Daily Devotion

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Honorable Living
August 26, 2016

Read: 1 Peter 2:9–12 | Bible in a Year: Psalm 119:89–176; 1 Corinthians 8
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. 1 Peter 2:9

While delivering a well-publicized speech, a respected leader and statesman got the attention of his nation by declaring that most of his country’s honorable Members of Parliament (MPs) were quitedishonorable. Citing lifestyles of corruption, pompous attitudes, unsavory language, and other vices, he rebuked the MPs and urged them to reform. As expected, his comments didn’t go well with them and they dispatched counter-criticisms his way.

We may not be public officials in positions of leadership, but we who follow Christ are a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9). As such, our Lord calls us to lifestyles that honor Him.

We honor God’s name when we call Him our Father and live like His children.
The disciple Peter had some practical advice on how to do this. He urged us to “abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul” (v. 11). Although he didn’t use the word honorable, he was calling us to behavior worthy of Christ.

As the apostle Paul phrased it in his letter to the Philippians, “Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8). Indeed, these are the characteristics of behavior that honor our Lord.

Lord, when we are honest with You, we understand how often we fall far short of honorable behavior. We know how much we need You. By Your Spirit, help us replace any selfish thoughts, words, and actions with things that please You and draw others to You.

We honor God’s name when we call Him our Father and live like His children.

INSIGHT:
The apostle Peter wrote this letter to encourage Jewish and Gentile Christians in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) who were going through severe trials and suffering because of their faith in Jesus. Peter says that for the Christian, trials and suffering are inevitable and to be expected (1 Peter 4:12), although often unreasonable, unjust, and inexplicable (2:19–20). But these difficulties can be valuable to the believer and therefore glorifying to God (1:6–7). Although they are universal, they are certainly temporal (5:9–10). Peter calls us to rejoice in our trials because we participate not only in Christ’s suffering but also in His glory (1:7; 4:13).

 

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"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to this disciples, 'Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”’ Matthew 19: 21-23

GIVING IT ALL AWAY
August 29, 2016

Where do you find your security – wealth, status, career? If you were asked to give it all away – would you? Could you?

In Matthew, we read of a rich young man approaching Jesus. He wants to follow Him. But Jesus, knowing the true heart behind people’s motives and priorities says to the man – “If you want to follow me, go and sell all your wealth and give it to the poor. Then you can come follow me.”

Turning to leave, the rich man is disappointed. He knows he can’t do that. Why? Because his security is in his money. The idol of his life is money. There is no way he could give it up.

Witnessing this exchange, the disciples become unsettled. Why would Jesus say that? What will others think? They might lose followers.

Recognizing their concern, Jesus explains how difficult it is for a wealthy person to enter heaven. His answer was more than a little alarming. It’s probably alarming many affluent individuals calling themselves Christian, today.

You might think you’re going to go to heaven when you die, but all this time you’ve been putting your trust in money rather than God. God knows that your heart isn’t really His. That’s a pretty strong statement.

Choosing to follow Jesus isn’t easy. Now, don’t get Him wrong. Jesus isn’t asking everyone to give up all their earthly possessions in order to follow Him. But, He is saying that we need to be willing to give up what is most important to us to follow Him. Where are we putting our trust, our security, our hope? Is it in the things of this world, things that will pass away? Or, are we putting our trust, our security, our hope in Christ? It’s a one-time decision that needs to be renewed daily. What decision are you making? Will you walk away from Jesus disappointed – or will you walk with Jesus?

 

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Free Indeed
August 31, 2016

Read: John 8:31–37 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 132–134; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34
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If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745–1796) was only 11 years old when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He made the harrowing journey from West Africa to the West Indies, then to the colony of Virgina, and then to England. By the age of 20 he purchased his own freedom, still bearing the emotional and physical scars of the inhumane treatment he had experienced.

Unable to enjoy his own freedom while others were still enslaved, Equiano became active in the movement to abolish slavery in England. He wrote his autobiography (an unheard of achievement for a former slave in that era) in which he described the horrific treatment of the enslaved.

The price of our freedom from sin was paid by Jesus’s blood.
When Jesus came, He fought a battle for all of us who are enslaved and unable to fight for ourselves. Our slavery is not one of outward chains. We are held by our own brokenness and sin. Jesus said, “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34–36).

Wherever such a freedom seems unheard of, His words need to be declared. We can be liberated from our guilt, shame, and hopelessness. By trusting Jesus, we can be free indeed!

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making the sacrifice that has secured my freedom and eternal life. May I learn to love You in a way that honors the love You have shown me.

The price of our freedom from sin was paid by Jesus’s blood.

INSIGHT:
Our Lord’s conversation with religious leaders who opposed Him reveals the contrast between man-made legalism and God’s truth. Christ says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). Human beings were made to have fellowship with God, but our rebellion resulted in our being enslaved by sin. Accepting the truth of God’s Word and yielding to Him breaks this bondage. The religious people who opposed Christ clung to their heritage as descendants of Abraham for their spiritual foundation, but only Christ can free us from our sinful, self-centered preoccupation.

 

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“Because You Prayed”
September 1, 2016

Read: Isaiah 37:9–22, 33 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 135–136; 1 Corinthians 12

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

What do you do with your worries? Do you turn them inward, or turn them upward?

When the brutal Assyrian King Sennacherib was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, he sent a message to King Hezekiah saying that Judah would be no different from all the other nations he had conquered. Hezekiah took this message to the temple in Jerusalem, and “spread it out before the Lord” (Isa. 37:14). He then prayed and asked for help from Almighty God.

Prayer moves the hand that moves the world. E.M. Bounds
Soon afterward Isaiah the prophet delivered this message to Hezekiah from the Lord: “Because you prayed about King Sennacherib of Assyria, the Lord has spoken” (Isa. 37:21–22 nlt). Scripture tells us that Hezekiah’s prayer was answered that very night. God intervened miraculously, conquering the enemy forces outside the city gates. The Assyrian army didn’t even “shoot an arrow” (v. 33). Sennacherib would leave Jerusalem, never to return.

Three words in God’s message to Hezekiah—“Because you prayed”—show us the best place to go with our worries. Because Hezekiah turned to God, He rescued him and his people. When we turn our worries into prayer, we discover that God is faithful in unexpected ways!

Father, please help me to turn my worries into prayer. My problems are better in Your hands than in my own.

Prayer moves the hand that moves the world. E.M. Bounds

 

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For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. Romans 8:29

My wife, Carolyn, and I met Phipps Festus Bourne in 1995 in his shop in Mabry Hill, Virginia. Bourne, who died in 2002, was a master wood carver whose carvings are almost exact replicas of real objects. “Carving a duck is simple,” he said. “You just look at a piece of wood, get in your head what a duck looks like, and then cut off everything that doesn’t look like it.”

So it is with God. He looks at you and me—blocks of rough wood—envisions the Christlike woman or man hidden beneath the bark, knots, and twigs and then begins to carve away everything that does not fit that image. We would be amazed if we could see how beautiful we are as finished “ducks.”

Growing in Christ comes from a deepening relationship with Him.
But first we must accept that we are a block of wood and allow the Artist to cut, shape, and sand us where He will. This means viewing our circumstances—pleasant or unpleasant—as God’s tools that shape us. He forms us, one part at a time, into the beautiful creature He envisioned in our ungainly lump of wood.

Sometimes the process is wonderful; sometimes it is painful. But in the end, all of God’s tools conform us “to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29).

Do you long for that likeness? Put yourself in the Master Carver’s hands.

Father, You are the craftsman who shapes me. You are the one who knows what shape my life should take. Thank You for carving me into the image You have planned. Help me to trust that the pieces and parts that You shave from me are the right ones.

Growing in Christ comes from a deepening relationship with Him.

INSIGHT:
We are God’s handiwork, and our Father will not abandon the work of His hands. Ephesians 2:6–10 provides further insight into the theme of God’s handiwork. After Christ’s atoning death, God raised Him from the dead “and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” (v. 20). Those who believe in Him have been given new life by God’s grace.

 

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Good Imitation
September 3, 2016

Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 140–142; 1 Corinthians 14:1–20


You became imitators of us and of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

“Today we’re going to play a game called Imitation,” our children’s minister told the kids gathered around him for the children’s sermon. “I’ll name something and you act out what it does. Ready? Chicken!” The kids flapped their arms, cackled, and crowed. Next it was elephant, then football player, and then ballerina. The last one was Jesus. While many of the children hesitated, one six-year-old with a big smile on his face immediately threw his arms wide open in welcome. The congregation applauded.

How easily we forget that our calling is to be like Jesus in the everyday situations of life. “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:1–2).

Jesus’s arms of welcome are always open.
The apostle Paul commended the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica for the outward demonstration of their faith in difficult circumstances. “You became imitators of us and of the Lord,” Paul wrote. “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thess. 1:6–7).

It is the life of Jesus in us that encourages and enables us to walk through this world as He did—with the good news of God’s love and with arms open wide in welcome to all.

Lord Jesus, may Your words of invitation and welcome, “Come to Me,” be lived out through our lives today.

Jesus’s arms of welcome are always open.

INSIGHT:
The church at Thessalonica was comprised of Gentiles who had been caught up in pagan idolatry before they came to faith in Christ. They were zealous in their witness and extended the gospel of Christ to neighboring regions. Paul applauds these believers for their lives of committed discipleship and effective witness to others: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thess. 1:9–10). This congregation exemplified what it means to follow Christ.

 

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Good Imitation
September 3, 2016

Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 140–142; 1 Corinthians 14:1–20


You became imitators of us and of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

“Today we’re going to play a game called Imitation,” our children’s minister told the kids gathered around him for the children’s sermon. “I’ll name something and you act out what it does. Ready? Chicken!” The kids flapped their arms, cackled, and crowed. Next it was elephant, then football player, and then ballerina. The last one was Jesus. While many of the children hesitated, one six-year-old with a big smile on his face immediately threw his arms wide open in welcome. The congregation applauded.

How easily we forget that our calling is to be like Jesus in the everyday situations of life. “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:1–2).

Jesus’s arms of welcome are always open.
The apostle Paul commended the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica for the outward demonstration of their faith in difficult circumstances. “You became imitators of us and of the Lord,” Paul wrote. “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thess. 1:6–7).

It is the life of Jesus in us that encourages and enables us to walk through this world as He did—with the good news of God’s love and with arms open wide in welcome to all.

Lord Jesus, may Your words of invitation and welcome, “Come to Me,” be lived out through our lives today.

Jesus’s arms of welcome are always open.

INSIGHT:
The church at Thessalonica was comprised of Gentiles who had been caught up in pagan idolatry before they came to faith in Christ. They were zealous in their witness and extended the gospel of Christ to neighboring regions. Paul applauds these believers for their lives of committed discipleship and effective witness to others: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thess. 1:9–10). This congregation exemplified what it means to follow Christ.

 

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SHOW ME YOUR WILL

September 4, 2016

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:1-3

I don’t know about you, but when I think about a conversation on patience I typically don’t think happy thoughts. Every conversation that revolves around patience reminds me how little I truly have! I once heard someone say they didn’t ever pray for patience because they knew if they prayed for patience, God would put them in situations where they needed patience – and those were the situations they are trying to avoid! The reality is patience is a virtue that is difficult to find!

We all know we need more patience in our lives, but everything in the world we live in is teaching us and conditioning us to operate with less and less patience. High speed internet, microwave ovens, fast food drive thru. This goes on and on. No wonder we struggle with patience! If it does not happen quickly and when we want it, we are ticked! As a result of our struggle with patience, it can be difficult for us to truly understand the patience of God and see the gift of His patience toward us.

The good news is God is not like us! We are not like God! Isn’t that great? We have a tendency to view God through the lens of our humanity, but He is God! He does not struggle with patience! It is not like He is biting His lip and gritting His teeth to put up with you. Patience is not something He has to work on. He IS patience! It is one of His attributes – part of His character.

Let me make this clear. If God was not a patient God, we would have no chance – for anything. So, let’s look more closely at His patience:

1. God’s patience is supernatural. Through His infinite lens, “one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” And He loves us. In fact, His patience is fueled by His love for us.

1. God’s patience is for a purpose. To lead us to repentance. What is repentance? It’s to have another mind. To turn around and go the other direction. So, His patience is meant to lead us to a place where we can recognize His amazing, beautiful grace and mercy.

1. The patience of God points to the Glory of God. When we truly understand the reality of this statement, it is a sobering thought. Not all will call on the name of the Lord, so there is an urgency to this message of God’s patience. A day is coming for each of us when we will have to stand before the most high God. All of our works will be exposed. We will be totally and completely laid bare. On that day the Glory of God will be perfectly and completely revealed. Those who are followers of Jesus Christ will stand before God and when He looks at us, He will see His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, instead of seeing our imperfect works and deeds, God will see the good and perfect works of His Son. His patience and grace will be gloriously displayed. It will be beautiful beyond our imaginations.

Don’t miss out on the gift of God’s patience as He pursues you with His mercy and grace . His patience is inviting you to trust in Him as your Savior and Lord.

 

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Graded with Grace
September 6, 2016

Read: Romans 5:6–15 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 148–150; 1 Corinthians 15:29–58

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

My son’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement as he showed me a paper he had brought home from school. It was a math test, marked with a red star and a grade of 100 percent. As we looked at the exam, he said he had three questions left to answer when the teacher said time was up. Puzzled, I asked how he could have received a perfect score. He replied, “My teacher gave me grace. She let me finish the test although I had run out of time.”

As my son and I discussed the meaning of grace, I pointed out that God has given us more than we deserve through Christ. We deserve death because of our sin (Rom. 3:23). Yet, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). We were unworthy, yet Jesus—sinless and holy—gave up His life so we could escape the penalty for our sin and one day live forever in heaven.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Eternal life is a gift from God. It’s not something we earn by working for it. We are saved by God’s grace, through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8–9).

Dear God, Your undeserved favor has made it possible for us to be saved from our sin. You have shown us amazing grace. Thank You for
the gift You gave. Use me to tell others about You and what You have done.

Grace and mercy are unearned blessings.

INSIGHT:
A key word in Romans 5 is through. It is used seventeen times in this brief chapter. In today’s passage, we read that through Christ we have been saved from wrath (v. 9), been reconciled to God (vv. 10–11), and have reason to boast in God (v. 11). Christ is the mediator of our salvation (1 Tim. 2:5).

 

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Everything Comes from God
September 8, 2016

Read: 1 Chronicles 29:14–19 | Bible in a Year: Proverbs 3–5; 2 Corinthians 1
All of it belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:16

I was 18 years old when I got my first fulltime job, and I learned an important lesson about the discipline of saving money. I worked and saved until I had enough money for a year of school. Then my mom had emergency surgery, and I realized I had the money in the bank to pay for her operation.

My love for my mother suddenly took precedence over my plans for the future. These words in the book Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot took on new meaning: “If we hold tightly to anything given to us, unwilling to let it go when the time comes to let it go or unwilling to allow it to be used as the Giver means it to be used, we stunt the growth of the soul. It is easy to make a mistake here, ‘If God gave it to me,’ we say, ‘it's mine. I can do what I want with it.’ No. The truth is that it is ours to thank Him for and ours to offer back to Him, . . . ours to let go of.”

Everything belongs to God.
I realized that the job I had received and the discipline of saving were gifts from God! I could give generously to my family because I was sure God was capable of seeing me through school another way, and He did.

Today, how might God want us to apply David's prayer from 1 Chronicles 29:14, “Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us”? (nlt).

Lord, we know there is nothing that we have that we obtained on our own. It’s all Yours. Help us to have open hands for You
to give and take as You please. Increase our faith.

Everything belongs to God.

INSIGHT:
Today’s reading puts the true object of worship front and center. David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:14–19 appears nowhere else in the biblical account and focuses the reader’s attention on God rather than on the temple or on King David. This makes perfect sense given the timeframe and audience of the book. Although we cannot be certain, Jewish tradition identifies Ezra as the chronicler. And it’s believed he wrote between 450 and 400 bc, with his primary audience being those who had recently returned from exile in Babylonia. The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles are unique in that they are historical accounts written long after the events they describe. About half of Chronicles is material repeated from earlier Old Testament books.

 

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What Matters Most
September 9, 2016

Read: 1 John 4:7–19 | Bible in a Year: Proverbs 6–7; 2 Corinthians 2
He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9

As Jesus’s beloved disciple John grew older, his teaching became increasingly narrowed, focusing entirely on the love of God in his three letters. In the book Knowing the Truth of God’s Love, Peter Kreeft cites an old legend which says that one of John’s young disciples once came to him complaining, “Why don’t you talk about anything else?” John replied, “Because there isn’t anything else.”

God’s love is certainly at the heart of the mission and message of Jesus. In his earlier gospel account, John recorded the words, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Thank You, O Lord, that Your love is rich and pure, measureless and strong!
The apostle Paul tells us that God’s love is at the core of how we live, and he reminds us that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38–39).

God’s love is so strong, available, and stabilizing that we can confidently step into each day knowing that the good things are gifts from His hand and the challenges can be faced in His strength. For all of life, His love is what matters most.

Thank You, O Lord, that Your love is rich and pure, measureless and strong!

God’s love stands when all else has fallen.

INSIGHT:
In 1 John we see what characterizes a life that exhibits God’s supernatural love. The Greek word for this kind of love is agape, a self-sacrificial giving of one’s self in time, money, or energy. At the root of this divine care is the idea of esteem. God values human beings because we reflect His image.

 

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THE SECRET TO CONTENTMENT

September 13, 2016

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”Philippians 4:11-13

One phone call. That’s all it takes to turn a life upside down. Everyone has a story of life spinning out of control. Maybe it was an accident, a call from the doctor, a relationship that ended or an unexpected layoff. We know that everything can change in an instant. It can all be gone tomorrow. And if it’s gone, will we still be happy?

No, this is not a trick question. Life is uncertain. We are not in control. If being in control is the only way to be happy, we are destined for a life of chasing temporary happiness in things that fade as quickly as they are found. The apostle Paul talks about finding true happiness, true contentment, that lasts through the ups and downs of life.

True happiness is not about what we have, but what God has done for us. Our happiness is in the provider, not in the provision. Our happiness is in the giver, not the gifts given. Think about it. Everything we have is a gift from God. The ability to earn income comes from Him. The economy that keeps our investments stable is from Him. The health that we experience today is from God.

Is there contentment in your life?
 True happiness is found by those who acknowledge and daily live in the reality that they are dependent on God. If you’ve been seeking happiness in all the wrong places, spend time today putting your trust back in the one who provides, not in the things He provides.

 

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PURITY – A HEART ISSUE

September 14, 2016

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. In the Bible, the heart is the center of the whole being. It is the core of who we are and the source of what is most important to us. When it comes down to it, purity is a heart issue.

The Bible links purity and the heart to show that those who value God above all else will be revealed through how they live. Purity flows from a heart that has been transformed by the love and grace of God. No matter how hard you try, you cannot disconnect your sexual behaviors from your heart. For this reason, Jesus says that only the pure in heart can see God. James says those with clean hands and a pure heart are able to draw near to God. What does this mean?

An impure heart leads us to live in a fog or a haze where we cannot see clearly. Sexual sin clouds our vision and makes us blind, deaf, and dumb to the ways and work of God. You cannot draw near to God while deliberately walking away from what God says is best for your life. Purity leads to clarity. Impurity leads to double-minded idolatry. Meaning, when our heart and our thoughts are clouded by impurity, it quickly leads to some ungodly logic.

• “I love God, but I love porn more so I will keep the secret habit going.”
• “I love God, but I love my boyfriend/girlfriend more so it is fine for us to mess around.”
• “I love God, but I love my freedom more. So, I’ll move in with my significant other rather than waiting until marriage, because I am not ready to be tied down and I want to save money.”
• “I love God, but I want to do things my way and ignore what God says is important.” It just doesn’t make sense.

How quickly we can walk away from God’s design and God’s best as we conclude that we know better in the fog of impurity. Simply put, sexual impurity leads into a fog where it is very difficult to see the goodness and glory of God. It is the pure in heart who will see God. However, the good news of the Gospel shows us that purity can be a reality for all who trust in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Our sin can be forgiven and we can be called pure and clean in the sight of God if we will turn from our sin and trust in His grace!

Take a moment to honestly examine your heart. Are you lacking spiritual clarity? Are you living in a fog of impurity? Ask God for help surrendering any area where you’re struggling with purity and putting something else before God. Step out on faith and step into the clarity of purity as you trust in the forgiveness and grace of God.

 

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A Pleasing Aroma
September 16, 2016

Read: 2 Corinthians 2:12–17 | Bible in a Year: Proverbs 25–26; 2 Corinthians 9
We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15

A perfumer who works in New York declares that she can recognize certain combinations of scents and guess the perfumer behind a fragrance. With just a sniff she can say, “This is Jenny’s work.”

When writing to the followers of Christ in the city of Corinth, Paul at one point used an example that would have reminded them of a victorious Roman army in a conquered city burning incense (2 Cor. 2:14). The general would come through first, followed by his troops and then the defeated army. For the Romans, the aroma of the incense meant victory; for the prisoners, it meant death.

A godly life is a fragrance that draws others to Christ.
Paul said we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ’s victory over sin. God has given us the fragrance of Christ Himself so we can become a sweet-smelling sacrifice of praise. But how can we live so we spread this pleasing fragrance to others? We can show generosity and love, and we can share the gospel with others so they can find the way to salvation. We can allow the Spirit to display through us His gifts of love, joy, and kindness (Gal. 5:22–23).

Do others observe us and say, “This is Jesus’s work”? Are we allowing Him to spread His fragrance through us and then telling others about Him? He is the Ultimate Perfumer—the most exquisite fragrance there will ever be.

Do others recognize the work of God in my life? Am I spreading the fragrance of Christ? How?

A godly life is a fragrance that draws others to Christ.

INSIGHT:
Among the ancient Roman military elite, the greatest honor afforded a general was after a military triumph. The general of the victorious army would parade through the streets of Rome as crowds shouted their praise. The aroma of the incense that burned on the altars in the pagan temples would waft over the city during this time of celebration. In today’s reading, Paul uses this picture to describe the triumph we have as believers in Jesus Christ: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Cor. 2:14). Paul understood that we spread the aroma of the knowledge of Christ to others.

 

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Worth the Calories?
September 19, 2016

Read: Philippians 4:4–9 | Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 1–3; 2 Corinthians 11:16–33

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

I love egg roti prata, a popular pancake in my country of Singapore. So I was intrigued to read that a 125-pound (57 kg) person must run 5 miles (8 km) per hour for 30 minutes to burn 240 calories. That’s equivalent to only one egg roti prata.

Ever since I started working out in the gym, those numbers have taken on a new significance for me. I find myself asking: Is this food worth the calories?

The mind is formed by what it takes in. —Will Durant
While it is wise to watch our food consumption, it is even more important to watch our media consumption. Research shows that what we see can stay in our minds for a long time and influence our behavior. It has a “clingy effect,” sticking to us like that stubborn fat we find so hard to lose.

With the wide variety of media content surrounding us today, we need to be discerning consumers. That doesn’t mean we read only Christian literature or watch only faith-related movies, but we are careful about what we allow our eyes to see. We might ask ourselves: Is this worth my time?

In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul tells us in essence, “Feed your eyes and minds on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.” This is a “diet” worthy of what Christ has done and is doing in us.

Are my viewing habits enhancing my life or are they drawing me away from things that really matter? Help me, Lord, to make wise choices.

The mind is formed by what it takes in. Will Durant

INSIGHT:
Philippians is one of Paul’s prison letters (written while a prisoner). Professor Reggie Kidd makes this observation: “Paul’s emotional state was complex. On the one hand, he was suffering. But on the other hand, he made a conscious decision to focus on the good things rather than on the bad things. And this choice helped him endure the sufferings of prison as well as his mistreatment at the hands of other preachers (see Phil. 1:17–18). And Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:6–8 was consistent with this attitude. . . . Thinking optimistically, and fighting against anxiety and discouragement, is a means of calling upon God to guard our hearts and minds. And therefore, it is also a means of persevering.”

 

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Fiery Trials
September 21, 2016

Read: James 1:2–12 | Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 7–9; 2 Corinthians 13


Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2

Fire can be one of the worst enemies of trees. But it can also be helpful. Experts say that small, frequent fires called “cool” fires clean the forest floor of dead leaves and branches but don’t destroy the trees. They leave behind ashes, which are perfect for seeds to grow in. Surprisingly, low-intensity fires are necessary for healthy growth of trees.

Similarly, trials—pictured as fire in the Bible—are necessary for our spiritual health and growth (1 Peter 1:7; 4:12). James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4).

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2
It is in the season of trial that God’s purposes are often realized, for there the conditions are right for us to grow into spiritual maturity. This growth not only equips us for living, but it also enables us to more accurately reflect Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him.

In the hands of our Father, our trials can achieve His purposes for our good and for His honor. They can shape us into the likeness of His Son.

Father, teach me to trust You for the strength to endure difficulties and the faith to wait for Your good purposes to be accomplished in me.

Encourage others! Go to odb.org and share what God taught you through a challenging time.

Faith is seeing God in the dark and in the light.

INSIGHT:
James, the half-brother of Jesus, believed that Christ was the Messiah after witnessing His resurrection from the dead. James led the early church as a “Messianic Jew,” a term referring to someone who has been reared in the traditions of Judaism and who acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah. In today’s reading, James says that a positive attitude toward trials—“consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials of many kinds” (1:2)—is central to the Christian life. Trials are beneficial because they produce positive character change through the power of God.

 

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The Gates of Worship
September 22, 2016

Read: Psalm 100 | Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 10–12; Galatians 1


Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

When you enter some of the greatest cities in the world, you can encounter famous gates such as the Brandenburg Gate (Berlin), the Jaffa Gate (Jerusalem), and the gates at Downing Street (London). Whether the gates were built for defensive or ceremonial purposes, they all represent the difference between being outside or inside certain areas of the city. Some are open; some are closed to all but a few.

The gates into the presence of God are always open. The familiar song of Psalm 100 is an invitation for the Israelites to enter into the presence of God through the temple gates. They were told to “shout for joy” and “come before him with joyful songs” (vv. 1–2). Shouting for joy was an appropriate expression when greeting a monarch in the ancient world. All the earth was to sing joyfully about God! The reason for this joyful noise was that God had given them their identity (v. 3). They entered the gates with praise and thanksgiving because of God’s goodness and His steadfast and enduring love which continues through all generations (vv. 4–5). Even when they forgot their identity and wandered away from Him, God remained faithful and still invited them to enter His presence.

The gates into God’s presence are still open, inviting us to come and worship.
The gates into God’s presence are still open, inviting us to come and worship.

What should motivate us to worship God? What statement of praise could you give to God today?

The gates into the presence of God are always open.

INSIGHT:
Psalm 100 is poetry packed with image-rich language. When the psalmist says we are the Lord’s, this reminds us of His creative and redeeming work. The Bible tells us that if we have faith in Christ, we are His in at least two ways: We are His because He created us (Gen. 1:26–31) and because He has adopted us as His family (Eph. 1:5). The psalmist also uses the image of a sheep. We are “the sheep of His pasture.” We belong to Him and can enter His gates because we are under His care. Jesus Himself uses this image of sheep and gates in John 10:7–9 when explaining what it means to be saved.

 

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"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son…” Romans 8:26-29a

I’M SO GLAD THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR US!
September 22, 2016

Taken from a sermon by Thomas Nelson, Teaching Pastor, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

When I was a junior in high school, I wanted to be a good wrestler by my senior year because, you know, that’s every boy’s dream. I really wanted to go away to college and wrestle. And that’s saying a lot because my freshman year I only won one match. So anyway, I went and watched these videos on how to be a better wrestler, and learned all these fancy moves and all. And I did this while lying on the couch. So, one day my dad says, “You know, you might be a better wrestler if you weren’t on the couch.” And I said, “Hmmm, that is wise.”

I finally got connected with this coach in downtown Atlanta. And I walked into his gym one day. The gym was made of cinder block, terrible, paint flaking off the walls, and the heaters were on—it was June and the heaters were on! So, I walked in and the guy, the owner of the gym, shakes my hand and says, “Let’s wrestle around a little bit and let’s see what you’ve got.” And I was like, “Oh, you scare me very badly.” Because you could see he had on a wrestling singlet and you could see blood vessels in his thigh through the singlet. That is the truth. I’m thinking, “You are the strongest man I’ve ever met. I don’t want to touch you!”

Any way, he basically threw me around for a few minutes. Literally, threw me around. And after it was over he said, “Okay you’re going to have two moves and here’s what they are.” And they were the most basic, simple moves anybody could have. And I’m thinking, I don’t know if that will work. So, he stopped me and said, “Those are going to be your two moves. We’re going to get your really good at those two moves. You’ll be able to do those moves on anybody.”

That sort of paints a picture for me on how I sometimes approach God – with really confusing ideas and really wordy prayers and sometimes really short prayers that don’t mean anything. And I’m talking and I’m trying, but I need an expert to come in and say, “This is how things are supposed to be. This is what’s going to make you a champion.” Well, that’s what the Holy Spirit does. He comes and intercedes on our behalf. He knows the mind of God. He knows our heart, and He’s interceding constantly on our behalf. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel a whole lot safer.

You see, way back before our world ever got started, God knew those of us that would be His. And way back before you ever had your home or your family, or any of the things that you know, God decided way ahead of time, “I’m going to put these obstacles in their lives, because I want to do something incredible. I want to work it for good.”

Can we really comprehend this? No. God’s Word tells us that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. But can we believe it through faith in Jesus? You bet we can.

 

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“Blessed are (happy are) the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

MEEKNESS – THE OPPOSITE OF WEAKNESS
September 25, 2016

What in the world is meekness and how can ‘meek people’ be happy? I will confess, even I wasn’t so sure at first. Looking at the teaching of Jesus, everything He says seems to challenge us to search for true happiness in places often overlooked. But still – meekness? Happy are the meek?

What kid grows up with the goal of becoming meek? How many people do you know who put “more meekness” on their list of new year’s resolutions? This is a word difficult to get excited about because it’s often totally misunderstood. Part of the reason is because of what it sounds like – meekness sounds like weakness. There is guilt by association. I don’t want to be weak, so I don’t want to be meek.

But, there is nothing weak about meekness! In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The word ‘meek’ was often used in the context of taming or training a wild animal. It is strength that is brought under control. It’s the idea that strength doesn’t have to be dangerous or threatening, but can be incredibly useful, even a blessing. This is a strength that promotes security rather than elicits fear. It is not aLOSS of power and strength. It is a power of strength that is brought into submission under the authority of a trainer or a leader.

This is how Jesus described Himself. Jesus is saying, “I will use My strength to carry your burdens. I will provide rest for your soul. Don’t be afraid or intimidated by Me. My strength is a gift to you.” [My paraphrase] There is nothing weak about Jesus!

Jesus harnesses His strength for the purpose of revealing God’s love and grace. He lays down his life as the ultimate display of power over sin and death. Strength under control in submission to the Father. The ultimate example of meekness – the ultimate example of strength.

 

[boldstardex]

True Riches
September 27, 2016

Read: Luke 12:22–34 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 3–4; Galatians 6
http://odb.org/wp-content/themes/odbm-base/assets/download.php?file=http://dzxuyknqkmi1e.cloudfront.net/odb/2016/09/odb-09-27-16.mp3
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

At the memorial service for my friend’s dad, someone said to her, “Until I met your father, I didn’t know a person could have fun while helping others.” Her dad contributed his part in helping to build the kingdom of God through serving people, laughing and loving, and meeting strangers who became friends. When he died, he left a legacy of love. In contrast, my friend’s aunt—her father’s older sister—viewed her possessions as her legacy, spending her latter years worrying about who would protect her heirlooms and rare books.

In His teaching and by His example, Jesus warned His followers to avoid hoarding possessions, to give to the poor, and to value what will not rust or decay. “For where your treasure is,” Jesus said, “there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).

What we value reveals the state of our heart.
We might think our things give meaning to our life. But when the latest gadget breaks or we misplace or lose something valuable, we begin to realize that it is our relationship with the Lord that satisfies and endures. It is our love and care for others that does not wither and fade away.

Let’s ask the Lord to help us see clearly what we value, to show us where our heart is, and to help us seek His kingdom above all (12:31).

What do you value? Read the story about the manna in the wilderness in Exodus 16. Consider how this story relates to Jesus’s words to the crowds in Luke 12.

What we value reveals the state of our heart.

INSIGHT:
The theme of true riches, as seen in today’s devotional, is one that is also found in the book of Proverbs. Since this book is a collection of wise sayings, it is no surprise that it would have much to offer about our attitudes toward wealth and material possessions. In Proverbs 8:18 we read that all of the blessings of life, whether material or spiritual, are a gift from God.