Do not covet

Exodus 20:17

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

This week we had a fence put in for the backyard so our dogs and son could run a bit freer.  One of my neighbors was all excited that we were doing it as they like the idea of adding on to it to fence in their yard.  We laughed when they said this because it seems to be that any time we do something, not long after, they are out doing something similar. 

The Bible however tells us that we should not covet what our neighbors have.  This is a hard lesson that we have been trying to teach to our 4 year old, who comes home from daycare and wants something because one of his friends there has it. 

I believe that this is a hard lesson for all of us as we travel through our lives.  I want to encourage you today to guard your hearts from such temptation.

Thursday Devotional - Self-defiling Honor

The Jewish leaders didn’t want any of the bodies on the crosses after sundown (as we saw last week), but who was going to take the bodies, prepare them for burial and bury them? Most of the Jewish leaders made sure they remained “clean” in order to partake in the Passover meal. However, 2 of the 70 Sanhedrin (the highest Jewish religious body) did choose to defile and contaminate themselves in order to give Jesus a proper burial. 

John 19:38-42         ³⁸ Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. ³⁹ He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. ⁴⁰ Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. ⁴¹ At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴² Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Joseph and Nicodemus risked everything to bury Jesus. Not only would they not be able to celebrate the Passover with everyone else, but all of their peer religious leaders would know why! Their choice to follow Jesus would no longer be a secret. Their inward faith was now displayed outwardly as they honored Jesus through His burial.

Are you and I like Joseph and Nicodemus? Are we willing to put everything on the line for what we believe? Or, do we cling to our traditions/comforts/security while partially following Jesus? Did Jesus partially die for us?

What are we still hanging onto and refusing to bury? We can ask for His help to bury old attitudes, desires, habits, fears and thoughts to live the new life He’s given us. Then, you and I can better show our love for Jesus and honor Him, as Joseph and Nicodemus did!

Alice

Run To Win

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

My pastor gave an inspiring sermon this past weekend finishing on today’s verses.  I liked it not just for the message and verses but also for it reminded me of my dad.  My father’s eulogy talked a lot about the race he had run, and the eulogist spoke of 2 Timothy 4:7 which said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”  Being a humble servant, I realize that our walk of faith is not a one-day sprint.  It is a marathon, and as marathons go, you have to continually pace yourself.  My pastor spoke of training for the race doing things such as having a dedicated prayer life and maintaining our strength to be able to both encourage and even carry others.  Like marathons, we may not be able to see the end of the race for a while, but you keep running.  You keep reading the word.  You keep showing love to as many people as you can.  Realize in each of those moments, God is preparing us for something bigger and better. 

We must always remember that there are numerous stages in our walk of faith.  Sometimes, we will run easy as if it were a nice stroll in the park (we have peace and comfort in our life).  Other times, we have to run up a hill and exert extra energy (trials and struggles).  Perhaps, we realize we are falling behind the competition, and need to push to catch up (losing our way to God).  And then, we will at times need to sprint to create distance from the competition (overcoming a trial or a major sin).  There are even times where we might need to help someone keep their pace (encouragement and loving selflessly).  No matter where we find ourselves, we must always remember that through all our running there is one finish line, and when we cross it, we should not be running for second place.  All of the other moments of the race lead us to it, and if we do not train hard (continually growing in our faith), we will be ill prepared to have successfully finish. 

God delights whenever we grow to understand Him better.  So if you have felt stagnant in your faith as of late, don’t fret.  Start running even if you're 'out of shape!'  And if you have been running, keep preparing for the next phase of your marathon.  If you are tired and weary, don’t let ‘the wall’ fool you into stopping.  Keep fighting!  Trust God to give you strength to overcome.  Finally if you see the end is near, don’t jog.  Sprint with all you can!  God is at the line cheering you on!  Finish the race and keep the faith!  Where are you in your race?  What changes must you make in your life to be in position to win?  My prayer is that we work continually toward growing in our relationship with Christ or in other words, run to win!  Amen. 

Tues Devo: Tell the difference

Romans 16:17-20 “ Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (NASB)

Hello,

One of the challenges we face in a fast-paced life is slowing down enough to exercise discernment/judgment. We are tuned into things that appease us. We have become accustomed to evaluating what we see/hear first based on how we feel – not on what God’s word says. The smooth speech, said with confidence, pushes us to say “why not..” instead of “why…”

We need to recognize the difference of the words/instructions/suggestions being given to us – do these align with the Bible or no?

I think Paul here as he wraps up his letter to the church in Rome gives 2 we need to see:

·         Recognize who these people are, and turn away from them. Don’t try to draw close.

·         Remember the long term, not the call to satisfy short term desires. The end is known – God will crush Satan.

I pray this encourages you today,

Will Hill