Thursday Devotional - Purposeful Power

Speaking of power, we lost power and internet for over 30 hours last Wednesday evening and all day Thursday, so sorry I couldn’t access or post this devotional!

We often have lots of questions why God allows certain things to happen. He is so powerful and could prevent and stop so many things, but He often doesn’t. We don’t see the big picture.

In Paul’s case, God continued to let him remain in prison unjustly. Yet, it was part of God’s purposes to have Paul preach the gospel to high officials in Caesarea and eventually in Rome (Acts 23:11 the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”)

By the time we get to Acts 26, Paul had already spoken to the Jewish crowd, the Jewish leaders, High Priests, Govenor Felix, Govenor Festus and all the people around them. Now, Paul gets the opportunity to speak to King Agrippa, his wife and high-ranking officers.

Acts 26:1-8    Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

If God is powerful enough to raise Jesus from the dead, then He is powerful enough to do anything. He is watching over us. He will powerfully accomplish His purposes in our lives. It may not go as we planned, but as He planned! Like Paul, you and I can trust His purposeful power. How will you and I do that this week?

  

Alice

For Forgiveness Sake

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 8-9

Sometimes, it is better to forgive than to forget.  Those were words that haunted me the other day.  I got into a debate where I was falsely accused of something that I did not say.  The discussion was spirted, and my answers were both pointed and direct.  However, one person did not accuse me, but I added them to the debate as if they did.  It was wrong.  I was wrong.  After thinking about it, God just kept wearing on me that I had left something open that needed to be closed.  The next day, I gave in, and apologized.  I admitted that I needed to set a better example as a Christian, and that was on me.  It was amazing how gracious others were in my asking for forgiveness, and it was more uplifting than the previous discussion we had had.  It reminded me of a key part of the Lord’s Prayer, which simply says, “and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”  It was a stunning how the simple act of asking for forgiveness can be a greater act of love than we realize.

God’s grace is one of His greatest acts of love.  In these times of strife and conflict, one of the things that I have noticed is that we often fail to for lack of better term ‘stand down.’  Our need to be right has become paramount, and there is no room for backing down.  This can be destructive when we are so willing to stand on what we believe that we do not see when we say something that is truly harmful and wrong.  Just this past weekend, a well renowned pastor made a controversial statement about slavery putting it into the context of something positive.  His heart was in the right place, and it made for an interesting point.  But it failed by ignoring the greater evil of it.  He followed up by giving a heartfelt apology that was readily accepted by many black people who understood the love he had shown for others previously.  That along with my own experience revealed a couple of things.  First if we love Christ, we are given an opportunity to ask for forgiveness.  A forgiving heart is one that is honest, sincere easily noticeable either through a person’s history or the words used.  In either case, it reveals a level of God’s heart within them.  Second, we are shown love if we are brave enough to right our wrongs.  The verse today is a reminder of God’s mercy on us should we be vulnerable to simply own up to wrongdoings.  It ends up being more rewarding for it often mends our own brokenness.

Grace is a wonderful thing!  In reading the book of Romans, Paul spoke frequently and lovingly of it writing, “Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:15-16).  Finally, there is no better example of the power of His grace than that of the adulterer brought before Jesus.  When no one cast a stone, the exchange between Him and her is often the part of our narrative when faced with our own sinful nature:

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”  John 8:10-11

Let us kneel before Jesus like she did willing to accept guilt for our wrongs and be both reinvigorated and inspired by His grace.  What sin is wearing on your mind and heart today?  How can assurance of God’s grace uplift you?  My prayer is that we acknowledge our own imperfections and simply ask for forgiveness sake.  Amen.

The Just Judge

“Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; lift Yourself up

because of the rage of my enemies; rise up

for me to the judgment You have commanded!

So the congregation of the peoples shall surround

You; for their sakes, therefore, return on high.

The Lord shall judge the peoples; judge me,

O Lord, according to my righteousness, and

according to my integrity within me.

“Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to

an end, but establish the just; for the righteous

God tests the hearts and minds. My defense is

of God, who saves the upright in heart.”

     Psalm 7:6-10 (NKJV)

When we see wrongdoing or experience evil in this world, our hearts should cry out to God.  We cry for His justice that will bring an end to the wickedness.  We plead for Him to intervene and make things right.  However, vengeance is best left to the Lord. Our efforts, particularly when we’re angry, are usually not effective for "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20, NKJV)  But we can trust that God will bring about the right result according to His plan and timing, for He is the just judge.

 When faced with wickedness and wrongdoing, we must guard against self-righteousness, thinking we’re pretty good by comparison. However, we have no basis to just point the finger at others.  For we all sin and come short of God’s holy standard.  Yet humble sinners who come to the cross of Christ find pardon. There we are established as just and upright in heart. 

But judgment will come to those who continue in their evil ways and reject God, so we can leave things in His hands.  Thank God that we are spared His wrath because of our faith in Christ. Praise God that He is our one defense and our righteousness.

No Ways Tired

He had to go through Samaria on the way.  Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.  Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”  John 4:4-7

Are you tired?  The last couple of weeks have been the most mentally draining weeks of my life.  Yes, the George Floyd thing weighs heavy on my mind and heart.  But I will try to give it context.  A friend of mine the other day asked me what is so different.  Last week I spoke of the weight of fear for the last forty years.  Now, I speak of the fatigue that came with carrying it for so long.  There were friends that were tired of talking about it, and they wanted to grieve and deal with their own personal pain.  Because of my mom, I cannot.  She always taught me there were some things bigger than you, and she spoke of African Americans like Mary McLeod Bethune and Medgar Evers.  She was a History major at U of M, and she poured a lot of it out on me.  Moments like the Selma march and the March on Washington in the ‘60’s were told to me like bedtime stories.  And of course whenever I would complain about how tired I was, she would remind me of the history of people who too were tired but nonetheless kept walking.  Kept marching.  Theirs was a higher purpose.  In lieu of that, I had to keep speaking up because if one heart could be changed, it would make a difference.  I find solace in the words of Paul speaking with conviction to win others to Christ.  He said:

If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.  What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.  1 Corinthians 9:17-18

So, while I am tired I am also guided by a greater purpose helping others join to help my African American brothers and sisters, who have been hurting for so long.  So while I may be drained of all my mental energy, I pray being reminded of the James Cleveland gospel hymnal saying:

I don't feel no ways tired,
I've come too far from where I started from.
Nobody told me that the road would be easy,
I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me. – I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired

God wants us to know He understands both who we are and where we are.  I was listening to a sermon that spoke of today’s verses, and it was eye opening the way he explained it.  He focused on the sixth verse where Jesus was said to be ‘tired from the long walk’ and ‘sat wearily beside the well.’  The part that perplexed him was this question.  If He is God, why would He be ‘tired’ and ‘weary?’  The pastor concluded, “I worship a God who is powerful enough to give me strength and was human enough to get tired.”  This part of the story revealed just how relatable He is to us.  When even Jesus was tired, He still shared a story with a Samarian woman who came to draw water.  When He was done with His conversation with her, “Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” (John 4:39).  You see even when we ourselves are tired, we can still change hearts and minds if we just rely on Him.  If Jesus could convert a town while tired with just one interaction, imagine what He could do for us if we trust Him in our times of fatigue and weariness.

True strength comes not only on our own abilities but also our willingness to surrender to Him.  Yes, there are those times where we want to go back to our childhood, and have a tantrum saying, “I don’t want to!”  But the truth is we can find strength in God for as Paul said so well, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)  So rest your weary head on Jesus, and let Him renew your strength to continue pressing forward.  What can you lay at God’s feet today?  Where is your mind weary and in need of God’s perfect peace?”  My prayer is that even when tired, we remember Jesus is our refuge to feel no ways tired.  Amen.

Terrifying Darkness, Awesome Light

Faith substantiates hope and validates what cannot be seen (Hebrews 11:1), so hope is vital to our faith. Hope is the expectation of a future event or circumstance. All sorts of things are the object of hope: financial security, grand children, a comfortable life, even the lottery can be an object of hope. We can hope in the short-term like the successful completion of a project. We can hope in the long-term like retirement. But not all objects of hope are worthy of faith. 

For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, “IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED.” And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling.” (Hebrews 12:18-21 NASB)

The holy presence of Yahweh at Mount Sinai required extreme measures by the people, terrifying measures. They heard the voice of the Holy One, and could not endure it. They saw the terrifying cloud, fire, darkness which spread to gloom over them all, and they didn't want to go near it. It was nothing like the gods of Egypt, idols in temples, and statues in the thoroughfares. This was the realm of spiritual realities breaking into the physical realm of their daily lives. It was shocking, so different that they could not wrap their heads around what they saw. It was Yahweh, the Creator of the universe right there before them, physically present on a mountain. Rightly, they were terrified.

But that is a not a comfortable object of hope. To see and experience our Savior that way causes us to tremble, and duck our heads in terror. Yet, it is still our Savior. What the people of Israel saw at Mount Sinai wasn't just a show, it was a revelation. And it's as true about our Savior now as it was then. That's still part of who He is. Still, why would we expect the Creator of this unimaginable universe to fit even on a mountain? Regardless of what they saw, that could not be the whole truth about their Savior. The object of our hope includes a somewhat different view of our Savior:

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24 NASB)

We hope in an eternal life with our Savior in His city. The city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem is our true home, and not this twisted fallen world. In that city are the myriads of angels, the collection of disciples of Jesus called out of the corrupt world. But we also will see God. God, the Judge of all, is the primary resident of that city. It is to His presence we are headed. And there we will join the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and Jesus, the One mediating for us through His perfect blood.

So much of this world cries for our attention. We live on a ship sinking with people going down, never to rise. Of those people, some are called to "jump ship". We are among those with that call, and we have been given the responsibility to sound an alarm, blow a whistle, to point to the salvation of our God, and to the holy city. If all the hate in this world drowns out our message, will they hear? If all the evil darkness encroaches our light, will they see? The response to hate is love, the response to darkness is light, the response to agitation is peace. 

Will we succeed? The way our Savior defines success, yes. Will we see peace in our lifetime? We are eternal, so absolutely we will. Will this world ever heal? Well, not this world, but a new heaven and new earth will (Revelation 21:1). The content of our hope will not fail, will not fade, and will not delay. Faith substantiates this hope, drives us to share this hope, and ensures our connection to this hope. We are saved by grace, and that salvation means we have heaven to look forward to, the very face of our Savior. 

This should change everything. The challenge for us is to be so focused on it that everything does, in fact, change. We are free to love because of this hope. We are free to give away everything because of this hope. We are free to loose everything in this life because what we have in the next is secured by our the Creator of the universe. We are free to live at peace because of this hope. We are free to live every day in joy, blessed joy, because of this hope. And nothing spiritual or material can diminish, tarnish, or remove this hope we have because it is established by the One having spoken matter into existence (Romans 8:38,39).

Reflecting Him

“Let your light so shine before men, that

they may see your good works and glorify

your Father in heaven.”

     Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding

as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are

being transformed into the same image

from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit

of the Lord.”

     2 Corinth. 3:18  (NKJV)

A friend and I were talking about a question posed by a ministry leader, asking whether others can see Christ in us?  That is the goal of the Christian walk, to be transformed more and more into the image of Christ. If we are born again believers, Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20) and that should be evident by how we speak and act and live.  As we are in process of being sanctified, people around us should notice positive changes in us, should see something of Christ in us.

As Jesus said, we are to let our light shine before men. But this isn’t our own light, as if we have some inner goodness that shines through. I’ve heard it explained that Jesus is like the sun and we are to be like the moon, reflecting His light and His goodness.  We’re not perfect in being His reflectors but that should be our goal and the intent of our heart. It’s something I desire but I’m challenged when I think about how I come across to others. 

My family and friends know that I am a Christian but do they see Christ in me?  I’m not sure.  I have a feeling many just think I’m strange, that I take the matter of following Christ to an extreme.  But perhaps they see something of His peace in my demeanor, maybe they hear some of His hope in my words. I hope so; people sure need the Lord Jesus Christ, today more than ever.

So I pose the question to you….do others see Christ in you?  My hope is that this question challenges each of us. My prayer is that as a result, we would be more intentional about walking closely with the Lord every day, so we reflect Him brightly to those around us.

Thursday Devotional - Strength and Encouragement from?

Where do you go to get strength and encouragement? Do you talk to a friend or sibling or parent? Or, do you talk to God first?

He’s the One Sovereign over all. He has all the answers and all wisdom. He’s watching over everything.

My parents and sister have had several health challenges recently that have been scary. Then, there have been some huge decisions made in a couple of the non-profit organizations where I’m involved. Some have been stressful and/or confusing.

As I was crying and praying, God reminded me of the verses my kids and I memorized a couple weeks ago.

Joshua 1:8-9 ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

I don’t need to be afraid or discouraged. God is with me and will be with me wherever I go! He and His Word are to be my focus. As I meditate on His Word and listen to Him daily, He will provide the direction, strength, and encouragement He knows I need. He can do the same for you! Will you choose to daily spend time with God, learning His truths? Then, we will be better able to rely on His strength and recognize His presence!

Alice

Cuts Like A Knife

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:36-38 

For the first time in nearly forty years, I feel like I can be pulled over by police and not have to worry for my life.  I cannot expect most of you to understand that.  It is not as if I had a view of police that they would always do me harm, but there have always been stories of people who look like me and never made it home to tell about it.  As the flashing red and blue lights come on, I repeat in my head the things my parents taught me.  Smile.  Put your hands in a defensive position.  Speak respectfully.  Answer, “Yes sir,” or, “No sir.”  Make no sudden movements.  Comply at all times.  These are the things most African Americans are taught at an early age.  Why?  Because if you roll the dice and you get the wrong cop on the wrong day, your name becomes one in the news like Philando Castille or Tamir Rice.  When someone would tell you that the police did these types of things all the time, the typical responses were, “He must have done something wrong,” or, “Those things do not really happen.”  The more recent answer was, “Well, you know the news sensationalizes everything to divide us.”  Many did not even believe these things happened until a man named George Floyd was pulled over by police and senselessly murdered for all the world to see.  I literally broke down in tears in my wife’s arm because all I could ever do to be safe was pray that God protected me and my family.  Nothing could guarantee my safety. 

However, something has changed.  Now, people look at me and say, “That really happens?  Kent, I had no idea!”  For the first time, I was not the only one crying.  All of us cried.  Together.  Something had changed that day for most of us, and we can’t go back.  If your spirit was not stirred by the injustice that occurred, then perhaps your heart may be further from God than you realize. 

You see, God’s truth always cuts to the heart, and when it does, we must respond.  As Christians, we are taught to respond with the love of Christ to those who are in pain for as Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)  As I read Peter’s speech to Israel shortly after receiving the Holy Spirit, he spoke with such passion and conviction.  It felt like one of those stirring sermons where the preacher was in the zone and the entire church was standing and praising.  Peter’s words were so powerful that, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41) Remember the last time your finger was cut where the blood continually came out.  You could feel its pain and it was impossible to ignore.  As you can see from today’s verses, Peter’s words ‘cut to the heart,’ and it was impossible for those to ignore God any longer.  Perhaps you too are feeling pain today.  The pain I felt had been there for over forty years.  The pain most African Americans feel has been there for a long time as well.  The goal here is neither to make one feel ashamed nor apologize for any prior views.  It is for you to be aware of the suffering that goes on not only around you but also possibly within you.  God heals all wounds, but healing wounds does not mean to just leave another in pain to God.  We are to reach out to others and love on them as He first loved on us.  Pray for God’s love to be filled in your heart and theirs.  Pour the love onto them as you would anyone else.  Be sincere.  You do not need to be someone you are not, but reach out to someone.  Ask if they are ok and listen. 

God’s love has always been the answer!  We are living in different times, and many of the things that have occurred may cause fear and apprehension.  But I think of the words of Paul that further strengthen this new awakening in our hearts and spirit that can no longer be ignored.  He said: 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails.  1 Corinthians 13:6-8a 

Let us move forward as God’s children loving, rejoicing, protecting, trusting, hoping, and persevering for victory is already ours.  Where is your heart today?  How have the events of the past week caused you to think of God’s purpose in your life?  My prayer is that God’s spirit cuts like a knife in our hearts to make changes for His Kingdom.  Amen.