself.

Jonah thought that God's mercy toward the Assyrians was foolish, though he himself had benefited from God's deliverance. God revealed that Jonah's resistance to grace demonstrated true foolishness and that His abundant, lavish, incomprehensible love could pour out on anyone who would call on His name.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In his book, And God Created Laughter, Conrad Hyers observes: "When we look at the figure of Jonah, his self-centeredness and narrow-mindedness, his extreme behavior, his self-contradictions, we laugh at him, and, as we laugh, realize that we are laughing at ourselves." Jonah challenges us to follow Christ's command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). Will we rejoice when a sinner comes to salvation? Or will we pout when our enemies enjoy God's redemption and blessing?

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

March 17, 2010

A Good God

READ: Psalm 46
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. -Psalm 9:9

When my brother-in-law was a missionary in Mali, West Africa, he was involved in a traffic accident. A man had wandered into the road in front of Chuck's motorcycle. The cycle struck the man and sent Chuck and the bike sliding along the ground for more than 200 feet. Shortly after Chuck regained consciousness in the hospital, his doctor told him he had been "really lucky." Chuck smiled and replied, "God is good."

Later he thought about the day's events. The man who was struck hadn't received any permanent injuries, and Chuck would also recover from his injuries. But what if one of them had been killed? He thought, God would be no less good.

When we experience tragedy, we may wonder about God's goodness. Is God always good? Yes, He is. He doesn't promise that bad things will never happen to us, but He does promise to be "our refuge and strength" (Ps. 46:1). He doesn't promise that we will never walk through heart-wrenching circumstances, but He promises that we won't be alone (23:4).

God is good-no matter what suffering we are experiencing. Even when we don't understand, we can say with Habakkuk, "Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (3:18).  - Cindy Hess Kasper

O taste and see that God is good
To all who seek His face;
Yea, blest the one who trusts in Him,
Confiding in His grace. -Psalter

God tests our faith so that we may trust His faithfulness.
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The Power of Your Presence

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16,

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."     

The way you let your light shine is just being yourself around people.  Witness everywhere you go through your life, and use words, if necessary.

You can sow seeds just by showing people that you are real.  Some people call it friendship evangelism:  being a genuine friend, touchable, genuinely caring for people, just letting your light shine.

Jesus also said you are a city set on a hill.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nobody lights a lamp and puts it under a basket.  You and I are to live a life that brightly shines the gospel to the unsaved.

I read a story years ago about a guy who had his doorbell hooked up to a big buzzer in the back room.  The buzzer was really loud.  He wanted to change it and put a light there instead that would illuminate when somebody pushed the doorbell.  So he rigged it up to do just that.

The problem was the light would barely illuminate.  He could not figure out what was wrong, so he called an electrician friend.  His friend looked at it and told him, "Oh, you don't understand.  It takes more power to shine than it does to make noise."

That is very true.  Jesus said, "Let your light shine."  Without having to necessarily confront people, they will just notice something different about you.  If you are walking with God, it is reflected in your attitude, your work ethic, and your countenance.  It is a discernable difference that will lead some people to ask about your faith.  You will be able to sow seeds just with your presence. 
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Read: Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. - Genesis 21:6

TODAY IN THE WORD
The highlight of the Hudson family reunion in North Carolina occurs after the casseroles and pies have been eaten. That's when the older generation of cousins pull out worn photo albums and sit telling stories about their childhood in the rural foothills. Lots of laughter and knee-slapping ensues as they tell about the time six-year-old Ida wanted to baptize the cats, when little Clyde tried to scare away his older sister's boyfriend, or when Uncle Elmer would organize all the kids to play baseball.
In our reading today, Sarah understood the bond of laughter in a more profound way than most people. The Lord had promised Abraham that he would become a great nation, but thus far all that had happened was Sarah's ill-fated plan for Abraham to have a son with her servant Hagar. At this point, Sarah and Abraham were both old and "worn out" (18:12). When she heard the Lord say that within a year she would have a son, Sarah laughed at the preposterous notion.

Her laughter didn't go unchallenged by the Lord. Although she denied it, He knew both that she did laugh and why she laughed. In response, He repeated the promise that she would bear a son within the year-for "is anything too hard for the Lord?" (18:13). God was gracious and faithful and true; He "did for Sarah what he had promised" (21:1). He always fulfills His promises in His way and at His time.

Abraham named his son Isaac, which means "laughter." What a perfect name for this child! When his impending conception was announced, his mother laughed at the hilarious impossibility of the idea. Later, as she held her infant, Sarah could testify, "God has brought me laughter"-meaning both her son Isaac, who was "laughter," and the laughter of great joy-"and everyone who hears this will laugh with me" (21:6). The birth of this child was a reason to laugh: laughing with delight at the mystery and power of God's ways, laughing with remembrance of Sarah's doubt, and laughing with joy at the presence of a baby boy.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sharing laughter with our family and friends is a great way to remember how God has worked in our lives. Spend some time with loved ones exchanging stories about the funny things your kids did when they were little. Have coffee with a friend and laugh together about the funny outfits you used to wear years ago. Share with your Sunday school class or Bible study group a way that God worked in your life that filled you with amazement and delight. Let's laugh together as we rejoice in what God has done!

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 18, 2010

Who Are You?

READ: Matthew 4:18-25
Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. -Matthew 4:19
If someone were to ask, "Who are you?" my guess is that you would tell a little about yourself and what you do-"I'm an electrician" or "I'm a nurse." But that's not really who you are-it's what you do. Which leads to the question, If what you do is who you are, who will you be when you stop doing what you're doing?!

Who you are is found in your relationship to Jesus. And this sense of identity will drive your behavior. Take Matthew, for example. As a tax collector during the reign of the Roman Empire, his life was driven by greed. But everything changed the day Jesus showed up and invited Matthew to follow Him (Matt. 9:9). Suddenly Matthew had a whole new identity as a follower of Christ! And he wasn't the only one. We also read about four fishermen in Matthew 4:18-25, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who left their nets to follow Him.

Jesus is a compelling Person, and He is still looking for followers. He wants to make something of your life by giving you the identity of a follower of Jesus. It doesn't mean giving up your career, but it does mean that you will do your work-and all of life-according to His will and ways.

So next time someone asks, "Who are you?" I hope you'll answer, "I'm a follower of Jesus"!  - Joe Stowell

For Further Study Read about 10 perspectives that should form our attitudes and actions as followers of Jesus in Kingdom Living at www.discoveryseries.org/hp092

If you are a follower of Jesus, that's all the identity you need.
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The Power of Proclamation

In our last few devotionals, we have seen we are to pray for the unsaved and live lives that shine the gospel.

But there does come a time to speak up.  Look at Romans 10:13-14,

For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?

When the time does come to speak up, a lot of Christians are like arctic rivers:  frozen at the mouth.  But someone must tell the story!

Pray for the unsaved, let your light shine, and when the time comes, tell them the gospel story.  Paul said in Romans 1:16, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.

Through just a simple proclamation of the message, many people, when they hear it, will believe and be saved.  The reason for that is found in Romans 10:17,

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

A proclamation of the message causes faith to arise in people's hearts.  Just simply tell them the gospel story:  Mankind was separated from God,  Jesus paid the price for their sins,  He was raised from the dead, and if you put your trust in Him, you can be saved.

As well as opening your mouth to share the Good News, you might consider writing letters to your friends to simply and clearly share the gospel.  Incorporate your own story if you feel it would be helpful.

It is easy to share the gospel if you just remember three things:  our rebellion, our ransom, and our response.  With those three things, you can share the gospel with anyone. 
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Read: Exodus 8:1-15

I am the Lord, and there is no other. - Isaiah 45:5

TODAY IN THE WORD
On November 30, 2009, a man in Kingsport, Tennessee, went to Krispy Kreme and ordered a doughnut for $1.49-which he paid for with a $100 bill. Suspicious employees called the police, who confirmed that the bill was counterfeit and arrested the man. As it turned out, his wife had been arrested the week before for the same crime.
We might understand the impulse to counterfeit money, even though it's illegal. In today's story, however, we see Pharaoh's magicians duplicating something unpleasant, which served only to magnify the plagues God had sent upon them. Like a classic screwball comedy, the magicians thought they were standing up to Moses and his God, when in fact they were only hurting the Egyptians and making themselves look foolish.

Today's passage introduces the third attempt by the sorcerers of Egypt to replicate a miraculous plague from God. In chapter 7, they turned their staffs into snakes-which were promptly devoured by Aaron's staff-turned-snake. They also turned water into blood, as the Lord had done. A week later, Moses again confronted Pharaoh with an ultimatum from God: "Let my people go. . . . If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs" (vv. 1-2).

Pharaoh refused. God sent frogs. To be sure we understand how completely the frogs overran Egypt, Scripture paints the picture of frogs on the bed and frogs in the oven. The frogs even jumped into their food while they tried to cook (v. 3). From Pharaoh to peasant, the land and the people were covered with frogs.

The sorcerers of Egypt appeared. And to prove their power they brought still more frogs on the land (v. 7)-the last thing Egypt needed at that moment! Even Pharaoh seemed to understand the limited helpfulness of his own magicians; when he asked for relief from the plague of frogs, he beseeched Moses and Aaron to intercede before God rather than request the magic of Egypt. The sorcerers could only produce counterfeit power. They could not deliver the land from the plague.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do we ever settle for a spiritual counterfeit rather than seek the blessing and power of God? Spiritual counterfeits include trusting in your own goodness rather than the person and work of Jesus Christ, seeking an emotional experience rather than a spiritual transformation, or focusing on the good gifts rather than on God the Giver. "There is no one like the Lord our God" (v. 10)-we should trust, worship, and praise Him alone!

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 19, 2010

Authentic Beauty

READ: Proverbs 31:21-31
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. -Proverbs 31:30

I often take a moment as I wait at our grocery store checkout stand to scan the covers of the magazines displayed there. It seems that if they aren't about sex and money, they're about diet, fitness, health, and outward beauty. There's nothing there for the soul.

The problem is that people read the wrong magazines-those that are full of lies that fixate on beauty of face and form as though that's all there is. This can lead to comparison and terrible despair.

Some years ago, a friend of mine told of a conversation he had with a lovely, self-assured teenager. "You're very self-confident," he observed. "Can you tell me why?" "Yes," the young woman answered. "It's because I'm so pretty." "Oh, I'm sorry," he said with extraordinary wisdom. "Why?" she asked in surprise. "Because," he replied, "you may not always be pretty."

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing" is the wisdom we read in Proverbs 31. Physical beauty all too quickly fades away; all one's efforts to keep it are doomed to fail. But there is an inner beauty-authentic beauty that will endure forever-in the one "who fears the Lord" (v.30).  - David H. Roper

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me-
All His wonderful passion and purity!
O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. -Orsborn

Righteousness in the heart produces beauty in the character.
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Persuasion

Acts 28:23-24 provides us a great example of the next "P" of evangelism,

So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.  And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

Some people are going to need to be persuaded, they are going to need more than proclamation, because they are honestly grappling with questions that need to be dealt with.  Those questions are like roadblocks in front of them that will need to be removed so they can advance and embrace the gospel.

They may have questions like, "Well, why can't other religions save?  Why does Jesus have to be the only way?"  Or, "What's this deal about the Jews?  Why did the Savior have to come from the Jews?"  Or it may be, "What about people who don't hear?  How could it be fair that they would perish?"

When people have questions like these, they are genuinely seeking answers, so give them Biblical reasons.  If you don't have an answer, tell them you don't know.  Say, "You know what?  That's a good question, and I don't know the answer.  But I'm going to find one for you."  Then go study your Bible and find the answer.

Or go to the Bible bookstore and find a book that deals with that subject.  Or ask a Christian friend who knows more than you do and find an answer.  Then go back to the person and give them an answer.

You will find that when you give people legitimate Scriptural answers, they will respond and often be saved. 
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Read: 1 Samuel 5:1-12

You shall have no other gods before me. - Exodus 20:3

TODAY IN THE WORD
The ark of the covenant was the most sacred part of Israel's identity. It had been crafted according to the precise instructions given by God (see Ex. 25:1-22; 37:1-9), and the glory of God's presence rested above the atonement cover (see Lev. 16:2; Num. 7:89). Through His presence over the ark, God led His people; it represented His power, protection, guidance, and holiness. Most importantly, it embodied Israel's relationship to God, their identity as His people.
But by the time of our passage, the Israelites had come to view the ark as little more than a lucky charm, a totem they could trot on to the battlefield whenever they wanted success (1 Sam. 4:1-11). God's power and presence can never be treated like a rabbit's foot. The Israelites were routed in battle, and the Philistines captured the ark.

This hardly seems like the setup for a funny story! But in the middle of these dark days for Israel, God had a joke to play on the false gods of the Philistines and a lesson to teach about divine power. Pleased with their victory, the Philistines installed the ark of God in the temple of their god, Dagon. Capturing an enemy's god was considered proof that the god of the victorious nation was superior.

But the next morning, Dagon-supposedly triumphant on the battlefield-was found lying facedown before the ark! Scripture makes sure we don't miss the humorous fact that Dagon couldn't even pick himself back up-his priests had to stand him in his place. The next day things got worse for Dagon. The idol was found facedown before the ark, with his head and hands broken off.

The Lord wasn't done making his point about the powerlessness of idols. The Philistines became afflicted with tumors, sometimes translated as tumors in the groin. The location is significant-Dagon was a Baal or fertility god. These tumors were a further demonstration of Dagon's complete failure as a god. The Philistines now couldn't wait to send the ark of the Lord back to Israel.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Israelites believed that God was powerful but thought they could manipulate that power in whatever way they chose. The Philistines believed God was powerless and thought they could make Him subservient to their own idolatrous agenda. Ultimately, both thought they could dictate terms to God. We who have access to the throne of grace must never presume to manipulate or minimize God. He is our loving Father and also the Holy Judge, the almighty Creator, and the Alpha and Omega.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 20, 2010

Marriage God's Way

READ: Genesis 2:18-25
A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. -Genesis 2:24

The movie The Princess Bride has a wedding scene in which the marrying minister says, "Marriage . . . is what brings us together today."

Sometimes it is good to remind ourselves of the grand plan for marriage spelled out in Scripture.

Marriage creates one new family out of two: Adam said, " 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh . . . .' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife" (Gen. 2:23-24).

It provides a pure outlet for a divinely designed desire: "Because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband" (1 Cor. 7:2).

It forms a mutually helpful team: "The heart of her husband safely trusts her . . . . She does him good and not evil all the days of her life" (Prov. 31:11-12).

Marriage God's way brings a man and a woman together to honor Him and help society. Celebrate marriage for the ways it brings us together in God's name.  - Dave Branon

If men and women yield to God
And of His love partake,
The marriage bond that joins two hearts
No power on earth can break. -D. De Haan

God created husband and wife to complement each other.
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Power

In Acts 9:32-35, we are given the fifth and final "P" of evangelism, and that is power,

Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.  There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed.  And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you.  Arise and make your bed."  Then he arose immediately.  So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Two entire cities turned to Christ because of one display of God's power!  One man who had been paralyzed was healed by the Lord Jesus Christ, and two cities came to God.

We have the same gospel.  It is the same Holy Spirit; we serve the same blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  We have to pray that God will, if necessary, do the miraculous to save people.

Paul, writing in the book of Romans, says he fully preached the gospel with miracles, signs, and wonders.  People will respond today just like they did then.  But we need to be bold, step out, and pray for things to happen.

When I was living in Oregon, there was an Indian girl who was very sick and actually at the point of death.  The doctors told her she was going to die.  She came to a small meeting one night and the evangelist prayed for her.  She was healed and then gave her life to Christ.  As a result, her dad, a famous rodeo rider, got saved, and her mom was saved also.  Then a large group of people from her tribe came to Christ as well.

Evangelism through power.  We need to trust God for the supernatural.
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Read: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. - Luke 1:68

TODAY IN THE WORD
Bill Lear, founder of the Lear Jet Corporation, named his daughter Shanda. The actor Rob Morrow gave his daughter the name Tu. And the daughter of the former governor of Texas had the name Ima Hogg. Our passage today includes questions about what to name a baby. This beautiful, humorous story also underscores God's great work of provision and delight.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were from the priestly line of Aaron, and they were obedient to God (v. 6). Yet they had both grown old without the blessing of children. As Zechariah fulfilled his priestly duty (likely the only time in his life that he would have been selected to offer incense), the angel Gabriel appeared to him with a promise.

Look at God's tenderness revealed in this extended announcement: Zechariah and Elizabeth were to have a son, and he would be a joy and delight to them. But not just to them-many would rejoice because of him. Notice all the specifics Zechariah is told about his life and ministry (vv. 14-17). Elizabeth and Zechariah were old and unlikely to see their son's adulthood, so God gave them the comfort of knowing their son's future even before he was born.

After this, Zechariah replied, "How can I be sure?" After all, Lord, we're really old! Gabriel's response says, You just heard a message directly from Gabriel, an angel from the presence of God-and you still want a sign? Zechariah got a sign-he was struck mute.

God was faithful to His promise; Elizabeth had a son, and her friends and relatives were overjoyed for her (v. 58). One can imagine the well-meaning family members, so confident that tradition would be followed and the infant would be given a family name. Elizabeth announced that the name would in fact be John. When the family protested, they asked Zechariah, who wrote clearly: "His name is John" (v. 63). Immediately he regained his speech, and his first words after months of silence were filled with praise to God.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
How do we respond to God's promises in our lives? Do we detail all the problems and objections? Or do we give Him praise and glory? In your prayer time today, pray through the words of Zechariah in verses 68 through 79. As you pray, note all the attributes of God's character and work that are praised. You might even want to keep a list of these attributes and compose your own prayers of praise. This also provides a helpful pattern for praising God for His works of mercy and provision in your life.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 21, 2010

Pure Milk

READ: Acts 15:1-11,19-21
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby. -1 Peter 2:2

Recently it was discovered that some milk producers in China had been diluting cow's milk and adding the industrial chemical Melamine. This chemical was added because it artificially enhanced protein readings. Several infants died and others became seriously ill. Such adulteration is not new. Other countries have been adding Melamine to animal feed for at least 40 years for the same purpose, resulting in the death of animals.

Another kind of adulteration is when people add to God's Word, "the pure milk of the Word" as Peter described it (1 Peter 2:2). The word pure means "unadulterated" or "uncontaminated." The early church had to deal with those who considered circumcision necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1). That idea was rejected because it was not in accordance with the Word of God, which says that salvation is by grace alone. Peter encouraged his brethren in the Lord: "Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples? . . . We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved" (Acts 15:10-11).

Examine carefully any teaching that asks you to do anything more than what is in God's Word. Otherwise it can be deadly to your spiritual well-being.  - C. P. Hia

The Lord has given man His Word,
His will He has made known;
Let man not try to change that Word
With words that are his own. -D. De Haan

God's Word needs no additions or subtractions.
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The Prerequisite of Prayer

In yesterday's devotional, I shared that God's priority is to see people come to know Him.  Today, I want to give you the first of the five "P"s of evangelism, which I hope will encourage you as you seek to share your faith.

The Scripture is 1 Timothy 2:1-6,

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

I want you to notice verse 4 in particular:  God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  He wants them saved and discipled.

As Jesus said, "Go into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature, and make disciples of all nations."  Those are our two main jobs.  Proclaim the gospel to see people get saved, and then disciple them.  God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

But did you notice that verse 1 preceded verse 4?  Verse 1 says, Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.  Verse 4 will not and cannot happen until verse 1 happens.  First there is prayer, then comes sharing the plan of salvation.

We must first talk to God about men before we talk to men about God.  We cannot be successful unless we talk to God about men first. 
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Read: Acts 12:1-19

O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? - Psalm 71:19

TODAY IN THE WORD
In Waiting for Godot, the play by Samuel Beckett, two characters wait for Godot to arrive. Day after day, they anticipate his coming, and day after day he does not appear. The play ends with frustrated anticipation-they will return the next day, but the audience has the distinct unease that Godot will not show up.
In contrast, our story today depicts a group who hopes for someone to show up, but when he does, they don't believe it's really him!

King Herod realized that his popularity rating went up when he persecuted the followers of Jesus. He had executed James and intended to kill Peter after Passover. In response, "the church was earnestly praying to God for him" (v. 5). The night before the trial, an angel of God appeared to Peter and miraculously delivered him from Herod's maximum-security prison.

We've seen dramatic announcements by the Lord or an angelic messenger several times in our study this month. Unlike others, though, Peter didn't question or object. He first thought he was having a vision; when he was outside the prison walls alone, he realized that his body-not just his mind-had been freed (v. 11). He immediately went to the house of Mary, where he knew the church would be gathered to pray.

What follows is one of the great comic moments in the book of Acts. The servant girl, Rhoda, recognized Peter's voice-but was so excited that she forgot to open the door! When she told the believers that their prayers were answered, they first accused her of being delusional and then concluded that perhaps Peter's ghost was there following his execution.

Peter, who had just escaped from Herod's prison, can't get anyone to let him into Mary's house! He continued knocking, and finally those assembled must have decided that either a ghost wouldn't knock that loudly or that they couldn't all be hearing things. They opened the door to find Peter standing there, their prayers answered in a way they had barely believed possible.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Zechariah prayed for years before God granted his request. Today we saw the church praying for Peter's release, and their request was granted before their prayer meeting had even finished. We don't know when God will resolve our requests or grant our petitions. We do know that His timing is perfect. He loves His people, and He hears the prayers of the righteous. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phil. 4:6; see Eph. 6:18).

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 22, 2010

Texting God

READ: Colossians 1:3-12
[We] do not cease to pray for you. -Colossians 1:9
An article in The Washington Post told about a 15-year-old girl who sent and received 6,473 cell phone text messages in a single month. She says about her constant communication with friends, "I would die without it." And she is not alone. Researchers say that US teens with cell phones average more than 2,200 text messages a month.

To me, this ongoing digital conversation offers a remarkable illustration of what prayer could and should be like for every follower of Christ. Paul seemed to be constantly in an attitude of prayer for others: "[We] do not cease to pray for you" (Col. 1:9). "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Eph. 6:18). "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). But how can we possibly do that?

Missionary Frank Laubach described his habit of "shooting" prayers at people as he encountered them during the course of each day. In a sense, he was "texting" God on their behalf, staying in constant communication with the Father. Laubach believed that prayer is the mightiest force in the world, and said: "My part is to live in this hour in continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to His will."

Pray without ceasing. Perhaps what Paul urged us to do can be done.  - David C. McCasland

Give me a spirit of prayer, dear Lord,
That I may commune with Thee
As I travel along life's rugged road,
In Thy company always to be. -Dawe

Prayer should become as natural as breathing.
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Turning Desire into Prayer

I want to follow up yesterday's devotional by turning your attention to something I believe is very profound.  It is Romans 10:1, where Paul states,

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

It is important to pray that people be saved.  In fact, I want you to notice how Paul turned his desire into a prayer.

I think if I were to ask any believer, "Do you desire your family to be saved?" they would say yes.  Or, "Do you desire your friends to be saved?" they would answer yes.  Or, "Do you desire your coworkers to be saved?" they would reply yes.

Well, that is great.  That is to be commended, but it is not enough.  Your desire must be turned into a prayer.  It is not enough just to have a desire that they be saved.  That desire has to translate into prayer.  Prayer that they may be saved.

It's all right to pray generally, but it is better to pray specifically.  I encourage you to make a list of every unsaved person in your life.  Start with the network of relationships that already exist in your life.  Make a list of family members, friends, and associates who are not saved, and then do your best to pray for the people on that list every day.

Most Christians genuinely desire for folks to be saved, but not all Christians pray for the salvation of people that they love.  And even fewer pray for the salvation of folks that they work with.

Turn your desire for the unsaved people in your life to be saved into prayer for their salvation.  And start today. 
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Read: Numbers 11:4-34

God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts. - Romans 1:24

TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the most memorable episodes of I Love Lucy is "Job Switching," in which Lucy and Ethel decide to prove they could handle jobs and Ricky and Fred think they can manage the cooking. They all get what they want-only things don't go so well when Lucy's job wrapping chocolates turns into a high-speed race to get candies off the conveyor belt. The men don't fare much better when Ricky asked Fred if he knew anything about rice. Fred replied, "Well, I had it thrown at me on one of the darkest days of my life!" They proceed to attempt to cook several pounds of rice for dinner!
As Lucy frequently discovered, getting what you want isn't always so great. The Israelites found this out in today's passage, which introduces several days where we'll examine the use of irony in Scripture.

The language used at the beginning of the story immediately alerts us to the comic elements: the people were "wailing" about their boring diet (v. 4). They romanticized their life in Egypt-conveniently no mention is made of the forced labor and slave drivers and infanticide as they wax nostalgic about cucumbers! They insisted that they were sick of manna, which the text takes care to describe as rather tasty (vv. 7-8).

Moses was exasperated by the wailing and begged God to do something. Fed up with the moaning and complaining, the Lord announced: "Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it" (v. 19)! He would give them what they wanted-and they would regret it. They would eat it until "it comes out your nostrils and you loathe it" (v. 20).

In a dramatic display, God provided quail in the middle of the desert. And as promised, they were nearly drowning in meat-the birds were piled three feet high all around the camp (v. 31). But while the people were still in the act of eating, the Lord sent a plague as punishment for their complaint. Their wailing was not just about food preferences, it was about a lack of gratitude for God's provision and deliverance.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This text exhorts us to be careful about what we ask from God-we might get it, but it might not be best for us. How can you know whether your prayers are in line? First, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Are you ungrateful for any of God's provision? Are your requests motivated by envy of what someone else has? Second, delight in the Lord through Scripture and praise. As we know the Lord more deeply, our desires become conformed to His (see Ps. 37:4; 40:.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 23, 2010

Signature Scent

READ: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Through us [God] diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. -2 Corinthians 2:14

You can't see it, hear it, or touch it, but scent is powerful. The smell of things like crayons, petunias, and colognes evoke memories that transport me to the past and bring to mind people and places I might not otherwise recall.

Some celebrities have fragrances named after them. Fans can identify with an actress or singer by dabbing on the scent bearing her name. Along those lines, Ladies Home Journal published a quiz to help readers determine the perfect fragrance for them. The idea is that every woman, to be memorable, should have a specific scent associated with her.

The idea of a signature scent is not new. God introduced it as part of worship. In the tabernacle, a certain scent was to be associated with the Lord (Ex. 30:34-35). The people were forbidden to use this fragrance for anything but worship (vv.37-38).

This idea continues under the new covenant, but with a stunning difference. Instead of using incense to make people think of Him, God uses Christians as His "signature scent" to the world (2 Cor. 2:14-15). The fact that God identifies Himself with us in such a powerful way is a truly humbling thought, and causes me to ask, "What do people think about God as a result of being around me?"  - Julie Ackerman Link

When we've been alone with Jesus,
There's a difference others know;
And to them it's like a fragrance
That we leave where'er we go. -Hess

A life lived for God has a pleasing aroma.
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Not Ashamed

I have a question to ask you today.  Has there ever been a time when you were afraid to confess the name of Jesus?  In John 9:20-23, we have the example of the parents whose son had been born blind but was healed by Jesus.

Look at their response when asked who healed their son,

His parents answered them and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know.  He is of age; ask him.  He will speak for himself."  His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.  Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."

How many Christians have held their tongue when they should have been giving praise to the name of Jesus?  Praise for answered prayer, for the miracles He has done, but they were intimidated by unbelievers?

I was coming back from Africa when a Muslim man on the plane put a blanket on the floor, got down on his face and began to pray.  This man was not ashamed at all about kneeling down on the plane in front of everyone.

I thought, "Oh, Jesus!  How many times have Your people kept silent because they were afraid of what someone might think of them?"

Throw off the shackles of fear and timidity, and boldly take your stand for Christ!

Proverbs 28:1 says, The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
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Read: Judges 4:17-22; 5:24-31

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. - Zephaniah 3:17

TODAY IN THE WORD
On February 21, 1980, New York Times columnist Dave Anderson wrote, "Unless the ice melts, or unless the United States team or another team performs a miracle . . . the Russians are expected to easily win the Olympic gold medal for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments." On February 22, 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team-comprised mainly of college students-defeated the mighty Soviet hockey juggernaut. As sportscaster Al Michaels called the final seconds of the game, he exclaimed, "Do you believe in miracles? YES!"
If Dave Anderson had been writing about the chances for Israel to defeat Sisera, he probably would have described it as an easy win for the Canaanites. And if Al Michaels were calling the play-by-play on the battle, he might have declared Israel's victory a miracle. Scripture notes the great power and military prowess of Sisera (4:3). But this oppressive general wasn't slaughtered on the field of battle or overpowered in a duel with another soldier. God had a far more deliciously poetic justice in store.

As Sisera's army was routed by Barak, he fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of a nomad who had a friendly relationship with the Canaanite king. She offered him milk and then delivered a mallet, driving a tent peg through his skull. Sisera's death was God's judgment for his tyranny over Israel; the means of Sisera's death was God's judgment on Barak for his lack of faith (4:9).

Deborah's song of victory and praise to the Lord highlights the irony of Sisera's demise. As his mother waited for the "clatter of his chariots," the symbols of his brutality, her servants assured her that he was likely delayed by enjoying the spoils of victory and ravishing the women (vv. 28-30). But in fact, Sisera was destroyed by a woman who spoiled his victory. The dramatic downfall of Sisera revealed the miracle of God's deliverance. He rescued His people, and He used surprising means to do it. He is a God who works miracles.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing you? Perhaps temptation seems too strong to resist, or a long season of suffering feels like it will never end. You might endure opposition from colleagues or loved ones or face obstacles that threaten to smother your joy in Christ. God has not changed-He still works miracles on behalf of His people. He still defeats mighty strongholds of sin and oppression. He tells us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 4:9; see 1 Cor. 1:26-31).

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 24, 2010

Worst Possible Scenario!

READ: Job 1:13-22
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. -Job 23:10

When I used to teach at a Bible college in a large city, I sometimes graded papers at a food court while waiting for a commuter train. One day, I accidentally bumped my large cup of coffee. Its entire contents emptied into my open briefcase.

In most cities, there is a quiet reserve on the part of commuters. However, the coffee splash was so dramatic that it could not be ignored. A man sitting nearby said aloud, "Worst possible scenario!"

That comment was obviously an overstatement. But each of us dreads the thought of something in particular: financial loss, the death of a child or spouse, cancer, or another loss or hardship.

The book of Job is a case study in worst possible scenarios. Yet Job wisely assessed God's role in trying circumstances of loss and poor health: "He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). From this wise statement we can learn two valuable lessons: One is that what we dread most can be used to test our character and make us stronger. The other is that God will provide the strength and comfort to see us through.

Cling to God. He has promised to work on our behalf, even in the worst possible scenario.  - Dennis Fisher

God often sends me joy through pain,
Through bitter loss, divinest gain;
Yet through it all-dark days or bright-
I know my Father leads aright. -Conklin

The living God can take the fear out of living.
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No Worries

I trust that these words from Isaiah will encourage you today.  Read carefully what God has to say,

"I, even I, am He who comforts you.  Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass?  And you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he has prepared to destroy.  And where is the fury of the oppressor?... But I am the LORD your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared-the LORD of hosts is His name" (Isaiah 51:12-13 and 15).

God spans the heavens with the palm of His hand.  The nations are as a drop in the bucket before Him.  There is nothing too hard for Him, and nothing He cannot do.

A number of years ago, I had the chance to go elk hunting with a friend in Montana.  We were lying outside under the stars, and I was unprepared for the glory I saw.  I have never seen so many stars in my life!  It took my breath away!

As we lay there, I said, "You know what?  God spans the heavens with His hand, and you and I are worried about paying the rent!"  It was just one of those moments.  We both just cracked up at how ridiculous it was to worry when God was so big.

What are you worrying about today?  Whatever it is, place it into God's hands.  After all, His hand spans the entire universe! 
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Read: Numbers 12:1-15

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. - Hebrews 13:17

TODAY IN THE WORD
Senator Strom Thurmond from South Carolina ran for President in 1948 as the candidate for the States Rights Democratic Party on a segregationist platform. In 1957, he launched the longest filibuster by a single Senator in history-clocking in at over 24 hours-in an attempt to defeat the Civil Rights Act. So many were surprised when after Thurmond's death it was revealed that he had fathered a daughter with a black maid. While neither of them acknowledged the relationship while he was alive, Thurmond had supported his daughter financially for many years, and she had visited him in Washington, D.C.
Our passage contains irony related to skin color. But the ultimate issue was not black or white skin, but whether Aaron and Miriam would demonstrate appropriate respect for God's appointed leader.

Miriam and Aaron began to complain about Moses' dark-skinned wife from the land of Cush (v. 1). Whatever their complaint about Moses and his wife, the core issue was that Miriam and Aaron were jealous of Moses' authority. Each of them had been granted special positions of responsibility, but they weren't content with those roles (see Ex. 15:20; 28:1). Moses didn't defend himself, but God did. The three siblings were summoned to appear before the Lord.

God detailed His special relationship with Moses. Unlike prophets, to whom He spoke in visions and dreams, Moses heard from the Lord face to face. He had seen the very form of the Lord (v. 8; see Ex. 33:12-23; 34:29). His face glowed with the radiance of God. How could Miriam and Aaron even conceive of challenging the position and authority of Moses? They were really challenging the authority of the Lord.

Miriam had complained about her dark-skinned sister-in-law, and in judgment God turned her own skin deadly white-with leprosy. Devastated, Aaron begged Moses for forgiveness, and Moses begged God for healing for his sister. The Lord agreed, but Miriam still suffered exile from the camp for seven days.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
During your prayer time today, spend extra time praying for your pastor and leaders in your church. Pray that they would seek the face of the Lord and that God would bless them with wisdom. Pray that they would lead your church to growth in unity and love in Christ. Pray that the church would be strengthened for service through their ministry. Thank the Lord for providing His people to do His work, and thank Him for the gifts that you have been given to support your church (see 1 Corinthians 12).

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 25, 2010

Far Better

READ: Revelation 21:1-4
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. -Revelation 21:4

Having suffered greatly-first from cancer, and then from the grueling medical regimen-pastor Dan Cummings was tired. After 2 weeks of treatment in Texas, he was looking forward to going back home to Michigan. In a post on his blog, he wrote: "Today is far better . . . amazing what some hydration will do. . . . Will fly home on the weekend to continue treatment at home."

Dan did return to Michigan, but several days later, his journey on earth ended. He went home to be with his God-whom he loved with every bit of his weakened body but mighty spirit.

When I viewed his blog a few days later, his words "Today is far better" jumped out at me. I smiled through my tears in the knowledge that Dan was now experiencing a life that is truly "far better" (Phil. 1:23).

Someday we who claim the name of Jesus will also go to that place where there is "no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying." It's a place where there is no more pain and where a loving Father promises to "wipe away every tear from [our] eyes" (Rev. 21:4).

The life we have here isn't all there is. There is a far, far better place that Jesus is preparing for those who love Him (John 14:2-3).  - Cindy Hess Kasper

When our life on earth has ended
We will feel God's warm embrace;
There will be no pain or sorrow
In that far, far better place. -Sper

Heaven-no pain, no night, no death, no tears.
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Your New Nature

As human beings, we are constantly confronted with opportunities to fear.  People have fears concerning their health, their finances, terrorism, relationships, their jobs...the list is almost endless.

I want to challenge you with a thought today, and it is simply this:  Realize who you are.  If you are born again, you are a new creature in Christ Jesus, and it is not in your nature to be afraid.

Consider what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7,

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Which points to our problem with fear.  We listen to our heads, and we listen to our flesh, rather than listening to our spirit.  As a result, our lives can be overwhelmed with fear.

I want to challenge you today to listen to your spirit instead of your head.  The real you on the inside is made after the image of God.  Once you realize who you are and what you are made of, it will help deliver you from fear.  Consider these verses that talk about the real you:

·        Ephesians 4:24, And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

·        2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

When you understand your true nature, that you are made after the image of God, you will know freedom from fear. 
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Read: Genesis 27:35; 29:23; 37:26-27; 38:11-26

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. - Psalm 119:29


TODAY IN THE WORD
Boomerangs were used in ancient European and aboriginal Australian cultures, and a collection of boomerangs was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Today a World Cup for boomerang is held every two years in which throwers compete in contests like Accuracy, Endurance, Fast Catch, and Maximal Time Aloft (MTA). The current world record for MTA is 104.87 seconds.
Our final study today on irony in Scripture traces the boomerang path of deceit in Jacob's family. Just as a boomerang will return back to the thrower, deceit invariably ends up deployed against the deceiver.

Jacob, whose name means "deceiver," was willing to deceive his father in order to procure the birthright from his brother Esau (27:35). He successfully executed the deception but then had to flee for his life. His uncle Laban offered him a home, a job, and a wife-but when the time came to marry his beloved Rachel, Laban deceived Jacob and gave him his daughter Leah instead (28:23-25). Laban himself was tricked by his daughter Rachel when she took his household idols (31:19-35).

The legacy of deceit continued with Jacob's sons. Jealous of Joseph, his brothers decided to sell him into slavery and tell Jacob that he had been eaten by a wild animal (37:26-35). Judah had come up with this plan, and in the next chapter he became the victim of a deceitful plan.

In violation of his promise to Tamar, Judah had not given her his son as a husband. Much time had passed, and Tamar decided to use some creative initiative to force Judah to acknowledge his responsibility (38:12). Deceiving Judah into thinking that she was a shrine prostitute, Tamar requested his personal seal as a pledge of his payment. When Judah heard that his daughter-in-law was pregnant as a result of prostitution, he demanded that she be executed-until he discovered that he was the father of her child (38:26). The strategy of deceit always rebounds back with consequences beyond what could be imagined.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our culture subtly endorses deceit. Millions of people cheat in school, cut corners on their taxes, commit adultery, and tell lies in the workplace or neighborhood. Deceit is an issue that begins in the heart (Jer. 17:9), and only when our hearts are transformed by the Word of God and the work of Christ can we be free from its boomerang effects. If you struggle with this insidious sin, read the following verses: Job 27:4; Psalm 32:2; Psalm 101:7; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 3:10; and Revelation 21:27.

GOD BLESS!