April 19, 2012 … The Only One Who Can Help!

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalms 121-130 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Reference Passages: From above, see Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130 …
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Highlight Reference Verse: From above see Psalms 121: 1-2 … 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, … the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Highlight Reference Verse #2: From above see Psalms 130: 5 … I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

My Journal for Today: Today the Chronological Reading Plan takes its readers (and that’s me!) to a list of similar Psalms which were written by unknown authors in Israel. Possibly King Hezekiah could have been the author of several of them. But these songs of God’s people sing out their reliance on the Creator of all and the one and only God who saves.

My friends, this would be a good group of Psalms to read when and if one is down-hearted or needs assurance from whence our help comes. Don’t you agree that there are going to be events or circumstances where we cannot put our clinging trust in mankind or the institutions created by man?

Let’s face it, in today’s economy, do you put your faith/trust in our government … as vast and as powerful as it is? Do you trust our President or the Congress to bring us through these rough times? What about science? Do you trust the smartest scientists on earth to have the answers to physical challenges like cancer, or Alzheimer’s Disease, or AIDS? What about education; … do you think our educational systems are going to raise up saviors to deliver us from the world’s problems.

I think you get where I’m headed here. My friend and fellow reader into God’s word, I put my trust only in my God; and I look only to His word for my guidance. Meditate on the two highlight verses which I’ve copied for you above; and as you do, in paraphrasing these verses, I declare, “My help ONLY comes from the Lord;” and “I wait for the Lord, … and in His word I put my hope.”

TRUTH: … The world is falling apart; and these songs from God’s word today express the only place God’s people can look for help and that is from our God as He has written our course of life into His word. So, are you with me, … my dear one? Will you say, as do I, “My help comes only from my God!”

My Prayer for Today: Lord, You are the only One Your people can look to for help; so, we pray for that help in these times of trouble. … Amen

April 15, 2012 … Overcoming Human Sorrows/Disappointments

Blogger’s Note: Posting the second journal entry, below for this morning’s entry; but these two entries were those for my last two days of entries, posted late due to internet connection difficulties during travels to a Christian men’s retreat during the past two days.

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 56 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 120 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 140 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 141 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 142 … To study these chapters, go to this link -

Highlight Passage: [NLT] … Psalms 56: 3-4, 6 ... But when I am afraid, … I put my trust in you. 4 O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? … What can mere mortals do to me?
8 You keep track of all my sorrows. …You have collected all my tears in your bottle. …You have recorded each one in your book.

My Journal for Today: Five more Psalms for this morning’s chronological read and for my devotional, which will have to be posted online in retrospect again today, though I’m in a delightful state of mind this morning writing here after having had such a beautiful and joyful day yesterday with 27 Christian brothers, catching rainbow trout on the Little Red River in Arkansas, where our churchmen traveled for a weekend retreat.

And so it’s admittedly a little hard for me to break my own personal, and very joyful, context this morning to read David [and maybe Hezekiah] writing these Psalms under the oppression he [or they] experienced as they were being pursued by relentless and worldly forces who wanted to rout and even kill these men of God so trying to be Godly men.

And in today’s reading of Psalms, especially the highlighted passage from Psalm 56, verses 3-4 and 8 above, we read of God’s reality for true believers, for disciples of the Living God, … we who may feel the oppression of the world but know that even the taking of our lives cannot break our forever relationship with our God. David knew that; … and he openly an unabashedly expressed his trust and confidence in God in these Psalms.

The question becomes for us, … do we really believe this when the world seems to be crashing down around us? Perhaps some of us are experiencing horrible financial burdens. Perhaps others are being attacked in some personal or very emotional battles in life. Others may be under the oppression of ill health, maybe even the big “C” – terminal cancer. Those who know the truth of Romans 8: 28 and yet we may be under the pursuit of some of such circumstances of doom/despair and are being tested of the heart. Does God really work in ALL things for the good of those of us who love God and are His called ones? Hard to have such faith as David was singing about in such dire circumstances, isn’t it?

But that’s our life lesson today; and we really need to latch on to it and hold dear to the promises of God just as David was able to do. Our life is dear, especially as it’s lived out to love, obey, and serve God in the context of family and our callings on earth; … BUT … no matter what we may encounter in this life, we can – AND MUST – know, beyond all doubt, this life is merely staging and preparation for our eternal and heavenly bound relationship with our God.

Hold on to that, dear one, as this journey through life may try to pummel you. Remember with me, together with me as you read this, that our Lord never leaves us, … always loving us, … and forever carrying us under His loving arms into that glory that awaits.

My Prayer Today: … As I sit here watching the sun rise in a beautiful and so comfortable spot, Lord, … help me to see this little glimpse of glory as a very small glimpse of what You have waiting for me with You in eternity. Amen

April 14, 2012 … Go to God in Trouble

Blogger’s Note: Posted a day late today because of wifi connection problems while traveling. Will likely be late again tomorrow for the same reason; but here is my offering from yesterday from the Little Red River in Arkansas.

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 7 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 27 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 31 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 34 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 52 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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My Journal for Today: This morning I’m sitting on a dock at a fishing resort on the Little Red River in Arkansas, out for the weekend with a bunch of Christian men, some of whom have brought their sons to get away, fish for rainbow or brown trout (or maybe some catfish or bass) out on the river today, getting away from some of the troubles and concerns of the world; and just being out with God in His creation. Sometimes we just feel we need to get away from all those pressures out there in the world or in our own hearts which tear away at our souls, don’t we?

If you read through the Psalms which our chronological read has me meditating on today, if one studies the context of why David wrote all these poetic songs, you realize that the young king-to-be was deeply embroiled in escaping the existing King, … Saul, and David was trying to do all he could to buck up under the pressures of Saul trying to kill him and use His kingly influence to discredit David; but the only place David could really go for refuge was to and with His Lord, Yahweh; … and as one reads these Psalms, we see that’s exactly where any/all of us should go when we’re down-trodden or discouraged or in despair.

Of all these five psalms, I was asked to read today, you’ll note that I emboldened the link to Psalm 34, which I’d ask any who’re reading/meditating along with me here to take some time upon which to meditate more deeply; and here is what my Parsons DVD commentary says about Psalm 34, which I think very nicely summarizes what insights David had gleaned form God and was sharing in this wonderfully encouraging Psalm.

• Parsons Commentary on Psalm 34: God promises great blessings to his people, but many of these blessings require our active participation. He will set us free from our fears (34:4, 6), guard and rescue us (34:7), show us goodness (34:8), supply our needs (34:9), listen when we call to him (34:15), and redeem us (34:22), but we must do our part. We can appropriate his blessings when we seek him (34:4, 10); cry out to him (34:6, 17); trust him (34:8); fear him (34:7); reverence him (34:9); refrain from lying (34:13); turn from evil, do good and seek peace (34:14); are brokenhearted (34:18); and serve him (34:22).

You will, as did I, have to go back and see the reference points made on this commentary; but when you do, you’ll discover the application points for any of us who’ve every sought after God’s enlightenment, enablement, and/or empowerment when we felt down-and-out or broken down by life’s pressures, stresses, or circumstances. Can I get an “Amen!” of identification?

Some of us are deeply embroiled in temptations, troubles, or trials; and we just don’t know where to turn. Some are burdened by past emotional wounds and have let our feelings bind us up in self-directed, comfort-zone pursuits, trying to find ways to cope with our fears, feelings, and fragile emotions. Can I maybe now get an “Amen!” of identification?

My friend, and dear Christian brother or sister, as God directs us through David and his historical trials, written into these psalms, our Lord is ALWAYS where to go to seek protection and empowerment. Right now I’m thinking of another passage which another Prophet, Isaiah, wrote, directly quoting God, to help Israel [or any believer] to be lifted from any fears they (or we) might have. It is Isaiah 41: 10, which says in the NLT, Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

And when I’m down an out, that’s one verse, along with a few others, which I draw up from my cache of memory verses to do exactly what David was pursuing when he wrote the five Psalms to which I’ve linked any reader here today. Other New Testament verses which help me in tough times are Phil. 4: 13, the verse which brought me to God and shows me where I get my strength; in 1st Cor. 10: 13, God is telling me that He’ll never put me into any situation which I cannot handle with His help; in 2nd Cor. 12: 9, God encourages me, telling me that it will be HIS strength to lift me up when I am weak; and in all of Romans 8, but especially verse 31, God shows me that nothing in this word can overtake me as long as I rely on my God, in Christ, to be with me.

My friend, you’re probably dealing with something this very day which may seem overwhelming. Well, go through the five songs from David above and be lifted up, redirected, and empowered to deal with life’s challenges and seemingly overwhelming pressures. God is with us, my dear one, and He will lift us up.

My Prayer Today: … Lord, you are my protector, my guide, my EVERYTHING!!! Amen

April 10, 2012 … Trusting in GOD’S Timing

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 1st Samuel 13-14 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Reference Passage : 1st Samuel 13: 5-14 … To study this passage, go to this link -


My Journal for Today: Okay, … God’s people get what they want … a King; and he is Saul; and as we read from yesterday’s chronological read in 1st Samuel, Saul has all the tools to become a great king. However, today, we read that Saul got off with a rough start; and his character weaknesses shine through early in his reign. If you read from my link above, at the outset in their strife with the Philistines, Saul’s son, Jonathan, who will play a prominent role later in the reign of David, wins a battle for which Saul takes the credit. And from there on, we read that Saul can’t seem to trust Yahweh the way he’s been called on – as God’s anointed one – to follow God as the leader of the Lord’s chosen ones.

In the highlight passage, linked for your more specific study above, we read of Saul becoming impatient, seeing his men bolt from fear; and thinking a sacrifice to God was necessary to bring the army into line and court God’s power, Saul takes over for Samuel, who appeared to be tardy – in Saul’s mind – to perform the ritual sacrifice. And as you can read in 1st Samuel 13, when Samuel finally showed up, he rebuked Saul with the disquieting prophesy that Saul’s kingdom would come to an end as God searched for “… a man after God’s heart,” who would become the king one day in Saul’s stead.

Have you ever been in a situation when God just didn’t seem to be there for you in the timing you desired or as you had prayed for; and God just didn’t seem to be cooperating with life in the time sequence you felt was necessary? And as I ask that question, I can’t help but think of a passage written by a later king, … Solomon, who said, in Proverbs 3: 5-6, [NKJV] …Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. I all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Saul’s pridefulness and impatience could not live by that truth; and his heart was not the heart God needed in the role of the King of His people. So, with Saul’s disobedience he set a series of events into motion which would later lead, as we know from past reading of God’s word, to the search for, anointing, and conflict with a young man who would one day become the “man after God’s own heart,” … as David becomes the next King of God’s chosen people.

The point of application for us today is very straight forward, prompting these questions …

>>> Do we have the faith and trust in our God to wait on Him, especially those of us who know and believe in His written promises and His proclamations of truth from His word? In other words, can we live by Proverbs 3: 5-6?
>>> Can we be what Jesus demands of His disciples (in Luke 9: 23) and deny our selves to follow Him?
>>> Do we believe and can we trust (as Paul wrote in Romans 8: 28) that ALL things in our lives, as Christians, are somehow for our good, even though God’s will and timing seem to be so, so slow?

And until we can answer “YES” to all of those questions, perhaps we should refrain from being critical about how Saul handled things early in his reign. Perhaps we should just take what we read into consideration as God’s word, showing us through the life of Saul, how we need to develop the faith and trust in God which helps us become “a man (or woman) after God’s own heart.”

My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to develop the fruit of patience which You have given me from Your Spirit so that I will trust, this day, that You are leading me in the path which will help me to become a man after Your heart. Amen

April 2, 2012 … Rash Promises

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Judges, Chapters 10-12 … To study these chapters, go to this link -

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Highlight Reference Passage : Judges 10: 29-35 … 29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites. 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, 31 whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”
32 Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands. 33 He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.
34 When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break.”

My Journal for Today: Today’s chronological read in Judges (in Chapters 10-12) takes me through a disturbing story involving the Judge, Jephthah, a man born as the illegitimate son of a prostitute, and a man who was disinherited by his father; yet, he became the leader of the Israelites, leading them out of a long period of idolatry and subjugation into victory over the oppressors of Israel.

Yet, in today’s passage we see that even though the Holy Spirit had come upon Jephthah; and he was called out by God, he was still a very fallible man who could – and did – make a rash promise to God without thinking through the ramifications of bargaining with God as to his own future. And the implications of this story certainly apply to all who call upon God – our God, … especially in times when things seem difficult or oppressive.

Perhaps in such times, you might have prayed rashly, “Lord, if You deliver me from this, I’ll ____________.” And I’ll let you fill in that blank of a promise, which you made to God, praying to overcome whatever dire circumstances led you to make such a promise about your future.

Well, Jephthah made such a promise, as we read above; and low-and-behold, it cost him the life of his only daughter. Now, perhaps we have not been so rash to make such a foolish promise to God; but God’s word is pretty clear in telling us never to make rash promises or vows to God.

And Jephthah should have known this principle because Moses had clearly stated this in the Book of the Law, which God’s people had to give them teaching in moments like these. In Deuteronomy 23: 21-23, God stated through Moses, “ If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. 23 Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.”

And so, from these Old Testament teachings and true historical accounts like this one in the life of one of the Judges, we should certainly learn that God is not asking us to make rash promises about the hereafter. All God wants from us is our faith and trust in His promises for the here-and-now. We can also read that from the words of Solomon in a passage that you may have (and if not, should have) memorized. You may be thinking right now of Proverbs 3: 5-6, which is my wife’s favorite verse. It states, and I quote from memory (and the NKJV), … Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

All God expected of Jephthah was trust in Him as the promise-keeping God of Israel. All God expects of us is that same faith and trust. So, today, as you follow along with me, reading through these passages in Judges, let’s ask ourselves if we’re trusting God the way we should; and if we’re tempted to make some very human, but very foolish, promise to God, let’s back away and simply trust that God knows best for us; and He will watch over us and guide us no matter what our circumstances might be.

My Prayer Today: … God, You are my God and You watch over me today; and that’s all I need to know. Amen

March 27, 2012 … God Is A Promise Keeper

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Joshua, Chapters 19-21 … To study these chapters, go to this link -

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Highlight Reference Passage : Joshua 21: 43-45 … 43 So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

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Highlight Reference Passage : Numbers 23: 19 … [God speaking through Balaam, the sorcerer prophet] 19 God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

My Journal for Today: I’m forging on today in my chronological read through the Bible in a bit of darkness. The website at which I follow the reading plan is down this morning; so, based on past patterns of reading in the plan, I’m just leveling a guess that Day 87 of the reading plan will take me to Joshua, Chapters 19-21 - linked for your co-study above.

Actually, the fact that my internet shepherd seems to be darkened this morning presents an interesting word picture; because the internet, which we rely upon so heavily these days may be defective/broken for select websites; but God’s word is never broken or defective. Therefore, though my web shepherd may be down this morning, God’s word is always up. So, my moving on my own into more chapters of Joshua’s book, can not and will not lead me astray because I am reading the always true word of God; and He will always have something true and purposeful for me because I’m reading from and meditating on God’s very word. That’s His promise to me from Isaiah 55: 11 and 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17; and I believe it!!!

So, today in these three chapters of Joshua, right at the end of Chapter 21 – in verses 43-45, we read the highlight statement from God which stood out so much for me that I copied it in bold/underlined text above. And it’s worthy of repetition: “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

And immediately, when I read that verse today, up from my memory archive of verses bubbled the other highlight verse I’ve quoted this morning, which was God speaking through a rather weird source, … Balaam, the sorcerer prophet, who was chosen by God to bring a message directly from God to a pagan king. And you may recall, in Numbers 22, Balaam became convinced of God’s power and truth when he had a speaking encounter with his own donkey. And then, we read of God using the witness and words of a pagan prophet to speak truth to a pagan ruler and to all of mankind as documented in God’s word. Amazing, isn’t it!!!

And when we take both of the truths spoken in those passages above to heart, we strongly realize that our God is a promise-keeper God. And when our God makes promises, He keeps them [!], … not necessarily the way we might want them fulfilled and in the timing we might arrange for them to be fulfilled. But God keeps HIS promises, … in HIS manner, … and in His timing.

Think about it. If you were God and you had promised to Israel that you would give them a promised land, would you have chosen a former murder and disgraced Hebrew who had become a lowly shepherd to lead your people out of slavery in Egypt? … Would you have marched these chosen ones through the desert wilderness for 40 years to purge all the bad apples from the twelve tribes? … Would you – as GOD - have taken residence in a tent as you led the people through the wilderness? … Would you, knowing that these people were going to fail – miserably – allow them to go onward into the land you had promised them? … And finally, would you – as their LORD – give up your only Son in the Godhead to save these pitiful, miserable sinners?

“No,” on all counts, right? Or maybe you’re saying, “I just don’t know what I’d do if I were God.” And that would be “RIGHT ON!” my brother or sister Christian. We can’t know what God will do; because God is God and we are not! (see Isaiah 55: 8-9) But God, being God, will do things HIS way in HIS time and by HIS will, as documented in HIS word, to accomplish what HE promises. And that’s the message we all need to take away from this trek through truth today.

God gives His promises; … DONE DEAL! He says, it … we believe it!! And it’s not our place, as His chosen ones, … to question the Master’s will and His way and His timing. If God promises that we are going to be completed in His image (see Phil. 1: 6), it’s going to happen … in HIS way and in HIS timing. What we need to do when we have the promises of God (and we do – in His word) is to seek them, to believe them, and to actively wait for them to transpire … as God meets them out in His time and in His way.

My Prayer Today: … My dear LORD, You are my promise keeper! Amen

January 4, 2012 … Faithful Follower In Life

Passage of the Day: Reading Plan Reference – Day 4 … Job: Chapters 1 - 5 … Study Scripture Reference: Job 1: 1 - 5 NIV … 1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

My Journal for Today: Okay, today in Day 4 of my chronological read through the Bible, we switch from Genesis over to the book of Job, which was the first of the five, so-called, books of poetry and wisdom in the Old Testament (the others being Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon). Now I don’t want read here like I’m some Old Testament expert. No, … because the reading plan shifted me over to the book of Job, I did some internet digging and found a nice piece on the book of Job, which along with a couple of others, helped me to put this inspired piece of writing into Scriptural perspective for me. So in that regard, let me link any of my readers here to this productive little study piece for your study as well.

If you read through that piece, you’ll see that there is historical/biblical controversy among Bible Scholars as to the authorship of Job. But knowing and believing in the truth of Isaiah 55: 11 and 2nd Timothy 3: 16 – 17 , I KNOW that God, the Holy Spirit was the truth-bearer in this Book, as He was for all of our Scripture study. So, no matter which human author we might opine, God was our author of truth as we read about Job.

And after reading the first five chapters, I returned to the first five verses, describing the character of Job as what God’s Spirit wanted me to focus on in my journal entry for today. And after one reads about what God – and Satan – put Job through, we have to know that Job was a good – a very good – man; and he didn’t deserve any of the trials God allowed Satan to put upon him.

Job, whether he was a real historical figure or the character of a poetic parable [as some think], … he was a righteous man, … a disciplined believer, … a good father, … and a man “who feared God and shunned evil.” Yet bad, … very bad, … yea, EXTREMELY BAD … things happened to this good man.

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you’ve felt, or maybe even declared to others, “I don’t deserve this!” I’d bet here that most of us have. But Job’s circumstances “take the cake,” don’t they? Here was a very righteous dude, doing all the right things in his life; and WHAMMO [!], he’s hit with a mack-truck in his life; and God is at the origin of it all. Way no fair, God!

And then the poor guy is set aside with poor advice from his wife and three friends, who seem to personify the old adage, “If these are my friends, who needs enemies!” Wow, … maybe you’ve gone through a scenario in your life where you were run over by one of those mack-trucks and then you got well-intentioned, by skewed advice. It’s certainly no surprise that our hero, Job, gets thrown into a tailspin of confusion and feelings of abandonment – even from His God, Whom he had trusted – even through all that bad stuff which came down on him.

In going through these five chapters of Job’s story, and especially the first five verses of Chapter 1, I’m really praying that I can be like Job should any “mack-truck” circumstance come my way. I want to be one, going through “Jobian” times, who will stick with my God, … who will continue to trust my Lord, … who will keep pursuing God’s will and His way no matter what happens down the road of life, … who will listen to others but will judge what they say based on God’s word not on the feelings which come in bad times, … who become a warrior for God in spite of the circumstances rather than let Satan get the upper hand in my life; … and I want to be one who will come through the minefields of life (knowing the end of Job’s story), following the only ONE Who can lead me successfully to/through God’s passage. I want to follow my Savior and His light through life, as did Job, even though I may struggle, moving ever onward until I achieve the prize for which God has for me down the road (see the NT and Paul’s writing in Phil. 3: 13-14), which is eternal life in glory with Jesus.

That’s where Job’s story points me; and for it, I say a loud … HALLELUJAH!!!

My Prayer Today: … Lord, thank you for Job’s template of life. Help me to be like him when I face the trials life. Amen

December 9, 2011 … Christ’s Outward Appearance

Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 8a [ NIV - see highlight passage in bold/underlined] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

My Journal for Today: The most important question anyone will ever confront and answer in this life is “Who is this Man, Jesus?” At one point, as documented in Matt. 16: 15-16, Jesus even asked His inner core of disciples this pointed question, "Who do you say I am;” to which Peter got the pop quiz right by intellectually responding, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” But Jesus knew that Peter, even though he answered with the true answer, he and the Disciples had not yet internalized that truth; and they would later fall in disbelief several times before Jesus died on the cross.

For years I was a fool and pretended the answer to Jesus’ question was unimportant. But finally I came to recognize the ultimate importance of answering that question correctly; and I was brought to a place by God so that I could see Him for Whom He really was and is … and that is Jesus, The Messiah and the Son of the living God.

Today’s verse in the Phil. 2 passage (i.e., verse 8a), in the context of the verse immediately proceeding, i.e., verse 7, shows the degree to which Christ was willing to experience the humiliation of humanity to reveal His deity in a way that mankind could identify and see Who He really is. But having been one of those blinded to His deity, I now wonder how mankind, including myself, could not see Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, … the Savior of all mankind. The “fools” of Christ’s day, even most of the ones who saw Him physically, even as He performed wondrous miracles, saw only Jesus’ “appearance” as a man. That word “appearance” in today’s verse is the Greek term “schema,” from which we get our word, “scheme.” It means the “outer form” of anything … that which we can see or perceive with our senses.

In other words, as Christ walked the earth, even doing incredible miracles that only God could do, most of those around Him only chose to only see His “schema,” … His humanity; and most could not – or would not – see God in the God-Man. That even included the twelve chosen disciples who were closest to our Lord during His three years of earthly ministry. As I said above, I was that way for 39 years of my life. I would have been like those in John 6: 42 or 8: 48, rejecting Jesus for Whom He really was/is. Our human, selfish logic often only allows us to see the outer “schema” of a person, not being willing or able to see inside to perceive the real person – or in the case of Jesus, being blind to His deity. Though I must admit that it’s tough for me to see how his twelve disciples, who had seen Jesus feed thousands from a few fishes and loaves and who saw Him walk on water, could bolt and run when he was taken by the Romans and Jews to be crucified. But truth be told, had I been one of His inner circle, I probably would have been one of the cowards myself.

Take it from one who knows; … it’s so easy to humanize God or to rationalize the truth concerning Jesus, rather than to deal with Christ or His word personally. Jesus and His truth demands that we accept Him for Whom He is … in faith. Jesus of Nazareth was/is God! And His Gospel is truth, the real message of the Advent Season in which we find ourselves at this time of the year! We must accept it and deal with it … from the inside out – totally – not just the outer skin.

I pray that we’ve all done that … but stay tuned … we will get to know this Jesus even further during the rest of this month. >>>

My Prayer Today: Lord Jesus, You are my King and my Lord! Amen

August 30, 2011 … Living One Day At A Time

Passage of the Day: Matthew 6: 34 (see in bold/underlined) … 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

My Journal for Today: When one reads the focus verse for today, it almost reads as if Jesus is asking us to refrain from planning for our future. However, this is not the case. According to Dr. MacArthur from his devotional book, Strength for Today, Martin Lloyd Jones wrote, “Although it is very right to think about the future, it is very wrong to be controlled by it.” And therein lies the rub.

The key word when Jesus says, “… do not worry about tomorrow,” is, of course, the word WORRY. Oh, how Satan desires us to go into worry mode, which discourages or paralyzes us, and causes us to believe the incredible lie that God is not in control … that Jesus, our Lord, is not our sovereign God. I once heard our Pastor jokingly say that there was a Greek term referring to that lie; and it is “BALONEY!” ;) I’ve never been able to find that term in the Greek dictionary; but I think you get what I’m trying to say.

You’ve actually heard this theme several times this month if you’ve been following these August devotionals of mine; but hopefully redundancy teaches. It does for me. Jesus, in his magnanimous hillside sermon, was/is giving us, His disciples, very practical advice on the avoidance of worrying about the future. He is not saying that we can’t or shouldn’t look into the future; but our primary focus should be on faith for today and reliance on God for the future. If we plan for the future, thinking of God first (i.e., the message of both Prov. 3: 5, 6 and Matt. 6: 33), God will likely be smiling. However, when we look to the future, worrying out of selfishness or fear, that is to disbelieve that God has us covered with His love, mercy, and grace; and Satan smiles. For us to worry about our future is to fall into Satan’s trap of believing that God is not in control of our well-being. And to that, I want you to say that pseudo “Greek” term above. Say it with me, loudly …BALONEY!!! Now, my friend and fellow Christian, smile, knowing that God is in control; and knowing that He loves us and will provide for our every need.

If we worry about tomorrow, it will cause us to lose our joy for today. And choosing to lose our joy, (and joy is always a choice, not a feeling) due to self-driven anxiety, is sinful. God has a victory for any believer today; and any fear that comes from anxieties about tomorrow is a lie from hell trying to let our own deceit-ridden heart steal God’s victory from us. Jesus has never and will never change (see Hebrews 13: 8). Just as He is today, He’ll be there tomorrow to show us the way (again see Prov. 3: 5 – 6, a verse which you should have memorized) But even more importantly, He’s with us today in any circumstance in which we find ourselves (see Deut. 31: 6, 8 and Rom. 8: 28, 31).

Yes, plan for tomorrow; but never worry about it; because tomorrow is God’s.

My Prayer Today: All I need is You today, Lord … and for all my tomorrows. Amen

August 29, 2011 … Our All-Knowing God

Passage of the Day: Matthew 6: 31 – 32 … 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 31 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

My Journal for Today: Jesus had some highly pointed exhortations for His mostly, if not exclusively, Jewish audience for His famous sermon on that hillside in the Holy Land. And His words drive home the point that true believers, i.e., born-again Christians, are believers in the truth that God knows and provides for the needs of His children, Therefore, we should not live and act like unbelievers (i.e., “pagans”), who worry about what they eat, drink, or wear. Jesus is essentially asking us, to paraphrase a quote, “You’re not like those Gentiles (Greek = “ethnos,” which means “pagans), are you, in the way you live?”

Now Jesus wasn’t putting down the Gentiles as a people. We know, from Paul’s ministry/mission to the Gentiles, how much God loved the Gentiles. However, Jesus was using the ethnic behaviors of selfishness and greed, which were practiced by the Gentiles, as a point of demarcation in terms of how we, as believers, should “act” when it comes to handling God’s providence. For His followers [i.e., disciples in the larger sense], Jesus wanted them (us) to live differently from how the Gentiles habitually lived in that day. He wanted all of His disciples to really trust God, their Jehovah Jireh, for their well-being (which we can see from Paul’s teaching in Phil. 4: 19).

It’s really a matter of belief and trust; and Jesus is asking you and me in this passage today to trust God, The Heavenly Father, Who knows our every need and promises to provide for those needs. And He’s also saying that it’s pointless to live like pagans who worry about such things … especially when it causes them to selfishly live toward temporal and/or material concerns.

So, do we believe?! And each of us will answer that question by the way we live.

My Prayer Today: Lord, may my life reflect my trust in You. Amen

August 28, 2011 … Observing the Flowers

Passage of the Day: Matthew 6: 28 – 30 … 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

My Journal for Today: Again we read Jesus using an argument from the lesser to the greater to make His point about our attitude toward God’s providence and material things. In an earlier devotional I pointed out that one could imagine Jesus using word pictures available to all who were there on that hillside that day when our Lord delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In Matt. 6: 26, He had referred to the “birds of the air;” and it is easy to imagine Jesus pointing to sea gulls from the nearby Sea of Galilee flying there on the mountain near the crowd. In today’s passage, He refers to “lilies of the field,” which were likely there growing on the hillside for all to see. I’ve been to that hillside near Capernaum; and have seen the wild lilies growing there; and so it’s very easy for me to imagine this scene.

Jesus made reference to flowers, which were quite lovely, but were very common and plentiful; and were even used by some in those days as fuel for fires when the flowers had died and dried up. Jesus, in referring to their beauty and plenty was calling attention to a principle of God’s providence. If man was willing to trod on or burn such beautiful creations of God for comfort or security, would not God not value mankind more than those flowers? God created mankind in His own image, creating him (and her) to tend His garden, … which included the flowers.

Think about how often we’re anxious about what we wear. We stand in front of mirrors imagining how others will see us when we’re about to go out in public. Some even fret deeply over such things. And Jesus pointedly says, that His flowers are lovely; and we don’t even think twice about picking them or even throwing them away after they have served our purposes to share God’s beauty with others. What a shame it is that we waste such worry over our own appearance, when God has created mankind for far greater loveliness and beauty; and that beauty is what we ARE rather than what we wear.

And yet, look at how much we primp and prepare – and even worry – so that we’ll impress other people whom we really don’t know and who likely really don’t care what we’re wearing. Would we not do well to heed Jesus’ teaching … toiling in this life only to honor Him rather than to adorn ourselves for personal glory?

My Prayer Today: May others see Your beauty in and through me, Lord, and not what I wear! Amen

August 26, 2011 … A Lesson from Nature

Passage of the Day: Matthew 6: 26 [see in bold/underlined] … “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

My Journal for Today: Yesterday during my quiet time with God, in His Sermon on the Mount (in Matt. 6: 25), Jesus, as John MacArthur reminded me, argued from the greater to the lesser to teach His truth involving our use of the life He gave to each of us. Today, in this devotional, in Matt. 6: 26, He argues from the lesser to the greater to drive home His truth.

MacArthur imagines that Jesus, as He spoke to His listeners that day on the hillside near Capernaum, might have looked up to see birds flying overhead. Maybe he even pointed to the birds as He delivered this point in His sermon; and He used the word picture of God taking care of those “lesser” creatures, the birds, providing them with all the food they need. And if God would provide for the bird, would not our God provide for His created children (i.e., you and me). In His words, “Are you not much more valuable (to God) than they [i.e., the birds]?” Having been on that very hillside outside Capernaum, I can imagine Jesus, surrounded by the wild lilies He also referred to in His illustration, I can imagine Jesus pointing to the sea gulls flying overhead – as they do there – creating this word picture of God taking care of His created beings. So, His argument was, if God would take care of the lesser creatures of His, why wouldn’t He also take care of His greatest creation, … mankind?

There are those who claim that animals are just as valuable as humans in God’s sight; but this is not supported by God’s word. No bird was created to be joint heir for eternity on God’s throne as was His mankind as His church. It is true that like the birds, we were created to labor for God’s providence; but as Jesus points out in the word picture in today’s highlighted verse, mankind was created with special value in God’s plan; and therefore, would not God provide all that man needs for life?

Certainly we have no reason to be lazy, especially when it comes to the use of God’s providence (see that in Matt. 25: 14 – 30 – the parable of the talents). And, as we’ve seen in past studies this month, any attitude of greed or covetousness is most certainly against God’s view of our importance. God will - and does - provide all we need (again citing Phil. 4: 19 and 2nd Pet. 1: 3 – 4); but for us to have all we need, God clearly wants us to look to Him first for these provisions by doing His work of stewardship for His kingdom (see Matt. 6: 33).

My Prayer Today: You bless me, Lord, with all I need! Amen

August 25, 2011 … The Giver of Life

Passage of the Day: Matthew 6: 25 … “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

My Journal for Today: Yes, same verse from yesterday, repeated today! And again we read Jesus teaching His followers (and by extension to you and me) about the essence of living as a Christian … that our focus should not be on our bodily, temporal, or worldly needs.

John MacArthur helps his readers today in Strength for Today (that’s me!) to understand that Jesus’ statement is an argument from the greater to the lesser. In other words, … if God gives me life, He will sustain my life … ergo, … there is no reason for me to worry about my bodily sustenance which is only part of life. And we have to remember that this lesson was being taught to people in Jesus’ day who were living in the edge, experiencing such things as severe draught, possible bad crops, occasional insect infestations, … all of which could produce famine or loss of income … and maybe even loss of home.

So this teaching by Jesus would have been much tougher for His audience of that day than it would be now for you and me; and you and I both know that it’s a hard saying even now. I read this with essentially no temporal fear of losing everything like some of those who heard Jesus teaching these truths back then on that hillside. And yet, these words are still true for me; and I’m convicted that I, all too often, find myself worrying about the clothes I wear or making sure I’ve got enough money in the bank or in investments to cover tomorrow’s contingencies. My risks may not be for losing my home to bad crops; but my worry is just as sinful for me as it was for those who didn’t trust God for their needs in Jesus’ day.

I’m convicted that I need to rely more-and-more on THE Provider of my life and everything involved in my life. He is Jehovah-Jireh; and HE is my Provider. And I pray that one day I can come to a place where I reflexively trust my Lord for all I need in life, seeking Him first and foremost in all things (again see Matt. 6: 33).

My Prayer Today: I seek You first, Lord; help me to seek You first and trusting in You always! Amen

August 23, 2011 … Letting the Fog Lift

Passage of the Day: Matthew 6: 25 … “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

My Journal for Today: Take in the word picture of Jesus in today’s verse, where The Lord exhorts His followers to avoid worry; and then let me share with you the picture used by John MacArthur in his Strength for Today devotional entry for this date.

MacArthur paints the word picture of worry being like a fog. Fog is a shroud of cloudiness, created by just a little bit of water dispersed into billions of droplets which hangs in the atmosphere to block our vision, often in the wrong place and at the wrong time. And in much the same way, worry, which is usually born out of very little substance, often descends upon our hearts, clouding our minds and crippling or paralyzing our choices. … Can you identify?

Remembering the context of Matthew 6, i.e., the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was teaching to people, most of whom didn’t know from whence their next meal would come. It would not have been uncommon for these people to have their minds clouded by worry over their next meal. So, the admonitions of Jesus in today’s passage would have been a hard saying for these people … probably much more so than for many affluent Americans, who so often worry about whether we have enough money or things to be secure or to “keep up with the Joneses.” How often do we let our anxiety about financial matters become a mind-paralyzing fog, causing us to grope for directions in life, especially these days when the world economy seems to be in free-fall?

That’s why MacArthur’s word picture of worry being a fog is so pertinent to our lives. We try to see through the fog of our own greed or obsessive security worries; and we can’t see where we need to go, … rather than following the advice of our Lord to walk step-by-step, following God’s will, which, if we let it, will lead us, like a fog horn of purpose/direction, out of the fog and into His light.

Our fog of greediness or insecurity is really a matter of whether we really believe the classic passage [which I hope you have memorized], Proverbs 3: 5 – 6: … 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Do we really believe this truth from God’s word, as well as that in another memorable verse from the Apostle Paul, Phil. 4: 19? Because if we do, there will be no fog of worry. We will know – that we will know that we will know – that God will provide … that we will always have what we need to live … that we can always follow God where He leads without fear. The question for us today is … do we believe these truths? And … do we live them?

My Prayer Today: I trust You, God; and I see clearly. Amen

July 1, 2011 … The Need for Assurance

Blogger’s Note for July Devotionals: Continuing to use John MacArthur’s devotional book, Strength for Today, Dr. Mac’s topic for July will be The Assurance of Salvation. Perhaps you’ve doubted your salvation or maybe you know an immature Christian who doesn’t understand the permanence of true conversion. At any rate, this month of study will help us all gain more confidence in our salvation; or perhaps it will lead you to put a stake in the sand and clarify forever your declaration that Jesus Christ is your LORD and SAVIOR.

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Passage of the Day: 2nd Peter 1: 10a … Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.

My Journal for Today: New month … new topic! And the topic is one which is always pertinent for God’s people … those who call themselves, “Christian.” This month I will be delving into the assurance of our salvation as Christians, again with the help of John MacArthur’s powerful devotional text, Strength for Today [if you have it, it will be covered during the month of July, as you might expect].

Above, in our text for today, we read the Apostle Peter’s strong exhortation [really, a Spirit-led command]; and he’s saying that we, as Christians, should not only have confidence in our salvation as believers in Christ, but we should also develop that assurance in the maturing of our faith over time. In other words, if you’re truly a Christian, you should find your assurance of your salvation growing as your relationship with Christ grows.

Actually, Peter’s friend and fellow Apostle, John, wrote an entire book in the canonized Bible, the Book of 1st John, to help Christians have assurance in their faith (see the theme verse for that book in 1st John 5: 13).

SCRIPTURE: 1st John 5: 13 … I [John] write these things to you who believe [i.e., Christians] in the Name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

It is true that there are people claiming to be “Christian;” and sadly they have false assurance, primarily wrapped in their works or in legalism; … and this works-driven “fire insurance” mentality is sorely misplaced. Jesus spoke to this with one of His most gruesome prophesies (found in Matt. 7: 21 – 23) when he said that many who call Him, “lord, lord,” would never be allowed into His heaven.

That, to me, is one of the saddest sayings from the heart, mind, and mouth of Jesus. And this month my study will focus on how real Christians can have a rock-solid assurance for their salvation and can, as Peter exhorted in today’s verse, exercise that faith to give them hope and strength in any or all situations. This is certainly a worthy re-study for my mind and heart [since this is the six year I’ve used MacArthur’s devotional book]; and I would also want to be able to help other believers to have that rock-solid faith as well. I pray, if you’re reading/studying along with me in this place, that you have your anchor of faith and salvation attached solidly to Christ as Your Rock, the Lord, Jesus Christ. If not this will be a good place to be daily as we explore the assurance of our salvation. BUT, … if you are sure of your salvation, like me, this will be a good place to be daily … so that we can develop the Spirit-led knowledge from God’s word to help others have the same solid assurance we have in Christ.

So, if you’re reading this, come with me, and with the help of John MacArthur, and more importantly the direction of God’s word and His Spirit, we will pursue and find true assurance of our salvation in Christ. And after this month of devotionals I would hope that we all, in the strong assurance of our own salvation, can help other Christians find that ROCK solid knowledge that once they are born-again by their faith and God’s grace, they will spend eternity with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

My Prayer Today: I know You, Lord; but I want to know You even more. Amen

June 27, 2011 … Integrity Accepts God’s Will

Passage of the Day: Daniel 6: 18 – 22 … 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. 19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.”

My Journal for Today: As we read in today’s passage, it was God’s will that Daniel be delivered from the mouths of the lions. And it was undoubtedly Daniel’s steadfast integrity of faith and his open witness to King Darius prior to this incident which caused the King to have regrets in Daniel’s predicament, and at the same time hope that Daniel’s God would deliver Daniel, the king’s loyal servant. However, Darius, the King was stuck by the wiles of his advisors and his own laws and decrees. That’s why it’s so easy, as a believer these days, to be concerned by the laws that are being drafted or the rulings of judges which restrict or persecute Christians.

And, as John MacArthur points out in his devotional for this date in Strength for Today, it is not always God’s will that the faithful be delivered from the jaws of death as was the case for Daniel or for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego earlier. MacArthur reminds me and his readers that Isaiah was a faithful witness to God; and he was sawn in half by God’s enemies; and how faithful was Stephen, who was stoned to death as he declared his loyalty to God to the end? Finally, we know that both Peter and Paul were martyred in very cruel deaths for their faith. All of these men had incredible Spirit-led integrity; and all of them were bold and assertive witnesses to their faith … just like Daniel. Yet, they were not delivered from their individual “lion’s den” experience and were martyred for their faith.

Yes, as MacArthur writes, “Trusting God means accepting His will, whether for life or for death.” And as Paul wrote in Phil. 1: 21, “… to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” My primary goals in this life as a Christian are to know God and to live according to His will. And oh how I desire to be like these men of faith who held on to their integrity in Christ in their lives and in the face of death!

And right now, in my morning time with God, as His timing would have it, and as I listen to my ITunes music collection of Christian favorites, the version of the great praise song, I Will Follow Christ, performed by my dear friend, Clay Crosse, and two of his fellow Christian artists, Bob Carlisle and Bebe Winans has come up for me to listen to here in my quiet time. What a great song about following Christ no matter what the circumstances of life. And so that you, my fellow Christians reader, can hear my brothers singing this song, here’s a link to a You Tube performance by these great singers of that powerful song of praise and witness. Watch, listen, and be inspired to greater integrity and witness.

My Prayer Today: O, my Lord, to live or to die in You is my witness. Amen

June 7, 2011 … Integrity Conquers Fear

Passage of the Day: Daniel 1: 10 - 14 … 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you." 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

My Journal for Today: John MacArthur in his Strength for Today devotional for this date uses this episode in Daniel’s continuing saga of intervention with the Babylonian officials to illustrate how boldness to act for God is one of the most important elements of Christian spiritual integrity. Today’s text shows us Daniel’s boldness to act as juxtaposed with the fear of Ashpenaz, the Babylonian official who was responsible for the fate of the Hebrew youths under Daniel’s charge.

Here was Daniel being put to the test; and, who, in faith under pressure, came up with a daring plan to give Ashpenaz a way to “save face,” still allowing Daniel and his friends to maintain their dietary laws. Daniel tapped into God’s wisdom (see a NT charge in James 1: 5 - 6); and then assertively, yet in meekness, stood in the gap for his faith, trusting that God was going to deliver His people – somehow. And in today’s passage we read that Daniel was blessed and rewarded by God with the listening favor of Ashpenaz.

This is a great example of the principle I wrote about yesterday, “First obedience, then the blessing!” Daniel, boldly – by wisely – believed that God would protect those who carry our The Lord’s will; and he set about – with humility/meekness – exercise his face, giving the Babylonian, Ashpenaz, a trial case to see if Daniel’s plan would work for the boy AND the king as well. No one says that boldness should shut down our intelligence. We should always strive to boldly witness our faith … BUT … to do so in ways that don’t attack the sensibilities of those around us if at all possible.

The Apostles Paul (see Phil. 1: 20) and John (see 1st John 3: 21 - 22) were great examples of New Testament integrity and boldness. I always love, when I’m fearful, to recall the bold declaration of Romans 8: 31, which, if truly believe, Christians should be willing to stand for Christ with boldness anytime … anyplace … and, like Daniel, under any circumstances.

SCRIPTURE: Romans 8: 31 … If God is for us, who can be against us?

However, I must admit that all too often, in my past days as a Christian, I have retreated in fear when given the opportunity to witness Christ to family or friends, especially those whom I know or suspect are lost. I’m getting stronger and bolder in my later years; however, prayerfully, I will become more like a Daniel one day. Though, in truth Daniel, in today’s highlighted verse, puts me to shame being so bold and yet only a “boy” in my comparative mind.

My Prayer Today: Lord, may I be bold today as a warrior like Daniel in Your Name. Amen

May 20, 2011 … Rejoicing Through The Spirit

Passage of the Day: 1st Peter 4: 14 [see bold highlight] … 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

My Journal for Today: And today we continue on with Peter’s contextual message to those suffering for their faith with the 14th verse of 1st Peter 4. Can you just imagine Christians in the Circus of Rome or in Asia Minor having pitch poured over them, which was lit by the Roman guards; and then to hear, as was reported historically, these burning Christians proclaiming Christ’s Name and singing His glory? It’s tough to see myself being able to praise God in that light; but I do believe it happened; and I know it’s possible.

Peter points out, in today’s verse, that such devotion, faith, and proclamation of joy in Christ, in the face of “fiery trials,” could only take place because of “the Spirit of glory” (i.e., the Holy Spirit), Who indwells all born-again believers. Again, I refer any reading here to the wondrous texts from Paul to the Corinthian Christians (and to us) in 1st Cor. 10: 13 and 2nd Cor. 12: 9. Can you see how many times I refer to these scriptures and why I say that these two would be two of the best passages from God’s word to commit to memory?

John MacArthur, in his devotional for this date in Strength for Today, reminded me (us) that this Spirit-driven power in the first martyr for Christianity, Stephen, was the power that allowed him to witness so deeply to his faith just as Jesus had done on the cross, asking God to forgive those who were stoning him to death (go back and read Acts 6: 15 and Acts 7: 55 – 60). And in Stephen’s story of martyrdom, we have the same grace in the face of human weakness, again spoken of by Pau, whom BTW was a witness to Stephen’s stoning, l in 2nd Cor. 12: 9, that would allow this man, Stephen, being stoned to death, to do a super-human act of Christlikeness. And all of us who are truly in Christ have that same power in us.

The question, at least for this war weary Christian soldier this morning is, … “Has my belief and challenged faith been strengthened and developed to the point that I could/would rejoice in the face of any fiery trial as did Stephen or the Apostle Paul?” I would like to answer “yes” to that question; but going even deeper into my relationship with Christ and practicing the disciplines of the faith with even more diligence can only make my belief stronger and my skills as a Christian warrior more battle ready. So, in the Spirit, I press on even as I am this morning! (see Phil. 3: 13-14)

My Prayer Today: Glory be that You are in me and for me, Lord! Amen

May 19, 2011 … Rejoicing in Suffering

Passage of the Day: 1st Peter 4: 13 [see bold highlight] … 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

My Journal for Today: I left yesterday’s devotional reference to 1st Peter 4: 12 above for any reader’s contextual review. Reading back to the May 18 journal entry on this blogsite may be helpful in that regard.

In today’s verse (1st Peter 4: 13), Peter exhorts Christians to do something that is really a stretch for most of us – to REJOICE in the face of suffering, especially in the face of “painful trials.” Remember, he was writing to Christians who were being burned alive by the Emperor Nero’s orders for their faith. But how does one do that – i.e., to do as Jesus said in Matt: 5: 11 – 12 …

SCRIPTURE: Matt. 5: 11 – 12 [Jesus from His Sermon on the Mount] … 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I don’t know about you; but when I’m being persecuted for my faith, it’s pretty hard to feel “blessed.” But God’s word would not be teaching believers in this way unless it were not only possible – but the truth. The Apostles learned this lesson by recognizing their worthiness to suffer in Christ’s Name (see Acts 5: 41). But you may be saying to yourself, “But, Bill, the Apostles had seen the resurrected Jesus, face-to-face; and they witnessed all those miracles.” And you are right on if you’re thinking that. It’s simply not natural, in our flesh to REJOICE or feel blessed when we’re going thru some fiery trial of life. No, ... to be joyful in the face of troubles is just flat supernatural.

To find joy in the midst of our trials, the Apostles before us, and now, we too, must be able to lay our trust totally in Christ’s hands – again seeing all trials in the context of Romans 8: 28 or 1st Peter 5: 7 … i.e., that the trials of life are ALL for our good as believers; and we can ALWAYS give them over to a caring God. As I’ve written in an earlier devotional, this becomes a measurement of the maturity of our faith … faith that is seen in our choice to see and find joy in the face of tribulation, … also remembering that joy is a choice and not a feeling.

As believers in and followers of Christ, when we put our suffering in the context of Christ’s suffering on the cross; and with the realization of His second coming and our ultimate glorification, we can choose joy … yes, even in suffering! One day, when Christ returns for His Bride, She (the church – and prayerfully that’s you and me) will rejoice forever beyond measure.

My Prayer Today: You are my joy, Lord, … even in trials. Amen

May 17, 2011 … Satan’s Role in Our Trials

Passage of the Day: 1st Peter 5: 8 - 9 … 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

My Journal for Today: Having been in discipleship ministry now for many years, dealing with Satan’s stronghold of habitual sexual sin, I’ve always been drawn to the imagery of this passage. Here Peter gives believers a clear perspective on the devil’s role in the trials and temptations of life. And, I’m afraid, all too often, Christians come to feel that Satan is winning the war as he stalks us, roaring so loudly as to scare believers into thinking that his strength exceeds that of God, Himself.

It’s a lie from hell [!] into which we believers cannot be suckered. If we fall for it, like the stalking cat, the enemy will pounce on us and devour our testimonies and our witness. As Christians, we can take heed from the truths below about our prowling foe and the Lord Whom we follow …

SCRIPTURE: 1st John 4: 4 … You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them [the forces of evil], because the One Who is in you [i.e., the Holy Spirit] is greater than the one [Satan] who is in the world.
SCRIPTURE: James 4: 7 … Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
SCRIPTURE: 1st Cor. 10: 13 … No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

These, and other scripture passages like Is. 41: 10, Phil. 4: 13, 2nd Cor. 12: 9, Rom. 8: 31, and 2nd Tim. 1: 7, which I have embedded into my heart/mind over the years of discipleship, give me ample evidence and encouragement, from God’s own word, that we can, as Christians, always choose God’s way and resist Satan … even with the expectation of victory in this life (and most certainly the glorified victory in the next). An unbeliever or even a discouraged Christian cannot tell me that this is untrue; because I have experienced and walked in this truth for decades now.

We should take heart from the confrontation that Jesus had in the wilderness with the stalking enemy, recounted in Matthew 4 and/or Luke 4. Most certainly Jesus was/is the God-Man. However, as believing, born-again Christians, we can invoke the same power of God’s word from God’s Spirit to do what Paul claimed for believers; and that is to take captive of every thought to the obedience of Christ (see 2nd Cor. 10: 5).

Yes, we are in a spiritual war (see Eph. 6: 10 – 13); … BUT … we need not fear (again Romans 8: 31, 2nd Tim. 1: 7, and/or Isaiah 41: 10). We have the power to overcome and be overcomers like our Savior (see John 16: 33). God has given us access by His grace to his full armor as well as the high ground of prayer in the Spirit (see Eph. 6: 13 – 18). And as long as we stand with these, we will prevail!

I truly hope – and will pray below – that you know – AND BELIEVE – all the scriptures I’ve quoted above for my journal entry today. Because you have a roaring lion, in Satan, stalking you. No, not all of the tough circumstances of life are created by the stalking devil; but many of our trials are either his ploys or the result of our own ill-begotten choices. And we can/will only be overcomers IF we know and believe in those citations from God’s word which I’ve cited above. So, I pray that we all can be victorious against Satan in life as was our Savior in the wilderness (again, go read the first verses of Matt. 4 and/or Luke 4 for that story).

My Prayer Today: Lord, we who know You as Savior, stand with You, as our enemy stalks us. Help us to know and believe and use Your word to do battle with him. Amen