Thursday Devotional - A Christmas Focus

James is still struggling with asthma and had a terrible virus this past week. He apparently shared it with Sarah, too, so now she is down with it. They were to be in a Christmas program Monday night, but as much as they wanted to be in it (and I wanted to see them in it), I knew it wasn’t best for everyone involved. Sarah’s teacher even called to see just how sick Sarah was, because she had a special part she had learned!

As frustrating as it is to miss out on activities and let people down, Lord willing, there will be many more years of Christmas programs. Plus, often we get too busy with Christmas programs, parties, gifts and activities, that we forget the whole reason for the season! I think it would most honor God if we took more time to quietly reflect on His gift, praise Him for it and share it with others.

Although the kids missed several programs, classes, activities and parties this week, we did get extra time together to sing Christmas hymns around the piano, dance to Christmas music, read the Bible together unrushed, read Christmas books focused on God’s gift, and pray for the people that sent us Christmas cards.

As I continue in this Christmas season, I pray God would help Psalm 57:7-11 to be true in my life:

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.
⁸ Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.

⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
¹⁰ For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

Will you pray with me that our hearts would be steadfastly focused on Him, honoring Him, praising Him and exalting Him this Christmas season? God is loving, faithful, and glorious! What better Christmas focus?!

Alice

Unbelievable!!!

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.  1 Samuel 17:48-50

They say in broadcasting that the great call of the announcer becomes part of the actual event, and when a truly historic event happens, the great call becomes as iconic as the moment itself.  Yesterday, I had an opportunity to appreciate one such moment.

Ever since I was a child, I have been a fan of boxing.  The big fights were always on television.  Muhammed Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Ken Norton were the great fighters back then.  It felt like I was watching one of them every month, and they were so good, it was a marvel to see any one of them.  As I got older, I had the chance to watch this kid named Mike Tyson.  His nickname was ‘The Baddest Man On The Planet.’  Now that probably sounds a bit braggadocios, but trust me.  This name was well deserved.  At the prime of his career, not only did he win but rarely if ever did his fights last more than two or three rounds.  Keep in mind fights typically go twelve rounds!

He was undefeated when he went into a fight against a man named James ‘Buster’ Douglass.  Most experts gave Douglass very little chance to win.  In fact, Douglass had one of the worst odds ever put on for a prize fight; 42 to 1 or just over a 2% chance.  And then, there I was watching what people call the greatest upset in history as Buster Douglass knocked out Mike Tyson.  Years later as I listened to the announcer on a rebroadcast of the event, I found myself feeling nervous chills as if I were watching this for the first time, and the moment began to play like a symphony in my ears:

“Oh!  Nice upper cut!  By Buster Douglass!  Look at this!!!  He’s knocked Mike Tyson down!!!  For the first time … in his career!!!  Mike Tyson … hits the canvas!!!  He’s in big trouble!!!  He may not be able to recover!!!  It’s up to 7 … and 8!!!  He’s not gonna make it!!!  Unbelievable!!!  Unbelievable!!!  Unbelievable!!!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euZ08eWV4ME)

This brought me to the story of David and Goliath.  We all know what happened, and we harken to the story when facing insurmountable odds.  However, we fail to understand the true gravity of the situation because we don’t have the context of how great a feat it was. 

We must have true context to appreciate the amazing things God can do in our lives.  Imagine Goliath was that ‘baddest man on the planet.’  Undefeated.  Unmatched.  When you fight him, it’s in, and out in record time.  All nations feared him, and here he came with his entourage to conquer Israel.  He boasts, “Choose one man to come down here and fight me!” (1 Samuel 17:8b)  Israel, went in thinking they have no shot in this battle (worse than even 42 to 1 odds).  The Bible says, “When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.” (1 Samuel 17:11)  And then, this young kid named David, comes in not thinking of who Goliath was but instead focusing on who God was.  He said, “I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!  The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (1 Samuel 17:36-37a)  Note David focused on who he represented (the armies of the living God) and who ultimately would give him victory, which was God himself.

Then the fight ensued.  David did not try to be something he was not.  In fact, as you read the story he was given armor from King Saul himself.  But knowing that he could not adjust to wearing it, he took the armor off, and went in with 5 stones (see 1 Samuel 17:38-40).  Thus, we learned he fought relying on the abilities God gave him and not what others had given him.  The rest as today’s verses show was history, but to truly appreciate it, you need to have the context.  You can imagine the reaction as David fired the stone, and struck the Philistine.  Then with stunned and excited disbelief, the Israelites watched as Goliath fell to the ground, and they began to jump for joy praising God realizing what David had done; the greatest upset in history!

The story of David & Goliath is meant to inspire us.  It is to remind us that we need not look at the odds nor focus on the shear monumental task we face.  We are to as David did remember who we serve, which is an all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present God.  Furthermore, we are to remember who he made us to be in battle.  This is not to say we do not grow spiritually to better arm ourselves for battle.  But we are to trust God gave us all we need when the battle occurs.  So, let us go into battle remembering we are God’s army and we will win no matter what the odds are.  What battle scares you today?  How can knowing who you are and whose you are strengthen you for victory?  My prayer is that we trust in God for our inevitable victory where you can hear others say like the announcer, “Unbelievable!”  Amen!

How is your leader?

Proverbs 4:10-11

Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.

Many through our organization have been facing a lot of changes right now.  Sometimes change can lead to fear for some.  During this time, I want to simply remind you to not lose sight of who your ultimate leader is.  As you are leaving the support wing in the Ann Arbor office, the white board says:

Time to Lead!

How will you lead our customers to success?

Think Big

Make it simple

Move fast

With Christ as our ultimate leader, remember that his plan is to lead you to success.  He certainly has big plans for your life.  We need to not overcomplicate them but rather keep it simple and move fast when he says to move.

We have been instructed with wisdom and are being guided along a straight path.  Today, make sure to trust your leadership and follow their lead. 

Advent Waiting

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

neither faints nor is weary,

His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak,

and to those who have no might

He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall,

but those who wait on the Lord

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and not faint.”

    Isaiah 40:28-31 (NKJV)

Advent is a time of waiting, of preparation, of eager anticipation.  There is hustle and bustle over the next few weeks but we know that our waiting will soon be over, Christmas will arrive and we’ll rejoice in celebrating our Savior’s birth once more.

However, other times of waiting may not seem joyful to us.  Instead, anxiety, impatience and uncertainty often fill our hearts while we wait, especially when we’re seeking God’s guidance/direction for a major decision or when we’re longing for an answer to prayer but God seems silent.  Yet the Bible tells us that when we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength.  If we trust in the sovereignty of God, if we know that the outcome is in His hands, then we can wait with hope and strength.

This passage also reminds us that God’s understanding is unsearchable. Our finite minds struggle to realize that He uses times of waiting for our good—to build our character, to strengthen our faith, to form us more in His image, to accomplish His purposes. It is hard to wait but God’s timing is not our own and we can trust that His timing is best. Even when we pray and pray and don’t seem to get an answer, we must remember that God does not forget His children as we wait for His will to be made known.

I don’t like flying so the idea of having wings like eagles isn’t particularly appealing to me. But I'm comforted by the imagery of being borne up by God and held close to Him as I wait. And by the strength He gives, we can run and not be weary, we can walk and not faint, we can persevere during our seasons of waiting.  Because He is the everlasting and faithful God, we can eagerly anticipate these blessings while we wait, during Advent or any season.  Amen!

Thursday Devotional - Feeling Helpless

My Dad is home from the hospital! He is on high doses of a diuretic and an arrythmia medication. He has a ways to go to recover and regain strength, but he’s glad to be home!

Last night, though, James had another asthma attack. It seems like it has been one health issue after another all Fall (two almost week-long hospital stays for my Dad and several weeks struggling with asthma for James). We’ve done lots of praying for wisdom and direction. God’s the ultimate healer and the only one we can always turn to for help. He’s always listening and always available. 

Psalm 34:1-5, 19-22           

 I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame…
 

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
²⁰ he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

²¹ Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord will rescue his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

As verse 19 says, not even the righteous are promised an easy life, but we are promised God will hear and help us through any trouble. Last night, I prayed several times for help and guidance. At different points, I felt helpless and that there wasn’t anything else to try. After several breathing treatments (medication and steam) over the course of a couple hours and a hot shower to try to help James, God did bring to mind a couple more things to try (Motrin and a humidifier). Finally James was able to fall asleep. Then, I finally started breathing better myself (and was able to sit down to write the devotional for today)! 😊

Where are you feeling helpless? Will you turn to God for help, listen for His answers and then give Him the glory? The book of Psalms is a great place to go for encouragement. Many of the Psalms that David wrote were while he was helplessly hiding from Saul and fleeing for his life (over the course of several years). He praised God in the midst of it all and knew Who to go to for help!  

Alice

  

Righteous Anger

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:12-13 NLT

Is it ever right to display anger?  As I am raising my youngest child, I have found that there are typically four levels of dealing with things she has done wrong.  There is the first level where I must talk about where she went wrong, and going forward, provide guidance on the right way.  In these cases, it is not major.  Call this the ‘threw the recyclable paper in the wrong bin’ wrong.  Then there is the situation where the consequences of her mistake have more gravity, and thus, the conversation gets a bit more serious.  There may be a punishment or discipline given based on this level.  This would be the ‘carelessly broke my favorite glass’ wrong.  Next, there is the ‘you know what you should have done, and yet, you chose not to’ wrong.  This tends to be the defiant and rebellious choice that has severe consequences (ex. Coming home at 11 when curfew was 9:30).  Let’s qualify this as the ‘playing indoors and hitting the 55” HD TV’ wrong.  These all can be dealt typically with discussion and dialogue as to things done and better choices that needed to be made.   However, the last level is a dangerous one.  It’s the one with serious consequences and she is lucky to not be in far more serious danger or harm. Call it the ‘She stole a car?!?!‘ wrong.  In these cases, the response will have no two-way dialogue.  The punishment is severe regardless of the outcome, and is usually met with a reaction rarely ever scene.  I think of it as ‘The house is on fire – GET OUT’ reaction.  The intent is for my daughter to understand this is one thing that must never ever happen again.  Whether you’re a parent or been on the receiving end, one can understand another’s anger in this situation. 

This brought me to reflecting on God’s righteous anger, and how it is to help us never fall into those circumstances again.  In reading today’s verses, there are a couple of things that struck me.  The first thing was the wrongness of the people.  The people in the temple selling animals were like those false evangelicals on TV peddling a ‘prayer cloth’ guaranteed to help God hear your prayers for $20.  I know it sounds silly, but there are people who believe in these things.  Through my bible study, someone helped me reflect on another perspective, which was Jesus’ reaction. Reading His knocking things over, you can imagine this near crazed response of anger from Jesus.  When we think of anger, God’s word speaks of it as sinful as Ephesians 4:26-27 (And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.)  However, there are numerous times where God was angry with His people, and thus carried out His wrath when they were sinful (ex. Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 and Lamentations 2:1).  The principle here is to understand that God hates sin in all forms.  He is loving of us, and His righteous discipline will vary from multiple warnings to one swift and decisive response.  Our goal is to always look to walk in a way that shows our love for and submittal to Him living our lives free of sin.  That is not to say we will not sin, but our walk of faith both mirrors an understanding of His authority and focuses on a life He would expect of us.

God’s love is both awe inspiring and overwhelming, and it can bring us to our knees. Like a loving parent, His anger toward us is never intended to hurt us.  It is a reminder how precious we are to Him, and we can live a life filled with His love and blessings.  It is to correct us toward living a life that is for Him, and that He alone is indeed enough for us.  Let us focus on understanding why God’s discipline is just and not questioning His judgment.  When you have sinned, are you repentant to God?  What lessons have you learned from God’s disciplining of you or others?  My prayer is that we learn to understand the love God has for us when He shows His righteous anger.  Amen.

Better Measurement

Hello,
So often in life we face choices that have us scratching our heads wondering which choice is the better choice. Not the choices of good vs bad – but choices where no option feels inherently bad. So, how do we decide what is better? What is the measurement we should use in these cases? Let’s look at a couple examples from Scripture:

• 1 Peter 3:14-17 “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ” (NASB)

• Luke 10:38-42 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”” (NASB)

In the 1 Peter passage we see that the better choice is clearly aligned with doing what is good and right over that which is evil. And we are not to weigh short term consequences, but rather give preference to a longer perspective in terms of eternity (which by the way, does last forever….)

In the passage in Luke, we see that Martha is not doing anything bad – just trying to be a great host for the honored guest. But, Jesus shows that we are to value our time with Him. By saying that Mary had chosen what was better we can also see that we are to be focused on fixing and preparing our hearts rather than just an outside appearance.

I think these are great measurements of a better choice – and easily applied to our lives.

1. Is one pleasing to God vs. against His word?
2. If both are pleasing to God, which one focuses on fixing and preparing our hearts and shows the value of time with God?

I pray this challenges and encourages you today.

Will Hill

Dating Profile

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

If you had to create a dating profile for your Christian walk, what would it say about you?  Would you have a very generic profile with the best picture that you could possibly find or would it really tell who you are and have an every day picture?  Would it conform to the world and how they look at dating or would it be able to be tested and approved for what God’s will is?

Ten years ago today I went on a first date with a man who almost didn’t get a date with me, because his online dating profile was very generic.  I thought he was no different than the rest of the guys out there, looking for just one thing, which was not going to get him a date with me.  His initial note to me was simple and stated that he was interested in me.  I wrote him back explaining that based off his profile, I saw no reason that I would be interested in him.  This fueled him to then reply with a book about how much we had in common.  How based off my profile, he knew we would be a good match as Christ was the center of both of our lives and that we were not of the world as many people are. 

Fast forward ten years later, I am now married to that amazing man. 

It could have all been very different however if my profile would have been generic and conforming with the world’s way of thinking. 

Thinking again about what our profile would be like if we had to create a dating profile for our Christian walk, how many people would swipe past you vs how many would stop and contact you as they were interested in who you said you were?  Would that relationship stand the test of time because you stated who you really are or would it fade as the person got to really know you?   

Godly Treasure

“Incline your ear to wisdom, and

apply your heart to understanding;

yes, if you seek her as silver, and

search for her as for hidden treasures;

then you will understand the fear of the Lord;

and find the knowledge of God. For the

Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth

come knowledge and understanding.”

Proverbs 2:2-6 (NKJV) 

We have so much and yet, it’s easy to think we need more stuff, new stuff and better stuff.  But God promises to provide for all the needs of His redeemed children (not our greed).   And we have been given every spiritual blessing; in Christ, we have richly all the things that truly matter.  Thus, we’re not to store up for ourselves earthly treasure, but rather heavenly treasure  (Matthew 6:19).  God’s wisdom is treasure we should seek. 

To obtain this treasure, our hearts need to have the right attitude--reverence for God because fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).  Then we need to ask for wisdom since Scripture says God gives it “liberally and without reproach” as longs as we ask in faith without doubting (James 1:5-6). 

Also, God’s word is a treasure given to us and we find God’s wisdom there.  Look how it’s described in the above passage:  inclining your ear, applying your heart, seeking it as silver, searching for it as for hidden treasure.  Quick devotional reading of the Bible is likely not sufficient on its own. Effort and study and diligence is required. We need to mine God’s word as if trying to extract diamonds because it’s that precious for our spiritual growth. And not just learning what God’s word says but applying it to our lives.

Finally, we’re told that in Christ is hidden “all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).  He is our source of truth, He is our example, He is our wisdom. 

My prayer is that we will earnestly seek the treasure of God’s wisdom in Christ and be diligent in mining His word for truth to apply to our lives.

Thursday Devotional - Timely Encouragement

My Dad’s been back in the hospital this whole week with lots of fluid on the left and right side of his lungs. They gave him strong medicine to help drain the fluid, but he still can’t move much or breath well. Yesterday, they surgically went in and drained another liter of fluid and he’s still not a lot better. On top of that, he got a hematoma where they made the incision in his back. So, it’s been a scary week for all of us. He’s lost over 20 pounds since he’s been in the hospital, so now he’s down to only 160 pounds (and he’s 6 feet tall).  

The doctors still don’t know why fluid is pooling or what the underlying issue is. He had stents put in a couple arteries back in the summer, changed his diet completely and got an excellent report back in September. However, now his heart function is very poor and they don’t know why.

We know we can trust God and ask Him for guidance and healing and care. We’ve been crying out to Him. In God’s perfect timing, we’ve been studying several chapters in the Psalms in Bible Study the last couple of weeks. I’ve read and re-read them. Here are a few of the verses that are especially encouraging right now.

Psalm 59:17  You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 23:4    Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

Psalm 139:13-16      For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

Maybe you are going through something difficult or you know someone going through something difficult. Which of these verses encourages you and which ones will you share with someone else to encourage them?

Alice