Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

March 26, 2010

Worthy Of Respect

READ: Philippians 2:19-30
Receive [Epaphroditus] therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem. -Phil. 2:29

Just before kickoff at Super Bowl XLIII, Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award-a tribute given to the player who had best combined on-field excellence with off-field community service. "I am humbled the Lord has given me such an amazing life to impact others," said Warner, a dedicated Christian. "Of all the awards given to NFL athletes, [this one] stands out . . . because of what it represents." It represents a commitment to giving and sacrificing for others.

Paying homage to those who serve is not a new concept. Paul spoke of it when he reminded the Philippians to honor those who gave themselves in serving Christ. He told them of their friend Epaphroditus, who had nearly died (Phil. 2:30) because of his efforts for Christ in ministering to others-including the people at Philippi. How should they respond? Paul said, "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem" (v.29). Clearly, when we think of those who sacrifice in serving the Savior, they are worthy of our respect and appreciation.

Why not look for ways to show gratitude to those who have served you spiritually. Give them the honor they deserve.  - Bill Crowder

To honor is to show respect,
To meet another's need,
To give someone encouragement,
To love in word and deed. -Sper

We honor God when we honor those who serve God.
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  He Has Said, So We May Say

In our last few devotionals, we have been talking about fear, and how to be free from it.  Today, I want to give you a final thought to consider on fear.  It is based on Hebrews 13:5-6,

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  So we may boldly say:  "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?"

I want you to notice what the Bible says,  He Himself has said...So we may boldly say.  God says something, so you can say something.

What does God say?  He says He will never leave you.  He says He will never forsake you.  As a result you can say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?"

When you understand that God will never leave you or forsake you, you can live without fear.  And that freedom from fear will be reflected in both your actions and in your speech.

What are you facing today?  Would you be afraid if God was standing beside you saying, "It's alright.  I am here"?  Well He is with you!  He said He would never leave you or abandon you!  You may not see or feel Him, but He is with you-now and always.

It is time to start acting and speaking like you believe it.

Boldly say, "The Lord is helping me!  I will not 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!

[Judy Harder]

March 27, 2010

Loving God

READ: 1 John 4:7-21
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. -1 John 4:11

Early in our marriage, I thought I knew the ultimate shortcut to my wife's heart. I arrived home one night with a bouquet of a dozen red roses behind my back. When I presented the flowers to Martie, she thanked me graciously, sniffed the flowers, and then took them into the kitchen. Not quite the response I had expected.

It was an introductory lesson in the reality that flowers are not my wife's primary language of love. While she appreciated the gesture, she was mentally calculating the cost of an expensive bouquet of flowers-a budget breaker for a young couple in seminary! And as I've discovered through the years, she is far more interested in my time and attention. When I devote myself to her in an uninterrupted and attentive way, that's when she really feels loved.

Did you ever wonder how God wants us to show that we love Him? We get a clue when we read, "He who loves God must love his brother also" (1 John 4:21). It's that simple. One of the primary ways we show our love for God is by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we genuinely love each other, it brings pleasure to our heavenly Father.

So watch for opportunities to tell Jesus that you love Him. He's infinitely worth whatever it costs.  - Joe Stowell

All those who say they love the Lord
But don't love one another,
Should question the relationship
They have with God the Father. -Sper

To show your love for God, share your love with others.
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Life's Proper Focus

Read Luke 12:16-21,

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying:  "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.  And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'  So he said, 'I will do this:  I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."'  But God said to him, 'Fool!  This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'  So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

This parable really helps us bring life into the right perspective.  The rich man in this story failed to do three things.

He failed to realize that he was only a steward and not the owner of his goods.
He failed to have an eternal perspective.
He failed to consider how brief this earthly life can be.
How did he fail in these three areas?  By not understanding just how short life is and where to place his focus.

He talked about building barns but instead he had a burial.

He said he had many years but God said "this night."

He thought he was wise, but God said he was a fool.

Let's learn from his mistakes and bring our life into proper focus. 
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Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2

TODAY IN THE WORD
According to data from the Unity Marketing Group in Stevens, Pennsylvania, Americans spent almost $706 billion on entertainment in 2004. As company president Pam Danziger explained, "Recreation and entertainment are purely discretionary and emotionally driven."
As we continue to study holiness and humor in Scripture, we must reckon with our own choices in entertainment, recreation, and humor. Our passage provides a strong warning about our priorities.

This letter from Paul to Timothy was the last missive written by the aging apostle. Throughout the letter, his passion for the gospel, sense of urgency, and commission to Timothy permeate each sentence. He knew his own days on earth were numbered, and he wanted to be sure to communicate each exhortation that the next generation needed to hear.

Our text warns of the traits that will be seen and celebrated in the last days. We might expect to read about shocking or barbaric attitudes and actions to be catalogued here; it's sobering to consider how unshocking most of us would find these descriptions. Lovers of money? Proud? Disobedient to parents? Unforgiving? Rash? If we were making a list of behaviors that signal the apocalypse, would we include these? Paul describes them as "terrible" (v. 1).

Included in the list is "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (v. 4). This sums up the root of all these sins. Rather than place God at the top of all priorities, people have placed themselves there. Rather than follow God's instructions for relationships, people follow their own agenda. When self is on the throne, terrible things will follow.

These sinful priorities can infiltrate our attempts to worship. When we value self-actualization above Scripture, seek pleasure above discipleship, promote profit above praise, or want entertainment above worship, we deny the power of the gospel (v. 5). The corrective is to measure our actions, attitude, and priorities against the truth of God in Scripture (vv. 14-17).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Some ascetics have used these verses to claim that all pleasure or entertainment is sinful, but that view isn't supported here. Pleasure isn't inherently sinful, but it must be subordinated to God. Saturation in Scripture is one of the best ways to help keep our priorities and pursuits in line. You can supplement your daily Bible reading with a Scripture memory plan, reviewing note cards with verses throughout the day, or listening to music that uses Scripture as lyrics.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 28, 2010

God Needs You!

READ: Mark 11:1-7
If anyone says to you, "Why are you doing this?" say, "The Lord has need of it." -Mark 11:3
For His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus chose a donkey to serve as His royal transportation. His disciples were instructed to say, "The Lord has need of it" (Mark 11:3). Isn't it astounding that the Son of God should use such lowly means to accomplish His purposes? Alexander MacLaren commented on this: "Christ comes to us in like fashion, and brushes aside all our convenient excuses. He says, 'I want you, and that is enough.' "

Think of it! The Creator of the universe needs us and desires to fit us into His eternal design! Though all-powerful and not dependent on any creature, He has chosen to carry out His plans through lowly human instruments. If this were not so, He would have taken us to heaven as soon as He saved us by His grace.

Someone once asked Francis of Assisi how he was able to accomplish so much. He replied, "This may be why: The Lord looked down from heaven and said, 'Where can I find the weakest, littlest man on earth?' Then He saw me and said, 'I've found him. I will work through him, and he won't be proud of it. He'll see that I am only using him because of his insignificance.' "

You may be small in your own eyes, but God has need of you!  - Paul Van Gorder

Yours is a mission you alone can fill,
Whether it be to build or teach or till;
Your goal may still be hidden from your view,
But somewhere God has urgent need of you. -Thayer

God is looking for ordinary people for extraordinary work.
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The Snare of Fear

Proverbs 29:25 tells us,

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

A snare is a noose used for catching an animal.  Fear will cause you to be snared or trapped, just like an animal.

I have a friend in the church who has a very large nut tree in his yard, which the squirrels regularly raid.  He put this big net over the tree, but it did not seem to deter the squirrels at all.  So he finally got a trap and set it up on the roof right next to the nut tree.  To date, he has caught about 120 squirrels.

When the squirrel is in the trap, it is totally at his mercy.  It can't go anywhere.  He happens to be a fairly merciful gentleman, so he takes them over to a local park and lets them go.

When fear gets a hold of your life, you become like one of those trapped squirrels-you are not going anywhere.  You are at its mercy.  You will not progress spiritually.  It keeps you bound.  The fear of man can keep you from obeying God; it will keep you from pleasing God.  It will keep you from the joy you would experience when you trust God.

In fact, there is a contrast in our verse today.  The man or woman who is bound by the fear of man, will not be trusting God in some area of his life.  Look at the two parts of the verse together:  The fear of man brings a snare, but... in contrast ...whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

Do not allow the fear of man to control your life.  Instead, trust in the Lord.   
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Read: Philippians 4:1-9

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Magician's Nephew, part of the Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis, Aslan reassures the talking animals that he has created the legitimacy of laughter: "Now that you are no longer dumb and witless, you need not always be grave. For jokes as well as justice come in with speech."
Yesterday's passage gave a list of negative behaviors and attitudes to avoid; today's passage provides positive actions and perspectives to embrace. The apostle Paul calls us to rejoice! This is more than simply feeling merry or having a good time. The root of our rejoicing is in the Lord. Based on what our Lord has done for us, our joy does not depend on circumstances but on our situation in Christ (see Phil. 2:1-9).

We can also be free from worry, for we have access to God Himself in prayer (v. 6). By recognizing that His sovereign control is combined with His vast love for us, we can have peace that defies logical explanation.

Finally, Paul makes a list of qualities to inform our thoughts and attitudes-and yes, our sense of humor and comedy as well. The construction of this list hints at its unlimited nature; Paul recommends whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable . . . and then as if he knows he could keep going forever, he wraps up by saying, "if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things" (v. . Far from limiting us, God expands our horizon of things to enjoy and celebrate!

When it comes to making decisions about humor, we have a helpful guideline in these verses. Throughout this month, we've seen various examples of humor in Scripture, from comical characters to funny situations to absurd descriptions, so humor can be enjoyed by the people of God. The key is holding our humor to the standard described here. We should never compromise our holiness for the sake of humor. Humor that points to truth, a satire that pokes fun at evil, or a comedy that is well-done and lovely are all appropriate for believers.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's probably easy to think of humor in our culture that doesn't meet the standards set in our passage. Can you think of examples that do? Mark Lowry, Dennis Swanberg, and Anita Renfroe all combine side-splitting comedy with a commitment to Christ. Writers like C. S. Lewis, Jerry Jenkins, John Koessler, and Marilynne Robinson weave humor throughout their writing. Veggie Tales are delightful cartoons that children (and adults!) enjoy. Even our sense of humor can be consistent with the guidelines in Philippians 4:8.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 29, 2010

Thanks, God!

READ: Psalm 105:1-5
Oh, give thanks to the Lord! -Psalm 105:1
At RBC Ministries, our human resources team has developed an effective and encouraging program that centers around gratefulness.

When an employee notices something good another employee does here at the office, he or she can take a special "Thank You" card provided by human resources and write a note of appreciation. It's a good feeling to walk into your office and find one of those cards on your desk.

Isn't it great to be thanked for a job well done? Doesn't a good, hearty "thank you" brighten your day? And doesn't it make your relationships a little more special-just to know that your work is not being taken for granted?

Everybody loves to be thanked. Even God. Our heavenly Father finds pleasure in our expression of thanks to Him. It's His will that we tell Him "Thank You." "Give thanks in all circumstances," Paul said, "for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18 niv). The writer of Hebrews took it a step further by saying, "Let us be thankful, and so worship God" (12:28 niv).

Keep looking for ways to improve your relationship with God. Don't forget what may be the most basic way to worship and honor Him: Tell Him "Thanks."  - Dave Branon

Then let us adore and give Him His right,
All glory and power, all wisdom and might,
All honor and blessing, with angels above,
And thanks never ceasing for infinite love. -Wesley

The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful heart.
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Don't Lose Out

In 1 Samuel 15:18-19, 24-26, Samuel, the prophet, comes to King Saul, and this is what he says,

"Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.'  Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD?  Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?"...  Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.  Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD."  But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel."

Saul disobeyed God and then lied about it, tried to cover it, and tried to shift the blame to the people.  Did you notice that part?  Why?  Because he feared the people.

Because of the fear of man, Samuel said to him, "You have lost your place."  Later on he says, "God has found a man better than you, a man after His own heart."  And He chose David to replace Saul as the king of Israel.

I want you to think about this:  God had promised Saul that his seed would sit on the throne, but it was a conditional promise God gave to him.

Saul lost out because of his disobedience caused by the fear of man, and so did his offspring!  And David, a better man than Saul, ended up on the throne of Israel, through whom our Savior came.

If the fear of man can rob us of our destiny and affect our offspring, just think what faith in God can do! 
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Read: Ruth 1:1-22; 4:13-17

Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. - Ruth 4:14

TODAY IN THE WORD
Literary scholars define comedy as a narrative that begins with things going well before the characters encounter obstacles of some sort. The story resolves with a reversal of bad fortune and ensuing happiness for the characters. Sometimes described as the U-shaped narrative, it contrasts with tragedy, in which the obstacles prove too difficult to overcome.
Both secular literary scholars and biblical commentators have described the book of Ruth as an example of comedy. For the last few days of this month, we'll examine comedies of redemption in Scripture, beginning with this lovely little book.

The early days of happiness are briefly alluded to in the beginning of the book; Naomi had a husband and two sons and a life in Bethlehem, but famine struck and the family moved to Moab. There, Naomi's life fell apart, as first her husband and then both her sons died. Left with two daughters-in-law, Naomi decided to return to her hometown. Upon her return she declared, "Don't call me Naomi. . . . Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty" (1:20).

Chapters 2 and 3 contain a romantic comedy, in which Boaz and Ruth met, expressed interest in each other, and then had to overcome the hurdle that the nearest relative posed for their relationship. Once Boaz had been approved to exercise the rights and privileges of the kinsman-redeemer, he married Ruth.

This book is more than just a romantic comedy or a story with a happy ending. In addition to its theological themes about God's lovingkindness and care for His people, Ruth also serves as comedy of redemption. Notice the language at the end of the book. Naomi, who thought she had lost everything, heard this from her friends: "Praise to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. . . . He will renew your life" (vv. 14-15). Redemption is more than a feel-good tale-it means restoring hope from despair and bringing life from death.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you experienced redemption? The world tells us to pursue romance and happiness, but God offers so much more-forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and a transformation from spiritual death to eternal life. This redemption is available to all who trust in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. He died as the punishment for our sin and was raised from the dead as the firstfruit of our own resurrection. If you want to be reconciled to God and receive redemption, call 1-800-NEED HIM, or talk with a trusted Christian friend.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 30, 2010

The Kingdom Of Me?

READ: 1 Peter 3:8-17
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. -1 Peter 3:15

In 1977, 15-year-old Kevin Baugh and a teenage friend decided to create their own country, just for fun. The Republic of Molossia began as they drew a map, created paper money, and made a flag. Today, Mr. Baugh continues his micro-nation the same way it began-just for fun. When Chicago Tribune reporter Colleen Mastony toured his 1.3 acre kingdom in the Nevada desert, Baugh assured her he still pays US taxes, which he calls "foreign aid."

"It's always tongue-in-cheek," Baugh admits. "I'm doing this for the pleasure and enjoyment of having my own country."

Not many of us will create our own nation, but we all have a kingdom of the heart where we decide who will rule. The apostle Peter wrote: "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" (1 Peter 3:15). "Sanctify" means to set apart Christ as Lord or Ruler of our life.

There is something within each of us that longs to be in control of our lives. It may be only a small corner where we assert our spiritual independence and answer to no one but ourselves.

But true freedom comes when we allow Christ to rule our hearts.  - David C. McCasland

'Tis mine to choose if self shall die
And never rise again;
'Tis mine to yield the throne to Christ
And bid Him rule and reign. -Christiansen

When Christ rules in our heart, our feet will walk in His ways.
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Let God Do His Job

Philippians 2:8-11 shows us how humility precedes honor,

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

If God's good pleasure and His plan are to be worked out in our lives, we must walk in humility.  It is a prerequisite for us to pass the test of humility.  As we see here, because Jesus humbled Himself, God highly exalted Him.  And at that point, no demon in hell could do a thing to prevent it.

When God promotes you, no person, no demon, no ungodly system can hold you back.  God's exalting power is irresistible.  It is undeniable, and it is undefeatable.

But a humble heart must come first.  It has been said that no man stands taller than when he is on his knees before God.  Let us humble ourselves and be obedient to God in every area of our lives.  If we will lower ourselves, God will lift us.  God's job is to exalt us, and our job is to humble ourselves.  If we try to do God's job for Him, He will have to do our job for us.
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Read: Esther 3:8-15; 7:1-8:15

It was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. - Esther 8:16

TODAY IN THE WORD
The festival of Purim is still celebrated in Judaism to commemorate the deliverance in the book of Esther. God's people were threatened with annihilation, but through a series of reversals of fortune, hidden identity, and Esther's courage, they triumphed over their tormentor. The comedic elements of this book have long been recognized, and accordingly, the celebration of Purim is a time of fun and merriment. Noisemakers are used during the public reading of Esther any time Haman's name is mentioned in order to signal disrespect for him, and delicious foods are shared with friends and family.
The book of Esther contains various forms of comedy, particularly relating to the fate of Haman. His dramatic reversal-he thinks he will be grandly honored by the king only to find that his elaborate plans for recognition are bestowed upon his arch-enemy Mordecai-is a classic version of comic misunderstanding (see Esther 6). Our focus today lies on the way the entire story of Esther dramatizes the comedy of redemption. Haman magnified a personal slight from Mordecai into a vendetta against all the Jews (3:6). The text implies that Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman because Jews reserved such devotion for God alone (see Daniel 3). By manipulating the king, Haman was able to procure an order to destroy all the Jews in Persia on one day (3:13).

Only Esther was in a position to intervene, but it involved risking her own life. With the spiritual support of her cousin Mordecai and the Jewish community, she agreed to plead with the king (4:16). Her ingenuity revealed the true nature of Haman's plot, and Haman was hanged on the gallows where he had intended to kill Mordecai (7:10).

Although Haman had been executed, the order against the Jews was irrevocable. Esther again beseeched the king to protect her people, and Mordecai was given the opportunity to issue a decree in the king's name empowering the Jews to resist any attack. What once appeared to be certain annihilation ended as a day of celebration.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The observance of Purim usually involves four elements: listening to the book of Esther read aloud; sending gifts of food to friends; giving food to the poor; and eating a festive meal. As part of reflecting on and celebrating our own great redemption, consider incorporating these into your schedule soon. Read the entire book of Esther, either on your own or with others, share food with friends and with those in need, and enjoy a meal together with loved ones. We can celebrate being delivered from certain death into abundant life!
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

- Matthew 5:3-9

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

March 31, 2010

The Beauty Of Forgiveness

READ: Luke 15:11-24
When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran . . . and kissed him. -Luke 15:20

What started out as a collection has grown into a ministry opportunity for Larry and Mary Gerbens. For the past 10 years they've been collecting artistic works based on the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15. Their collection includes a painting by Rembrandt and a number of items by other artists depicting this story.

The Gerbens wanted to share their collection, so they put it on display at a local college. Larry said, "The artists have ministered to us, and we hope their work will minister to others."

As I wandered through the displays, I was touched by the deep need of the prodigal, his honest repentance, and the beautiful forgiveness of the father portrayed in the variety of art pieces-paintings, etchings, engravings, glasswork, sketches, and silk screens.

We have all been like the son in this story, who had other plans for his life than what his father had for him. We have all run away from our heavenly Father (Rom. 3:10-12). But He welcomes us when we come to Him.

You too will see the beauty of forgiveness in your heavenly Father's face when you cry out to Him, "Father, I have sinned . . ." (Luke 15:18). If you're away from Him, head home now and experience His love. ­  - Anne Cetas

O Lord, I now admit my guilt,
And I accept Your grace;
Transform my life and help me grow
Until I see Your face. -Hess

When God forgives, He removes the sin and restores the soul.
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Humpty Dumpty?

Proverbs 27:2 gives us very wise words of advice,

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth.

There are so many people, including Christians, who think God cannot get along without them.  They think they are the reason they experience so much success.

It has been said that a man wrapped up in himself makes a mighty small package.

When God grants you success and blesses you, you have to remain humble if you are going to retain your usefulness to God.  The Scripture says pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

There are plenty of men and women who at one time or another were on top, but today are on the bottom.  I know examples inside and outside ministry.  One story in particular comes to mind when I think of this principle.

There was a minister who once said, while making a plea for money, "No one is doing what we're doing throughout the world, and God needs us to carry on this work.  The world cannot be reached without our ministry."

Granted, he was doing an incredible work in a lot of different countries.  But the moment he said, "God can't get along without me," I thought of Humpty Dumpty.  I just thought, "Oh, no!  Oh, no!  Oh, no!"  I knew he was headed for a fall!

And you know what?  That man is no longer in the position of prominence that he once was.  And God seems to have gotten along fine without him.

Do not sing your own praises.  Let others congratulate you if they will, but at the end of the day offer those praises to the One who really deserves it-the Lord.
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Read: Matthew 28:1-15

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? - 1 Corinthians 15:55

TODAY IN THE WORD
Dante's epic Divine Comedy has often confused readers by its name. What could be funny about an epic journey through hell (Inferno), purgatory, (Purgatorio), and heaven (Paradiso)? Using the classic literary model of comedy, however, Dante gave this title to his work because it is a work of hope, not despair. He believed that a true happy ending was possible only with the existence of the Divine who orders all things to an ultimate good. The Divine Comedy ends on the highest possible note with the vision of God.
As we conclude our study this month of humor in Scripture, we end with the highest note in the comedy of redemption: the story of God's saving work for His people. As one scholar noted, all other comedies found in the Bible rest on the foundation of the plot of salvation history itself, the U-shaped comedy of creation, fall, and redemption.

Jesus Himself embodied this perfectly. He was born as a baby, somehow encapsulating the mystery of being fully God and also fully human. He proclaimed the good news of repentance and reconciliation with God, yet was opposed and eventually executed.

If the story ended at the crucifixion, all of Scripture would be a tragedy. God would be defeated. Jesus would be pathetic. But in the greatest reversal in all of history, the death of the Son of God was not history itself, the U-shaped comedy of creation, fall, and redemption.

Jesus Himself embodied this perfectly. He was born as a baby, somehow encapsulating the mystery of being fully God and also fully human. He proclaimed the good news of repentance and reconciliation with God, yet was opposed and eventually executed.

If the story ended at the crucifixion, all of Scripture would be a tragedy. God would be defeated. Jesus would be pathetic. But in the greatest reversal in all of history, the death of the Son of God was not the hour of defeat, but rather the moment of victory! Jesus accomplished our salvation, and God raised Him from the dead.

The comedy of the resurrection has implications for us. First, it makes grace, the reversal of the penalty we deserve, possible. Second, it makes our own resurrection from the dead possible (see 1 Cor. 15). Finally, God's triumph over sin and death means that we who have been redeemed get to participate in rejoicing and worship for all eternity (see Rev. 21:3). God created humanity to dwell with Him, but the fall imposed separation. Jesus Christ has made a way for us to live with God. That "happy ending" will be just the beginning!
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We see two different reactions to the resurrection of Jesus. The guards were afraid, and, in order to cover their own incompetence and protect the reputation of their employers, they were willing to accept bribes and spread lies (vv. 4, 12-15). The women were also afraid but responded with joy, obedience, and worship (vv. 8-9). Not everyone can appreciate the greatest comedy! How will you respond to Jesus? Will you try to hide your failings, or will you respond with joy, obedience, and worship before the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer?
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

 To Speak Or Not To Speak

READ: Mark 14:53-65
[Jesus] kept silent and answered nothing. -Mark 14:61
Sometimes silence is the best response to a false charge. At other times we must speak up.

When false witnesses accused Jesus as He stood before the Sanhedrin, He "kept silent" (Mark 14:53-61). Defending Himself would have been useless. Furthermore, He was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7. But earlier in His ministry, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, challenging them to prove that He sinned (John 8:13-59).

A pastor resigned from his church because a few members made untrue statements about him. He thought it unchristian to defend himself, and in some instances it is. But in this case, the troublemakers needed to be confronted and their false charges refuted. He should have urged them to repent or face church discipline.

Saying nothing may allow wrongdoers to go unchallenged in their evil ways. But if God's Spirit leads us to remain silent, or if we want merely to try to salvage our wounded pride, then we should hold our tongue.

Are you being falsely accused? If you discern that it's futile to argue, or if your pride has been hurt, ask God for grace to say nothing. But if you feel concern for the wrongdoers and want to see justice done, speak up!  - Herbert Vander Lugt

Lord, give us wisdom to discern
When what is false must be revealed
Or if we need Your grace and strength
To close our lips and keep them sealed. -D. De Haan

Silence can be valuable; don't break it unless you can improve on it.
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Faithfulness and Open Doors

In 1 Timothy 1:12 Paul writes,

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

According to Paul, Jesus did three things.  First, He enabled him, which means Jesus is the One who puts the gifting in you.  He is the One who gives you talent.  He is the One who gives you the ability. 

Second, Paul says that Jesus counted him faithful.  Apparently, Jesus is watching and He expects you and me to be faithful.

Third, Paul says that Jesus put him into the ministry.  In other words, Jesus opens doors when we are faithful, doors that no man can shut.  When the way seems blocked, Jesus can make a way where there is no way.

Here is the point.  It is not enough just to be enabled.  Some of the greatest, most gifted, and talented people in the world are living far, far below their potential.  While the enablement is there, Jesus has not found them faithful yet, and so certain doors of opportunity remain shut.

Having the gifting is not enough.  You need to have both the gifting and be faithful.  When both are there, Jesus opens doors.

Recognize and develop the gifting God has given you, but focus on being faithful so that God can open doors in your life.

Here are a few other verses that also make it clear that faithfulness is the road between enablement and open doors,

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished (Proverbs 28:20).

"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your lord'" (Matthew 25:21). 
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How priceless is your unfailing love! - Psalm 36:7

TODAY IN THE WORD
An American poet once claimed: "If my poetry aims to achieve anything, it's to deliver people from the limited ways in which they see and feel." This same sense of the power of poetry reverberates through the Psalms as the Hebrew poets awaken our slumbering eyes and restless hearts to God's indescribable love. This month we will explore the vast expanse of the love of God; today we begin our study with praise and adoration through the words of one of the Bible's most prolific poets, King David.
The Psalms were originally written in Hebrew, and because words and word order are extremely significant in poetry, let us consider these details in our study. In Hebrew, verse 5 of today's passage begins with "LORD," and verse 6 ends with "LORD." This is the same name that God declared to Moses in Exodus 34, which we'll look at tomorrow. This name carries great meaning, and its placement in Psalm 36:5-6 reflects God's immeasurable and inexpressible character like the arrows at the ends of a number line, indicating infinity. In between the name of God, the poet paints four images that characterize God's love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice as never-ending, vast, immovable, and mysterious. Verses 5 and 6 certainly deliver us from the limited ways we see and feel God.

Notice that the word love is repeated three times in only 6 verses. The Hebrew word is hesed or loyal lovingkindness. More specifically, hesed refers to lovingkindness that is unelicited and often undeserved. The end of verse 7 reminds us that God's love is a haven of protection to all people.

Tucked inside Psalm 36 are verses 8 and 9. Even more subtle are four words within these two verses: "your house" and "with you." God's house is His temple, the place where His glory dwells (Ps. 26:, His presence among His people. Throughout the Bible, God promises to be with us, to go with His people. David recalls that in God's presence, there is the fullness of His love; when we are with God, we find His life and His light.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God's love is not something we merely study with our minds, holding the topic at arm's length. As you sing this psalm with King David today, purposefully place yourself into God's presence. James 4:8 encourages us that if we come near to God, He will come near to us. Try using your imagination as you rest in God's love and presence today. Picture yourself sitting peacefully at Jesus' feet as Mary did (Luke 10:39) or entering God's temple as Isaiah and the psalmists did (Isa. 6:1-8; Psalm 84).
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

- Matthew 5:3-9

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

April 02, 2010

Like A Lamb

READ: John 15:9-17
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. -Isaiah 53:7

In 1602, Italian artist Caravaggio produced a painting called The Taking of Christ. This work, an early example of the Baroque style, is compelling. Created in dark hues, it allows the viewer to contemplate Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Two main elements of the scene depicted in the painting demand the observer's attention. The first is Judas as he delivers the traitor's kiss. Immediately, however, the viewer's focus is drawn toward Jesus' hands, which are passively clasped together to show that He offered no resistance to this injustice. Although He possessed the power to create a universe, Christ gave Himself up voluntarily to His captors and to the waiting cross.

Long before this scene took place, Jesus told His listeners that no one could take His life from Him-He would lay it down willingly (John 10:18). This heart of voluntary surrender was prophesied by Isaiah, who wrote, "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth" (Isa. 53:7).

Christ's lamblike self-sacrifice is a grand indicator of His powerful love. "Greater love has no one than this," He explained, "than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). Think of it. Jesus loved you that much!  - Bill Crowder

Love sent the Savior to die in my stead.
Why should He love me so?
Meekly to Calvary's cross He was led.
Why should He love me so? -Harkness

The nail-pierced hands of Jesus reveal the love-filled heart of God.
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Not in the Abundance of Things

Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."  But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"  And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:13-15).

Life is not about things and how much "stuff" you can accumulate. Your identity and value as a person should not be based on the abundance of your possessions.

If, however, your sense of value as a person is wrapped up in your things, what happens if you lose those things?

A relative of mine from a few generations back had all of his property confiscated by the government after the Civil War.  He died a broken and bitter man.  That is the end of someone whose identity and sense of worth are tied up in their things.

This man that came to Jesus to sort out his inheritance had the real treasure in front of him all the time, but he couldn't see it because "things" were in the way.  The real treasure was his brother!

He was at odds with his brother.  There was friction and tension between them over their inheritance.  Apparently this man was willing to destroy his relationship with his brother for things!

Life does not consist in the abundance of things we possess, but in the riches of the relationships we have!

In tomorrow's devotional I want to share three relationships that make a person rich. 
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Read: Exodus 34:4-7

I the LORD do not change. - Malachi 3:6

TODAY IN THE WORD
In ancient Hebrew culture, the function of a name was not simply to distinguish one person from another. A name signified a person's character, reputation, authority, and will. Our passage today records God's declaration of His own name, and from it we see important things about God more clearly.
The phrase "like the first ones" should intrigue us and cause us to look back in Exodus to understand the history of today's passage (v. 4). While Moses was with God on Mount Sinai, God inscribed His law on the first two stone tablets (Ex. 24:12-18; 31:18), but the people quickly grew impatient, for Moses was on the mountain for forty days and nights. With the help of Aaron, the people erected an idol, worshiped, and sacrificed to this golden calf (Exodus 32). When Moses descended from the mountain and saw the people's idolatry, he broke the original two tablets in anger (v. 19). The people had already betrayed God and broken the first commandment.

The golden calf episode illuminates the quickness of God's people to turn their hearts to worship false gods. Our passage today illustrates the depth of God's love and forgiveness. When God proclaims His name, He is not exclusively announcing His response to the Israelites' unfaithfulness at Mount Sinai. He is declaring who He is eternally as our covenant God. His name signifies who He is: He is always gracious and compassionate, always slow to anger, always abounding in love and faithfulness.

The people are confident that God's declaration is trustworthy, because God confirms it by His actions. Israel completely betrayed their covenant relationship with God. But even after the Israelites' idolatrous hearts worshiped other gods, the LORD demonstrates unimaginable grace, patience, and forgiveness by inviting Moses back to the mountain to rewrite the words that were on the first tablets (34:1-2). It is crucial, however, that we fully understand what God is saying. He also says that He "does not leave the guilty unpunished" (v. 7), and He confirms this promise by His actions too (32:33-35).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The greatest manifestation of the LORD's name is the word made flesh, Jesus Christ. In fact, John declares that "grace and truth" came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). In the original language, John uses the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew words used for "love and faithfulness" from our passage today to connect Jesus with the LORD himself. Today, praise God for His eternal grace and compassion and abounding love and faithfulness to you through Christ. Let Psalm 145 guide your prayers and praise.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotional

April 03, 2010

A New Normal

READ: Romans 6:1-11
Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. -Romans 6:4

After my doctor announced that I had cancer, I tried to listen to what he said, but I couldn't. I went home, pulled a blanket over my head, and fell asleep on the couch, as if sleeping could change the diagnosis.

When I finally gained enough strength to tell my loved ones, my friend Judy Schreur said something especially memorable. After expressing her sympathy, she said, "This is what will happen. You will feel really bad for 3 days. Then you will get up, figure out what you have to do, and get on with your life." Then she added, "I think it has to do with death, burial, and resurrection."

At the time, I didn't believe it. I was sure that life as I knew it was over. Nothing would ever be the same. I couldn't imagine feeling normal again. But she was right. Three days later I woke up and realized I didn't feel quite so bad. And little by little, despite the physical misery of chemotherapy treatments, my emotional and spiritual condition improved significantly. I "died" to my old reality and was "raised" to a new normal.

Thankfully, God is in the business of resurrection. For those who have died in Christ, the death of one reality means resurrection to a new, glorious normal so that we can "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4).  - Julie Ackerman Link

Jesus redeemed us and died in our stead;
In Him we died and rose from the dead.
No longer is death a thing that we dread;
The old is behind us, the new is ahead. -D. De Haan

To be "in Christ" is to share in His life, in His death, and in His resurrection.
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Three Relationships that Make Us Rich

Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."  But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"  And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:13-15).

This man came to Jesus to get him to "sort his brother out" over the inheritance, not realizing that his brother was the real treasure in his life - not the things he might inherit.

Here are three relationships that make us rich:

1.      Our relationship with God.  To know God makes you rich, no matter what material resources you may or may not have.

Some of those that the world would call rich are actually bankrupt when it comes to the most important treasure of all.

2.      Our relationship with others.  People, not things, are the real treasures in life.  I can honestly say that I am a rich man.  I have family and friends that I love and that love me. Things lose their meaning, and serve as a very poor substitute for relationships with people.

3.      Our relationship with our own heart.  Commune with your own heart... declares the psalmist in Psalm 4:4 (KJV).

That means hold some serious communication with your heart-get acquainted with your heart.  Don't let you and your own heart be strangers!
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Read: Hosea 2:2-23; 11:1-9

I have loved you with an everlasting love. - Jeremiaha 31:3

TODAY IN THE WORD
God as husband and God as father are two biblical metaphors that enlarge our understanding of God's love. They reveal that our Sovereign Creator is not distant or indifferent, and they illustrate the intimacy of our relationship with God, as well as His eternal fidelity and compassion. For the next few days, we will focus on God as husband and God as father; today's passages are driven by these metaphors. First, Hosea 2:2-23 envisions God as Israel's husband, and Israel as an adulterous wife. Hosea 11:1-9 pictures God as Israel's compassionate father, and Israel as a rebellious child.
Hosea prophesied in the 8th century B.C., until the fall of Israel's northern kingdom to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. His primary indictment against God's people is summarized in 4:1-2. Like at Sinai, God's people rebelled and turned to idolatry. The astonishing message that Hosea brings is one of God's everlasting love. Despite the Israelites' unfaithfulness, the LORD loves them.

Hosea 2:2-13 reeks of disenchantment. The love relationship between God and His people has soured subsequent to Israel's unfaithfulness. Israel is under God's curse. The sweet aroma of verses 14 through 23, however, overpowers the curse with a picture of blessing and renewed relationship. "Betroth" appears three times in two verses (vv. 19-20). In the original Hebrew version of this poetry, verses 19 and 20 are three lines that each begin with "I will betroth you." This is the language of a marriage covenant and is used figuratively to represent the LORD's covenant mercy and unbreakable love. Notice the five strong words that describe the LORD's betrothal: righteousness, justice, love, compassion, and faithfulness.

Hosea 11:1-7 bears the weight of a parent's broken heart. The father loves, nurtures, teaches, and feeds the child, but the child scorns this sacrificial love only to effectively call another "daddy." Our passage uncovers something distinct about God's love: "for I am God, and not man" (v. 9). This declaration forever distinguishes God's love from human love.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Bible commonly refers to God as husband and father. The closeness of relationship between God and His people is not something to overlook or take for granted. In fact, among the world's religions, our intimate and loving relationship with God in Christ is the unique and distinctive element of Christianity. If you wish to broaden your understanding of the various pictures of God in the Bible, including husband and father, Dale and Sandy Larsen's ten-week Bible study, Images of God, is an excellent guide.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

April 04, 2010

Many People

READ: Acts 18:1-11
I have many people in this city. -Acts 18:10

New York City. Easter Sunday, 7:30 a.m. I was the only customer at Jimmy's Diner in East Harlem when a man entered and approached my table. He said, "Good morning, and God bless you," left a gospel tract, and quickly walked out. I smiled, appreciating his witness and realizing that God has His people everywhere. That night I attended church with our daughter Debbie, joining an enthusiastic congregation of 300 people, most in their twenties and thirties. Their infectious love for Christ and others was a bright light in a city that is often considered spiritually dark.

In the first century, Paul visited the Greek city of Corinth, which was known for its immorality and corruption. When he faced opposition for presenting Jesus as Messiah, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10).

No matter where we go, the Lord's people are there. The risen Christ is powerfully present in and through all who know Him. The Lord has His people where you are today. Look for them. Join them.

Christ is risen indeed!  - David C. McCasland

When Christians join in blessed fellowship
Commemorating Jesus' resurrection,
They sense a common bond of unity-
Their mutual faith in Him the true connection. -Hess

God has His people where you are today.
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Who Made the Sun Shine?

Look again at Luke 12:16-21,

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying:  "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.  And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'  So he said, 'I will do this:  I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."'  But God said to him, 'Fool!  This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'  So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Take a look at the few words that this man spoke.  In his short declaration, he uses the word I six times and the word my five times!

His perspective was a very selfish one.

Here are a few questions to ponder:

·        Who gave the rain that made his crops grow?
·        Who made the soil out of which his crops grew?
·        Who made the seed he planted?
·        Who caused the sun to shine?
·        Who gave him the physical strength to work the field?
·        Who gave him his soul? 

The answer to all of those is God. Yet he makes no acknowledgement of God in his speech, planning, or giving.  He should have been thanking God for all His blessings and asking the Lord what He wanted done with His things.

Be faithful to acknowledge God and to ask Him what to do with His resources over which you are a steward. 
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Read: Isaiah 54:1-10

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. - Psalm 30:5

TODAY IN THE WORD
The Jewish calendar includes a period of mourning to commemorate the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. The three-week period of sorrow culminates in a day of fasting. On the Sabbath following the fast, Isaiah's prophecy of consolation is read aloud, inaugurating a time of rejoicing. The time of grief and despair in Israel's history was not short-lived. And as we take time to understand the heartache, we will increasingly identify with the hope and expectancy of today's passage.
Under Babylonian captivity, God's people despaired. Jerusalem was desolate, the Temple was destroyed, and they were in exile. We can hear the people's pain and resignation during this oppression in Psalm 137. Judah fell to Babylonian captivity around 586 B.C. There was no hope of redemption until 539 B.C. when Cyrus, King of Persia, rose to power and defeated the Babylonians. Then the LORD began to work through Persian emperors to restore His people, Jerusalem, and the Temple. Isaiah 40 is a proclamation like a peaceful dawn after a turbulent night. God declares that the time in exile is over; He is making a way for the people's return; and His glory will be revealed once more (vv. 1-11). Isaiah 54:1-10 is part of this long-awaited message of hope of God's redemption.

Jerusalem is the barren woman (v. 1). Verses 2 and 3 invite the city to expand to make room for the people who will return. God is bringing renewal. Jerusalem will no longer be deserted in shame and dishonor; the future will make the people forget the former days (v. 4). Why? God the Creator is also the husband who redeems (v. 5).

The Lord's compassion is cited three times (vv. 7, 10). Then God references His promise to Noah (Gen. 9:8-17), once again making an eternal covenant with His people. He calls it a "covenant of peace" and binds Himself to His people in "unfailing love" (vv. 9-10). God is the perfect, faithful husband. His covenant love is unshakable and immovable.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you ever felt as if God was very far off or abandoned by Him? God's people certainly felt forsaken while in exile. King David also cried out in loneliness and despair: "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" (Psalm 13). The great news of today's passage is that God has forever promised His unfailing love; He sealed this oath in Jesus' death and resurrection (Heb. 13:5-6). Pray for eyes to discern God's presence in your circumstances. Know that Christ is with you even in the darkest days.

GOD BLESS!