Be alert

I James 5:8-9

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

With trick or treating this past week, these verses came to mind for me with how today’s world is a scary place.  We are constantly surrounded by a roaring lion that is looking for someone to devour.  The worst part, that roaring lion can often be disguised as something not at all scary.  Halloween we saw lots of kids dressed all sweet and innocent and yet that was a real cover up for them and then there were other kids that are very sweet and shy that may have dressed up as something super scary. 

We are warned to be alert and of sober mind.  It seems this is something that many find harder to do these days as well as they are trying to cover up something in their lives that they simply don’t want to face. 

Today I just want to give a gentle reminder that we all need to be aware of what is going on around us, be alert and be of sober mind so that we do not fall prey to the roaring lion that may be dressed as a cute kitty cat. 

Thursday Devotional - Empowering Power

Romans 1:11-17  ¹¹ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:11-17

Paul is an amazing example of one who truly loved God, loved other people, understood God’s power, and humbly relied on God’s power to do what God had called him to do – preach the gospel! By faith, God’s gospel empowered Paul to serve! By faith, God’s gospel can empower you and me to serve where called.

This past week I got to prepare and give a 30 minute talk on Romans 3 to a group of over 200 women in our Bible study. Being one of the leaders is a job God’s specifically called me to do for over a decade, but it still doesn’t come easy! God has always provided what was needed, though.

I like to be ready by the night before, but last week I wasn’t. Some of my illustrations didn’t fit well, but God gave me a couple different illustrations the day of that helped me (and hopefully others) better understand what Paul was teaching. Yet again, God empowered me to do what He called me to do (in His time)!

      

Where do you get the strength to serve? Do you and I rely on our own self-discipline and self-righteousness? Or, like Paul, do you and I rely on God’s power through His righteousness, giving Him the glory? His power is far greater than my abilities!

Alice

Tues Devo: Know what?

Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” (NASB)

Hello,

Do you ever get caught up in your drive to know something that it hits you later – is this what I am even supposed to be driving to know? I know for myself that this happens to me sometimes with what God wants me to do. It is easy (I doubt I am the only one) to put my focus and energy on my actions I am looking to take – instead of just continuing to dig into His character and person.

It starts with knowing Him and being obedient – and it never moves from there.

We this with King Asa in the Old Testament as well “Asa did good and right in the sight of the Lord his God, for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment.” (2 Chronicles 14:2-4 NASB)

If we think about comparing the difference between focusing on knowing God vs knowing His will, a careful look needs to be had at our planned outcome. When we seek to know God, our outcome is (should be) obedience out of love along with a greater amount of wisdom and discernment. When we seek just His will, there is a trap that our outcome is rationale for taking our desired actions and being in control. I am not saying that is always the case, but it is a danger point we should be wary of.

I challenge all of us (starting with myself) to focus our seeking on God – and letting the rest fall in place from there.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Brothers and Sisters

I John 3:11-15

11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

I John 4:20-21

20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

My younger sister and I did not always get along so well.  Even in our younger adult years, we had some pretty ugly times.  Over the years, we have both matured and now she is a very close friend to me. 

Reading in I John this morning though struck me hard as it talks about what we are if we do not love our brother or sister.  Going out of order here, we are told that if we hate a brother or sister, we are a liar.  It goes on to say that you cannot hate a brother or sister, whom you have seen, yet love God, whom we have not seen.  I read this to say that if we claim to love got, but do not love our brother or sister, that we are liars because that means we really do not love God as we say we do.  I’ve been called a liar before.  It doesn’t make me feel good at all.  However backing up to the first scripture, our infraction is even harsher.  If you hate a brother or sister, you are a murderer.  Wow, a murderer?  Yes!  If you hate a brother or sister, are a murderer and do not have eternal life residing in you. 

All of this sits kind of hard right now as my relationship with my brother has been strained.  I love my brother and I know that he loves me however something has come between us that has caused us to have a strained relationship.  After reading these verses, I am convicted to be praying for this relationship. 

My prayer for you today is that if you struggle with the same thing, that you would be lead to pray over that relationship.

Turning From The Game

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”  And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”  Luke 5:4-8

We all have doubts sometimes.  When watching my favorite hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings, play their biggest rival in the playoffs, I used to turn the channel when they were down multiple scores doubting they would ever be able to comeback.  One night when I turned, the Red Wings staged a comeback, and ended up winning the game. Fortunately, I turned back right in time for them tying and then winning the game.  That was the last time I would turn from watching them in a game.  Similar to that in my early 20s, I became distant from God because of the teachings of a minister.  She taught in the word, but would constantly discuss our sinful nature, and as such, I doubted I was never good enough to earn God’s grace.  Thus, I turned away from God.  That was not a bad thing in retrospect because to this day, I realize that no matter what I do, it is never enough to earn God’s grace.  Yet, I am humbled and feel secure because He gave it to me anyway through Jesus Christ.  Are there days that I question whether or not I am saved?  No.  Just as I learned never to turn from the game, through God’s grace, I learned to never doubt His love for and grace given to me.

We must have full faith in the grace God has given us.  This story of the fisherman becoming Jesus’s first disciples is often discussed for its path of discipleship.  It is fascinating to note Simon Peter’s response to Jesus when casting his net into the water again.  “Master, we worked hard all last night, and didn’t catch a thing,” he said.  Then he resigns himself to Jesus saying, “But if you say so,” giving us key instructions when we are in doubt.  We know Jesus is master, and even when we have tried everything we can think of, we must trust in Him.  Why?  Because He said so!  We all have moments of fatigue, frustration, anger, and loneliness where we might allow for self-doubt to creep into our minds.  Is Jesus really here for us?  Will He come through for me?  Am I really worthy?  However, we must remember the lesson He taught Simon Peter.  We are to ‘cast our net into the same water’ not because we expect a different result.  Instead, it’s simply because Jesus said so.  Only then will we have true faith in Him.

God always knows where we stand.  We know victory is ours if we just trust in Him.  Yes, we all face times where things look grim, and there will seem to be no way out.  However, God always makes a way.  We must trust in Him even when we’ve ‘cast our net in the same waters’ before.  So remember how faithful God has been in the past, and use it as reassurance in the future.  What areas of your faith can you further solidify in Christ?  How can you stand firm against doubt?  My prayer is that we keep our faith in Christ so as to never turn from the game.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Presentation choice

1 Peter 5:5-7 “ You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (NASB)

*Cross reference from ‘God is opposed to the proud, but give grace to the humble’ from Proverbs 3:33-35 “The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blessed the dwelling of the righteous, Though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor.” (NASB)

Hello,

As I wrap up going through 1 Peter, this is the section in chapter 5 that stuck out the most. I think we can truly appreciate the irony of verse 5 where Peter tells us to ‘clothe yourselves with humility toward one another’ – as it seems that humility is the last thing on many of our minds when we get dressed. I don’t believe this to be a literal appeal for just clothing (though that would be an application) – I think the metaphor is strong about our intentions. We make a choice what to put on and present in front of others. What choice will we make? Will we choose to draw attention to things that point to ourselves? (pride…) Or will we remember that everything we do is to point others to Christ – where our ultimate care comes from?

I challenge all of us to take a moment before our day starts and again before each new setting through the day to mentally pause and think about what are we about to present – humility or pride? What will we present to those next to cross our paths?

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

What is your purpose?

Psalm 139:13-16

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

Many of you already know that October is Infant/Pregnancy Loss awareness month.  I know there are many of us here that have lived through this loss.  Today, October 20^th, was the due date for my first baby.  Now before you get sad for me, please know that I’m in an excellent spot and have been able to use my loss to help others through such a hard, tragic time in their lives. 

I want us to think about when does life begin?  While there are various political stances on this because of pro-life and pro-choice debates, let’s go to the root of our being, God himself.  The Bible is the word of God so this should be our source.  Here in Psalm 139, we see that even before the body has formed, that our story is written in God’s book.  I love this.  To me, this gives life and meaning to my pregnancy even if I never had the chance to hold that baby.  If it were not for that life, that baby, that I had to lose, I would not have been able to be the encouragement I was to so many other women that have also faced that same loss.  My baby, while I may not have carried her long, had purpose! 

If an unborn baby can carry so much purpose, then think about the purpose that God has for you.  Each of us have been formed with a purpose.  We were carefully knit together in our mother’s womb.  Our days were ordained for each of us. 

Today I want to encourage you to think about what your purpose in life is.  Some of you may know it, others may have to dig deep to figure it out.  Once you know your purpose, make sure to thank God for it and live it out.

Thursday Devotional - Criticism or Prayer?

Romans 1:8-10  “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.  God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.”   Romans 1:8-10

Paul prayed constantly for the fellow believers in Rome. Do you and I pray mostly for our own needs? Or do you and I often pray for the needs of others?

Our prayers reflect the attitudes of our heart. If we truly listen to how and what we are praying, we will be able to determine areas of selfishness. 

As we pray more for others, though, we will be less likely to criticize. There’s one particular leader at my church that can really frustrate me. I realized I was quick to criticize and not so quick to pray for him. As I’ve prayed some for him, God’s helped me look for the positives instead of only seeing the negatives. He’s also helped me have a better attitude about some of my frustrations.

Who will you thank God for today? How can you also lift them up in prayer and encourage them rather than criticize?

Alice

The Trick Question

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”  Luke 5:29-32 

Have you ever had a trick question?  Here’s a good one.  Adam’s mother had three children.  The first child was named April.  The second child was named May.  What was the third child’s name?  I would of course think of June.  That would be the wrong answer because if Adam’s mom had three children and are the other two are named April and May, the only one left is . . . Adam.  Sometimes people can solve it just by reading it as is.  Other times, things are a bit more complicated.  For example, as Christians, we know we are saved through Jesus Christ.  But once we are saved, does that put us in a place higher than those who are not?  Well, we are given grace through Jesus Christ, and submit to God.  That puts us in a place other than those who have not made that choice.  But does that really make us better? 

We must always remember that although we are saved through Christ all are worthy of God's love.  In reading the story of Levi's conversion, we understand that Levi was a tax collector.  In those times, they were considered the ‘worst of the worst’ people.  Like last week's devotion, we find the Pharisees looking on with disdain questioning why Jesus would hang out with such people.  Jesus answered, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”  Now that sounded like He was out to save Levi and the other non-believers.  However, here’s the trick question. Did this mean the Pharisees did not need to be called because they were righteous?  The answer is no because we know that all fall short of God’s glory!  This means Jesus calls all people regardless of whether they claimed Christ or not.  We might see others who do wrong or are openly living in sin, and not feel they are worth our time.  However, we are to remain humble recognizing that we too need Christ.  We grow in Christ, and we have a heart for Him.  The key to avoid the trick is not substituting us being in a better place by knowing Christ for us being better because we know Christ. 

We are all equal in the eyes of Christ.  Yes, we are thankful for the gift of grace given by God.  That gift is special to us, but God makes each of us special. If we love others as we love Him, others will see how special they are too.  That’s how Jesus saw Levi and his friends; special people who just needed to know how special they were to God.  Let us remember this seeing those like us as brothers and sisters in Christ and those who have not committed as people who need to know how beautiful and special they are to God.  Who can you share the love of Christ with today?  How can you see others unlike you as Christ saw Levi?  My prayer is that we recognize how we all need Jesus Christ, and not fall for ‘the trick question.’  Amen. 

Tues Devo: Reason for love

1 Peter 4:7-11 “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (NASB)

Hello,

As our culture fights through battles right now, the call for care and love of all people is heard repeatedly. We respond as followers of Christ with an appropriate head nod, because many times in Scripture – including here in 1 Peter – we are instructed to do so. Sometimes this gets us hopeful that people will be geared toward love – so we get fired up and go out and show love…..but in our haste in to find unity in the midst of the cultural battle, hae you slowed down just a bit to ensure you are looking for the right outcome? A chase towards love for the sake or love or unity itself is pointless. There is no tangible end result. But, the chase to show love to bring forward the message of Christ that leads to salvation –now that is where the real reason for love exists. What good is love now, if for eternity those you seek to draw in are dwelling in hell apart from God? True love is not merely (though should include) actions about today – but is driven towards the hope of the cross in Christ.

Have a blessed day – go show some love with eternity in mind,

Will Hill