Taken For Granted

See what great love the Father has for us that He would call us His children. And that is what we are. For this reason the people of the world do not know who we are because they did not know Him.  1 John 3:1

My wife and I will celebrate our first date together next week.  It will have been over 32 years since that day.  We worked together, and were at a company Christmas party.  Afterward, we would decide to officially date each other one month later.  I never really appreciated that moment then.  I do today.  She has hung in there with me through a lot of ups and downs, and she has been the epitome of the 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Love is patient, love is kind . . . love never fails).  I was not always a good husband to her, and there were times where I simply took her love for granted.  But even as we fight over what’s best for our daughter or she nags me for umpteenth time about something I did not do, I am incredibly humbled that she chose me as her husband.  I strive to never take her love for me for granted. This brought me to where my appreciation is for God’s love for me, and do I take it for granted.  Am I serving Him out of love?  Do I do things without even focusing on or appreciating it?

The greatest of all things God provides us with is His love. There are times we might focus on how God has given us grace and done miraculous things leaving us wondering how it was even possible.  He has carried many of us through rough times so often that we could not remember them all if we tried.  Yet, today I wrote with this feeling of unending warmth from the love God has for us.  We get caught up with so much going on around us, and we often go to God for help, thanksgiving, and affirmation.  However, one thing we should really focus on is just how overwhelming His is.  If you take a moment to pause and feel His presence, it’s as if His arms are wrapped around you holding you like a father holds his infant child.  God’s love is not something we place figuratively in our hip pocket.  As His children, His love should be at the forefront of everything we do.  It is the air that we breathe.  Without it, we cannot survive.

There is nothing we cannot overcome if we approach things with the love of God in our hearts.  1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT) goes on to say, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”  Why would we ever let anything else take its place?  While there are many things that go seemingly devoid of it, we must dedicate ourselves to always remember the love God has for us, and then love Him and others fueled by it.  What situation requires you to invest more love into it?  How can you remind yourself how much God loves you?  My prayer is that we put God’s love at the forefront in our lives and never ever take it for granted.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Joy - Part 2

Hello,

Last week we took a look in the Old Testament to see the fullness of joy coming in the presence of God.

As we look forward to Christmas time – what an extension of that definition! When Mary visits Elizabeth, John responded while still in the womb.

Luke 1:39-45 “ Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.’” (NASB)

Then, when Jesus was born this joy was part of the announcement to the shepherds as they were told of His birth – Luke 2:9-11 “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (NASB)

There is fullness of joy in the presence of God – and Christmas represents the time where He took that opportunity and connection to a whole new level. When you think this year of Christmas Joy – remember the fullness of joy in His presence.

Will Hill

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Subject: Tues Devo: Joy - part 1

Psalm 16:10-11 “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (NASB).

Hello,

As we enter December and Christmas time, I think of everything going on in the world that can get you bothered, upset, angry or even depressed. We cannot escape reality – these things are happening. But how can we find joy in the middle of this – without trying to isolate ourselves from reality? The Psalmist here gives us a huge insight – it is God’s presence. Now, not only does His presence bring joy, but the fullness of joy. To me when I hear “fullness” I think completeness – or something that cannot be filled any further. What more could you ask for when it comes to joy, but joy which could not be any more filling???

Struggling with joy – get into His presence.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Bring It

5 “‘Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax,  Ezekiel 35

There are spiritual battles going on in our modern day.  It's a vastly different environment than what the Israelites experienced, but we still encounter other people that still harbor hostility and outwardly show violence towards Christians - and to even larger groups of people based on their country being considered Christian.  My mom has a phrase she frequently says, "I've read the Bible, and I know the end of the story."

We do know the end of the story, but often, people will glance over the middle.  It says that we will be persecuted for our beliefs.  We will be mocked, physically harmed, and some even killed for their beliefs.  2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. John 16

Whatever may happen to me and those around me, I am ready for it.  I will stand for my faith in Christ.  The words spoken to and about me will roll off me like water on a duck's back.  If I am physically harmed, I will emerge stronger in my faith if not physically stronger.  And if I am killed, I know where I will go.

I do not fear, for the body is temporary.  My soul will last forever.

Patience

Isaiah 7:13-14

 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Have you ever had your patience tested?  Maybe by your child, maybe by a co-worker, the possibilities are endless.  I used to feel I was a pretty patient person, until my son.  Now he’s testing that all the time.  How do you think God feels about being tested?  Even back in Isaiah, we see the people were testing God, to which he responded with a sign.  A sign that the Immanuel would be coming as a baby. 

Think about how you feel when being tested.  Can you even imagine how God must feel?  If only we get into the word and study it, he has foretold us of what is to come.  We get all upset about the state of the world these days, yet God gave us these signs to watch for.  Just as he told us of the birth of Jesus, he has also told us of the coming of the end of the world.  The good news though, for us that believe, is that it’s really just the beginning for us.  The beginning of life with the Lord for eternity. 

My friends, I encourage you today to trust the Lord, rather than testing him.  

Thursday Devotional - Spectacular Scene

What’s the most spectacular scene you’ve ever seen?

In 2005, I got to go with some Bible study friends to ski in Lake Tahoe. We arrived just after 20 feet of snow had accumulated! Not only was it the best skiing I’ve ever experienced, but the views from the tops of the mountains were spectacular! The sun glistened on the snow for miles on end in all directions!!! I had never seen anything like it and knew it was a once in a lifetime experience! Throughout the week, I couldn’t help but worship God the Creator! I know my words can’t begin to describe it and even pictures don’t do it justice.

I wonder if that’s how John felt as he tried to describe the scene in Heaven that he saw!

Revelation 4:1-6       After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ² At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ³ And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. ⁴ Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.

Wow, I can’t begin to image how spectacular Heaven will be and how glorious God is!

Is there anyone else’s presence you and I would rather be in?

How does God’s brilliance and power compel you and me to worship Him?

Let’s remember John’s description as we think about and worship the Almighty God this Christmas season!

Alice

Plain and Simple

When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

“We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded. John 7:45-46

I have grown to know that there are some things in life that are plain and simply true, and I do not need to test it.  For example, I have learned to trust my read on people.  I talk with them, and then observe them in certain situations.  Fairly soon, I have a beat on the type of person they are. There is no explanation that I have for this, and people ask me how I knew.  I don’t understand it, but have learned to accept that God gifted me in such a way.   As such, I have gained some really close friends because it feels like I knew them before we truly got to know each other further.

We know the validity of the word of God because it is proven beyond our natural understanding.  Today’s verses speak of Temple guards who do not arrest Jesus because of what they heard from Him.  Now in reviewing this, one might jump to the conclusion of, “Well what would you expect?  They had heard from Jesus!”  That is the simplistic way of viewing it.  We need to go deeper.  What did Jesus say?  (Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!) How did He say it?  (He shouted to the crowd)  This is nothing new from Jesus, and they knew their task was to arrest Him.  Yet, the Temple guards, with the simple task of ‘enforcing the law of God,’ would not perform their duty to arrest Jesus for violating their laws.  We know Jesus’ authority over all laws, but that’s a topic for another time.  Why?  The Holy Spirit had awaken within telling them what they heard was not from an ordinary man.  They had heard from the Son of God, and knew what He said was true!  If you think back to when you first heard from God, maybe you were a little messed up.  Perhaps your core belief structure shook, and/or your emotional grounding was thrown off.  God gave us His word for guidance, but He instilled the Holy Spirit within us to connect with and follow Him.  Put together, we know His word is true beyond a shadow of any doubt.

It has been proven time and time again that God’s word always has the answer for us.  We may have had a rough time adjusting to its truths, but we can walk with confidence and without fear for God has said, “The Lord is the One who goes before you.  He will be with you.  He will be faithful to you and will not leave you alone.  Do not be afraid or troubled.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)  That is a truth that you cannot just accept in your head.  You must fully embrace it in your heart, and then, the Spirit of God will flow from you for as Jesus said, “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!  For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:38)  What is God’s word challenging you to change today?  Where can His word be a source of strength and encouragement in your life?  My prayer is that with our heads and hearts we embrace God’s word as true; plain and simple.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Joy, part 1

Psalm 16:10-11 “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (NASB).

Hello,

As we enter December and Christmas time, I think of everything going on in the world that can get you bothered, upset, angry or even depressed. We cannot escape reality – these things are happening. But how can we find joy in the middle of this – without trying to isolate ourselves from reality? The Psalmist here gives us a huge insight – it is God’s presence. Now, not only does His presence bring joy, but the fullness of joy. To me when I hear “fullness” I think completeness – or something that cannot be filled any further. What more could you ask for when it comes to joy, but joy which could not be any more filling???

Struggling with joy – get into His presence.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Be a Good Shepherd

7 “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. Ezekiel 34

There’s a lot of positive talk in the Bible about being a good shepherd and that Christ is the good shepherd, but what about the bad shepherds? Surely there are some bad in the lot of all shepherds. Well, God says that those shepherds will be held accountable for their actions (or lack of actions) towards the flock.

I’ve mentioned before that I mentor a group of young women, and every year, I have to remind a few of them that when the become leaders within the group, they need to hold themselves to a higher standard of accountability than the rest of the group. It’s often forgotten about, not just with them, but with many leaders.

There’s a tendency when people reach a higher level of responsibility to slack off, and to skirt the rules. God makes it clear that this is not his intention for his own people. His intention is for the shepherds to care for their flocks, not to sit on their laurels.

Everyone is a leader in one form or another. You may not think of yourself as a leader, but someone else looks to you. I’m going through a study guide about disciple-making, and it’s the first book that details the spiritual ages people go through. I’ve heard the term spiritual infant used many times, but this book also discusses spiritual children, adolescents and adults. Even if you fall into the children or adolescent stage, there are still spiritual infants and even the spiritually dead who may see you in a leadership role. Make sure that you are taking care of the flock, no matter what your role is.

Take heart!

John 16:31-33

³¹ “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I was raised in a small town, where everyone knew everyone. If someone died, half of the town would be at the funeral. If someone “important” died, everyone would be. Today, my hometown is saying good-bye to their sheriff, who died unexpectedly early this week. No, it wasn’t in the line of duty, it was at home. He was only 44 years old. He was known as the “good cop” to many. Roads will close for the processional and people will line the street to show their respect.

So why do I share this with all of you, who really aren’t affected by this story? Well, because each of us go through something at some point in our lives were we just can’t understand why. It might be the death of a loved one, the mass shootings, or something like a divorce.

It’s important to note here that Jesus told us ahead of time, we would face trouble. He was very clear when he said, “In this world you will have trouble.” But he didn’t stop there. The rest of that verse is so important not to miss. Yes, we will have trouble, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We already know that we are going to live through some tough things. Let’s not forget that even through all of that, we have Christ, the Savior of the world, who has already overcome the world.

Today, my friends, take heart!

Thursday Devotional - What's Your Temperature?

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. Kent talked about prosperity yesterday and I think today’s passage relates. Jesus seems to be telling the Laodicean’s that their spiritual depravity is 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? What would God say we really need from Him? Would He call us hot, cold or lukewarm? With His help, we can change our temperature!

Alice