Trust the Lord

Psalm 32:10

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.


Trusting the Lord is not always the easiest thing to do.  This is something that I have been challenged with even more lately.  I’ve been going through some health issues and at times, I’ve been worried about what could be.  Through it all though, I’m learning to trust God, and know that no matter what happens, he is taking care of me.  While it would be easy to just get down and have a "poor me" type of attitude, it is so much more productive to choose to trust God and believe that he will take care of you no matter what.

What is the hardest thing for you to give to God?  I challenge you today to trust him and give it to him.

Thurs Devo: Call for Wisdom

Last week’s passage ended with a call for patient endurance and faithfulness. This week’s passage ends with a call for wisdom.

Revelation 13:11-18  ¹¹ Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. ¹² It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. ¹³ And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.¹⁴ Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵ The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. ¹⁶ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

¹⁸ This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

Where do we get this wisdom? Perfect wisdom comes straight from God Himself! Reading His Word, talking with Him in prayer, and listening for His answers will help us gain wisdom.


Knowing God’s prophecy, like this passage in Revelation, will help us be prepared when these events happen. We will then be able to discern the deception of Satan and remain faithful to God.

Alice 

All About Timing

One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”)

“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.”

“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”

But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.  Genesis 25:29-34

There are so many things that we will have the urge to want the moment we see it.  This weekend, I found myself looking at the newest iPad where my immediate impulse was to buy it even though I had another one at home.  “It’s the newest version,” I told myself.  Having realized that it is not within my budget to do so, I resisted, and turned away.  That being said, I looked back to find the genesis of my anxiety; Facebook.  One of my favorite past times found a way to identify my purchasing habits, and through it, inundated me with advertisements and suggestions that often times seem subtle and other times more direct.  Either way, it builds a desire that without its prompting may not have even existed.  Working for a technology company, you realize the benefits of technology.  For a day this past weekend, I also have found that it is not always a good thing.  Much like money is written about in 1 Timothy 6:10 (For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows), use of technology can either be good or bad.

We must be vigilant seeking God’s counsel in all things so that we properly guided spiritually.  Last week’s verses talked about the life of Jacob.  We go a little further back in his life not speaking of him but instead his brother Esau.  Esau’s birthright as the firstborn was to inherit his father’s responsibilities and authority.  However as we see in today’s verses, Esau was consumed with hunger and it is safe to say impatient.  As such, he sells his rights to his younger brother.  We often find ourselves doing similar things trading in future blessings for what we want now.  Speaking from experience, it is not easy to get out from under that habit, but if we learn to seek God’s counsel not only with obvious things like finances but with relationships with family members and friends and situations at work and home, we gain wisdom from the experience.  Furthermore, we keep ourselves available for much greater blessings from God down the road!

God’s time is very different from ours.  We often will want things our way right now.  While sometimes we are given such provisions, we must always ask ourselves if it is truly God’s provision or are we putting our timing ahead of His.  The answer lies in the relationship between God and you, but if we do not pray and seek His counsel, we risk like Esau the possibility of missing something far greater in the future.  What decision is God asking you to exercise more patience?  Do you seek God’s counsel on important decisions?  My prayer is that we exercise wisdom to understand that sometimes God’s blessings are all about timing.  Amen. 

Tues Devo: Wearing the same jersey

1 Peter 4:8-10 “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. ” (NASB)

Hello,

This section in 1 Peter triggered my mind to sports (yeah, I know…lots of things do that for me….). I can tell of countless times where on my team people would get mad at one another. Someone would make a mistake or not listen correctly – and the frustration would come out and erupt. You see it on TV with team members verbally going after one another. But what does this mean? Does is mean that they have decided they have different goals? No, they both want to win – but sometimes error or preference creeps in and causes tension. So – how does one get past this tension? I believe that answer is to remember that there is a common goal. How is that remembered? Well, Peter gives us that direction here. We are to love, be hospitable and serve each other. The key is the love. I believe when it mentions here that it covers a multitude of sins this is not about being OK with sin, or condoning it – but rather it is what helps us realize we ultimately are going after the same things, and that we must focus on showing love to others who are fighting the same battle we are fighting.

Remember, we as followers of Christ are on the same team and wearing the same jersey – lets keep pushing for the goal and supporting each other in love as we do.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Look to the future

2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

There are two things to consider the future, where will Christianity go and will the flock stay?  Here are two videos I found fascinating to illustrate these questions.

Animated map shows how religion spread around the world - YouTube 

The majority of those of you who read this are based in the USA.  Sometimes, we can get blinders on and think that Christians are the only major religion out there.  We think the US is a Christian nation, and it is predominantly Christian, but it is not a national religion.  What I find fascinating in this video is that the other religions started in one location, and spread outwardly from that place.  Christianity, on the other hand, doesn't do that.  Christianity had a focal point with Christ, but then quickly spread out along the coasts of modern day Europe.  It also was the first to reach the Americas during the "Age of Discovery."  I can't tell in the video which religion is first to enter Australia, but Christianity also is the predominant religion there.

We are told that Christ will come again when every nation has heard the gospel.  Some people may think that we're nearing that time due to the Internet and information being readily available, but for some of those nations shown on the illustration, that people legitimately don't know that there is any other religion.  They've never heard of Christ, nor do they even know where to begin looking.  Outsiders to their religion are hunted and killed.  We've had a few missionaries come to our church to speak, and they cannot say their last name, nor what country they mission in, because they must work in secret.  How will we reach those countries?  It is incredibly difficult and risky to drop into the middle of those zones and begin to preach, those people - bless them - are doing so and are doing it carefully.  Mission work isn't everyone's calling, so what can WE do about it?  Spread.  Reach past our boundaries.  You may not need to be the one on the border line, but maybe there's another way for you to volunteer within your church that can relieve someone else's responsibility so that they may pursue that mission work.  Everyone is called to reach, but we must find the way that extends each of us.

The Future of World Religion (in 2050) - YouTube 

My concern here isn't that according to statistics, the Muslim religion will become more prevalent than Christianity.  My concern here is shown at the 1:14 mark.  Look at the number of people that are going into the unaffiliated group of the agnostics, atheists, or non-believers.  That is my concern.  These people are entirely turning their back to Christ.  These are people who have heard Christ's gift to us, accepted it, and later decided that they didn't want it and that they don't believe it.  This is not something that happens on a map with boundary lines, but with isolated individuals.  People that have been hurt and feel utterly alone, that no one on earth or in heaven cares about them.  We must continue to make efforts to reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, so that we may continue to "strengthen and encourage them in their faith, so that they will not be unsettled by these trials."

Hope

John 16:33

“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.”

It seems as though everywhere we turn, we are hearing negative things about the world today.  About what is to come and how bad it is.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus Christ himself warned us of this!  We need to realize that in order to have everlasting joy with our Lord and Savior, we have to first endure the pain and suffering of this world that was predicted.  John 16 talks about how the world will rejoice while us Christians mourn and suffer. 

We all want to get to the point of the perfect ending with Christ, however to get there, the rest of the story must first take place. 

We are instructed to have peace in Christ because he has overcome the world. 

Instead of being worried and anxious about the future, let’s trust the Lord and be hopeful and appreciate that the end will be worth the struggles.

Thurs Devo: The Dragon's War, Part II

Last week we talked about how we are to expect war from Satan (the dragon), but use the full armor God has provided to fight against him! From studying the book of Revelation this year, God seems to warn us that these difficulties and battles will intensify as the end of this world nears. The dragon, Satan, will have the power to wage war against God’s people, but he won’t deceive them. He will deceive the whole rest of the world, though.

Revelation 13:1-10    The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. ² The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. ³ One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. ⁴ People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. ⁶ It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. ⁷ It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.⁸ All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.

¹⁰ “If anyone is to go into captivity,
    into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
    with the sword they will be killed.”

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

What’s the difference between Satan, through the beast, conquering and waging war against God’ people versus deceiving them? I think it has to do with physical versus spiritual life and death. Satan is allowed to physically harm and even kill God’s people, but he can’t deceive them into worshiping him over worshiping God. If we truly belong to God, then we won’t be deceived by Satan and won’t give in to his deception. We will patiently endure and remain faithful to God, even to the point of death. We can do that through the strength of the Holy Spirit living in us, knowing we will gain eternal life!

How will you and I prepare now to patiently endure and remain faithful to God, even through the dragon’s war against us?

Alice

The Value of Forgiveness

Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver^[i] to one and 50 pieces to the other.  But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

“That’s right,” Jesus said.   Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.  You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Luke 7:41-48

I went to visit my Dad’s alma mater the other day in Virginia.  My Dad passed away almost nine years ago, and it was a chance to visit the halls that he walked through over seventy years ago.  We stopped for a moment to allow for my daughter to use the rest room.  The building had about eight different doors at the front, and all were locked.  Fortunately at the last door, a lady was kind enough to let her in.  It was at that final door that I would find something beyond special.  Engraved in the glass next to the door was a list of donors who contributed to the building.  One of those names listed was my father.  Although I knew he contributed greatly to the university, I had never knew there was anything noting his contributions.  It was a humbling experience to have seen something he himself had not lived long enough to see.  Others may not have ever known what he did or how great a man he was.  But I do because I know all that he did especially for me, and that made it all the more valuable.

This story brings me to the topic of understanding the value of God's forgiveness for our sins.  One cannot truly love God without acknowledging how valued His sacrifice for us was.  The story in today’s verses has me focused on the woman at Jesus’ feet.  Prior to these verses, it said, “(S)he knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.” (Luke 7:38)  To truly value what was happening, imagine yourself before Jesus knowing your wrongdoings and being unable to hide from them.  Could you hold yourself together and stand strong, or would you find yourself much like this ‘certain immoral woman’ weeping uncontrollably?  Her tears were so great she had washed Jesus’ feet with them.  That’s some serious crying!  And Jesus, while acknowledging her sins were many, showered her with forgiveness.  We know we fall short of God’s glory, and we are born again through Christ.  But our greatest capacity to love Him falls on acknowledging how flawed we are without Him.  Let me say it another way.  If we cannot understand how flawed we are, we cannot fully love God because we will never value our forgiveness as much as one who sees themselves as tragically flawed.  This is the lesson Jesus is trying to teach.  We may be great followers of Christ in theory.  But for those without hope and love and who God has come and given them a new life through Jesus Christ, the value of His forgiveness is priceless.

We are all valued by God.  Seeing someone’s love for Christ does not make their love better or worse.  It does give us an opportunity to check where we are in our own walk for if we sense our love for God is not as great as it should, then our value system may need restructuring.  If it does, understand God loves us enough to guide and forgive as we forge a stronger and more fulfilling relationship with Him.  How can you reveal yourself to God with all of your flaws?  Will you value His forgiveness now more than ever today?  My prayer is that we seek to gain greater love for God by fully valuing His forgiveness.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Learn and lean

1 Corinthians 16:10-12 “Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren. But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.” (NASB)

Hello,

Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking about the importance of pairing with others. This is from a perspective of both learning and leaning. So many of our brothers & sisters in Christ have gone through learning experiences before us – why not use that learning? We are not good at everything – why not lean on the strength of others? Sure, we have the choice to go at things alone – but that puts us in a position of isolation. When we isolate, not only do we miss out on the opportunity to learn from others and lean on their strengths, but we miss the chance to help others learn and be leaned upon.

So, how are you doing in learning and leaning? Don’t miss the opportunity that comes with it!

Will Hill

The harvest

James 5:7-8

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

I recently planted some seeds to do a little garden this summer.  I was so excited when they started to grow.  Now the waiting really begins as they won’t be ready for harvesting for a month or more.  Waiting for something when you are excited can be so hard and discouraging. 

I can’t speak for you, however I know that I am excited for the Lord’s return.  This world is certainly not my first pick of places to be some days. 

Just as a farmer (or someone just growing a few vegetables), must wait for the harvest, so brothers and sisters, we must wait for the Lord’s return.  It’s not always easy and can often be discouraging, feeling like it’s never going to happen.  However if we care for the garden (ourselves and those around us), the Lord will return for his harvest. 

Stand firm today, the Lord’s return is near.