Having It Both Ways

 Two issues that frustrate a lot of Christians in their quest to understand Scripture are 1) apparent contradictions, and 2) first century Roman cultural mixtures. With all the English translations available, it’s not difficult to get around a lack of original language knowledge.

But what if you add in a layer of complexity where the author seems contradictory as he tries to help the first century culture understand the ancient culture from a thousand years before? It’s not helpful that the current iteration of that culture, the Jews, probably were not using their writings as they should have been. This additional confusion led many of them who claimed Jesus as their Messiah to also misuse their “legal texts” in their relations with Gentiles.

In the previous entry on Galatians, we saw that the law shows what’s wrong, the problem Jesus fixes. Yes, it contains a lot of rules, but it also contains a record of the Creator’s work with His human creatures. That work is completed in Jesus.

Paul acknowledges the rules, but he focuses on Abraham:

Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer.
Galatians 3:6-9 NET

I’m going to skip a bit here because I want to focus on the apparent contradiction. Paul focuses on Abraham as the source of our heritage as Christians. For Paul, though, he has to draw that line through Jesus, a direct descendant of Abraham. And this is how he does it:

Brothers and sisters, I offer an example from everyday life: When a covenant has been ratified, even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. Scripture does not say, “and to the descendants,” referring to many, but “and to your descendant,” referring to one, who is Christ. What I am saying is this: The law that came 430 years later does not cancel a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to invalidate the promise. For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.
Galatians 3:15-18 NET

Paul does several frustrating things here. First off, he switches terminology from “covenant” to “promise,” and second, he makes much of a mass noun in Greek, “descendant(s),” literally, “seed.” His audience would understand “seed” as not requiring a plural form. It works similarly in English but as a “mass noun” rather than a true irregular plural. You can use the plural, seeds, and sometimes that appropriate. But if someone scatters seed in a field, few people would assume the reference is to a single seed. So, you see why what Paul is claiming was done with Abraham can be confusing. His audience might not agree with him here, so why would he do that?

Also, keep in mind that Paul knows Hebrew, not just the Greek, Scriptures. So, he knows this is an irregular plural in Hebrew. And in other places in the Hebrew Scriptures where the usage is singular, Paul would not consider this to mean a single person, but rather all of the descendants. This becomes obvious here:

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female —for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:27-29 NET

This translation obscures (but footnotes) that “descendants” is the singular “seed” in Greek. Literally, Paul says, “But if you [are] of Christ, then you are seed of Abraham…” The brackets supply a missing verb (they do that in Greek), and I emphasized the “of” where the preposition was missing, but the inflected part of speech makes it likely. It could be “from,” but the possessive “of” makes more sense.

Anyway, the point here is that Paul uses the singular as it would have been expected, and different than he claimed previously in verse 16. Or is it?

If you read Galatians 3:6 through 4:7, you get a context which suggests why Paul is trying to have it both ways. He wants the Galatians (and, therefore, us) to realize that while our faith maybe analogous to Abraham, the true source of our relationship with our Creator is through Jesus. We may be Abraham’s seed in a spiritual sense, but actually this happens through Jesus, the “singular seed” of Abraham.

In other words (and in line with most modern English translations), the Galatian disciples and we are not to rely on rules for our walk with our Creator, but our Creator Himself. We follow rules only in so far as we understand our Savior’s perspective. It’s not the rules themselves, but our Savior we follow. The rules help us perceive His purpose, His priorities, and His definitions of good and evil. That is the point, the goal, and the purpose of the law. It’s also the point, goal, and purpose of our eternal existence.

Forgiving Old Grievances

There is a sense in which our Savior holds grudges. It’s always confused me why certain people groups hold grudges from previous generations, sometimes hundreds of years. It’s not just Asia or Eastern Europe or Ireland; it’s West Virginia for Pete’s sake. What’s wrong with us?

In Deuteronomy, we have this directive from Yahweh to the people through Moses:

No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD; to the tenth generation none of their descendants shall ever do so, for they did not meet you with food and water on the way as you came from Egypt, and furthermore, they hired Balaam son of Beor of Pethor in Aram Naharaim to curse you. But the LORD your God refused to listen to Balaam and changed the curse to a blessing, for the LORD your God loves you. You must not seek peace and prosperity for them through all the ages to come. 

Deuteronomy 23:3-6 NET

The story of this offense is in Numbers 22 and 25. It’s a long story, but there’s a talking donkey, so I highly recommend it, although it’s kind of confusing. Anyway, Moab=bad in Yahweh’s eyes, so don’t go there, befriend them, or help them in any way…

During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land of Judah. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with his wife and two sons. (Now the man’s name was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) They entered the region of Moab and settled there. Sometime later Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, so she and her two sons were left alone. Both her sons married Moabite women. (One was named Orpah and the other Ruth.) And they continued to live there about ten years. Then Naomi’s two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, also died. So the woman was left all alone—bereaved of her two children as well as her husband! 

Ruth 1:1-5 NET

Well, clearly, this cannot end well. Yahweh cannot possibly accept this, in fact isn’t obvious that He’s punishing this family for going to Moab? What did they think would happen? And yet, this sets up one of the most beautiful stories in Scripture. 

Our Creator makes rules. He seems so stern and harsh at times. And yet, after making such a thoroughly imprecatory rule, we have an entire book, one of the most elegant, named for a Moabite woman…MOABITE and a WOMAN! Rahab got a good story, a few chapters of Joshua, but Ruth get’s a whole book. Actually, Ruth gets much more than a whole book.

So Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law back home!” But Ruth replied,

“Stop urging me to abandon you!

For wherever you go, I will go.

Wherever you live, I will live.

Your people will become my people,

and your God will become my God.

Wherever you die, I will die—and there I will be buried.

May the LORD punish me severely if I do not keep my promise!

Only death will be able to separate me from you!”

When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her. 

Ruth 1:15-18 NET

This is read at weddings to describe the devotion and commitment between spouses. Yet it is actually the devotion of a woman to her mother-in-law through a deceased husband. By any law of any culture, any obligation between Ruth and Naomi is over. And yet it’s not.

Long, beautiful story, short; girl meets boy, boy falls in love with girl, family inheritance problems arise, boy overcomes them with a sandal, and marries the girl.

But here’s the kicker:

So Boaz married Ruth and slept with her. The LORD enabled her to conceive and she gave birth to a son. 

Ruth 4:13 NET

Naomi took the child and placed him on her lap; she became his caregiver. The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. Now he became the father of Jesse—David’s father. 

Ruth 4:16-17 NET

But wait, there’s more!

This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew 1:1 NET

Salmon the father of Boaz (by Rahab), Boaz the father of Obed (by Ruth), Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. 

Matthew 1:5-6 NET

So, Yahweh broke His own rules on the pathway to save His human creatures through Jesus. For Jesus, forgiveness was literally in His genes.

Grace to the Embarrassing

I have not posted to this blog in a very long time, and I apologize for that. Now, my last day with Thomson Reuters is January 2, so this has become my only means of sharing with my colleagues still at TR. My intent is to post here and on my personal blog. I hope these bless you. 

Family history can be fun, or, depending on who’s in it, embarrassing. Did you have someone to be proud of or ashamed of in your genealogy? Mine is a mess of both. No sense being embarrassed, ashamed, proud or confused. I have Zachary Taylor and the Martin clan (West Virginia feuds) in mine. All distant, all confusing, and not sure which is important.

For some cultures, ancestry is crucial. In some it’s important. There are probably some who don’t care, honestly, but I don’t know of any. For the Jews, knowing which tribe you came from was important. Knowing your Levitical lineage was important. It became more and more difficult over time, but even in Jesus’ day, it was a major part of their lives.

Which makes Jesus’ genealogies in Matthew and Luke very interesting. As was said before, purpose drove who was on it and where they started. Matthew and Luke both include the same names from Abraham to David, but it is interesting who Matthew notes in addition.

This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah (by Tamar), Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz (by Rahab), Boaz the father of Obed (by Ruth), Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
Matthew 1:1-6 NET

This translation notes the additions in parentheses. Obviously Matthew doesn’t call out all the various mothers, only the ones where there’s an interesting story in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Tamar was having trouble with the “levirate marriage” rule and finally deceived the father of her former husbands into having a child with her. Rahab was the Canaanite “prostitute” who betrayed Jericho into the hands of Yahweh’s people. Ruth was the Moabitess who should never have been accepted by the people of God, not for ten generations.

Tamar’s story is found in Genesis stuck in between two parts of the story of Jospeh. It kind of…makes everyone look bad, so let’s jump to Rahab.

Rahab has “the prostitute” as her last name throughout English translations of Scripture. There’s a lack of clarity about her “role” as the labels are…not precise, a common problem when the topic is indelicate, inappropriate, or embarrassing.

First, let’s look at what she did. When the spies are sent out by Joshua (Joshua 2:1), they enter Jericho and stay with Rahab. When the king is informed that he has spies in the city, he immediately goes to Rahab. Rahab tells the king that, yes, the men came, but they left immediately and he can still catch them before they cross the Jordan. She has hidden them on her roof.

But why? Why lie to her king? Why betray her city? Why help the enemy of her people? But even more important, why be faithless to her gods? Well, let’s look at what she says.

Now before the spies went to sleep, Rahab went up to the roof. She said to the men, “I know the LORD is handing this land over to you. We are absolutely terrified of you, and all who live in the land are cringing before you. For we heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt and how you annihilated the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, on the other side of the Jordan. When we heard the news we lost our courage and no one could even breathe for fear of you. For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below! Joshua 2:8-11 NET

The adventures of the Israelites made it into the local papers in Jericho. Even more, Yahweh made it into the local papers all over Canaan. From the crossing of the Red Sea forty years ago, to the defeat of the local kings across the Jordan just recently, word was getting out.

Look carefully at what Rahab says about Yahweh. Yahweh is Elohim. That is the confession of faith of the Hebrew Scriptures. That confession is an expensive confession of faith. It rejects Rahab’s culture, her people, her city, everything she has known to this point.

She has looked at what is happening in the world around her, just like everyone around her, and made the decision to leap into what Yahweh is doing. The rest of her people resist what they see Yahweh doing to threaten their culture. She repents; they do not. And that makes all the difference.

Prostitute, innkeeper, or whatever, embarrassing, inappropriate, or shameful, it doesn’t matter. Yahweh accepts this confession of faith from this Canaanite woman and uses her to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham. She becomes part of His salvation of all humanity, warts and all.

Now seriously, what is holding you back? This world, our cultures, successes, failures, families, or friends; what can hold you back from your confession of faith in the Creator of the universe? Are you really that successful? Have you truly made that many mistakes or are they that significant? Why not influence your friends rather than the other way around? Why not become the catalyst for your whole family coming to faith?

Make the leap. Take the step. Drop the luggage and jump into His arms.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to be Victorious Over Tragedy (7/10/25)

Tragedy struck numerous places this past week. From the floods of Texas to drownings in Lake Michigan, the news was devastating. I know many of us have prayed multiple prayers for the families of those lost.

God sees everything and is in ultimate control of all. Jesus has the power to overcome any tragedy and work His purposes in and through them. What He allows to happen can be confusing and difficult to understand. Similarly, watching the seventh trumpet judgment unfold in Revelation 12 is also unnerving and confusing.

Revelation 12:1-6    A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ² She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. ³ Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. ⁴ Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. ⁵ She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.⁶ The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

It’s a terrifying picture. There are enough concerns and pains during childbirth, without having the added worry that someone is waiting to snatch your baby away. The dragon represents Satan (Revelation 12:9), the woman probably represents the nation of Israel (inclusive of Mary and maybe more broadly the people of God) and the baby symbolizes Jesus the Messiah. As frightening as this picture is, it’s reassuring to see how God took care of both the baby and the woman! Satan is no match for God.

This encouraged me to remember that no matter how bleak a situation may seem, God will accomplish His purposes. He sees everything and Satan can’t do anything unless God allows it. Satan may have thought he devoured Jesus at the cross, but God snatched Him back up to Heaven (through His resurrection and ascension). Jesus was victorious over death, both physical and spiritual.

God takes care of His own, whether it’s Jesus on the cross, a girl at a Texas camp during a flash flood or a young man drowning. His care often doesn’t come the way we expect. Our times in the “wilderness” may be for our protection (whether physical or spiritual), and our times of pain may be necessary for the times of blessing to follow.

As we face our own challenges or tragedies, let’s remember Jesus is victorious now and for all eternity. We can look for and expect God’s care for His children through all situations.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Open the 7th Seal (4/10/25)

Complete silence. Have you ever experienced complete silence for 30 minutes? No white noise or anything. What about on Good Friday? Often Good Friday services end in silence, but I haven’t attended one where it lasted 30 minutes. It doesn’t take but 30 seconds for someone to drop a pen or a kid to squirm. When Jesus opened the 7^th seal, though, all of heaven stopped for 30 minutes.

Revelation 8:1-5      When he [the Lamb] opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

² And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

³ Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. ⁴ The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. ⁵ Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

What’s about to happen from the 7^th seal must be quite serious if all of heaven is silent for 30 minutes. Remember from last week that John was just told that there would be no more tears for those who go to heaven? Yet, the judgments about to take place are world altering. John is given significant warnings to write down, but layered with encouraging assurance to those who follow Jesus.

One encouragement from this passage is that our prayers are a pleasing aroma to God! What value! He takes great pleasure in our time talking with Him. How much and how well do you and I value our time talking and listening to our eternal King, the Almighty God, who has all power and authority over every aspect of life?

Jesus is worthy to open the 7^th seal, worthy to hear from us in prayer regularly throughout the day and worthy of our silence so we can hear Him!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as Our Temperature Regulator (12/19/24)

Are you hot, cold or lukewarm? Physically speaking, I’m usually cold. Spiritually speaking, I desire to be hot for God!

As Jesus addressed the seventh church, He rebuked them for being lukewarm.

Revelation 3:14-22   ¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Jesus rebuked the Laodicean’s for their prideful reliance on their own material wealth. Jesus seemed to be telling the Laodicean’s that their spiritual depravity was significant. Maybe they thought God was pleased with them because of their material blessings and lack of troubles, but Jesus made it clear that was not the case.

I love how Jesus said he was “about to spit” them out. He is so loving and patient, that He gave them a warning. Out of love for them, He called them to repent and return to Him. Then, He would provide what they really needed – fellowship with Him.

What would Jesus say to you and me? Where do you and I think we have it together or are in control of our life? (Kent talked about control yesterday!) What would God say we really need from Him? Would He call us hot, cold or lukewarm? As we submit to Jesus’s control, He will provide what’s needed to change our temperature! 

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God in Judgment (4/20/23)

What do you think happened to Gehazi after he deceived Naaman and stole from him? Did Elisha ever find out? How about Naaman?

II Kings 5:24-27  When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.

²⁵ When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”

“Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.

²⁶ But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? ²⁷ Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.

Gehazi got caught quickly and received swift judgment! I often wish God would do that with other people who commit horrific crimes and wickedness. God is the Judge of all. His timing is perfect and His judgment is purposeful. He is also loving, compassionate and long-suffering. He gives people opportunities to change. I often don’t understand His timing of things in my finite brain. Yet, I can trust He is in control!

Gehazi witnessed so many astounding miracles and yet chose not to trust God and His ways and His time (like Judas with Jesus). He had numerous opportunities to join in God’s work but missed out on being part of the blessing and being blessed himself!

As we cringe at all the evil in the world, will you and I trust God’s timing and plan for His judgment of sin? We can be thankful He is patient with us when we sin. He has actually judged all sin on the cross, if we choose to accept Jesus taking our place for sin! For those who don’t accept Jesus’ sacrifice, there is eternal judgment coming. Are you and I going to be like Gehazi – try things our way and reject God’s ways and timing? Or, are you and I going to be like all the other servants in Naaman’s story that believed God, trusted His ways and did their part to point others to Him?

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God for Final Dinner (Maundy Thursday 4/6/23)

If you knew you only had one more meal to share with close family and friends, what would you do?  What would you plan to eat, where would you plan to eat it, and what other activities would you try to squeeze in?   Would you plan a big party at a banquet hall or offer to clean the bathrooms at church?

Let’s see how Jesus spent His last meal with His disciples…

John 13:1-17    ¹It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.  ²The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" ⁷Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." ⁸"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." ⁹"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" ¹⁰Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." ¹¹For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. ¹²When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. ¹³"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

This is probably a familiar passage, but did you realize that washing the disciples feet was one of the last things Jesus did the day before His death?  The rest of chapter 13 through chapter 17 include specific instructions, promises, prophecies, prayers, and encouragement Jesus gave to his disciples at this final dinner.  So how are we, today, to do as Jesus did? 

I heard about one believer who decided he would wash the car of those that visited his house.  Even when two couples came to his house just to carpool to a restaurant, he snuck outside and had their car washed while his wife was interacting with them inside.  Amazing!

What fellow believer will you and I humbly serve this Holy week?  How?

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God versus Apprehensive Servant (2/9/23)

Was Jesus the first person recorded in the Bible to miraculously feed a large crown from a tiny bit of food? Surprisingly, no! Elisha was also used by God to miraculously multiply food.

II Kings 4:42-44 ⁴² A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said.

⁴³ “How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked.

But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” ⁴⁴ Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.

Last week we saw this large company of the prophets, that were staying with Elisha, fed by a mysterious pot of stew. This week they are generously and miraculously provided food! God faithfully and compassionately provided for the needs of His followers.

I was apprehensive about how to handle numerous activities this week with sick kids. However, God faithfully and timely answered my prayers for discernment and direction!

How about for you? How has God faithfully provided for your needs this week?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, Always! 7/21/22

As we finish up the Book of Matthew, Jesus gives us an amazing promise.

Matthew 28:18-20    ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus promises He will be with us always! He will be with us as we courageously obey His command to go and teach others to follow God. This isn’t a new promise, but one God had already given to the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 31:6   ⁶ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Plus, Matthew started his book telling us God is with us by quoting from Isaiah.

Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means, “God with us.”

If you love God and are a follower of Jesus, are you encouraged knowing God is with you and will never leave you? My prayer this year has been that each week’s devotional added another layer of assurance that God is with you - Always!

Alice

 

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, to Dispel Doubts 7/14/22

 Have you ever doubted if something would work, but you tried it anyway?

Some of Jesus' disciples doubted Jesus' resurrection, but went to meet Him anyway.

Matthew 27:16-17 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

We know Thomas was as least one of the disciples that doubted at one point (John 20:24-31). I think there may have been more than just Thomas, though, because it says "some doubted." From the other Gospels it is clear that some of them doubted the report by the women (Mark 16:9-11), doubted the witness of those who had seen Jesus (Mark 16:12-14), and even doubted Jesus himself when he appeared to them personally (Luke 24:36-43).

We know they didn't stay "doubters!" Mark 16:19-20 says "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up in to heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."

Even though some disciples doubted, they still did as Jesus commanded and went to meet Him in Galilee. They took their doubts to Jesus and then He was able to give them the confirmation they needed. What if they hadn't obediently gone to Galilee? Some of them may have remained doubters.  

We can do the same today with our doubts. We can go to God in prayer and ask our questions. We can then study and search the Bible for answers. If we have doubts, but don't go to God and His Word, then we can't expect to receive answers. 

What doubts do you have? What doubts do those around you have?

How will you and I take those doubts and questions to God and ask for the Holy Spirit to help us know the truth as we study the Bible? Then, we can proclaim the truth with confidence, as God dispels doubts!

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, In Our Fear of the Unknown 6/23/22

 Are you afraid of anything or anyone right now? Is something worrying you?

Several years ago Joe and I were worried and sick to our stomachs over an attorney letter we received from a former renter’s lawyer. They were threatening a lawsuit because we hadn’t returned their deposit money (but, they had left several damages and hadn’t cleaned the place).

Joe and I prayed for help and direction and that we would learn what God might be teaching us through this experience. We knew God was already aware of the situation and would be with us, but it was still hard not to worry about the outcome.

The women that visited Jesus’ tomb had a similar combination of faith and fear. Previously, they experienced a violent earthquake, watched a brilliantly shining angel roll the stone away, and witnessed the guards become like dead men in response! Who wouldn’t have been afraid! Yet, they heeded the angel’s direction to go quickly to tell Jesus’ disciples.

Matthew 28:8-10          ⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

In response to Jesus’s reassurance, the women didn’t say a quick “thank you Lord,” but stopped, bowed down and worshiped!

In Joe’s and my situation, God gave Joe an opportunity four days later to meet with the renter and resolve the whole thing! Like the women, I couldn’t help but immediately praise God!!! He was with us before, during and after the fearful situation!

How will you take your fears to God and then look for His presence?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, Continually Teaching Us 4/21/22

 As a family, we read through Matthew 26 and 27 last Good Friday and throughout Easter Weekend. Alexis was very interested to know what happened each day leading up to and right after Jesus’ crucifixion. Sarah wondered how the soldiers could watch Jesus and not believe. She thought several must have believed, but didn’t tell anyone. What amazed me, was how Jesus continually captured all the possible teaching moments even while he was being betrayed, arrested, wrongly accused and abandoned!  

Matthew 26:47-56  While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Wow! Jesus kept calmly teaching, even as they arrested Him!

Like Sarah, I wonder how many people, besides the disciples, thought back to Jesus’s profound words!

In moments of crisis, it is sometimes hard to recognize God’s teaching moments as He walks through the crisis with us. In hindsight, we can often look back and see it, though. Can you think back to a recent crisis in your own life? How did God walk with you through it and what did He teach you?

Alice 

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us as We Remember Jesus on Maundy/Holy Thursday 4/14/22

What happened the day before Jesus was crucified?

The first thing that comes to mind is Jesus celebrating the Passover and instituting the Lord’s Supper/Communion. This is usually the main focus at Maundy/Holy Thursday services.

As I was reading Matthew 26, it struck me how many different conversations and significant events happened on this day before Jesus’ death.

Jesus’ Passover meal/Last Supper with His disciples

Jesus predicted his betrayal

Jesus instituted Communion/Lord’s Supper

Jesus predicted the disciples’ abandonment of Him

Jesus predicted Peter’s denial 

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane

Judas betrayed Jesus

Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant

Jesus was arrested

Jesus was questioned by the Sanhedrin

Peter denied Jesus

All the disciples abandoned Jesus, but He never abandoned them.

Matthew 26:31-35 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Not only did Jesus not abandon His disciples, but He told them where He would meet them after His resurrection! What a gracious, faithful and loving Savior!

Let’s ask God to help us be grateful for all the ways Jesus used his last day to give his disciples and us valuable lessons, truths and instructions. Which one will you focus on today? 

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Service to Him 4/7/22

My niece, Maria, and I discussed Matthew 25 the other day and she said she didn’t think she was “serving” enough. She referenced the verses in Matthew 25 where Jesus told His disciples what God the Father and King would do when Jesus returns in all His glory.

Matthew 25:34-40 ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

As I talked to Maria about this, I pointed out several ways she was serving, whether it was through the food distribution at church or feeding pumped milk to her newborn sister at home! She’s helping at home without being asked, while her sick brother is in the NICU.

Pondering our conversation later, I was reminded that she also “visited” and “preached” to those in prison unintentionally. She recently wrote a letter of encouragement to our former Pastor, and he was inspired by it for his next sermon and his next prison visit!   

Like Maria, maybe you wonder if you are “doing” enough to serve God. However, if you and I are truly soaking up God’s Word and letting it change our hearts and lives, then we will naturally live it out in everyday acts of service. We won’t have to “try” harder. It will be second nature. The Holy Spirit living in us will help us stop and recognize the needs around us and prompt us in how best to help.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! 3/17/22

What do you know about St. Patrick?

He supposedly died on March 17, 460 AD. Hundreds of years later it was designated as a Christian Feast Day, which is now celebrated around the world in various forms.

St. Patrick was known for being a humble and creative missionary to Ireland. Ironically, he wasn’t Irish, but was born into an extremely wealthy family in Britain. Captured by pirates at 16, he served as a shepherd during his captivity. Instead of abandoning his faith, he exploded in devotion to God through prayer during his captivity!!! He later was ordained and eagerly journeyed back to Ireland to spread the gospel to the pagan country.

St. Patrick was truly humbled and continued the rest of his life as a humble missionary. He lived out Jesus’s teachings on humility.  

Matthew 23:1-3, 5a, 11-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach…⁵Everything they do is done for people to see…

¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Now that I know a bit more about St. Patrick, I want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day quite differently! How will you celebrate differently today?

St. Patrick was a humble man of prayer, so mirroring that is one way…

We can’t just decide to be humble, but we can ask God to help us grow in humility, devotion and a heart of prayer.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us to Produce Fruit 3/10/22

Are you quick to say “yes” or quick to say “no?” How about when it comes to doing God’s work? 

Matthew 21:28-31 & 43   ²⁸ “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

²⁹ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

³⁰ “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

³¹ “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you…

⁴³ “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

We can’t produce fruit in our own strength by trying harder. We can submit to God and willingly let Him change us and work through us to produce fruit (to do the good works He has planned for us).

The Pharisees appeared to follow God, but it was all in their own way and strength. The tax collectors and prostitutes humbly followed and surrendered to Jesus and then He enabled them to influence others for His kingdom in mighty ways!

Let’s be quick to say “yes” to Jesus’s work and obediently follow through with what He asks of us. He will be with us each step of the way!   

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us When We’re Last 3/3/22

 Most of us don’t like to be last, whether it’s waiting in line, a grade on a test, or competing in a race or game. Edmund (5) especially doesn’t like to be last, whether it’s getting out of the car, taking his shower, getting his teeth brushed, playing a game, or picking a book. In fact, yesterday afternoon we went for a run and he led the pack for the entire first mile. Then, he started crying on the second mile, because he wasn’t in front!

Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Servanthood doesn’t come naturally. God can help us grow in humility and a willing attitude of sacrifice for others.

Where are you and I wanting to be first? What might it look like if we asked God to help us be “last” or a true servant to others in that situation?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us to do the Impossible 2/24/22

I love knowing God can do the impossible!!! The “greatest” impossible feat He has accomplished is that of our salvation.

Matthew 19:23-30       “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With human beings this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.’”            Matthew 19:23-30

Beyond the impossible feat of saving us, God has also done the impossible to elevate the lowly, reward the sacrificial, and give an inheritance of eternal life to His followers. All of that is seen in these few verses. Maybe you even saw more!

Let’s remember that we know the true God of the impossible who has already provided the best “impossible” blessings!

Alice