Thursday Devotional - Pure and Permanent Priest

We’re two months into 2020!!! How are you doing with your 2020 goals? There are a few I’ve done well and a couple I haven’t.

Jesus had a goal for His life on earth and he completed it perfectly. His goal was to provide eternal salvation to all who will receive it. He perfectly and permanently accomplished it! Because of that, the writer of Hebrews calls Jesus our pure and permanent High Priest. The Old Testament High Priests couldn’t save anyone.

Hebrews 7:23-27  ²³ Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴ but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

²⁶ Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

As we begin the season of Lent, there are so many encouraging promises to focus on from this passage about Jesus as our pure and permanent priest.

1.   He already provided complete salvation (to those who accept it)

2.   He is the only way to God

3.   He is alive and interceding for believers daily

4.   He is and has the answer for every need

Which truth will you and I appreciate and focus on today?

Alice

Trapped

“You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.”. Psalms‬ ‭51:16-19‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

My wife is really smart.  She understands that I am often not motivated by her pointing out how wrong I am about a certain thing.  She also understands that I love her more than anything, and the best way to get what she wants is not to push for her way.  Instead, she shares how it affects her.  She knows that a psychological wall always comes up when it focuses on her wants, but it comes down when she appears in need or despair.  Now some might view this as being manipulative, but they do not know her.  She would never take advantage of this liberty.  Why?  Because she loves me, and it’s her unconditional love for me that ultimately breaks me.  I thought about this when thinking about God’s will for my life.  By giving my life to Him, I agreed to serve Him.  In serving Him, it means that I at times will be broken out of His love for me.  Sometimes, it is simply breaking for what makes His heart break (see the Devotion ‘Heartbreaker’).  But other times, He just pushes me to where I am trapped with nowhere else to go, and there is nothing left but for me to go to Him.

Committing to God means that we have to accept that He will break us to build us up into the people that will follow Him.  While reading these verses, I realized David was in this place of utter submittal to God.  He recognized where he was wrong, but to admit guilt to God wasn’t enough.  He understood God wanted more than just repentance. He wanted all of David that not only included a repentant heart but also a broken one.  Our heart fights hard to do things its own way only to become trapped in a corner by what God wants with one of two choices.  The first is to fight with all its might to keep its ways, sinful and not, and maintain its comfort.  The other choice is submission, which is what God ultimately wants, and through submitting, a person is shown God’s favor.  We must always be careful in our repentance for our sins.  Repentance is what God wants, but not as an act or as someone once told me a ‘check mark on our check list.’  He wants us to feel the weight and gravity of our guilt and sinful nature.  It is this ‘brokenness’ that brings us closer to the heart of God, and if we understand who David was, this verse underlines why he is called a man after God’s heart.

Brokenness to God is a sign of strength.  Not weakness.  We may focus on always being strong, but brokenness says that our source of strength is God.  He is our Alpha and Omega.  When we acknowledge this and realize that we are neither the beginning nor end of our greatness, only then will we truly be able to achieve all things because we are fitting into God’s image.  Not our own.  What is it that God might be trying to break you from?  What new area of your life are you willing to surrender to Him?  My prayer is that we embrace God’s love for us even when He corners us and we find ourselves trapped.  Amen.

Anchor of the Soul

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

both sure and steadfast, and which enters

the Presence behind the veil, where the

forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus,

having become High Priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek.”

    Hebrews 6:19-20 (NKJV)

“Let us hold fast the confession of our

hope without wavering for He who

promised is faithful.”

    Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)

The Bible speaks a lot about hope and for good reason.  A child of God has a marvelous, sure hope of God’s gracious provision for us in this life and for eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Too often we put our hope in other things.  We hope for a good test result; we hope our candidate will win the next election; we hope for a promotion at work; we hope for good weather; we hope traffic won’t be bad.  It’s not bad to want these things to come about. but we when use the term “hope” for earthly things, it diminishes the concept of our eternal hope and may cause us to put undue focus on the temporal. 

This world is passing away, as are we, and anything we expect in this life is transitory.  But our eternal hope is based on God’s unwavering faithfulness and the fact that He never changes, His promises are sure. Hope as it's used in the Bible is not wishful thinking or vague longing; God’s hope is the anchor of our soul.  That is where we should put our expectation, that is what we should set our hearts on rather than on the temporal things of this life.

Thursday Devotional - God Notices and Rewards

We talked last week about especially loving and helping fellow believers. Not only can it attract non-believers, but God notices and will reward it.

Matthew 10:42      ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Hebrews 6:10-12  ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. ¹¹ We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

God notices and promises to reward those who love and help fellow believers.

I was thinking how much joy I get watching my kids help each other, hug each other, give gifts to each other, especially when it’s their own idea. Last week, they both wanted to give a Valentine to each other. Sarah filled out a card for James while he was at school and James ordered a “candy” card from school for Sarah with his own money!

Similarly, God is pleased when we love, help and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ! We love on Him as we love on each other.

How will you and I show love to God by helping or encouraging a fellow believer this week?

Alice

In Our Corner

Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea.  But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”  Exodus 14:23-25

What is it like to know someone is always there fighting for you?  When I applied for college, my grades were not exactly the best.  I was not this highly regarded 3.0 student.  My aptitude tests were very good, but it was unlikely that I would end up at a major school.  However having gone to one of the better schools in the Detroit area, I was considered for the University of Detroit.  It was still a stretch.  So, as I went to the office for an informal interview with the academic advisor, my spirits were not exactly good that morning.  However, it all changed when I walked in the room.  The advisor was my old principle at the high school, who knew me and my story.  “Kent,” he said as he shook his head with a look of both disbelief and happiness.  The disbelief was he saw my grades were not the greatest, but his happiness was that he knew my capabilities.  Needless to say, I was admitted without further issue.  I wondered what discussions were happening at the admissions board.  While I could not be certain as to what happened, I am certain that ‘Fr. Leo’ was fighting for me.  I could imagine him saying to the admission team, “I know Kent.  He can do this!”  There was never a doubt in his mind even as there was in mine.

God is our champion fighting for us behind the scenes to ensure our victories.  We all know the story of how God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to move to safety from the Egyptian army.  However, we tend to focus on their side and do not see the side of the Egyptians and what they were up against.  They had seen or heard of what God had done to force Pharaoh to free the Israelites and now watched Him perform the miraculous feat of parting the sea, but nonetheless, they chased after the Israelites.  After the fire came down and chariot wheels were bent, only then did some come to a brilliant conclusion. “Let’s get out of here!” they said.  I pondered on their state of mind.  After all that had gone on leading up to this, only then did they figure out this was a bad idea?  They were beyond what I often tell people is their ‘Elsa’ moment.  They needed to ‘Let it go!’  You see, when the Lord is on your side there are battles being fought that we never know about and things changing that we ourselves may not even notice.  People who had initially blocked your pathway are being moved out, and hearts and circumstances are changing today that yesterday were stagnant.  This is perhaps at the center of why Jesus said, “But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

We must never lose faith in God’s ability to make a way when there is seemingly no way.  In seeing the plight of the Egyptian army, we can see the mountains God moved and that our enemies too understand who our God is.  Perhaps today is the moment for you to pause and reflect.  The dream you feel that is out of reach, goal that seems unrealistic, or task that is an endless road of despair may be your moment of reaching the Red Sea.  Maybe God right now is lighting fires blocking the pathway of your enemies and bending the circumstances like chariots wheels.  Do not lose hope for Jesus Christ isn’t a champion because He’s never been hit.  He’s the champion because He’s undefeated.  Rely on this as you go through your times of trials and tribulation.  How can you move forward with confidence that God is leading the way?  What circumstances should you take to Him today?  My prayer is that no matter the battle, we keep in mind God is always in our corner.  Amen.

Marriage Witness

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh.”

     Genesis 2:24 (KJV)

Jesus said “For this cause shall a man leave father and

mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain

shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.”

    Matthew 19:5-6 (KVJ)

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’d like to commend each of you who are married for bearing witness to God’s wonderful design for man and woman. Although this holiday focuses on romantic love, the Bible speaks of the relationship between husband and wife on a deeper and higher plane, even as a mirror of the relationship between Christ and His Church. 

 Although I haven’t personally experienced a godly marriage (and I admit to a bit of envy of those who have), I am blessed to know many who embody it, especially so many couples at church who have been married for many decades.  I’m sure it’s not always roses and chocolates, but what a wonderful testimony to other believers (and those in the world) that you remain faithful to each other and to God over the years. 

 Happy Valentine’s Day and may God richly bless each of you!

Thursday Devotional - Loving Believers

We all know we are to love one another. It’s often easier said than done. Sometimes it’s even extremely difficult to love fellow believers in our churches. However, I think those are the very people God especially wants us to love and help.  

When Jesus gave His new command to the disciples in John 13, I think He was specifically referring to them loving each other as disciples. They were quite a unique bunch of misfits!

John 13:33-35     ³³ “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

If we have love for one another as believers, that can be attractive to outsiders. Sadly, outsiders often see the quarrels and divisions within the church and don’t want any part of it!

Let’s not be a part of that trend, but let’s allow the Holy Spirit to help us reverse it! What fellow believer will you and I especially love this week? Maybe it’s by giving a helping hand, a note of encouragement, or genuine prayers for their spiritual growth.  

Let’s love each other well!

Alice

Taking Care Of Itself

As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?  Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.  The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”  Exodus 14:10-14

Who do I trust?  Where things are out of my control, I begin to ask myself that very question.  Do I trust in man or do I trust in God?  Sometimes, I trust in both.  When I first started my job at Thomson Reuters, there was a moment where I began to doubt if I truly fit.  Maybe I was not smart enough to do the job.  Perhaps at the ripe old age of 32, the world had passed me by.  I was having that discussion with a colleague who would become my mentor in a way.  Shortly after that day, he helped me get the opportunity to perform my tasks as everyone else, and over twenty years later, I find myself still helping others.  From then on, I trusted him, and even at times where he was critical of me, I listened and learned.  All this was before I gave my life to Christ.  As I look back, God was watching over me even then.  Why would he align me with someone who could help me the most?  How did He know exactly what I needed?  So, there are times where I am trusting someone, but it is not that I trust them over God.  Instead, I trust God leads my path where He puts someone there to help me.  To inspire me.  To teach me.  It’s like a prayer asking God to help me with the things I do know and to provide me with the people I need when I don’t.  The rest kind of takes care of itself.

We must always put our trust in God above man realizing at times God will give us people who will do His will for us.  In my journey through Exodus, the Israelites have reached the Red Sea, and Pharaoh has sent his army after them.  In reading this part, I happened to notice a subtle change in the complaints of the Israelites.  God had done all these amazing things that had both freed them from captivity and led them through the wilderness to the banks of the Red Sea.  Yet when the sounds of the Egyptian chariots had come, they trembled with fear, and began to blame … Moses?  “What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?  Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness,” (Exodus 14:11a-12) said the Israelites to Moses. What have you, why did you, and didn’t we tell you became the talking points?  Talk about killing the messenger!  Their trust in God had fallen down and shifted to Moses.  But this is why Moses was such a great man of God.  He trusted God over the voices of man.  As we previously discovered, he learned to trust God’s voice even over his own (I’m no great talker, remember?).  He made the bold proclamation, “The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.” (14:13b)  We often find ourselves putting our trust in the wrong people.  That is what happens when we look at the trees and not the forest.  God will provide us with vision to see what is possible, provisions beyond what our inner voice says, and faith to guide us to where we should go with or without someone.  All we need is faith in God.  He has never failed us.

We must always trust in God’s control of things.  We will often struggle trying to determine to either drive our lives or let Jesus take the wheel.  The reality is we need to trust Jesus already has the wheel and pray for wisdom that if we do choose to steer it, He is holding our hands guiding us.  So do not hesitate to linger or question God.  Trust that He has your back, and just move forward with the confidence Moses would lead the Israelites into the Red Sea.  Where are you trusting man where you should trust God?  How can you listen to God’s voice over your own?  My prayer is that we put our trust in God and let the rest take care of itself.  Amen.

Seasons Change

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,a time to kill and a time to heal,    a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,    a time for war and a time for peace.

Everything in life has a season.  Life it’s self is a season.  Sometimes those seasons are short (like a Michigan summer) and sometimes those seasons go on for what seems like forever (like a Michigan winter).  Through each of those seasons, we see ups and downs.  We connect with new people and loose others.  Sometimes we grow closer to God and sadly, other seasons we drift from him. 

This week, is the end of a season for me.  Next week will be the beginning of a new season for me.  During this current season of my life, I have grown closer to God.  I have meet some amazing Godly people and built relationships that will hopefully last for seasons to come. 

As we move through life and different seasons, it is critical to stay connected to the Lord.  To always make time for him.  Today, I want to encourage you to do just that as you go through seasons. 

I would also like to ask for prayers as I move to this new season of my life.  I have been here at Thomson for nearly 20 years and Friday will be my last.  It is a time of excitement and yet a time of fear.  I know this has been the Lord’s guidance therefore I am comforted about this season change.  I will miss sharing with all of you and hearing from you.  Thank you all for the encouragement and support through the years.

God bless each of you!

One Another

“This is My commandment, that you

love one another as I have loved you.”

     John 15:12 (NKJV)

“With all lowliness and gentleness,

with longsuffering, bearing with

one another in love.”

     Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV)

“Therefore comfort each other and

edify one another.”

There are some 59 “one another” verses in the New Testament—verses exhorting Christians to show love, grace, patience, etc. to one another.  Listed above are just a few of them.  I’ve heard a sermon series on the “one anothers” and it was both interesting and convicting.  They seem easy enough in the abstract to do but often hard in practice.  I can usually be loving and patient when it suits me, but it can be a big challenge when it’s inconvenient, when I don’t think I have the time or desire to deal with the person or situation.

 For example, the other day my heart sank when I saw my neighbor poke his head out of his condo as I walked down the hallway to my place. He’s a dear man who lives alone (and is lonely, I think) and he loves to talk.  A conversation with him is never just a minute or two and I was anxious to get home and do the things I had planned.  So when he asked me to come in to see the new set-up he's designing for his trains, I was sorely tempted to beg off. 

But then I remembered that he too loves Jesus and how we’re supposed to love one another and bear with one another.  More importantly, I remembered how the Lord always has time for me.  I’m never an interruption; He never tells me to come back later when He’s not busy. So by God’s grace, I was able to rejoice with my neighbor and encourage him to pray about a certain issue.

 I have a long way to go, but little victories like this encourage me to keep pressing on.  Why not pick out one or two of the “one anothers” and try practicing them this week? Jesus said that by showing love to one another, all will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35).  Let's show the world we are His by our loving words and actions.