Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Offering Salvation to All Who Believe (10/12/23)

This week God helped me prepare a lecture on John 3. Nicodemus came to Jesus with questions about who Jesus was, but Jesus turned the conversation around to be about who Nicodemus was in the family of God. He needed to be born again to see, enter and enjoy the kingdom of God! Jesus also highlighted that anyone who believed could have eternal life.

John 3:1-7, 9-10, 14-15   ¹Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. ²He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." ³In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  ⁴"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"  ⁵Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' ⁹"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.  ¹⁰"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? …¹⁴Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

In studying this passage, I was reminded of the day my son, James, was born again. It was a Monday night at dinner - Sarah looked outside at the darkness and said she was scared. I asked what she could do about being scared and she said “go to church.” James then interjected and told her she could talk to God and Jesus. I confirmed “Yes!”

 

Then, James stopped eating and said he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. Unprompted, he said “Jesus, will you come into my heart?” [pause] “Jesus said yes!” We then talked through what having Jesus (through the Holy Spirit) in our hearts means - He forgives our sins and helps us love and obey Him. James was able to tell me what some of his recent sins were. At some point in the conversation I asked James what he wanted Jesus to do for him (to test the genuineness of his faith) and he said “forgive my sins!” So, I said he could also pray and ask Jesus to forgive his sins and help him love and obey God. He immediately and voluntarily prayed on his own in his own words about all that!!!

 

I hugged James and told him he was a child of God! After dinner was over, James got down and hopped to the bathroom to wash his hands, chanting “I’m a child of God! I’m a child of God!” Yes, he was born again and adopted into God’s family! 

Have you responded to Jesus’s offer of salvation? Have you believed in Him, His testimony, His words, His work and His authority? If so, are you and I enjoying abundant eternal life now? Who else might God be leading us to share these truths with today and this week? 

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Knowing All Motives (10/5/23)

Sometimes it’s easy to figure out why one of my kids disobeyed, but other times it’s baffling. I think I know my kids well - what their interests are, what upsets them, and what their natural personality tendencies are. However, there are aspects of them I don’t know and understand.

Jesus knows everything about everyone! There isn’t anything that baffles Him! In fact, right after His first few miracles, He did not reveal more of Himself to many of the people because He knew their motives for believing in Him.  

John 2:23-25  ²³ Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. ²⁴ But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. ²⁵ He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

As I pray for wisdom on how to lead my kids, I acknowledge that Jesus knows them far better than I know them and He knows exactly what each one needs! I ask for a bit of His Omniscience!

Certainly, there are others in our lives where we need some of Jesus’ all-knowing insight as to how best to interact with them. Since Jesus can read everyone’s heart, He can also help us know whether we need to even interact with them at all! Let’s take these people and questions to Jesus for His all-knowing insight. 

Alice 

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – He’s Why I’m Different (9/28/23)

Have you ever been asked why you’re different from other people?

John the Baptist was questioned about why he was different. He was doing very strange and unexpected things, even for his day.  When questioned about who he was and why he was doing what he was doing, he made sure others knew he wasn’t (and didn’t claim to be) the Messiah. 

John 1:19-28 ¹⁹Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." ²¹They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"He said, "I am not."  "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." ²²Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" ²³John [the Baptist] replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' " ²⁴Now some Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" ²⁶"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." ²⁸This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John also took the focus off himself and pointed to Christ. As I thought about that, I wondered how well I do the same.  In a conversation in the lunchroom (pre-pandemic), I was asked something about why I always seem positive and happy. I responded, saying I pray about having a good attitude. However, that response focused more on myself and what I was doing than on Christ. I could have been more specific and said it was because of my relationship with Jesus Christ and His influence in my life.

What about you?  How do you respond when asked why you’re different, happy, pleasant, friendly, positive, etc.?  Do you blow it off, point out how you try to be positive, or point to Jesus?

Let’s conscientiously point others to Jesus, the true source of all joy!

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Offering Illumination (9/21/23)

A new lady tried out our John Bible study last week and this week. Her neighbor brought her. The new lady shared yesterday she was excited to do another activity, in addition to golf, with her neighbor. However, she wasn’t excited about doing “homework!” I laughingly said we call it “heart work,” but it can be challenging. She shared several things about her past experiences and how she had been mad at God. She said she is fine with her relationship with Him now, though. She did have several questions for Him still.

After shooting up several arrow prayers for what to say, I encouraged the new lady to at least read that week’s passage so she can be familiar with it when she comes to next week’s small group discussion. I said I knew God loved her and had a plan for her. As we study the book of John, we’ll see John the Baptist struggle with similar questions for Jesus and how Jesus answers them. 

I’m praying she will see Jesus’ illumination of the truth as she reads the Bible! I can’t convince her. Her neighbor can’t convince her. Jesus, the light, can!

John 1:6-9       ⁶There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. ⁸He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. ⁹The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 

I pray the new lady’s neighbor and the rest of us at Bible study can help witness and testify to Jesus as the Truth. We aren’t the light and don’t do the illuminating, but we can point her to the true light that’s offered her abundant life now and for eternity! 

How does this help take pressure off you, realizing you aren’t the light or the illuminator? We are called to witness and testify to Jesus. He’s the Truth. He’s the Light. He’s the One who illuminates and convinces!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – from the Beginning (9/14/23)

 A “pronouns” discussion started with some other mothers last night at one of my kid’s activities. I had chatted with these moms about some other topics and then this one came up. I shot up several arrow prayers to God about how to respond!

Earlier this week, at my John Bible study, I was reminded that Jesus is and has all truth. I was challenged to not be afraid to share the TRUTH I know! I was also convicted that if I truly believe Jesus is the only source of abundant life, then my life will reflect that.

So, at an appropriate point in the “pronouns” conversation, I chimed in that God created us male and female. He created us as either a boy or a girl and that’s how it works. No one commented. They just changed the subject.

Whether the other mothers believe it or not, Jesus was with God in the beginning and created them, their kids and everything around them!

John 1:1-5       ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John even started his book with the exact phrase used in the first verse of the first book of the Bible! 

Genesis 1:1     In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Who do you know that needs to hear about Jesus, the Truth, from the beginning? How will you prayerfully share truth with them, even if it’s just short phrases, as opportunities arise? Will you also pray for me for any future conversations with these mothers? Please pray I can boldly take even small opportunities to speak truth, in love and grace.  

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Independence (9/7/23)

We often desire independence – whether it’s a kid wanting to get dressed by themselves or a young adult wanting to live on their own. We want to be able to take care of ourselves, support ourselves, and help our children and grandchildren to do the same. Some of the desire for independence is a great motivator for working hard. However, we can think we are so self-sufficient that we forget who truly provided our skills and abilities.

It’s easy to think we accomplished our successes. It can be disheartening when those successes are fleeting and don’t end up meaning as much as we thought they would. Solomon wisely encourages us to remember God, our Creator, before we get too caught up in our independence. We are to remember Him before we “need” Him. We may think we don’t need Him when we are young and that we have everything under control, but we aren’t in control. Circumstances can change in an instant.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7     

Remember your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—
² before the sun and the light
    and the moon and the stars grow dark,
    and the clouds return after the rain;
³ when the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
    and those looking through the windows grow dim;
⁴ when the doors to the street are closed
    and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
    but all their songs grow faint;
⁵ when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
    and mourners go about the streets.

⁶ Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
    and the wheel broken at the well,
⁷ and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

In the end, all our earthly successes shrivel up (“return to the ground”). However, our soul lives forever and can have eternity with God! The troubles of this life may be overwhelming, and the fleeting successes may be disheartening, but His ways will never disappoint!

Isaiah 49:23b         Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18   For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Instead of focusing on meaningless independence, we can focus on meaningful dependence on God our Creator and Sustainer! His ways and His work bring lasting purpose and reward whether we are young or old!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After Leisure before Labor (8/31/23)

Who doesn’t like a fun party or leisure activity?! Especially if it’s with people we like and enjoy. However, we can’t have a party or vacation every day. In fact, if we started every day with a party, how much work would get done? However, if we get all our work done first, then we can truly relax and enjoy a celebration.

Over the summer, the kids complained about having to get their reading, flashcards, exercise and piano practice all done first before they could watch part of a movie. In fact, sometimes they asked if they could go ahead and watch something for a little bit and then finish their tasks later. However, I knew that wouldn’t work well and they would be less motivated to complete their work after their leisure time. 

Solomon highlighted the danger of leisure before labor.  

Ecclesiastes 10:16-17  Woe to the land whose king was a servant
    and whose princes feast in the morning.
¹⁷ Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
    and whose princes eat at a proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness.

I think Solomon is talking about pleasureful feasting and celebration BEFORE the work is done. The person who became a king young or after formerly being a servant might not understand their responsibility and abuse their privilege. However, someone who learned from an early age to take their responsibility seriously, understands not every meal is a luxury. Most meals are for nourishment and not parties every day. They diligently work hard and celebrate at appropriate times.    

What about you and me? What labor project do we need to be diligent to complete, and save our leisure time until after it’s done?

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Tomorrow 8/24/23

 My kids want to hurry and grow up! I remember thinking the same thing as a kid – wishing I was older.

Getting ready for school to start next week, James doesn’t want anything that looks childish (backpack, lunch box, or bike helmet). He’s going into 5^th grade and thinks his backpack from kindergarten is too kid-like. 😊

Sarah said she’s never ready for school and how nice it must be that Dad and I don’t have to go to school anymore. No, but we get to go to work everyday and still learn new things! We also use much of what we learned in elementary school on a daily basis (reading, counting, telling time, writing, etc.).

As adults, sometimes we want to hurry to the next phase of life, too. We can chase after the wind of tomorrow and miss the blessings and joys of today. I think that’s what Solomon wanted to highlight in this next passage.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10    Light is sweet,
    and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
⁸ However many years anyone may live,
    let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember the days of darkness,
    for there will be many.
    Everything to come is meaningless.

⁹ You who are young, be happy while you are young,
    and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
    and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
    God will bring you into judgment.
¹⁰ So then, banish anxiety from your heart
    and cast off the troubles of your body,
    for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Where are you and I missing the blessings and joys of today by chasing after tomorrow? Maybe it’s the next promotion, the next “perfect” job, retirement, the next phase with kids, more time for a new hobby, that next trip and the list goes on. Let’s enjoy what God’s given us to do today!

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Strength (8/17/23)

This summer my kids took turns walking my sister’s dog with my Dad. My sister’s dog, Patty, probably weighs more than most of them! However, my Dad helped them learn how to control her, even if they aren’t stronger than her. I guess you could say they learned how to outsmart rather than overpower.

Solomon was impressed by wisdom’s power over strength.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18    I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: ¹⁴ There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. ¹⁵ Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

¹⁷ The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
    than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
    but one sinner destroys much good.

Strength isn’t everything. We can desire strength in order to gain power or fame, but it can crumble in an instant. Man’s wisdom can outsmart the strong, but as Solomon points out, even that can be fleeting. Seeking God’s wisdom has eternal significance, though!

James 3:17-18             But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Are you and I chasing after strength or wisdom? For what purpose and by what means? Let’s seek God’s wisdom for an eternal harvest of righteousness.

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God despite our Foolish Frenzy (8/10/23)

I was convicted by this passage when I read it this past Sunday! 

At church earlier in the day, Joe and I read some Scripture passages as part of an interactive church service. Ahead of time and during the service, I was a bit distracted in several ways: nerves, making sure the kids were sitting properly, and concerned Joe wasn’t going to remember all that he was supposed to say before and after his reading!

Then, when I read the following passage during my own quiet time later in the day, I realized I didn’t guard my steps well while going to God’s house. I wasn’t prepared to listen to Him and was more concerned about how my family and I sounded.  

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7        ^]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

² Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
³ A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. ⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. ⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

I want to prepare better the next few weekends so I am ready to listen to God at church and not distracted by my own thoughts or nerves. What about you? How will you prepare to listen to God, whether it’s at church, Bible study, personal prayer time or other times of worship?  

Our Faithful God has so much to say to us, if we will just listen! He was faithful to gently tap me on the shoulder and point out my foolish frenzy from earlier in the day.

Alice