Godly Discomfort

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.  Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.  But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.  1 John 4:4-6

I had a great conversation the other day with a new friend in Christ. We talked on several topics touching on faith.  We discussed things we believed, and they spoke to me about preaching God’s word and not false teachings.  I let them know that I humbly pray that the things I speak of are truly God’s thoughts and not my own.  This is a huge part of my devotion writings.  My prayer is always that the words used speak for God and not me.  The use of my experiences is to give only context toward what God is trying to teach me, and many times, my devotion topic and its meaning have changed specifically because my understanding of the word challenged my belief at the time.  Why?  Because my original stance was Biblically unsustainable, and it made me uncomfortable staying with that original belief.

God should at times make us uncomfortable because that means He is changing us for His greater purpose. We often focus on our life and what makes us comfortable.  Along those lines, we at times expect God to make us feel comfort.  My devotion last week focused on relying on Jesus to give us rest in the storm.  That’s one comfort, but the comfort that is dangerous is the one that says, “I will do what I am currently doing because it makes me feel good.  And what feels good must be right.”  These have been some of the most difficult debates I have had within myself.  The question as I mentioned above is, “Am I doing what I want, or what God wants?”  We should spend time in His word and prayer confirming we are on the narrow and righteous path Jesus would ask us to follow.  Of course, we will never perfectly follow that course, which is why we need Jesus as our savior in the first place.  However, we should continue striving to make Christ centered choices such that we consistently choose His way more than we had previously.  This is what spiritual growth sounds and feels like.

Following Christ is a life transformative process. This choice does not mean all is a garden of roses.  Then being said, it resembles it in that before a rose bloom, it’s going to have thorns.  Knowing the time had come for one of His disciples to betray Him and His eventual crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39b) These are the words of a God who intimately knew His Heavenly Father, and would follow His will even if it meant sacrificing Himself.  This is where we must be with God; willing to surrender all He (Jesus) wanted to do for what He (The Father) wanted.  Let us put in the work to ensure we follow this example.  What area do you struggle to surrender control to God?  How will you embrace the discomfort in your faith?  My prayer is that we continually work to the find a place of Godly discomfort.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Take accountability

Romans 14:11-12 “For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” (NASB)

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 “According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (NASB)

Hello,

So yesterday, I confronted my oldest child and raised my voice too much. During our interaction, I realized that the very thing I was upset with him about – I had just done. After apologizing to him and talking about why it was wrong, I decided that the discipline he was getting (we do lots of up-downs in this house), I would also do – since I was guilty too. He looked at me funny to see if I was serious. While the discipline ended up feeling light hearted to him, he also had the chance to see someone take accountability for their actions.

It got me thinking about accountability. There are a couple elements of accountability – knowledge and ownership. When we know and are in control of at least part of that item, we become accountable for our actions in that area. In the case above, I knew right response and as an adult I am in control of how I respond. In the same way, when we come to know Jesus and claim Him as our Savior, we are accountable for how we handle that relationship. Do we give Him time? Do we give the relationship the respect and position it deserves? Since we know the impact that relationship has both now and for eternity, are we modeling and sharing that with others?

I pray this challenges you as it did me to be each individually accountable for our relationship with Christ and what we are doing with it.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Thursday Devotional - Condemned or Not Condemned?

We can’t ever be good enough or meet God’s expectations. We are born sinners, sinful and condemned. That’s why God sent Jesus to live the perfect life we couldn’t. As the perfect human, He paid for our sins to save us from our condemned state.

John 3:16-18       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. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

The only way we won’t remain condemned is by believing in Jesus’ work and letting His righteousness cover us. He then gives us the Spirit to help us live the life He intended us to live!

Romans 8:1-4      Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

How are you and I submitting to the Spirit, allowing Him to rule our minds? What areas of our mind do we still need help to give over?

Let’s praise God for His mercy to save us from condemnation and live in freedom by submitting to the Spirit!

Alice

Finding Rest

 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

The doctor asks, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe is your pain level?” My wife replies, “Seven.”  I thought to myself, “Seven?”  She didn’t tell me that!  And in a moment, my week began not with the plans I had made or the various arrangements to ensure a very productive week.  Now, I had to make do with a new plan.  Focus on Loretta.  Then as the minutes went to hours, my focus went to my daughter.  What do I do about her dinner?  I can’t leave my wife’s side!  And I have so much work to do and things to plan for next weekend’s church service.  How am I going to figure this out?  Lord, I can’t.  I just can’t!  And then, I read words that I had heard numerous times.  “Come onto me.  All ye that labor.  And I will give your rest.” (Matthew 11:28b – KJV)

We should always take a moment to focus on God where we are. Not just as part of a ritual.  We all have various points in life where all of its issues and burdens seemingly come together.  It can be challenging and difficult to put things together, and you may feel out of sorts.  But Jesus Christ understands not just who you are but whose you are.  Furthermore, He is not only our savior at prayer time but also at stormy times.  We must always remain focused on the simple fact that when things are out of control, He is always in control.  We must rely on Him with the perfect peace that only He can provide.

There is nothing too big that our God cannot handle. It is paramount we remember that while we may not know the outcome of our story, we know who ultimately wins; Jesus Christ!  As such, we must remember that while we may struggle in our times of troubles there are a couple of stories that should instill confidence in Him.  First, Peter, when he started to sink while walking, “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”” (Matthew 14:31)  Finally, Jesus reminds us in times of trouble, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  Where are you filled with sorrow, grief, and worry today?  What can you do to ensure you find the peace Jesus Christ speaks of?  My prayer is that when we are worn down with the various troubles of the world, we find rest in our savior; Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tues Devo: In and Out

Hello,

So yeah, not really talking about the burger place today – sorry for the false hopes there.

These days we hear a lot about the impact/effect that food intake has to people. We are vigilant with various allergies – for some are very aware of the reaction to certain foods. If you have kids you might be careful about when they get chocolate (I only like to do that when I know they can outside and burn it off!) or other sugar, because you know the reaction it will have.

What we put in us, impacts what comes out.

Of course, this is nothing new.  The Bible has many food references, but also has several mentions of that which is in the heart coming out in what we say. I like in Luke, where we see this extended on the front of the equation - Luke 6:44-46 “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (NASB)

At the end of v46, we are not informed that the mouth speaks from the heart – but from “that which FILLS the heart.” That is, what we put into our heart will impact what comes out.

We have to guard what we put into us, what we consume, what we choose to surround ourselves with. What we put in, will impact what comes out.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Thursday Devotional - Delight in the Deliverer

Before becoming a parent, I didn’t think of myself as impatient, but I do now! I thought being married to Joe for almost a decade beforehand had helped me let go of some of my perfectionist traits, but apparently not all of them. I’ve prayed a lot this year for God’s help to be more patient.

It’s hard to imagine Paul also struggling with sin, but he did:
Romans 7:19-25a  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Paul delights in God’s law but can’t carry it out in his sinful nature apart from God’s deliverance. Delighting in and obeying God’s law is only possibly by His  help. He wants to deliver us! We must be willing to be delivered.

What sin are you and I trying to overcome in our own strength? How can you and I let God deliver and rescue us?

We may not overcome it overnight, but the more we give it to God, the more He will help us. Delight in the Deliverer!

Alice

Tues Devo: Team Player

Hello,

I am currently involved in conducting some interviews for a couple of open positions on my team. One of the things I want to see is a true team player. Someone who sees that big picture is more than them. Someone who knows the role they play, and is confident in that.

I guess I need to hire John the Baptist!

The first chapter of Mark tells some of the story of truly great team player.

Mark 1:4-8 “ John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”” (NASB)

A couple things stand out here:

1.  John knew his role (point others to someone else)
2. He was more concerned with the team than himself (*this is admittedly my interpretation based on his choices of clothing and diet)
3. He recognized the accomplishment of Jesus was going to be greater than what he could accomplish (baptism of water vs. Holy Spirit)

Are you and I team players? Do we live out knowing our role and being more concerned with the goals of Jesus than ourselves?

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Thursday Devotional - Slavery

We are all slaves to something – whether it’s work, wealth, weight, status, security, service to God, pleasure, possessions, perfectionism, family, food, fashion, etc.

Is slavery always bad???

Romans 6:16-18, 22-23   Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness… ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul says slavery to sin results in death, but slavery to God results in righteousness, holiness and eternal life!!! Where is your and my allegiance?

What sin of mine do I justify, ignoring the destruction it has or will cause? What sin of yours do you justify, ignoring its destruction? What negative consequences might we (& others) experience if we continue in that sin?

Let’s value righteousness, holiness and eternal life! There’s freedom in slavery, slavery to God! There’s freedom from sin, earthly consequences, and eternal death.

Alice

Precious Possession

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

    O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

    I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,

    I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

    you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

    you will not be burned up;

    the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;

    I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Others were given in exchange for you.

    I traded their lives for yours

because you are precious to me.

    You are honored, and I love you.  Isaiah 43:1-4

At the end of last year, I decided to get my daughter an iPhone.  I had told her that if she did well with her grades for the semester, she would get one, but I really wanted her to have it as a gesture of kindness because she’s my daughter.  Spoiling her?  Sure, some might say that, but regardless of anyone’s view, she’s still my daughter, and I love her unconditionally.  She knows it even when she is upset after being disciplined or getting a reprieve.

God’s love for us is beyond doubt because He gave to us without condition.  Last week, I spoke of a father’s love as to our focusing on relationship with God to not disappointing Him.  Today, I want to spend more on this relationship, but focusing on God’s love for us.  Through Jesus Christ, He paid ransom for our sins.  We neither earned it nor can we repay it.  It is a gift for the opportunity to have Him with us.  Today’s verses are further proof of Jesus being both God and with God, but the focus today is on how God makes it clear that He is with us in trouble and difficulty and oppression and pain no matter what.  Why is this important?  In the last part of the fourth verse, God answered “because you are precious to me.  You are honored, and I love you.”  Meditate on that for a moment.  The God of wonders, the Alpha and Omega, the great ‘I Am,’ says we are precious to Him and loved.  To fully understand the depth of this is twofold.  First, we can walk boldly with confidence that we are indeed valued by the greatest of all.  Second, we are to be humbled knowing we not only are not deserving of this but also are no better than anyone with or without salvation.  It may seem like a delicate tight rope to walk, and you are right.  We must let the love of God give us strength and the grace of God make us humble.

God has wanted a relationship with you all along.  Even when we feel off the train tracks in our relationship with Christ, remember that He paid the ransom in His blood so that we could be one with Him no matter what.  And He did it for the simplest of things; love.  That is why we should not focus on repayment.  Rather, our relationship is as a statement of devotion and love for Him.  Let us cherish the selfless act of God who loves us no matter what.  What level of reflection will you have in your relationship with Christ?  How can your understanding of being His make you both stronger and more humble?  My prayer is you remember that you are God’s precious possession.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Accessible

Hello,

This past week I have been reading through Leviticus. While not exactly at the top of the books in the Bible that excite me, it seems each time I go through it something new strikes me. This time I was caught by the accessibility God presents to those seeking forgiveness and restoration.

When you read through Leviticus, you see the precision and details of many areas, as the priest roles and sacrifice systems are put in place through Moses and Aaron. But as you pay attention, you notice several instances like these 3 (NASB):

Leviticus 5:7 ” But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord his guilt offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.”

Leviticus 12:8 “But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.”

Leviticus 14:31 “He shall offer what he can afford, the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, together with the grain offering. So the priest shall make atonement before the Lord on behalf of the one to be cleansed.”

Twice the exception is made for a less expensive sacrifice, and the third time it is a matter of what they can afford. You see, forgiveness and relationship are not out of reach. They require sacrifice-  but it is a sacrifice that is within our means from the Provider.

I hope you have a blessed day, and are encouraged by the accessibility of our God’s forgiveness.

Will Hill