In His Hands

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

John 10:28-30 NIV

I am so grateful for what we just experienced.  It is only because of the events of Easter and what lead up to it that we can rest assured in the promise that we have eternal life and shall never perish. 

These verses have some key phrases in them that we need to remember.  It says that no one will snatch them out of Christ’s hands.  Some take this to mean once you are saved, you are good.  That is not what this says however.  It says that no one can snatch us out, however that does not mean that we cannot choose to leave. 

Christ died for us, so we can be saved.  We choose daily if we are going to say in the safety of his hands.  What will you choose today?

The Crossroad

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.

“Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?  This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”

Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.

They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes^[i] from Galilee!”  John 7:45-52

At various points in one’s life, people will find themselves at a crossroad.  You will look and see there are many different ways you can turn.  None of them look different, but you know the destination itself is different.  Usually, those who can see past the short term of that choice and looks deeper beyond the initial turning point will usually make the right decision.  I spoke previously about struggles in my married life.  My wife and I both have faced crossroads.  Sometimes separately, but many times together.  We always have looked beyond the initial turning point, and when we were not sure, we paused until we felt certain.  I won’t say that we were right all of the time, but most of the time, we were.  It has been our faith more than anything that has guided us, and to be honest, a Christ led decision has never been wrong.  Never.

We all hit crossroads in our journey of faith, but we should have surety that choosing Christ is always the right decision.  I was in a study on John focusing on whether Jesus was who He says He was.  In today’s verses my focus is primarily on the man called Nicodemus.  When Nicodemus first met Jesus, he was not buying into what Jesus was saying.  However, he was asking a number of questions trying to get understanding (ex. “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” John 3:4).  While reading this, I reflected on a poster in my office called ‘The Mood Elevator,’ and the best place to be on this elevator is the place called ‘curious.’  This is where you are neither assuming nor judging.  You are gathering information.  Nicodemus’s questions would be very telling because they set the stage for where you could tell he was officially at ‘the crossroad’ in Chapter 7.  Does he side with his fellow Pharisees or does he make the move toward Jesus.  He says, “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?”  Now that may initially sound like he really has not made a choice, but note that the rest of his brethren had already thought Jesus should be arrested and found guilty.  Thus, it is clear that his heart was already converting from non-believer to believer, and this would later be underlined as he would go with Joseph for the burial of Jesus (see John 19:38-42).  Although we find ourselves questioning which way we should turn, we can always ask questions and be curious to gather information as to what God is trying to tell us.  It is then we can make the best decision for it is based on instructions God has given us.

Following Christ is always righteous.  It can be difficult at times to see what God has in store for us, but if we are faithful and pray, we will always be able to see beyond the initial choice to where God ultimately resides.  Don’t be passive or decide prematurely.  Be curious because if you are like Nicodemus, you will come to the right choice.  What choices are weighing on you today?  How can you be curious when you are unsure which way God wants to take you?  My prayer is that we trust in God’s wisdom to get a clear vision of the righteous path when we make it to the crossroad.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Attention in the right place

Acts 14:8-15 “At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. ” (NASB)

Hello,

As I was reading through Acts 14 this week, I was struck by how quickly I zipped through this section. I kind of laughed at these crazy people referring to Barnabas and Paul as gods, and moved on. But then I paused, was it really that outrageous? Here these people see things they have never seen before and want to attribute to something they are familiar with. They also through this I believe show a desire to relate to deity by calling them by the names of 2 popular gods. As Paul and Barnabas rush out to set the record straight that they are mere men, and that God is doing these things in order for them to hear the gospel, I think about us. How quickly do we look to attribute things to that which we already know, instead of seeking to know God more? The second thing that I think of is how natural the desire is for relationship, including relationship with God. Thankfully, He desires that relationship too!

In both of these items we get distracted with the temporary and the physical. We don’t put our attention in the long term and on the spiritual. As we walk, let’s keep our attention on those things!

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

It if finished

John 19:28-30

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Easter is my absolute favorite holiday!  It is the holiday that gives us so much hope and reason to carry on.  Sometimes this world can be overwhelming and you might even get scared to think what the future holds.  The thing is, the Bible tells us that things are going to get ugly.  That this world is going to be a scary place to live.  All of this must happen to fulfill the promise that Christ will return. 

Just the same way, Jesus knew that in order to save us, he had to die on the cross.  It was too was rather ugly.  It was something that really never should have happened however to save you and I from our sins, it had to. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is my prayer today that you will know the love of Christ and the sacrifice that took place so that you could have hope.  When you hear the words, “It is finished”, remember it is was for you, it was for me, and it is for our children and all who accept Christ as their Savior.

God's Intention

“But forget all that—
    it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
The wild animals in the fields will thank me,
    the jackals and owls, too,
    for giving them water in the desert.
Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland
    so my chosen people can be refreshed.
I have made Israel for myself,
    and they will someday honor me before the whole world.”  Isaiah 43:18-21

One of the greatest lessons that I learned over this past year is how God has known what is best for me since day one. Even when I was not sure of the path I should go, God had made out the path already so that one day I would know He was there all along.  For example, I once was uncertain if my wife and I would make it together.  I share this acknowledging that I when we first got married I did not have a true relationship with God.  Now my wife is an amazing woman who I dearly love.  Yet somehow, I had gotten to a place where I wondered if perhaps we had made a mistake.  It was then that I found God, and began to follow His plan for me.  As the years past, my relationship with Him grew, and my marriage grew stronger with it.  Then I was in awe as it was revealed how well He knew me.  My wife was a perfect fit for me which God knew all along.  I am so humble that He placed her in my life, and she is the symbol of the joy only God can instill in one’s life.

Our journey of faith is one that we must follow trusting that the destination God has for us is worthwhile even when we cannot see it. I listened to a sermon talking about understanding how God intentionally uses people and situations to prepare us for future tasks needed for the building of His Kingdom.  In reading today’s verse, we are reminded of God’s amazing ability to change the path for His purpose.  In this case, it is the prophet Isaiah revealing of the coming of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins and restore the relationship between God and His people.  I love the description in verse 19, “For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?”  How often do we go through life not seeing the end destination wondering if indeed we are going down the righteous path?  This is where we must be vigilant trusting in God and His word.  This is not to say it is easy because at times the path will seem unclear.  However if you grew up in a home like mine, you learned patience is always a virtue, and it is almost always rewarded.  Should we place our trust in God, we know we will be rewarded in ways we cannot see today but will be eternally thankful when it is revealed.

God’s love for us is unconditional. He cares for us infinitely, and protects us without fail.  He has proven it to us an endless amount of times.  As such, we are to be prayerful asking for wisdom of His plan for our lives and patience to be understanding when it may not fit into our wheelhouse.  History reminds us He has never failed us.  Why would He now?  Where are you questioning God’s faithfulness in your life?  How can you reassure yourself that God’s plan for your life is without fail?  My prayer is that we can rely with confidence on God’s intention for our lives.  Amen.

Tues Devo: What can they do?

Psalm 118:6-9 “The Lord is for me, I will not fear; what can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” (NASB)

Hello,

As we prepare for Easter this week, this Psalm stood out to me. The psalmist asks the question – what can man do to me? I think there are 2 points that we can take from this question being asked and see them in the light of the cross as well. The first thing that man can do to us is only what God allows. When we take this to the cross, Jesus could have called His legions of angels and been saved from the brutal death. But He knew that this was about the permanent long term plan, not the short term and temporary comfort. The second thing that man can do to us is cause physical harm or death. When we take this to what happened with the cross, we see that physical death is not bigger than God. We have a spiritual life that is eternal, and a God who reigns over physical death.

I pray you are encouraged today, and you will take refuge in the Lord – who is worthy of our trust and confidence.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

What was it like?

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.’^[c]

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

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

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

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

Matthew 26:31-35

As we approach Holy Week, I would like for us just to reflect a little bit on what is about to happen.  Too often I think we speed through the week, busy with all of the activities and we forget to stop and reflect what is really going on. 

Have you put yourself in the shoes of Peter?  Here Jesus takes Peter with him to keep watch while he prays.  No doubt, Peter is tired, probably bored and so he falls asleep.  It’s not that Peter doesn’t love Jesus. 

Then Jesus gets taken away to be killed, Peter is probably scared that he too could be killed for being a follower of Christ so he disowns Jesus.  I’m sure we can all picture ourselves in a situation where someone we are with gets into some trouble and we pretend not to know them.  Maybe you haven’t done it however it’s not that hard to imagine how scary it would have been for Peter and to understand why he might have done it. 

As you go through this week, I’d like to have you just put yourself in the place of the different people involved.  Imagine what it would have been like for you and how you would have reacted.  Be honest with yourself.  Really feel the emotions and feelings that those people would have been going through. 

Don’t just the let week pass, eggs get colored and baskets given without really understanding the impact of what this week means for each and every one of us.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part XV - Completion

After the final piece of adoption paperwork was approved, our adoption hearing was set for October 24! It had been over 16 months since we met the kids, 11 months since we started keeping them on weekends, and 4 months since we had kept them full time. It had also been just over 9 years since our miscarriage, 7 years since God laid it on our hearts to consider adoption, and 2 ½ years since we officially started the foster license process (when we didn’t get locked out of the building J).

The morning of our adoption, James asked to pray at breakfast and thanked God that we were adopting them. He then added “and thank you God that we get to adopt Mommy and Daddy.” I smiled. I guess in a sense we were all adopting each other! We didn’t make them call us Mommy and Daddy, but they chose to call us that over time. James called us Alice and Joe at first, then Mommy Alice and Daddy Joe and then finally just Mommy and Daddy.

Jesus has always been able to call God “Father,” but we only have that right because Jesus completed the work of atonement so we could be adopted as God’s children and receive eternal life.

John 17:1-5   After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ² For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus finished all of the work for our adoption. Have you chosen to accept it and call God your Father? If so, how well are you and I getting to know our perfect Father? Our eternal life starts now, as we get to know the only true God! How are you and I living in such a way that brings glory to our Heavenly Father?   

Alice

Tues Devo: Home field disadvantage

Hello,

As I have been reading through part of Acts lately, I was looking at the challenges faced by Paul, Barnabas, Peter and many other early church leaders. While nothing new, Jesus experienced this as well, these people faced some of the stiffest opposition from the home crowd. We often think of operating at home to be our advantage – and talk about that the most perhaps when it comes to sports. We expect locality to automatically equate to support. But, as we look to share the work of Christ and challenge others to accept Him this just is not true.

Acts 12:1-3 “Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. ” (NASB)

Acts 13:44-46 “The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.” (NASB)

As I was reading 2 things about these challenges came to mind: 1) When we ask those who identify with us (locality or otherwise) to change and follow God it challenges everything inside of them – be ready for that challenge! 2) Everywhere on this earth is like playing in a visitor role – our real home field will be in heaven - these challenges are not unique to any one place or person.

But the challenges are worth it. James paid for it with his life, as did ultimately all of the disciples. What that meant for them was going to their home, and the opportunity to have eternal influence on many people – not just a temporary influence. Temporary influence is easy to have, not really challenged and not maintained…eternal influence gets the challenge, because it is maintained. One could argue that I shouldn’t call it eternal influence, but rather eternal impact.

Have a blessed day, I pray this challenges and motivates all of us.

Will Hill

Rest

Genesis 2:2-3

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

This week was “retreat” week for my department.  It is a very long week full of lots of team building and professional development.  By about mid-week, we are all getting tired.  Come Friday, we are all completely drained. 

I’m sure you have a time that you can relate to this feeling.  The Bible even tells us that the Lord, after working hard to create the world and all that is in it, needed to rest. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, how often do you take time to rest and refresh yourself?  We live in a world that is always on the go.  While we may have a couple of days off during a week, we rarely fill it with rest.  Instead we have different stuff that we have to get done.

I want to encourage everyone to find some time, even if brief, to take time to truly rest.  To reconnect with themselves and with God.