Sheep In Wolfs Clothing

Scripture:

Matthew 10:16-20 (NIV)

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.  Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.  On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Devotional:

Jesus sent the twelve out into the world.  Before going they were warned of what to expect.  Some two-thousand plus years later we are also sent out into the world.  We are sent into a den of vipers and wolves.  Amongst the enemy are lost sheep.  It is for those lost sheep that we go.  It is not only for us but all the lost sheep that Jesus came and died for.  As we go out are we prepared to deal with what comes our way?  I have heard it put several times to love the person, but you don’t have to accept the sin.  We need to accept those around us and love them, Jesus does.  But we do not have to let them take advantage of us. 

As we go forth into the world we have nothing to fear.  Christ is with us, the Holy Spirit will guide us.  Sometimes we do not act because we are afraid.  Just looking out there you can see all the snakes and wolves prowling around.  They are waiting to pounce.  It is too easy to hunker down and hide, waiting it out.  Instead we need to go out among the wolves.  We are the light of the world.  We are the ones that will show Christ.  It is through us and what we do that others can be saved.  There are lost sheep that need saving.  Who knows some of those sheep just may be dressed in wolves clothing and don’t even realize it…

The Best Defense Is...

Scripture:

Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, 

and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Devotional:

In Matthew chapter four Jesus heads out into the wilderness for forty days and nights.  At the end Satan comes along to tempt Jesus.  Satan’s attacks are directed at Him in three different areas.  The first attack came in such a way to meet physical needs.  The second attack came in such a way as to test God.  The third attack came in the form of wealth and power.  Satan also used Scripture in order to try and entice Jesus into falling.  How did Jesus defeat Satan?  Jesus used God’s very words against him.  Satan even used God’s word against Him.  Jesus in turn used God’s word to defeat Satan.

In each of the attacks Jesus used Scripture to defeat the enemy.  Can you see how Satan is attacking you?  What areas are you being attacked in?  How are you defending yourself?  We can help each other in repelling the attacks from the enemy.  We can go to church to be rejuvenated so that we can withstand another week’s worth of attacks.  However, the best way to send Satan reeling back is through the use of Scripture.  The best way to use Scripture is to be familiar with it.  The best way to be familiar with Scripture is to read it.  It is important to read through the Bible continuously praying over what we read.  Then when the enemy comes we will be prepared.  We need to be armed with the Holy Spirit, But we need to be prepared with the Bible…

No Not Them...

Scripture:
Acts 10:9-35 (NIV)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

Devotional:

Even today we find segregation between different people.  There is segregation between races, countries, colors of skin.  Even among Christians we find segregation between denominations, and among different churches of the same denomination.  Peter first thought that salvation was only for the Jewish people.  The gentiles were unclean, set apart.  God had to convince him otherwise.  Once he got realized that everything God created is clean barriers began to drop.

We need to realize that God created us all.  It states in Acts 10:15, “The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’”  God loves all people not just some that are of a certain nationality or skin color.  God loves everyone, not just those of a certain denomination.  Salvation is for everyone.  It doesn’t matter where you live.  It doesn’t matter who you are.  God’s love is complete and is available to any and all.  Just because your customs are different than someone doesn’t mean you can exclude them.  Peter had to have a vision to see that. What will it take for God to get your attention?  Is there someone you know who thinks salvation is for just a certain group?  World War Two should stand out as a reminder of what can happen when man decides to take salvation into their own hands.  Hitler made it his mission to set apart the so called pure race.  In God’s eyes we are all in the pure race…

How Many Hats...

Scripture:
Revelation 5:9-10 (NASB)

And they *sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

Devotional:

How do you look at yourself?  Who are you and how many hats do you wear?  Amy Grant has a song that is about all the different hats we wear.  I am a father, a husband, a brother, a son just to name a few.  One hat we all wear is that of priesthood.  We are in the body of Christ, a ‘royal priesthood’ in God’s kingdom.  This isn’t something in the future but here and now.  We are ambassadors and representatives of His kingdom here on earth.

You may not feel like one.  You might not think you are one.  However, the truth is that if you are in the body of Christ, a believer, you are one of God’s priests.  Our task is simple, spread the kingdom.  We are to show the way to the kingdom of heaven.  It is our job to minister to the communities around us.  Everything a priest in the Old Testament did we are to do as well.  OK there is one exception; we do not have to perform sacrifices.  Jesus was the final and complete sacrifice for all.  It is our job to share that fact with the world.  It is our job to show the way, be a light and a royal priesthood…

Is Your Cover Miss Leading?

Scripture:

Matthew 23:23-28 (NASB)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Devotional:

I remember one time I did a devotional for a group of teenagers.  I switched covers for my Bible and a science fiction novel I had.  I showed them each book and in turn asked what they thought the books were about.  I held the Bible with the sci-fi cover and got several possible answers, none of which were about the Bible.  I held the sci-fi book up with the Bible cover on it. I was told that it was about God, it was the Bible after all.  I then opened the book with the bible cover and started to read.  They were a bit surprised to hear something totally different and unrelated to the Bible.  After removing the covers it was then they discovered I made the switch.

Jesus is trying to get our attention that what is important is what is on the inside.  We can have all the appearances of being a Christian but if Christ isn’t really in us we are just a book cover for Satan.  We need to focus on what is in our hearts, what we believe and say.  If we allow Christ to cleanse our hearts and live our lives according to His will then what people see on the outside will be a true reflection of who we really are.  If your ‘cover’ is miss leading pray for the Holy Spirit to come in and help you clean house.  Filled with the Holy Spirit we can become what God intends us to be.  The changes may not be easy but they will be worthwhile…

Loneliness

Scripture:

Genesis 2:18-23 (NASB)

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”  Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.  The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.  So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.  The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.  The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

Devotional:

No one likes to be alone all the time.  Loneliness can be devastating to us, even when we refuse to acknowledge it.  God stated in Genesis “It is not good for man to be alone.”  He knew we needed companionship.  We were never meant to live our lives in total isolation.  However, loneliness can come even when we are in a room full of people.  I once told a pastor that I could be in a room full of people and still feel all alone.  It is easy to feel alone in a crowd when you isolate yourself.  You might not know anyone, or no makes an effort to include you. 

God created woman to be a companion to man.  The body of Christ is formed for fellowship with one another.  The church is made up of multiple families and individuals to create a new family of believers.  Each one is intended to help us not be lonely.  There are times when being alone is healthy.  It gives us a chance to be still and be close to God.  Being alone helps us reflect and work out different things in our lives.  There are times when we do want to be by ourselves, let’s face it a crowd can be overwhelming.  But too much loneliness is not healthy for us.  If you notice or even suspect someone of being lonely reach out to them.  You just might be what they need at the time.  Lots of people fear dying alone.  Why is that?  Genesis 2:18 “Then the Lord God said ‘It is not good for the man to be alone;’” God knew before hand being alone wasn’t healthy for us.  This week make the effort to reach out and touch someone.  One last thought, you are never truly alone.  God is always with you.

Deuteronomy 3:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Showing Grace

Scripture:
Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV)

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Devotional:

Grace, is it something you have?  Is grace something you offer others?  When we make mistakes we want others to show grace and forgive us.  Why is it important for us to offer grace to others?  A simple answer is because Jesus offers grace freely to any and all who turn to Him.  We are not any better than He is.  In fact Jesus is the only man to ever live a perfect life.  It is the grace that He gives that provides salvation to all.  If our Lord and Savior will freely give grace shouldn’t we do the same?  After all, the student is not greater than the teacher. 

There is no better way to show grace than to be with those that need it.  Jesus spent His time with sinners.  He reached out to anyone who wanted Him to.  Those who were seeking Him were themselves found.  You never know whose life you touch that will forever be changed.  Christ will use you if you allow Him to.  If you never show grace, how can others see grace through you? 

 One last thought for you to consider.  What are the benefits to you for offering grace to others?  We are forgiven as we forgive.  We receive peace within ourselves when we forgive.  Can you think of any other benefits to forgiving others?

When I am Weak...

Scripture:

Judges 16:1-6 (NASB)

Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her.  When it was told to the Gazites, saying, “Samson has come here,” they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. And they kept silent all night, saying, “Let us wait until the morning light, then we will kill him.”  Now Samson lay until midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two posts and pulled them up along with the bars; then he put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain which is opposite Hebron.

After this it came about that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.  The lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and see where his great strength lies and how we may overpower him that we may bind him to afflict him. Then we will each give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.”  So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength is and how you may be bound to afflict you.”

Devotional:

Most of us are familiar with Samson and his great strength.  For all appearances he had no weaknesses.  No one could over power him.  This is an image we all want for ourselves.  We want to be strong, physically as well as spiritually.  We can’t be weak in anyway.  If any weakness is shown then you must fall into the wimp category.  The truth is that Samson had a huge weakness that ultimately caused his death. Instead of keeping his focus on God Samson allowed his weakness to control his life. 

Are you allowing your weakness to control your life?  Are you keeping your focus on God?  Nobody wants to admit they have weaknesses.  The fact remains that we all have them.  It is in our weakness that God can really shine in our lives.  It is then that His light shines the brightest through us for the world to see.  How can we keep our focus on God and not allow our weaknesses overcome us?  Three simple things come to mind.  The first is through prayer.  I find when I am tempted to give into my weakness that prayer can shift my attention.  When I pray I refocus on God and He gives me the strength to withstand.  The second is Scripture.  By reading the Bible we learn more about God.  The more we learn of Him the more we love and trust Him.  The more we read the Bible the better our focus is on God.  Think of it as a camera.  The Bible is the camera lens.  When we look through the lens we see images through it.  If the lens is out of focus we cannot see very clearly.  If it is in focus we get a clear sharp image.  The more we read the sharper the focus is.  Finally the third thing is fellowship.  It is through fellowship that we can give strength and accountability to one another.  We can give encouragement to help others.  Those we fellowship with can encourage us giving us strength as well.

Instead of being ashamed and attempt to hide our weaknesses we need to allow God to shine through them.  We need to allow God to work in us giving us strength.  When I am weak then He is strong…

Helping Hands

Scripture:

Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Devotional:

There are times when we all need a helping hand, even when we do not wish to admit it.  This is true even when we willingly and gladly chose the path we are on.  In some cases we may think no one can help.  Another thought could be that we believe no one would want to help.  Could it just be a simple matter of pride that prevents us from asking for help?  There are people who think that they can do it and they don’t need any help from anyone.  Perhaps nobody is offering to help.

Jesus Himself came not to be served by us but to serve us.  His example should be how we live our lives.  If you are unsure how to help all you have to do is think simple.  There may be nothing more to do than to provide a meal so that someone doesn’t have to spend the time and effort cooking.  Maybe you can offer to clean their house or office.  What about the never ending laundry pile?  Anyone can do a load of laundry.  Maybe a simple service of running errands for somebody that is too busy.  A short stint of babysitting is always helpful to give parents a short break.  Is somebody sick or hurt?  What can you do to help them?  Serving others doesn’t have to be big.  You don’t have to be a professional.  All you have to do is be willing. 

Each of us needs a helping hand from time to time.  Our Lord and Savior came to serve others.  Are you better than He is?

To Help or To Leave

Scripture:

Exodus 18:13-24 (NIV)

The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening.  When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”

Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.  Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”

Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good.  You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.  Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.  Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.  But select capable men from all the people men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.  If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

Devotional:

Can you relate with Moses in Exodus 18?  All of us can feel overwhelmed from time to time.  We need help even if we do not wish to acknowledge the fact.  The question I want to pose today is not you needing and accepting help.  No the question that comes to mind is if you are offering help.  We know that none of us can do it all, or do it alone.  We need God and each other.  Isn’t that why God gave us suitable helpers? 

I have heard people say ‘you asked for this or that.’  Something else that has been stated to me is ‘that is what you wanted.’  That may be true, for example we wanted to have a large family, but it doesn’t negate the fact that we need help.  From time to time we need a break, a change to getaway.  What is in your life that you want or love but at times just need a break?  What in your life have you needed someone to be there for you and no one was?  Instead of thinking I did it so can they; pause long enough to see if you can lend a hand.  Do you see a need somewhere?  Moses needed help and his father-in-law took time to give advice.  His advice changed Moses’ life, and those around him.  Can you make a difference?  What can you do to change someone’s life?  Through your actions a soul just might be saved.  Through your help or advice relief can be given.  Prayerfully seek God’s guidance in giving a helping hand to someone somewhere…

Where's Your Light?

Scritpure:

John 14:15-24 (NIV)

“If you love me, keep my commands.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.  Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

Devotional:

I often wondered why God would not reveal himself to some people.  Jesus stated that He would show Himself to those that love Him.  Judas asked why just to a few and not everyone.  As I read that and once again pondered it a thought came to my mind.  What if it isn’t that God doesn’t show himself to everyone?  What if it is that most people just refuse to see? 

Think of it this way.  A group of people go out for a hike at night.  Out in the woods it is dark along the path.  At the start of the journey there is a box full of flashlights and lanterns.  These can easily be picked up and used to show the way along the path.  The path would then be revealed to those with the ‘light.’  The flashlight is there for anyone to pick up but just a few choose to do so.  The path is then revealed to only those that have the light.  The other people have chosen to fumble around in the dark.  The ‘Light’ is there for all to see if they choose to see it.  It isn’t that the club is exclusive by design.  It is exclusive by the choices made by those who fumble in the dark.

If you are fumbling in the dark go and ‘pickup your flashlight.’  Jesus is waiting.  He is the “Light” of the world…

Ask and It Shall Be Given...

Scripture:

1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

Devotional:

As a parent I want to give my children everything I can possibly give them.  If they ask for something it is my desire to give it to them.  Unless, and yes there is a but in this, it is not for their own good.  If what they ask for is not good for them or is dangerous the answer is a no.  However, if what they ask for is in line with what we want for them the answer is always a yes, as long as it is in our power to give.  There are times when we say no because something better is coming along and we know it.  For example we are in the store and the kids want a candy bar.  It is in the middle of the afternoon and there is no good reason not to let them have one.  However, we know as a surprise we are going to stop somewhere for ice-cream or something special.  So we say no to the candy bar only to give them something better later on.

How much greater and loving is God toward us?  He wants to bless us and give us anything and everything.  However, He knows some things are bad for us.  He also knows something better is on its way.  If we get what we ask for now we will miss out on something better.  Although asking God for something isn’t like asking a genie.  We cannot rub a lamp and have our every wish granted.  In the Disney move Aladdin there were provisions to the wish.  God has provisions to giving what we ask for.  We must ask within the scope of His will.  We can rest assured that whatever we ask for that is within His will He will grant us.  Asking for a million dollars for ourselves will probably not be answered.  Asking for a million dollars for God’s work just might be granted. 

What have you asked for lately that you haven’t seen the results to?  What have you asked for that was answered in a way you didn’t expect?  What have you asked for that was answered with a no only to have something better come along?  Last question for you…  Are you seeking to be one-hundred percent in God’s will?  That is the key to having every prayer answered with a ‘yes.’

It's Your Job...

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.  Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Titus 1:10-16 (NIV)

For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group.  They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.  One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”  This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.  To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.  They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Devotional:

In a way it must have been an exciting time after the revolutionary war was over.  The Colonies had won their freedom and a new nation was born.  A nation created to be united in God, with the freedom to worship Jesus anytime or place.   Sadly as time has slipped by our nation has slipped away from God.  Does this sound familiar?  If it doesn’t then you need to through the Old Testament.  A nation was born and rose to become the mightiest nation of its time.  What happened to this once mighty nation?  They forgot their roots and left God behind.  I look at the United States and I see history repeating itself.

The good news is it isn’t too late.  Christians need to stand firm in faith.  We are all called to perform for God.  He has set tasks for us to complete.  If all of us undertook what God has called us to we could change the world.  If twelve disciples rocked this world over two thousand years ago imagine what we could do today.  It is time for Christians to stop waiting for someone else to do the job they were called to do.  We are surrounded by those who are teaching false teachings.  It is time we set the records straight.  It is time we did that which Christ is calling us to do… 

Spiritual Health

Scripture:

Matthew 9:11-13 (NASB)

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”  But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Devotional:

People only go to see their doctors when they are sick or hurt.  Sure some of us go once a year for our checkups.  Doctors do not become doctors to treat those that are healthy.  Doctors are there to help those that do get hurt or fall ill.  They do their best to help the healthy remain healthy.

In the same way Jesus came to live a perfect life.  Not that those who are perfect can be saved, although there are none who are.  He didn’t come for the righteous.  Jesus came for the sinner.  Last time I checked that included me, how about you?  It is through Christ that we become spiritually healthy.  It is through the Holy Spirit that we can maintain a healthy spiritual life. 

There are things we can do to keep ourselves physically healthy.  A couple of examples are eating healthy and exercise.  The same can be said for spiritual health.  We must do certain things to remain spiritually healthy.  We need to constantly be in prayer.  We need to read our Bibles daily.  It is also important to keep fellowship with other Christians.  Can you think of other activities or things you can do to keep spiritually healthy?  If not pray and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life…

Psalm 91

Psalm 91 makes an awesome prayer for all of us as we struggle through life.  A good friend once shared it with me and told me to pray it.  I did and continue to do so.  I want to share it with everyone.  I made some slight changes that you will find between {}.  I encourage anyone dealing with hardships or troubles to pray Psalm 91, in fact I encourage everyone to pray it...

Psalm 91 (NIV) revised to be my prayer…

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save {me}
from the fowler’s snare
 and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover {me} with his feathers,
 and under his wings {I} will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be {my} shield and rampart.
{I} will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at {my} side,
ten thousand at {my} right hand,
but it will not come near {me}.
{I} will only observe with {my} eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If {I} say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and {I} make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake {me},
no disaster will come near {my} tent.
For he will command his angels concerning {me}
to guard {me} in all {my} ways;
they will lift {me} up in their hands,
so that you will not strike {my} foot against a stone.
{I} will tread on the lion and the cobra;
{I} will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.” 

True Friendship

Scripture:

Matthew 26:47-50 (NASB)

While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”  Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

Devotional:

John 15:13 (NASB) “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”  Friendship is a term we loosely throw around.  It seems to me that being called a friend is a little better than just acquaintances.  Instead of saying this person is an acquaintance we simply say they are a friend.  As a result we have friends everywhere.  But what does it really mean to be a true friend?  In John 15:13 it states that there is no greater friend than someone willing to die for you.  When we think of friendship we think of loyalty, devotion, acceptance, and love.

Jesus gives us His unconditional friendship no matter what.  Look at Judas who betrayed Jesus unto death.  Despite this even as He is being betrayed Jesus calls Judas a friend.  I think most of us would slap him or have something nasty to say.  Instead Jesus still gave His love and friendship.  The best thing is that He does so with each of us as well.  It doesn’t matter what we do, who we hurt, or what happens.  Jesus is ever faithful, ever loving, and ever caring.  He is our unconditional friend no matter what.  We need to rethink the definition of friendship and realize its true depth and meaning.  Are we loyal?  Are we devoted?  Do we accept with no conditions?  Do we love unconditionally?  Are you a ‘true friend?’  Jesus is…

To Live For Christ...

Scripture:

Philippians 1:21-26 (NIV)

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Devotional

I remember a comment I made when I was a teenager.  I told a friend, and mentor at the time, of mine that I would willingly die for Christ.  Oh how much easier it would have been to die for Jesus, not that the opportunity ever presented itself.  After commenting on the willingness to die for Jesus I was asked if I was willing to live for Jesus.  That threw me for a loop.  After all it says in the Bible what greater love is there than to lay down one’s own life for another.

Reflecting back I see how living for Christ makes all the difference.  It is easy to die but much harder to live.  While we are here we strive and struggle to make a difference.  We work to make this a better place for those around us.  Our goals should be to win souls for Christ.  It is our duty to encourage one another and uplift one another in Christ.  Recently I was feeling down in the dumps but a simple phone call from a friend cheered me up.  The question to ask is not “are you willing to die for someone, Christ.”  Instead ask “are you willing to live for them?”  It is easier, and much better, to be in heaven with Jesus.  There is no suffering or pain in Heaven.  Here we struggle and deal with hardships and pain.  Are you ready to live for Christ?  Are you ready to make a difference?  After all that is why we are here…

What The Future Holds

Scripture:

James 4:13-17 (NIV)

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.  If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Devotional:

One thing we know for certain is that the future is uncertain.  People throughout history have sought out those who can ‘see the future.’  We look for fortune tellers and profits to tell us what is to come.  We make plans all the time for our future.  We set short term and long term goals.  We ask our teenagers what they want to do when they get older.  They plan for college and eventual careers.  As we grow older we plan for our retirement. 

When planning for the future do we include God?  How many times do we plan it all on our own instead?  God is all knowing and wants the best for us.  Jesus used a parable about a man who built new storage buildings for all his grain and crops.  He built places to store his wealth for future usage.  Jesus went on to say he was foolish for that very night his life would be demanded of him, Luke 12:16-20.  When we plan for our future we should do so seeking God’s guidance.  We can rest assured no matter what the future brings God is with us.  He is in control, he is our provider.  We should plan for the future but we need to include God in those plans.  We should not be surprised when the unexpected happens.  After all we do not know what the future holds for us.  The good news is that God knows and He is preparing the way for us.  

Exercise The Mind, Body & Spirit

Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:6-11 (NIV)

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.  Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.  That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things.

Devotional:

How often do we say we are out of shape or that we need to lose weight?  I remember after stating I am out of shape a reply came back stating ‘round is a shape.’  We hear of all the benefits exercise gives us.  It is good for our heart, muscles, and can relieve stress build up.  Paul tells us that exercise has a little benefit.  There is something that has even greater benefit for us.  One simple training program will give benefit to not only in this life but has beneficial benefits for all eternity.  Godly training will not only help here and now but it will have lasting effects for all eternity.

We will never know the full effects of Godly Training.  If we build on our faith and grow spiritually we will see its fruits not only in our lives but when we reach heaven as well.  You never know who will join you in the heavenly realm because of your spiritual discipline.  How much richer heaven could be because of the lives you touch?  My life was changed because of a hand full of people who were dedicated to the Lord.  I will never know how many lives I may touch that might be changed because of me, or more accurately what God does through me.  Not only is my life richer and more fulfilled by a Godly Training but others can benefit from it too…