Devotions Today

A God-Forsaken Place

2012-02-20T05:38:00.000-06:00

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” (New American Standard Bible)

What was it that set the death of Jesus of Nazareth apart from others who had been executed throughout history? Was it the physical pain and suffering He bore? No, His physical sufferings do not bring us to the heart of the cross. Many before Him had died excruciatingly painful deaths and some even more agonizing. Was it his mental suffering? Roman soldiers cast lots for His clothes at the foot of the cross (John 19:24), He was abandoned by His followers (Matthew 26:56), and mocked by the priests and soldiers (Matthew 27:42, 43, Luke 23:36). Even his mental state, as anguished as it was, cannot approach the heart and mystery of the cross.

The heart of the matter resides in Him being forsaken of God at that moment and what that meant. Jesus fulfilled Psalm 22:1 when He cried out “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” He felt cut off because He was cut off. The perfect man became a curse. At that moment God laid all the sins of the generations onto His perfect sacrifice, Christ the Lamb of God. The One who had always known fellowship with His Father cried out when His Father had to look the other way. Somehow at that moment God put the curse of our sin on Christ as He hung on the cross making Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God (2^nd Corinthians 5:21). We were cursed because of our sin and, in modern day vernacular, Jesus took the bullet.

He knew it would end this way when He set his face toward Jerusalem. He could have easily gone the other way. It was in this God-forsaken place that the greatest good for humanity was finished (John 19:30). We cannot discount the physical pain and suffering our Lord endured in those final hours. They were indeed horrendous. But in those hours Christ broke the power of sin and opened up a highway directly into God’s presence by becoming our curse. The heart of the cross is in what God laid upon His Son. One would think it would be done in better circumstances yet Christ accomplished our redemption not in the Temple or any synagogue but by being hung on a cross in a God-forsaken place.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com©

It Doesn't Take an Einstein

2012-02-13T06:24:00.001-06:00

And he said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.” Luke 10:18 (New American Standard Bible)

Albert Einstein is credited with defining insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result each time. So it would seem with Satan. He never stops assailing the works of God even though he was created and appointed as one of the mighty guardian cherubim in the inner circle of God’s presence, blameless and perfect in wisdom and beauty (Ezekiel 28:15) and ought to know better. Every move he makes against God is wisely and perfectly countered bringing good from evil. He brought Job from ashes to twofold riches and honor (Job 42:10). When Satan thought he’d ended God’s plan for human redemption by killing Christ on the cross God raised His only begotten Son from the dead (Matt. 28:6, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, John 20:14). When Satan thought he’d scattered the early church from Jerusalem God used it to move those believers into areas of outreach to Jews within the region (Acts 11:19). When he moved to destroy European Jewry during World War II God raised up the state of Israel. From the beginning God has been called Eloheim, the Almighty One.

The power of Christ is the only power within the universe with authority enough to beat Satan at his own game. In every effort Satan has employed against God and His Christ he has fallen like lightning before God’s holiness and matchless perfection. He will never triumph and in the end will be cast into the Lake of Fire at the end of this world’s governments (Revelation 20:10). Satan is doing the same thing over and over in his attempt to defeat God expecting a different outcome each time. Now that’s insane and it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure that one out.

Glory to God forevermore.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Ultimate Seal

2012-02-06T12:18:00.002-06:00

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance to the view of redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13, 14 (New American Standard Bible)

I spent nearly ten years working in the air freight and trucking (dry goods) industries.

One thing that was necessary when any container or trailer was shipped was not only to be locked but sealed with a numbered security strip. That seal showed the shipment was a deposit of guarantee by our company until the freight was received by the customer.

When we hear and believe we are at that instant ‘sealed’ with the Holy Spirit of promise. Sealing represents security, authentication, approval and identification of ownership. The seal is done in Christ and the Holy Spirit is the instrument of the seal. It is a deposit guaranteeing our own inheritance in God through His Son. But it is more than a pledge as a pledge can be altered or even ignored; the seal of the Spirit is a guarantee of more to come. In essence the deposit of the Holy Spirit is a little bit of heaven with a guarantee of much more that He will give to us in the eons to come.

Because of this, believers acquire every spiritual blessing including election, predestination, adoption, grace, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, knowledge of the mystery of His will, and inheritance. We remain God’s possession and delight to the praise of His glory. Being sealed by the Holy Spirit is a secure and precious privilege. It is not done by human means but by Christ Jesus as His Ultimate Seal of love and power. In its security and approval we are now and will remain God’s shining glory for eternity.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Our Mission to Missions

2012-01-30T09:10:00.005-06:00

Brethren, pray for us. 1^st Thessalonians 5:25 (New American Standard Bible)

Children of military parents are constantly having their roots pulled up and moved to wherever the government wants their mom or dad to serve. The kids have to leave friends, school and hometown to be put in a new place where they will need to adapt to new people and ways of doing things. And there is an even greater hardship if they have to deal with a foreign language and culture if their parents are stationed overseas.

When Christians leave for the mission field there is culture shock they endure in their new “home” wherever that may be. In a different culture there may be the sense of offense if something breaks and they ask that the situation be remedied immediately as we have come to expect in our own culture. That can be very frustrating if it’s the middle of winter and your heater breaks and within the local culture there is the feeling the landlord doesn’t need to move quickly. Repairs or replacement could take weeks. There can be additional worry if the missionaries have children.

While financial support is indeed important to missions the greatest thing they need is our constant support through prayer. Satan’s own mission is to destroy the works of God and he has an arsenal of means to do it. Prayer is a Christian’s power and praying for our missionaries helps them stand firm and finish the task God has given them. Dropping a check in the offering marked ‘missions’ is a good thing and praying daily for our missionaries is even better. Satan believes he has no boundaries to attack until he comes up against the bulwark of the power of Christ. And the most effective means to make the best use of that bulwark is prayer. There is no other force on earth that can do the same. When it comes to our missionaries ‘pray without ceasing’ intensifies that need in a very real way. When we do He will be faithful and we can praise Him for all His glorious works. When it comes to our missionaries let us truly pray for them without ceasing. It’s our greatest mission to missions.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Saga of Captain Flash

2012-01-23T07:10:00.001-06:00

For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15 (New American Standard Bible)

When my grandson was three he discovered large marker pens and delighted in writing wherever he could find a flat surface. He was repeatedly cautioned about it and for a while there were no more incidents-until the day I sat down to eat lunch. In that short period he found a black marker and decided to write on my new tan suede sofa, the hallway walls, the hallway tile floor, doors and facings. Fortunately there was a cleaning product that took the marks off of everything, even the suede sofa. Now it looks good as new and I have nicknamed my grandson Captain Flash for he is truly faster than a speeding bullet.

Paul speaks of the part of our Christian experience in not practicing what we want to do but instead doing the very thing we know is wrong. For some reason our sin nature remained strong and intact even though we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives. When Paul said we are ‘dead to sin’ he means that we died with Christ to our former ways of sinful living. Our sin natures will be completely done away with when we stand before Him either through death or rapture. But in this life we still wrestle with the temptation to do wrong. It is one of the hardest things about our life in Christ.

Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection did away with the power of sin to again enslave us against our will. Before we trusted in Christ we didn’t have the ability to resist temptation but now through the power of the Holy Spirit we indeed have a choice. It is still a fight, for practicing sin is easy and there are still times when we will do what we hate. We can go to Him for help and relief for He removed our chains of slavery to sin. When there are occasions that we step out of His will thanks to Him we can let those chains lie at our feet and continue to trust in His magnificent grace.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Living Beyond Our Means

2012-01-16T07:47:00.000-06:00

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2^nd Peter 1:2, 3 (New American Standard Bible)

Did you ever hear the saying that someone is “keeping up with the Joneses”? They buy things on credit or strap themselves of cash simply to carry on a life style they really can’t afford. Over time it can only bring poverty and misery.

Surprisingly Jesus wants us to live beyond our means, not physically speaking but from a spiritual standpoint. Our own resources are severely limited. We can only show a ‘form’ of godliness by practicing religious traditions without the power of supply. The richness of our spiritual lives only comes from the riches of His glory and will do so for all eternity (Ephesians 2:7).

We’ll never be strapped of true knowledge, wisdom and power when the Lord is our banker. Heaven demands no loan applications. Our contract with the Son of God is a verbal agreement. After that He is ready through his divine nature to meet all our needs through His glorious resources. Being in Christ means never needing to keep up with the Joneses for His riches are always at our disposal. It is living beyond our means while living within His. It is His grace and peace multiplied to us.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Giving Sight to Blind Rage

2012-01-09T08:37:00.000-06:00

January 9, 2012

In May of 1943 while on a search and rescue mission over the Pacific Ocean Lieutenant Louis Zamprini’s bomber crashed due to mechanical failure. Only Louie and two men survived and took to two life rafts. After floating on the sea for 33 days one of the men succumbed to starvation. Louie and his raft mate, pilot Allen “Phil” Philips, were finally picked up by the Japanese Navy on their 46^th day at sea and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Japan. At the camp they endured cruel treatment at the hands of their Japanese captors, the worse one being a vicious sergeant named Mutushiro Watanabe whom the Americans referred to as the “Bird.” Watanabe took an immediate dislike to Zamparini and continually singled him out for his ruthless and brutal treatment at one time beating him senseless with a belt buckle. Zamparini survived the prison experience but when he returned home he was nearly out of his mind with rage at the treatment he’d received from the Bird so much so that his nightly dreams were nightmares of torture and mistreatment at his hands. He eventually turned to alcohol and by 1949 had become convinced that the only way to gain peace was to return to Japan and find and murder the former guard.

That year, Billy Graham began his evangelical campaign in Los Angeles. Louis’s wife, Cynthia, was invited by some friends to a meeting one night and found Christ as her Savior. Her efforts to get Louie to go were fruitless. He wanted nothing to do with religion. After Cynthia and his friends pressed him he said he’d go, with the motive to get them to leave him alone. The first night he became furious at the message and left in a rage. Cynthia encouraged him to try one more time. He went reluctantly but at the end of the sermon something changed in his heart and he surrendered his life to Christ. He said at that point all the hatred, rage and bitterness left him and he was filled with a contentment and peace he’d never experienced. He had become a new creation in Christ. All his nightmares concerning the Bird stopped that night and when he thought of his former tormentor it was without the explosive fury that had consumed him before.

Louie returned to Japan in 1950 as a Christian speaker at Sugamo Prison and spoke to a group of Japanese war criminals, among them various ones who had abused him during his time as a POW. He looked for the Bird but he was not there.* At the end of his talk Louie asked for the men who had guarded him to come to the front. As the men moved down the aisle Louie met them half way and embraced them. They were stunned that one who had been so wrongly treated could treat an enemy like this but through it they experienced the true and lasting forgiveness of God. Louie returned home and began various Christian outreaches, one being a camp for troubled boys in the San Bernardino Mountains above Los Angeles. He never returned to Japan but could now think of his former tormentor as a man in need of Christ. As of this writing Louie is still living at the age of 94 years and is still involved in telling others how Christ changed his life. One cannot adequately explain how something like this could be yet the proof is in the years of this man’s life after 1949. All we can say of this great miracle is God gave sight to a man’s blind rage.

*Watanabe later received amnesty for his war crimes and became a very wealthy business man. Louie wrote him a letter telling him he had forgiven him and asked him to become a Christian. Mutushiro Watanabe died in April of 2003 and it is unknown whether he found faith in Christ or not.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Happy All Year

2012-01-02T21:12:00.000-06:00

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And he said, “Write for these things are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:4 (New American Standard Bible)

Did you ever make a New Year’s resolution? I believe we all have. About the only one I’ve kept consistently is my resolve to eat dark chocolate. The coming of a new year gives us a chance to change patterns in our lives that are detrimental and to ‘resolve’ to act in ways that guide us in a healthy direction. It is a chance at new beginnings.

Jesus gave us a chance at new beginnings when He gave His life on the cross of Calvary and it isn’t only for salvation. There are some who live in emotional and spiritual agony that God will never forgive them for what they’ve done. Pardon is why God sent His Son as the blameless Lamb of God. Only God can and is willing to lift those burdens from our shoulders and to be the power to make any resolution to change successful.

Regardless of anything you’ve done in the past year that caused you grief God has opened the door of His grace through which forgiveness can be gained. Past transgressions are not remembered. He no longer brings to mind what you have confessed to Him and He doesn’t hold it against you because He sees you through the blood of His Son. That is enough. We can resolve to make amends and begin anew in Him every day. His grace and compassion are incomparable. Mankind gives the chance to make resolutions every January 1st. God wishes us Happy All Year and bids us resolve to lay our burdens at His feet all 365 days of the year.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Road Least Recognized

2011-12-26T14:51:00.000-06:00

Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. Matthew 7:13, 14 (New American Standard Bible)

One Christmas when my children were young I attempted to assemble their Christmas toys without reading the instructions. Who needed to be constricted to complicated assembly instructions? It couldn’t be that difficult and doing it the way I thought it ought to be done seemed easier. I took the wide and easy way and wound up having to return to the instructions and reassemble the toy. From that time on I’ve always followed the steps in assembling anything new.

Jesus spoke of seeking the easy way when He addressed how easy it is to choose the wide way of the world’s choices missing God’s less recognized way totally. The human heart, much like water, follows the path of least resistence. The wide boulevard of self and denial of Christ is easier to find and follow for it’s always much easier to go with the flow. The narrow way is more difficult but Christ says it is the way that leads to eternal life. At times of discouragement in our walk with Christ it is good to stop to reconsider why we chose the narrow gate and way in the first place. We obviously saw something of worth in going that way and obviously continue too as we remain there.

Jesus used the illustration of people being like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). That, of course, is metaphorically speaking. Sheep are pretty much helpless on their own and need a guiding hand. He said He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Jesus didn’t drive us through that narrow gate; we followed Him through it. We put our total hope in His love and protection trusting that He knows that narrow way perfectly. The wide way is easier to find but leads to destruction while the narrow way leads to eternal life through Christ. For those of us who have discovered that narrow gate and way it is a source of hope and comfort. Jesus said He is the only way through (John 14:6). It is the gate least recognized but the gate that is most worthwhile.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Regift It

2011-12-19T09:11:00.001-06:00

But to each of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7 (New American Standard Bible)

A regift is when Aunt Hilda gives Uncle Harry a tie for Christmas and Harry doesn’t like it, so he rewraps it and gives it to his nephew Oscar. It gets rid of the problem for Uncle Harry, that is, until Oscar inadvertently wears the tie in the presence of Aunt Hilda.

Regifting is looked upon as a somewhat humorous practice but it still remains to some extent a minor disgrace to do to another individual. There is no preconceived plan to give the gift to the person and the action is done purely for the convenience of the giver.

There is one gift, however, that it is all right to regift and that consistently. It is the message of God’s gift to us of His Son and of His redemption to the world. The gift of God’s love and eternal life through his Son is not only astounding it is life changing. Only God can truly turn a life around and give the dependable power to live it in Him. Tis the season to meditate upon the announcement of the ultimate gift made known first to the shepherds by the angels. It is a wonderful gift to give away for in giving it we also get to keep and enjoy it. It is a gift that arrives in swaddling clothes and concludes in the highest glory at the right hand of God. It is indeed the most valuable regift ever and one we are encouraged to give throughout the year.

Merry Christmas,

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

2011-12-12T09:46:00.000-06:00

And great multitudes came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, dumb, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them, so that the multitude marveled as they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Matthew 15:30, 31 (New American Standard Bible)

As we are in the season of Advent it is good to remember the birth of our Savior. While there is little known of Jesus’ childhood the recording of His conception and birth tell us that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit without the biology of a human father (Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:35). Jehovah God was His Father both in eternity and in the flesh which made Jesus uniquely both the Son of God and the Son of Man. He was human in every sense of the word yet fully God.

Jesus did not begin His existence in that stable in Bethlehem but had always existed with God sharing the glory of His heavenly Father before the world was created (John 17:5). In becoming a man He did not forsake or leave that glory behind but kept it veiled from human eyes. He went from the highest glory and splendor of heaven to a body of flesh, bone, blood and breath to show us the Father (John 14:9).

The star over the stable is gone and the babe in the manger now sits enthroned at the right hand of His Father as the God/Man Jesus Christ (Romans 8:34). Without His birth we would still be in sin and error pining. When He came to us it was with the greatest compassion and power to restore us from that sin and error. When the babe grew to manhood He expressed the redemptive will of the Father qualified by giving the blind their sight, restoring the crippled and lame and the bringing speech to the dumb. From His birth shepherds proclaimed Him (Luke 2:17), wise men worshiped Him (Matthew 2:11), the multitudes marveled at Him (Matt 15:30, 31, Luke 11:14) and in His death and resurrection He invites the entire world to follow Him (Matthew 28, 19, 20, Acts 1:8). His flesh and blood birth reveals His God/Man humanity. His life, works and miracles reveal God’s humanity to mankind. God has revealed Himself to us in both ways. Glory to God in the highest.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

No Defense

2011-12-05T07:47:00.000-06:00

And when He had come into the temple, the Chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” Matthew 21:23 (NASB)

When we’re challenged it’s easy to get off the subject as we try to defend ourselves. At that moment many of us focus on protecting our honor and character instead of bringing the focus back to the problem. Defense and justification have a way of quickly turning into the blame game.

Jesus never defended or justified Himself to anyone. Then by what authority did He do the things He did? He did not quote scholarly rabbis, as was the custom but said, “You have heard it said…but I say to you…” The Jews recognized in Him speaking as He did there was some authority for it. The authority of Jesus did not threaten or try to impress with self-importance. To be sure, there were times when His temper flared righteously as when He called the religious leaders ‘sons of the devil (John 8:44)’ and when he angrily drove the money changers out of the Temple (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15). But He didn’t do it with hatred or pride. What He said was steeped in love and later He even wept over the lost souls of Israel (Luke 13:34).

The life and words of Jesus Christ were always truth and revelation. Even though He was often critically questioned by the Scribes and Pharisees He remained unquestionable in whom He claimed to be. He held those He interacted with accountable while modeling decorum and healthy relations-even with those who disliked Him. The witness of who He was was qualified by His Heavenly Father. God spoke from heaven on two occasions confirming that Jesus was His Beloved Son (Matthew 3:17, Luke 9:35). His Heavenly Father alone qualified Him with the authority to do what He did. There was no justification needed, for God alone speaks perfect truth.

Ken

www.devotiontoday.blogspot.com

Envious Eyes

2011-11-28T08:19:00.000-06:00

“But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a Denarius? Take what is yours and go your way, but I wish to give to this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?” Matthew 20:13-15 (New American Standard Bible)

In my youthful naiveté I was once asked by an inquisitive co-worker at a new job what my starting pay was. With little experience in workplace matters I told the guy. As soon as I did the co-worker’s face went dark and he angrily turned on his heel and hot-footed it to the boss’s office. He faced our boss and angrily demanded to know why he was paying me the same as him when I was new to the job and he had worked there longer. I’m always reminded of this incident when I read this parable.

At the outset this parable told by Jesus does seem unfair. The men who worked the least were paid the same as those who had worked the longest. The story illustrates the chasm between God’s grace and man’s corrupted nature. Instead of seeing the blessing the owner bestowed upon the late comers and applauding his benevolence those who had started working that morning found fault with his generosity.

Jesus was teaching that any matter of award is under God’s Sovereign control. God is the one before whom all accounts will be settled. What will God do with the person who in their final hour accepts Christ? There were only brief minutes for that person to enjoy His saving grace. What kind of reward will He give to the person who had no time to live the Christian life over those who were Christians all their lives? It’s an unanswerable question but I do know He will offer the ideal reward to them and when He does we will say “Isn’t that the perfect and just reward for that person?” In the final accounting it will be the Lord’s will and insight that will carry the greatest weight. His reward comes through grace and not merit. He is indeed generous and gives many gifts to us. What He gives to us is perfect and instead of running to the boss with complaints we can bow and be thankful for His wise and loving beneficence.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

A Friend of Us All

2011-11-21T08:37:00.001-06:00

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house. And he hurried and came down, and received Him gladly. And when they [the Jews] saw it, they all began to grumble saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” Luke 19:5-7 (New American Standard Bible)

If you pay taxes you can have an idea how much the Jews disliked the Publicans, or tax collectors of their time. These men were hired by Rome to wring revenue from the people under their rule. The average tax collector was not paid a salary by the Roman Government. Rome assigned these people a certain amount to be collected. As long as Rome got their portion it didn’t care how much ‘payment for services’ the Publicans took so most of them took more than Rome demanded. They were just not relentless extortionist they were ruthless.

So the Jews were offended that Jesus was not only going to the house of a tax collector but was going to dine with him. In today’s terms think of the most notorious figure you know. Now picture Billy Graham going to his or her home, maybe sitting poolside with them and acting like they were his good friend. In voicing their displeasure at Jesus’ action the Jews were saying Zacchaeus was only worthy of God’s punishment.

Think of how many times we have the same feelings toward someone. I just wonder that if this example of Jesus’ grace and love had been modeled in the childhoods of the John Dillinger’s, Al Capone’s, Josef Stalin’s and Adolf Hitler’s of history how their stories would read today.

Jesus had a heart for people, just like the ones around us every day that are outside of the redemption of Christ. There is some hesitancy to sit down with these “sinners” and just be their friend. How will those who hunger and thirst after righteousness taste it unless we bring the Bread of Life to their table? Those who taste of the Lord will see He is good. He will become a refuge and blessing to all who dine with Him. Jesus has always been a friend of those who could demonstrate ruthless qualities. Jesus has been a friend to us all.

Ken

www.devtionstoday.blogspot.com

Because He's Worthy

2011-11-14T08:51:00.002-06:00

“You shall not worship them [other gods] or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:5 (New American Standard Bible)

I heard a famous talk show host tell why she turned her back on the Judeo-Christian God when her pastor mentioned in a sermon that God was a ‘jealous’ God. She wrongly concluded that jealous meant He was vindictive, selfish and angry without further investigating what the phrase meant. She rejected the God of Scripture and instead embraced a philosophical god of her own choosing. Now when she speaks of God she is not speaking of the God of the Bible but one of her own preference.

Isn’t it wrong to be jealous? It usually ends in discord. Not concerning God for in this case He is saying He does not want our fullest devotion given to another. There is no one else in the universe that can make the claim to ultimate power and glory except God alone and He demands worship only be ascribed to Him. Some would say it’s audacious of God to demand worship and they’re right it is audacious but along with that He is the ultimate supremacy in space and time and therefore mighty enough to warrant it. But the other side of the coin is even though He demands we worship Him He doesn’t force us to do it. A jealous lover will interfere, threaten, rage and sometimes use physical force to keep the other person within their sphere of influence. God gives everyone free rein to choose Him or to give their allegiance to another as they please.

The jealousy of God reveals a whole different definition of the idea. It is the definition of supreme worth because of the holy and pure perfection it represents. God deserves to be venerated and He wants no other to usurp His place. It isn’t ego but Who He is that makes Him praiseworthy in the most holy sense. He is never influenced by the Green-Eyed Monster. He is the only one who is worthy of worship and because of who He is He is the only One who rightly deserves it.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Light of Hope

2011-11-07T06:58:00.001-06:00

Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:3 (NASB)

One day Jesus and His disciples passed a man born blind. The disciples, ever curious, asked, “Who sinned that this man was born blind, him or his parents?” It would be interesting to know what the blind fellow thought about his situation having never seen the light of day. I wonder if in his darkness he was angry at where God had allowed him to be and felt alone and confused. It was at this unexpected moment that Jesus chose to heal his vision.

A little later after his healing Jesus found him and asked him if he believed in the Son of Man. The newly sighted fellow asked, “And who is He Lord?” This is one of the few times Jesus admitted publicly that He was the Messiah. When the man heard Jesus say He was the Christ he confessed his belief in Him and worshipped Him. I’m sure through all those years the man expected to die blind yet he kept a spiritual vision that sustained him. Even if his hope in healing was not set, his faith in God was. And in his blindness God was very aware of where this child was and what he suffered.

Circumstances aside, he knew whether God healed him or not that He was still true and worthy of his fullest trust. When he met Jesus face-to-face he already knew Him. In his blindness he had seen Him illuminated in the light of hope.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

There Really is Something Free

2011-10-31T08:38:00.000-05:00

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NASB)

We all know that pleased feeling when we get our paycheck. Even if it isn’t as much as we need to make all our ends meet there’s still a satisfaction in having it placed in our hand. We’ve earned it. Many make their life’s work to receive wages that are at odds with God. Some work harder than others at that job but when it comes to payday all that reject the Son rejects the Father who sent Him (Luke 10:16). It’s interesting that Paul talks about wages for it connotes labor and loyalty to something or someone. The thing about the final wages of sin is that even if we did nothing we still have earned it because we were born alienated from God through Adam’s sin.

Satan’s wages are separation from God and eternal death. His workshop at first can seem beautiful and exciting until the harshness of the job catches up to us through the evil that comes from the tools of the trade. There’s not enough room here to list the terrible things we can learn to do to ourselves and others. Satan is not only a harsh taskmaster he absolutely hates his employees. Murder is in his heart for there is no truth in him (John 8:44).

Notice Paul doesn’t say the ‘wages of eternal life’ for eternal life is a gift. God says if we trust in His way of salvation, that is the Perfect Sacrifice of His Son Jesus, then we won’t receive wages for that choice-we’ll receive a present (a present is always free) in the gift of righteous eternal life. There is no labor needed to gain it. It’s the gift that keeps on arriving; a lifeline of peace and spiritual sustenance. How much easier is it to receive a gift rather than a paycheck? That’s not too simple; that’s the gift of grace.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com©

Building Fires

2011-10-24T08:25:00.000-05:00

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. Acts 28:3 (NASB)

When the apostle Paul came to a saving faith in his Messiah he was told what great things he would suffer for the name of Christ (Acts 9:16). It seemed an understatement. During his ministry he received 195 lashes from the Jews (39x5) not counting the 3 additional beatings he took with the rod. He was stoned once and left for dead, shipwrecked 3 times, bitten by a poisonous snake, in danger of rivers, robbers, his own countrymen, Gentiles, the seas, false brethren, hunger, thirst, cold and exposure. Paul seemed like the first century poster boy for pain.

The thing that has astounded me about this account is when Paul landed here on Malta he continued unwavering in his faith. He could have as easily walked up the beach and found a warm and cozy inn but instead he remained on that inhospitable beach to help build a fire. This act of servanthood to the rest of the group far outweighs anything else that was witnessed that day, including suffering no ill effects after being bitten by a viper. At this moment being shipwrecked on a cold and windy beach Paul found Christ trustworthy.

There are times of adversity we feel like throwing our hands up and pursuing another avenue of our own choosing. Stopping to build a fire instead of cutting and running looks beyond the battle to the prize of our high calling in Jesus Christ. It isn’t a physical fire like Paul’s but one made with the matches of patience and trust. Christ is with us in every way and knows where we stand for He is familiar with every grain of sand on our cold and windy beach.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com©

Ill Annoyed

2011-10-17T08:10:00.002-05:00

“Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.”Matthew 7:7, 8 (NASB)

How it seems like yesterday I would just get home from work, sit down and put my feet up when I’d hear, “Daddy, would you get me some juice?” “Daddy, would you come here and look at this?” “Daddy would you come out in the backyard with me?” It was just yesterday because now I have grandchildren. Sometime it feels like most kids have ‘adult radar.’ It seems they won’t ask for something while one is in the vertical position but that radar detects ‘horizontal’ like bat sonar immediately followed by a request. I must say that a lot of times when I’m interrupted I do not remain sweet and agreeable. Even if I stop what I’m doing to interact I can still get annoyed in my mind and heart at the cutting in on ‘my time.’ I’m so thankful God is never annoyed or short with any of His children when we ask Him for anything.

Jesus encourages us to ask our Heavenly Father for our needs through His name (John 14:13). We have the perfect picture of what God’s nature is through His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. He told his disciples if they had seen Him they had seen the Father. Christ was known for His great love and compassion. He is always willing to hear us and answer with pleasure. When we seek of Him we shall find and when we knock on His office door it shall be opened to us with the greatest approval. Our Heavenly Father has never lived in the state of ill annoyed and never will.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com©

What a Break

2011-10-10T10:06:00.000-05:00

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Roman 8:28 (New American Standard Bible)

Did you know one of the most successful Christian endeavors in the United States happened because of a broken leg? It began at the beginning of the 1800s with a young Vermont farmer named Cephas Washburn. Washburn’s goal was to devote his life to working the family farm. One day while working on the farm he broke his leg and became too disabled to farm any longer. He thought his life was over but one day a local clergyman came to see him and persuaded the pious young man to enroll in theology school and enter the ministry. Washburn did, graduating in 1818 becoming a missionary to the Cherokee Nation. In 1820 he pioneered a successful Christian school, Dwight Mission, established first in western Arkansas and then relocating to the Oklahoma Territory. He served in the capacity of missionary, teacher and pastor until his death 40 years later. The school was finally closed for good in 1948 but for the years it was in operation hundreds of Cherokee, Osage, Choctaw and other Indian tribes were blessed with an education, job training and spiritual guidance. God didn’t break Cephas Washburn’s leg nor cause it. It happened in the course of choices the young man made that day. Who would have thought God could bring all this good to many through a broken leg? Cephas Washburn came to be known as the ‘Apostle to the Cherokees.’

At times when we’re in the throes of disaster this verse can be like swallowing a pill sideways-good for you but who wants to deal with the pain? It’s an easy burden when we realize God will perfect His will for those called according to His purpose through any circumstance, whether it is fortunate or regrettable. Though we may not understand it Christians know it intuitively even if it not experientially.

God’s plan for a simple Vermont farmer was not to break his leg but to use that broken leg as an opportunity to touch hundreds with the love of Christ. As he lay in his bed Cephas Washburn saw only a broken leg but God saw a heritage and used a broken bone to bring healing to a Nation.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Fish That Chewed Bubblegum

2011-10-03T05:07:00.001-05:00

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”John 20:29 (New International Version)

When I was a lad of eleven I was fishing at Shasta Lake with my cousin Janet. I soon ran out of cheese I was using for bait. I was chewing bubble gum and thought I’d put a piece of it on my hook. I was holding my pole while the hook dangled above the water as Jan and I chatted. To our surprise a small mouth bass jumped at the hook and temporarily was stuck to the gum. All I could figure was he wanted to blow better bubbles. When I tried to pull it in he fell off the hook. One of the most amazing fishing stories of my life, if not the funniest. When I got back to camp I told the story to my dad and Aunt Dorothy. They both smiled skeptically and Dorothy said, “Ah, the one that got away…” My story made me look like a junior member of the Fisherman Liar’s Club. They had good reason to doubt my story as they had not witnessed it.

The religious leaders of Israel had no excuse to doubt who Jesus was. They saw Him bodily and witnessed the great miracles He did. They couldn’t deny what they saw Him do so they consigned His mighty works to the Devil declaring He was an agent of Satan (Matthew 12:24). Tragically they saw yet refused to believe.

Jesus offers a divine blessing upon all who would come to faith in Him without a visible, bodily manifestation. This blessing comes to all who believe through the gospel accounts and the validity of the evidences available to us. We who believe on Him are not deprived by not seeing Him physically. Because He is true when we believe on Him we become recipients of His special blessing. Sometime seeing doesn’t necessarily mean believing. The greater blessing comes in believing in something true even if we have not yet seen it.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Treasured Stories

2011-09-26T13:09:00.000-05:00

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is so will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:20, 21 (New American Standard Bible)

There are some pretty funny stories about thieves and their not-so-smart moves. Like the guy why robbed a bank and left his driver’s license with the teller. Or the two guys in Texas who broke into a video surveillance shop, packed up around $10,000 dollars worth of surveillance equipment while 17 security cameras recorded them and got a read on the license plate of the car they’d parked out front. They were soon back on camera facing front and side.

One thing we can be sure of is there will always be people with valuable things and people who are more than willing to take it away from them. Where we currently live thieves do break in to steal, moths make holes and metal rusts. Jesus was pointing toward an attitude of reliance and trust. There are all kinds of things we can invest in our lifetime which temporary as they are can’t go with us to the undertaker. I’ve never seen a casket with pockets. The Lord is keen on rewarding faithful servants. He encourages us to put our minds and actions onto things that are spiritually substantial that will not rust, can’t be stolen or suffer decay.

We cannot serve both God and material things for where our treasure is our heart’s motive will be evident. We can be assured that what the Lord has waiting for us will be pristine with no blemish at all and most of all will remain untouched and in perfect condition. Things wear out, rust and rot. What remain imperishable are the treasures we lay up in heaven. Our service to God and the good we do here on earth will remain safe with Christ. What we don’t leave with will be waiting for us when we arrive.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Golden Axes

2011-09-19T05:56:00.000-05:00

“And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3, 4 (New American Standard Bible)

A colorful yet out of place term to come out of England during the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century was ‘Dutch Uncle.’ It was originally meant as an insult. A Dutch Uncle was one who ‘educates’ someone through frank, harsh and severe criticism in order to better the person of their attention. Self righteous judgment is like listening to fingernails on a blackboard. While the other person is saying their peace in words that are meant to be ‘instructive and encouraging’ the manner and tone of the person giving it nearly shrivels the soul and spirit with ridicule and disdain. I believe every one of us has encountered someone like this in our lifetime.

The Pharisees were ignoring the Law and the Prophets concerning Jesus the Messiah. Jesus had become the target of self-righteous men’s judgment because in their eyes He did not fulfill the Jewish vision of what the Messiah would do. He moved on to illustrate His point with a word picture that is the best in history when it comes to judging another’s sawdust speck while peering around the log in their own eye. It is a humorous illustration from the Master story teller. I’m sure as He gave this illustration there were giggles and smiles from many in the crowd at the audacity, yet all too true reality, of how many of us are all too quick to self righteously judge another person. These so-called ‘wood expert’ do-gooders swing golden axes. They are meant to look pretty but they still cut deeply.

This passage does not teach that judgments should never be made. Christ speaks of removing the speck from a brother’s eye. Christ here was warning that those who habitually lean toward critical judgment become hypocritical. If we do speak to another about a trespass Paul tells us to gently restore such a one with gentleness, looking to ourselves, lest we too be tempted (Galatians 6:1). Golden axes are pretty but their sole purpose is to cut. Christ calls us to lay aside those kinds of tools and depend on the word of God given in a spirit of humility. It is sharper than any tool in our kit and is able to judge the thoughts and intent of the heart better than any uncle could.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com©

Real Life

2011-09-12T06:53:00.002-05:00

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as to the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. 1st Thessalonians 4:13, 14 (New American Standard Bible)

In the 1960 Disney version of the movie Pollyanna there is a scene on a Sunday morning in church where Reverend Ford gives a sermon called ‘Death Comes Unexpectedly.’ It is slightly humorous even though the reverend’s hellfire and brimstone sermon causes the chandeliers of the church to tremble. While what he said is true from a biblical standpoint, the vehemence of his sermon was not meant to comfort his flock but to tell them to ‘turn or burn.’ Fortunately for his parish at the end of the story Pastor Ford has a real heart change and adopts a profound attitude of grace. We are all too aware that death just doesn’t come unexpectedly but that it’s also guaranteed. The losses we feel in partings are indeed painful and leave those left behind wondering what it is all about. Is it true there is an afterlife? Do those who die believing that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life open their eyes to a new world of wonder, beauty and holiness?

I am convinced by the evidence of the eyewitnesses who saw and lived with Christ that He is indeed the Truth of God, the Power of Resurrection and Eternal Life to those who believe. It is with the greatest confidence I believe when I finally pass over to the ‘other side’ I will again be with my loved ones who have died in Christ and we will be able to recognize one another. Meanwhile we wait with some grief at parting yet with the hope and comfort that they are in a place of beauty and peace before God’s throne and await a very real and physical reunion with us. Some call the death experience a ‘dream’ occurrence and our earthly existence the real thing. I believe it is just the opposite. Earth’s existence is the dream and we will never be as alive as when we enter into the spiritual realm. We are spiritual beings first, covered with a tent of flesh. Those who have gone ahead of us are fully aware of the full reality of spiritual life for they are partaking of an experience through Christ that is fully complete, wholly healthy and eternally vibrant. They are seeing and experiencing things we can only envisage and then things much greater than anything we could envision in our wildest imagination.

We will grieve the parting of our loved ones yet that heartache comes attached with a sure hope that they are truly alive at this moment beholding a world that is beyond description. Christ has purchased that life for us. Surely these words in Scripture are some of the most encouraging in the Bible. To be absent from this body is to be present with Christ. We can only be present with Him because of His finished work. He is, in the truest reality, our Resurrection and our Life.

Ken

http://www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com/©

In for the Duration

2011-09-05T09:21:00.000-05:00

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (New American Standard Bible)

There is a phrase most people who served in the military during World War II remember; “In for the duration.” It meant that during a time of war once you were in the military you couldn’t leave it until the war was over. My own father was drafted in May of 1941 for a two year stint. All of that changed when war was declared the following December and he was in to the finish finally being discharged at the end of 1945. The ‘duration’ for Dad turned out to be an additional 2 ½ years in the Army Air Force.

The apostle Paul tells us we are in a very dangerous and extended war. It is a war not fought in physical arenas but in spiritual realms. This war was declared way back in Genesis when Satan moved to destroy mankind’s relationship with his Maker. It is a fact, whether saint or sinner, everyone is in this spiritual war for the duration and we’re in it whether we like it or not. The saint fights to bring God’s light, grace and love to the battlefield called Earth and the sinner struggles to find meaning and spiritual peace in a fight he is not even aware he is in.

This war will end when the Prince of Peace vanquishes Satan forever. Christ in His great authority and power will bring a universal kingdom of eternal righteousness and harmony. True peace can only come through Him. Meanwhile if we do not fight we remain Satan’s targets of opportunity for his intense hatred of us will not allow him to rest in his mission to destroy Adam’s seed. The weapons of our warfare are not of this world but they are from Christ our Commander. We may be in for the duration but there’s no worry as to who will be the winner when we are finally discharged.

Ken

http://www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com/

War and Peace

2011-08-29T09:53:00.001-05:00

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2nd Timothy 2:3 (New American Standard Bible)

One of the great Christian hymns of the 19th and 20th centuries was “Onward Christian Soldiers” penned by The English Anglican priest Sabine Baring-Gould in 1864. The hymn was eventually adopted by the Salvation Army as its favored processional. It speaks of the Christian life being one of struggle against an enemy host that stands against the fortress of God. In past years certain elements within Christendom have brought this hymn into disrepute stating its theme is “too violent.” That view certainly shoots to pieces the reality of the continuing war we saints fight daily against a brutal and pitiless enemy. It becomes at times a vicious hand-to-hand spiritual combat with Satan and his minions that taxes both strength and will.

An army cannot lay its arms down in the face of an enemy and expect them to ‘play fair.’ It is the same with the Christian Army when it abandons the rules of engagement and puts aside the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-15). Satan and his host take no prisoners and exploit every opportunity to pour down destruction on us.

It is unfortunate that in this dimension of time and space a war of gigantic spiritual proportions is being waged against the children of God. The winning of this war was accomplished by one Man nailed to a weapon of the enemy on a lonely hill called Calvary. The irony is that very weapon became the beloved emblem the Christian army carries before it into battle. We are called to stand fast and fight the good fight. As we meet the enemy we know our Commander, Jesus Christ, goes before us with encouragement and strength. The resurrected power of Christ bids His soldiers onward. We can follow no greater One into battle.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Other Worldly

2011-08-22T10:51:00.001-05:00

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of this world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18, 19 (NASB)

My grandson celebrated his 16th birthday recently with a party attended by around 20 friends. Jaren is a committed Christian and I wrote a short paragraph in his card commending his growth and maturity in Christ. The sentiment was intended for him to read privately but he chose to read it to the group, which was fine with me. I guess I ought not to have been surprised at the response but many of his teenage friends jeered when he mentioned Christ along with a sprinkling of derisive laughter. It hurt to hear such open antagonism from kids that were just 15 or 16 years old, not because they were laughing at my grandson but because of the obvious disdain I heard concerning my Lord Jesus Christ.

I tend to want to jump in and defend God forgetting He needs no defense. Every second He hears a lot more unsavory thoughts and comments about Him than I could ever imagine but responds with tremendous grace and restraint. That grace is truly astounding. I am daily thankful for the trite and overused expression ‘God is love’ for it remains true. It will be evident at the final day when those who reject Him see Him as He is in all His love, beauty, and holiness. At that time they will ask “Why did I push this person and such love away from me?” They will have time to reflect on that question as they, by their own choice to be separated from Him on earth, are separated from Him for all eternity.

Christ said people would hate us because they hated Him first. It is amazing that there would even be deep seated hatred of one so pure and good. If we were following the world’s view of self we would be familiar to it and would not be held in such contempt for the world would love us as their own. We are ‘other worldly.’ He warned us of this so when we felt the sting of the world’s hatred we would be reminded they hated Him before they hated us. It’s OK. The burden is on His shoulders and they’re big enough to carry it.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Finer Points of Navigation

2011-08-15T09:51:00.000-05:00

If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Thy hand will lead me, And Thy right hand will lay hold of me. Psalms 139:9, 10 (New American Standard Bible)

There are many methods of navigation to help find where one is today. All navigation techniques involve locating the position of the navigator, not the destination. There’s Dead Reckoning (projecting a course) Celestial navigation, (setting a course by the planets and stars), Pilotage (based on land and maritime landmarks), Radio and RADAR navigation and satellite global positioning systems (GPS) that can pinpoint a person’s position to within feet. Before the twentieth century navigation was chiefly plotted with instruments called sextants and chronometers; stop watches were added later to give greater precision.

It’s easy to get off course in our relationship with God. Cares of the everyday world can mount; we become desensitized to wickedness around us, we become discouraged or we can get caught up with ‘little sins’ we think God will overlook and finally find ourselves in over our heads. Whatever the reason we sometimes drift off course and lose sight of our First Love wondering why life has become such a burdensome journey.

One of the finer points of Christian navigation is we have an instant Global Positioning System with the Lord. He knows exactly where we are in our lives, where our journey is taking us and in addition He also knows exactly where we will be later today and tomorrow. Being off course and wandering aimlessly can be a miserable experience. While many of us remain on a good course some of us become lost and adrift in a huge salty sea of our own choosing. There is comfort and reassurance in knowing we are following the right track and if we do happen to wander off course at times there is an easy way to return to the track. Getting back on course is as easy as sighting our faith and hope on Christ and taking a new bearing on Him.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Benediction

2011-08-08T08:39:00.000-05:00

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1st Peter 5:10, 11 (New American Standard Bible)

Suffering comes in so many different forms. What one person can endure will bring another to their knees. Why believers have to suffer is still a mystery. The Bible doesn’t give a definition of what suffering is. If it did many who are hurting would be told “That isn’t what suffering is, you need to stop whining and suck it up.” Unfortunately, many people, Christians included, say such unkind things to those who are struggling with their pain. Who’s to say the pain I deal with is no less painful than the pain you deal with? Even a little pain hurts. Pain is personal.

Peter offers a special benediction to believers in pain saying that the grace of God will perfect (complete thoroughly, adjust and repair) our lives. He will confirm us (bring stability), strengthen us (enable through anything) and establish (turn resolutely in a certain direction). God has answers for every phase of what hurts. One thing pain is not is pleasant but God even turns that to our advantage for pain has a way of maturing us in Christ, tempering and hardening our faith when we allow it.

Pain will not always be a problem. The weight of the world will stay with the world. Christ has called us to eternal glory with Himself. The pain we now suffer is but a pinprick compared to the glory we will share with Him. Right now as it throbs within our hearts, spirits and bodies we take heart that it will not last. Even as we are going through it Christ in His grace enables us in every way to get through it. The higher power of glory we shall have far outweighs what we endure now. Repairing of broken lives and situations, stability, strength and a positive direction; Christ sees ahead to what we will have and gives us hope and a way through what we suffer now. That is an encouraging benediction that is both perfect and timeless.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Let Your Hot Mic be Cool

2011-08-01T14:45:00.001-05:00

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 1st John 3:18 (New American Standard Bible)

One of the most embarrassing things anyone can do after speaking in public is to say something rude and not know their microphone is still on or ‘hot’ as it is sometimes referred to. People in the audience, watching on television or listening to the radio can hear every tactless word. These kinds of gaffs have been made by speakers since the mic was invented and it gives a good insight into the critical nature of humans. It really doesn’t take much practice to become desensitized to being critical. I see it every day on comment pages on the internet and at times I am truly aghast at the cruel remarks made by people toward others.

We tend to talk and act in ways we think God doesn’t hear or if He hears He doesn’t really care. It is very easy for our annoyance to turn to judgment at times simply because a person wears a certain kind of clothes, has too much hair or drives a certain kind of car. It sounds absurd but we know it’s true.

As we practice Christ’s presence daily our hearts and minds will begin to show constraint, understanding and love toward others. We certainly don’t know the hard road a person has traveled that has brought them to where they are. We can only know that the blood of Jesus Christ included all humans, even the vilest person you can think of. Christ died for all. That grace can be the first thing that pops into our mind and obedience can help us remain silent in the urge to disapprove of others. When our ‘mic’ is hot there is a way through the power of Christ that can help us to either be silent or to pray for someone. Why it may even bring us to say something positive about the people we dislike. It is loving in deed and truth. Abiding in Christ can keep our ‘hot mics’ cool.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

From Travail to Triumph

2011-07-25T06:37:00.001-05:00

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:22, 23 (New American Standard Bible)

Living today can be compared to the guy on the Titanic that said after it hit an ice berg, “Well, it couldn’t get any worse.” Day to day most of us are constantly astounded how horribly things can become when we think it couldn’t possibly get any worse. The evil in the world and its constant rejection of God makes the righteous groan within their spirits and creation groan and travail for redemption.

Jesus foretold exactly how things would be developing in the days just before His second return (Matthew chapter 24, Luke chapter 21). Knowing what He said and watching the evening news can be a real jaw dropper. The point of Him telling us what would be happening was to serve as a sign that when all these things come together and happen to such an extent people begin to take notice His reappearing is imminent.

The way the world is now brings stresses to creation and the entire human race. We would be completely ruined if we knew the great evil of today was to flourish with no hope of ever stopping. The believer’s travail is a deep longing to be out of this world and present with Christ. His Holy Spirit brings to our hearts hope and optimism that His return is real and will be very soon. Even though we are groaning this hope causes us to eagerly await the redemption of our bodies and all creation. The patience of the saints will be rewarded. He will take those who have believed in Him from travail to triumph. He will keep His word; it is just a matter of time.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Angels Can't Say

2011-07-18T08:18:00.000-05:00

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 (New American Standard Bible)

Why doesn’t God just use His angels to proclaim the Gospel? One of the answers is angels can’t really understand the Gospel experience, yet it is so fascinating to them they long to examine it (1st Peter 1:12). While it is possible for them to repeat the Gospel message they have not experienced it personally. That is only reserved for the human race. Who can explain it better than those who have experienced being brought out of the mire of sin and degradation and had their feet set upon a straight path?

With all the massive global communications today there are still millions in the world who perhaps have heard of Jesus Christ yet know no more about Him than just His name. It’s interesting that the Gospel has been proclaimed to all nations yet for whatever reason there are people who have been denied the truth about Him either through government censorship or religious persecution. There is still a need to share the Gospel with the world and there are thousands of courageous missionaries who are giving up an easier life to bring the good news to those still in spiritual darkness. These men and women are lesser known than some of the great missionaries like Hudson or Livingstone yet their effort and contribution is none the less as important.

Missions are still a vital part of taking the Gospel to the entire world. Some people who work to fulfill the Great Commission do so at the very peril of their lives. In any case they are the touch of Christ’s hands and the bearer of His message of hope. Everyone loves good news and there is extremely good news in the Gospel story. Amazingly it is only shared through human to human interaction. There will be countless people of different nations and tongues who will stand in white robes before the Lamb there through the devotion, sacrifice and love of Christian missionaries. Those who leave home to bring this message to the nations are worthy of the greatest honor. Missions are the vanguard of God’s desire for the nations. Those who take up the call are keys to unlocking the hearts of the nations.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Stars in Our Eyes

2011-07-11T05:41:00.000-05:00

He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. Psalms 147:4-5 (New American Standard Bible)

As we continue to look at Creation and its Creator we turn our eyes toward the heavens. The vast expanse of the universe can be terrifying to contemplate. The speed of light, according to physicists, is the fastest thing in the universe. To travel across the known universe at that speed would take approximately 28 billion years. There are estimated billions of galaxies with diameters hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of light years wide. Our own Milky Way Galaxy is 100,000 light years across estimated to hold 200-400 billion stars. It is part of a local group of galaxies and is one of 200 billion galaxies in the observable universe. Astronomers estimate there are around a million trillion stars. Our own sun is considered to be a small star but gives off more energy in 1 second than mankind has produced since the beginning of history. Yet as ‘small’ as our sun is it would take a million earths to fill it. In comparison the star Arcturus is 20 times larger than our sun. Arcturus is outsized by the red super giant Betelgeuse by 600 times, Betelgeuse being dwarfed some 1500 times by red super giants within the universe.

The Psalmist in considering the heavens asked of God ‘What is man that Thou dost take thought of him? (Psalms 8:4).’ As we consider the creation of the universe we have to wonder at the cause that created it. It was not created by a ‘thing’ for things wear out but was created by someone without beginning or end with the power, knowledge and infinite wisdom to put it all together and hold it in its celestial course. Though the earth is marred by the Curse the Creator’s wisdom, beauty and care are still evident. The immensity of a God who calls 100 billion trillion stars by name is mind numbing. A God that large cannot be boxed by tiny imaginations. God fills the universe and yet is compassionate enough to hear us and care for us individually. He is powerful enough to guide our daily paths and be interested enough to conquer sin and death on our behalf. He would have to be the God of the impossible. This very One who stretches out the heavens like a curtain has made Himself known to us, humanly speaking, in the form of His Only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus. The universe is too large and the stars too numerous to count them all individually but those numbers are as many as His thoughts for us (Psalm 139:17). The heavens declare the glory of God and His special and precious love for us continues to shine like the stars.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Like a Bolt

2011-07-04T08:47:00.002-05:00

O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; The earth is full of Thy possessions. Psalms 104:24 (New American Standard Bible)

The world around us points to creation and an awesome and mighty Creator. Consider some of the works of His power. In an average thunderstorm millions of gallons of water are dropped equivalent to the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in 6 minutes. One lightning bolt can generate 10 million kilowatts of electricity. This same storm can release enough energy equivalent to the power of a 20 megaton nuclear warhead. Lightning creates its own fertilizer by charging rain drops with nitrogen and hydrogen. God is the creator of all energy and matter. If an average size tree’s mass could be converted into energy and harnessed it would give enough energy to run the electrical needs of the United States for 10 years. A single grain of salt converted to pure energy could run a household for several months. God created the atom which is the foundation of all matter yet is mostly empty space. If an atom could be enlarged to 1 inch its surrounding electrons would be over one and a half miles away. Science knows the makeup of atoms yet as entities that are mostly empty space it is mystified at how they manage to hold all matter together.

DNA is the building block of all life on our planet. It has the densest storage mechanism known in the universe. The amount of DNA the size of a pinhead holds enough information that would fill a stack of books 500 times higher than from here to the moon. We all begin as a single cell no larger than a period. DNA is the engineering plan that tells that tiny cell how to replicate a body with 100 trillion cells with thousands of different cells operating under their own direction and code. Science has found that DNA is self-correcting. Special enzymes constantly scan a DNA molecule looking for problems and making repairs.

These are only a few insights of God’s creation out of millions of examples. He is a lover of life and an astounding engineer. When we contemplate the startling majesty of the universe we can be all the more astounded and appreciative of the shame and reproach the Creator bore for sinful humanity on the cross. Never has a Being so powerful, so holy and so wise deemed to die for anyone, let alone sinful humanity. That sacrifice is so amazing that as we consider it in the quietness of our thoughts it staggers the mind. He is mighty enough to be outside of time while being in it yet He desires to fellowship with us and has shown us how through His Holy word. He reminds us of that every day through His manifold creation. He is. There is no one greater. There is no one who loves us with greater love.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Justice

2011-06-28T08:16:00.001-05:00

All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Isaiah 53:6 (New American Standard Bible)

Back in the days of corporal punishment there’s a beautiful story told of a teacher who had been trying to teach the concept of justice to his class. One of his students was a boy who was unruly and defiant. The teacher had warned the boy repeatedly there would be consequences for his rebellion. One day when the teacher had had enough of the boy’s defiance he called the principal to his class and handed him the discipline paddle. “John,” he said to the student, “you deserve this punishment but today I’m going to take it for you.” To the gasps the students the teacher bent over his desk and let the principal administer John’s punishment to his backside. The boy finally jumped up with tears in his eyes and said “No, I deserved this punishment” and he begged the principal to stop the punishment. When the class had calmed down the teacher crossed his arms and said, “Students that is justice and grace.”

It is an eloquent word picture of what Christ did for us on the cross and the simplicity of it puts a lot of people off. It’s too easy. There ought to be more punishment involved for us to come to Christ. Jesus not only took our beating He paid the full price by also dying as our substitute. Justice was served at the cross resolving the problem of sin. Paul says ‘the free gift of God is eternal life’ (Romans 6:23). The only cost for any human is to believe in what God did at Calvary. When we see it served with deep and personal mercies we can only fall to our knees.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

K.I.S.S.

2011-06-20T09:53:00.001-05:00

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and heart”-that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness and with the mouth confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:8-10) (New American Standard Bible)

I was talking to a person years ago about the Lord and His saving grace. The person had to continually stop me and say, “I don’t understand that. What does it mean?” I realized later that I was talking in terms and words the person had no reference for. I call it ‘Christian Speak.’ We Christians have a whole terminology for speaking of things we know which many of those outside of Christ don’t. For some it is confusing and frustrating. From the point of that conversation with that person my philosophy has been to follow the simple acronym K.I.S.S. Keep It Sweet and Simple.

The main reason we speak of Jesus is to bring people ‘into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ’ which is a Christian Speak term. That means to bring a seeker into accepting and believing Jesus is God’s way so they can approach God without shame and guilt. Many don’t know what it means to be saved or how to even get there. If you’re reading this and you’ve been wondering and interested in Jesus then this is for you. Salvation is God’s plan of forgiving people of their sins. You see God’s word tells us we are in rebellion against Him and do not naturally seek to know Him. We are born with this anti-God nature and there is no work we can do that can bring us into friendly fellowship with Him. We simply don’t have that kind of spiritual power. The Bible also tells us that the penalty for sin is death. That equates to a miserable life of sinfulness in this life and eternal death when we die. That was mine and your penalty. But the most incredible story in all of human history is that the great and holy God of the universe intentionally took our sin on Himself so we could have a highway to complete fellowship with Him and He did that through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. Believing on Jesus means you understand the price He paid on the cross for you and you believe in that work of spiritual intervention. Some people feel the need to ask Jesus to forgive their sins through praying a short prayer to God but belief is the foundation. It is a life changing choice that can bring great awe and relief of soul. When Christ cleans up our inner spirit we do want to confess His reality to others.

The message of the cross is a mystery. It can be understood by a five-year-old but some of its message still baffles religious scholars. You aren’t forced to believe in Christ but I ask why not trust Jesus? What do you have to lose? The ease of believing in Christ can be summed up by a great Christian scholar who on his deathbed was asked what the greatest spiritual thing was that he’d ever learned. His reply was “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” That’s not Christian Speak that’s simply the honest truth.

Lord Jesus, I confess at this moment that I need your love and power in my life. I ask you to forgive my sins and make my soul a new creation in You.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Beauty of Boldness

2011-06-13T07:06:00.000-05:00

And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1st John 2:28 (New American Standard Bible)

Many of us grow up being taught through various methods, overt and understated, that we are worthless in the sight of man and God. I have been surprised at how many folks I’ve spoken to that feel that way. That view can bring self-loathing that taints how we respond to Christ and His love. We see ourselves as eligible to have our sins forgiven but after that we only see ourselves standing under the scrutiny of a nitpicky and judgmental God who never approves of us.

Those who abide in Christ are assured they will have complete confidence that on that day we meet Him we will be able to hold our heads up with assurance and happiness. The confidence John speaks of here in the Greek also has the meaning of a ‘bold freedom of speech.’ We can only speak boldly to someone we have confidence in.

While this means future confidence it also communicates how we can relate to God right now. The love and grace Jesus demonstrated reveals the depth and acceptance of God of His children. Communication has been opened to us by God through His Son Jesus Christ. He calls us friends (John 15:15). Friendship with God brings assurance and confidence to approach the Throne of Grace and speak directly and bravely with the King any time we choose. The King’s ear is always open and we are always welcomed to approach in sweet communion. He has great interest in what we have to say and takes the greatest pleasure when we say it in the beauty of boldness.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Kind of Job He'd Do

2011-06-06T06:52:00.000-05:00

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9 (New American Standard Bible)

A minister was holding a tent revival at the turn of the 20th century. As he was preaching one night a drunk entered the tent and weaved his way to the pulpit. “Hey preacher, remember me?” he sneered. “You saved me five years ago.” The minister looked down at the drunk and said, “Yes sir, I have no doubt. You look like the kind of job I’d do.”

Permanent spiritual change only comes through the power of God. The most popular notion is “If I live a good life then God will accept me into heaven.” That kind of thinking is like a sieve for the logic of it soon flows away. When people say that to me I ask, “OK, imagine this; if you knew you would be standing before God's glory and holiness in the next five minutes what would you feel?” The standard response is the person’s eyes get large and they say “I’d be terrified because I know all the bad things I’ve done.” So how bad is bad? Kicking the dog? Losing your temper? Cheating your employer or the IRS? Murder? While some of these things bring more grief they all are all hurtful. And how good is good? Is anything we do powerful enough to hear God say “Wow, what a perfect job you did cleaning up your soul. There is nothing else I need to do for you. Come and live in my presence.” In our hearts we know what it would be like to stand before a Holy and Pure God in our own merit.

We can be positive that anyone who trusts in Christ can come into His presence with total confidence. They will be there not because of any works they’ve done but because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. When we see Him face to face He might say “I remember you my righteous one. You’re exactly the kind of job I’d do. Welcome home.”

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Old Man and the Cross

2011-05-30T08:03:00.000-05:00

For if we have become united in Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Romans 6:5-7 (New American Standard Bible)

In the gross immaturity of my younger years I led some new believers to think that as Christ was now Lord of their lives all their problems would be over. I was not only wrong but I did a lot of damage to the beginning of their relationship with Christ. After a couple of days when they realized sin still lurked and rough temptations assailed them they were not only discouraged but angry. One lady told me she expected to wake up the next morning sinless. When she realized she still had to deal with sin she became extremely angry. I am happy to say she has remained a mature and faithful child of the King for many years.

So what does Paul mean when he says we have been crucified with Christ and freed from sin? Does it mean we become sinless? A person’s ‘old man’ is the person they were spiritually before he/she trusted in Christ. This was the time when they were under sin, ungodly and powerless to resist temptation. This isn’t referring to the sin nature for in Christ the sin nature was broken in its power but not destroyed. In other words Christ’s death and resurrection overcame the power of sin to rule us totally yet it still remains an entity that tries to reassert its power in our lives. Now through Christ the person has the option of walking in the Spirit of God and can decide whether or not they want to pursue unrighteousness or operate in the freedom of God’s power.

When our old natures are crucified, or identified with Christ, that’s the basis for deliverance from enslavement. A slave has no say over his/her life and is always under the direct will of their master. The Old Man and the cross were made for one another but at this time in eternity crucifying him is a daily execution. But now that Christ’s death and resurrection has broken this old master’s power (sin) we are no longer in slavery to it but through Christ can choose to kick the shackles aside. The old master continually tries to reassert his power but we have been fully freed from him and never again need to put those chains on for we have been justified and declared righteous in Christ. When the Old Man rises up and bids us to enslave ourselves again to sinful passions we now have the choice and power to resist. Because we have been crucified in Christ, freed from the power of sin, those shackles can lay before us in the full light of Christ with the knowledge we need never put them on again. What a glorious freedom!

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

From Mud to Marble

2011-05-23T13:48:00.002-05:00

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 (New American Standard Bible)

Living in a rural part of Arkansas I was recently driving my four-year-old granddaughter home from school. We passed an old farmhouse that was abandoned and falling to pieces. Elizabeth said, “Look grandpa, that house is broken.” It took a second for it to register but I then realized what she meant. The house was beyond help. It was in such bad shape repairs would not have helped much. The old house needed to be razed and a new foundation and home built on the spot.

The parallel is striking from a Christian point of view. Regardless of where or how we are born sin begins within our lives and as we grow the decay becomes much worse. The only thing we can do to help ourselves is make our ‘houses’ livable but that leaves the bare necessities. There is no comfort. Fixing our own lives leaves us with dirt floors, drafts, outdoor plumbing and mud in the yards. Patching up the old homestead doesn’t work. When we come to the conclusion that our own effort at fixing our house just isn’t working we can ask the Master Builder to build us a new one. When we ask, and only then, will He come onto our property, raze our feeble and rotting efforts and lay a new foundation. From that point on He will build a beautiful mansion out of our lives and will be at work adding to its beauty into eternity.

The Apostle Paul calls this being made into new creatures in Christ. All the old things from our past that held our time and attention begin to lose their luster as we see how the Master Builder is making our new lives into a showplace. He takes us out of the mud of our sin, cleans us and puts our feet into halls of marble. He brings us into newness of life. It is indeed a place of beauty and rest. He has prepared this newness for all who call on Him. The marvelous thing about what He allows us to live in is He’s already bought and paid for it.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

On the Q.T.

2011-05-16T07:48:00.004-05:00

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 (NASB)

A couple of women in a Bible study I was teaching once asked me to give my testimony thinking that perhaps God has rescued me from some great degradation. They thought sharing a dramatic conversion with the group would be a ‘wow moment.’ Actually I hesitated to answer them because I had accepted Jesus into my heart at age 6. There were no dramatic moments of redemption in my life only the whispered prayer of a child. When I expressed this to the two ladies they actually seemed disappointed. The truth of the matter is a simple and quiet conversion to Christ carries as much significance as a dramatic one.

For those of us who have had quiet conversions it speaks to me of the protection and power of Christ that kept us from the harsh recollections and consequences of destructive choices.

The holding power of Christ is ultimate and unshakable whether a person comes to Him from the sewer or from their bedside. The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus does not change and never will (Hebrews 13:8) and that none the Father has put in His hand will be lost (John 10:27, 28). So it matters not how you come to Christ but only that He makes you the righteousness of God through Him (2nd Corinthians 5:21). When we stand before Him one day no one will be ‘trumped’ by someone with a better story. As we consider where we could be at the moment and where we are today through Christ’s grace and mercy then we can say “Wow Lord, why me? I could be swimming in a cesspool but I am clothed with Your righteousness instead.” We will never have to scratch for words concerning how we have arrived at where we are in Christ for the Word has already spoken on our behalf.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

A Giant Loss

2011-05-09T06:12:00.004-05:00

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. 1st Samuel 17:50 (New American Standard Bible)

Who mourned for Goliath? The story of David’s stand against the Philistine warrior of Gath has been vigorously portrayed in both secular and religious interpretations. The media usually uses the account to illustrate how some little company or person wins a big battle over a large corporation and I’ve heard some ministers use it to proudly tell how a small stone shut a big mouth.

But God never takes pleasure in the death of the wicked. The loss of Goliath that day was more catastrophic in the eyes of God than to the Philistines. When anyone dies outside of God’s grace and protection it is a disaster of giant proportions. In today’s world of televised violence and death the deaths of those we don’t like seem to find validation a little too easily. Many would say Goliath had it coming. All the more is the pity that anyone who dies outside of God’s grace receives only a smug and uncompassionate shake of the head. That goes against everything Christ exampled and taught.

It is in our natures to have a win at all costs belief and to all too quickly display a scornful attitude when anyone we don’t like goes down in defeat. Living with this belief makes our hearts cold and rigid and easily shatters God’s compassion in our hearts and any vision for service disappears in the smoke of battle. Christ our Lord bids us to pray and bless those who persecute and curse us instead of gloating over their downfall. God will bring whatever victory is needed and like Goliath all who defy Him will come to destruction all too soon. Who will love them first and who will mourn for them if they fall?

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Siege Letters

2011-05-02T08:36:00.002-05:00

Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 2nd Kings 19:14 (New American Standard Bible)

When the land of Judah was attacked by the king of Assyria the Judean king Hezekiah was given a written ultimatum by the Assyrian representative Rabshakeh. It outlined the hopelessness of Judah’s resistance against Assyria and guaranteed that if it did not surrender that Assyria would totally desolate the land as it had done to other nations that defied it.

It is interesting King Hezekiah didn’t panic or call his generals in to set up a council of war. Instead he took the letter to the house of the Lord and spread it out before Him giving the problem over to God to sort it out. After he did the prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah and told him because he had prayed to the Lord about the problem God had heard him and would deliver the nation. That night one angel of the Lord went through the camp of the Assyrians and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (II Kings 19:35). The next day Sennacherib, king of Assyria departed and returned to his nation and the siege of Judah was over.

Turning things over to God is one of the most difficult things to do. It is human nature to take control when the Lord desires we come to Him and put our ‘siege letter’ into His hand. It can be a very frightening thing to do and waiting upon the Lord’s perfect will can bring us to fear and trembling but doing so highly pleases Him. When we set these things before the Lord asking for His perfect will to be done the outcome will be His alone to deal with. The glorious thing about it is He has so many wonderful ways of dealing with problems that seem hopeless. That’s exciting to ponder. He knows what our scroll says before we open it and He already knows what He’s going to do about it.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Ninevite Syndrome

2011-04-25T06:57:00.005-05:00

And he prayed to the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that Thou art a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.” Jonah 4:2 (New American Standard Bible)

When we think of Jonah we think of his spending 3 days in the belly of a great fish. Incidentally, just for the record Jesus believed this story and stated so (Matthew 12:39-41). Jonah’s loathing of Nineveh was so deeply ingrained he wanted to see God deal with that city in the harshest of terms. God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell them they needed to repent. Knowing God was merciful and compassionate he knew it wouldn’t be done Jonah’s way so he disobeyed the Lord and went in a different direction. We know how it went when God put a stop to his rebellion. This verse speaks to me at this time in my life as there are people currently who are making my life miserable. No matter how much grace I show to them they continue to attack me. My first reaction is to see God go after these people and put them through the ringer.

I call this the ‘Ninevite Syndrome.’ Jonah did not even want to preach God’s warning to the Ninevites for fear they would repent and God would show mercy and restraint. While I am praying for God to deal with those who attack me I hesitate to add “As You see fit” for I know God is merciful and compassionate and loves to forego calamity in His dealings with others. I want to pray “Deal with them Lord and take the gloves off.”

Speaking positively, our Heavenly Father is indeed a God that is slow to anger, abundant in lovingkindness and who wants to relent concerning calamity. These are some of the major attributes that Christ Himself modeled for us. God desires that I walk in that way too and has given me His Holy Spirit to help me. At that point my prayer for those that distress me can be “Please Lord, deal with them as You see fit. And please leave the gloves on.”

Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Now who's Afraid?

2011-04-18T09:29:00.006-05:00

And the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly shall you go, And dust shall you eat All the days of your life; And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:14, 15 (New American Standard Bible)

Easter is upon us. This time of the year always leaves me in awe as I consider the unfathomable depth of God’s love for us and His finished work of redemption culminating in the glorious resurrection of Christ from the dead.

The original sin Adam and Eve committed became hereditary to every human born of man and woman. Many people read today’s verses and begin to criticize God for not having stopped the choice of the man and woman. However the wonder of it all is as He pronounced the curse upon Creation He added an escape clause. God would not leave the human race forever with no way back to Him but prophesied there would be a Messiah who would one day crush the power of that Old Serpent, the devil, and open a way back to fellowship with Him.

When someone says to me “Why did God allow Adam and Eve to sin when He knew before He created them they would fail?” my answer is “I believe the more important question is why He made Himself the suffering sacrifice to redeem us back to fellowship with Him after they did. Why didn’t He wipe the slate clean and start over again? That would have been the easier thing to do.” While God did know when He created mankind they would quickly fail He also knew before the foundation of the world that to make it right He would offer His only Son as the final and full penalty for sin through the cross (Revelation 13:8). On Easter Sunday we celebrate the central core of the Christian experience; the bodily resurrection of Christ from the grave. In raising Himself from the dead (John 2:19) He fully finished the work of Genesis 3:15 destroying the ability of the Great Serpent to stop God’s full plan of redemption. God the Father has not only redeemed us but made us heirs to Him. (Romans 8:17). That depth of love cannot be fully comprehended but gives hope that He will never leave us or forsake us. While sin managed to slither into the world creating great catastrophe Christ, the cross and its consummation crushed the serpent’s head giving us a way back to to full fellowship with God. The serpent brought fear and bondage to the entire human race. Then God’s Son stepped down among us liberating us from the power of Satan. Now it is the serpent that is afraid.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Power of the Cross

2011-04-11T07:26:00.003-05:00

For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1st Corinthians 1:22-24 (New American Standard Bible)

I recall a story a pastor shared about a young woman who went to a park close to where she lived to share the Gospel with passersby. At one point she began speaking with a man and shared the gospel story with him. The man became irate at the name of Jesus and began railing on her. “Don’t talk to me about Jesus and how I need to be forgiven of my sins!” he said heatedly. “How do you know it’s true anyway?” The young lady who was a new Christian herself responded with Romans 10:9. “Sir, all I know is what the Bible says, that if we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts God raised Him from the dead we will be saved.” The man nearly exploded. “And who gave you the right to put your reality on others?” The girl replied patiently, “Sir, all I know is the Bible says if we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts God raised Him from the dead we will be saved.” The man continued his rant against God and this woman who answered all his questions and accusations with “Sir, all I know is the Bible says if we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts God raised Him from the dead we will be saved.” The man finally threw up his hands in exasperation and nearly shouted, “Is that all you have to say to any argument against this superstition? I can’t deal with your narrow mindedness anymore!” and he stormed away.

The next day the young woman returned to the park to share Jesus with those who wanted to listen when she saw this same man approaching her. Her heart dropped as she prepared for another verbal onslaught. “I need to speak to you about what you said to me yesterday” he said when he reached her. “I wrestled with those words all night and I’ve come to the conclusion I do need to confess Jesus Christ and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Would you tell me how I can do that?” The young woman was able to pray with the man who believed on Christ and that God had indeed raised Him from the dead; and he was immediately transformed into a new man by the Spirit of Christ.

When we share Christ crucified, in love, we are tapping into the full power of heaven for there is nothing more powerful than that message. We are the messenger and the Holy Spirit does the hard work of revealing to the lost their need for close relationship with God the Father. The simplicity of God’s message is dynamic. Simple will not be better in all situations and we can do nothing of ourselves to bring any change to the human heart. But in the case of the cross its message is powerful enough to soften and redeem the hardest heart.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Truth, Justice and the Godly Way©

2011-04-04T12:20:00.003-05:00

And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Revelation 5:11, 12 (New American Standard Bible)

If you’re old enough to recall the 1950s then you may remember the half-hour television show “Super Man.” He was known as the “Man of Steel” and could do most anything to catch law breakers without being injured. He was the hero of America and as the show’s beginning narration went he protected “truth, justice and the American way.” He was a super hero who could always be called on to right the wrong done in his city of “Metropolis.”

As we see what is happening in the world any normal person can’t help but be alarmed. Truth is subjective to people’s agendas and justice is being perverted by those with power while the strong prey on the weak physically and financially. Cheaters are prospering. In the last few decades we’ve seen wholesome virtues run into the ground with evil seeming to flourish. Will it ever change for the better and fulfill the longing of human beings in every part of the earth? I have bad news followed by extremely good news. The bad news is as long as sinful men and women control the nations governments that harm and take advantage of its citizens evil will continue. The good news is a Man is coming who will ensure that truth, justice and the Godly way are restored. The Man who will bring this Godly society into being is Jesus Christ.

When He sets up His rule from Jerusalem as the King of the Earth, righteousness will reign. The weak will be protected by the rule of the saints of God (Revelation 20:4). There will be no more harm in all the earth by man or even the animal kingdom (Isaiah 65:25). The good care of mankind will be evident everywhere and people will want for nothing. Those who try to cheat, rob and steal will be dealt with under the righteous rule of the saints of God. It is sad that there is so much harm and cruelty being committed by the human race but in the plan of eternity it is momentary. There will be peace only when the Prince of Peace brings it. We wait with the greatest longing to see Him. Meanwhile let us be patient and think of how God has everything in His sight and nothing moves without His consent. We don’t need the man of steel. Jesus Christ is better, stronger and wiser in the eternal scheme of things. He will bring truth, justice and the Godly way and what He changes for the good will last forever.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Who Does God Think He is?

2011-03-28T07:46:00.002-05:00

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?” Job 38:1, 2 (New American Standard Bible)

We all know the story of the most unfortunate man in the Bible; that of the godly man Job. He suffered tremendous agonies at the hand of Satan and became so worn down with travail and grief toward the end of his trial that he began to question God’s motives for his life.

It is surprising how many think they know better than the most powerful, wise Sovereign of the universe. God is perfect in all He does, including His understanding and wisdom. He sees beyond the present to situations that will bring growth that could lead us to seek Him with greater thankfulness and hope. People (including many Christians) are too quick to second guess God’s choices for their lives and the lives of others with such statements as “If I were God I would have done it this way” suggesting He had no clue as to what He was doing. When we look at that statement in its framework the absurdity of it is more than apparent. It could be likened to Peter telling Jesus when the Lord spoke of going to His crucifixion, “Not so, Lord! (Matthew 16:22).” How can you say no to Him if He is Lord?

The Lord goes on to question Job’s flawed concept of Him. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth!” He goes on asking penetrating question after question (Job Chapters 38, 39 & 40) making it plain to Job no one has the authority to rightly judge the things God does for He is the Perfect Ultimate in the entire universe. One of the most penetrating questions from God is “Will you really annul my judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified (Job 40:8)?” Job had nothing more to say except to confess his wrong conclusion of the Lord. God wants us to ask questions about Him but that’s much different than questioning His character. Since He is God He knows all things and how to handle them perfectly. Challenging God is giving darkened counsel with words without knowledge. God’s answer to Job reveals exactly who He is. Asking God who He thinks He is might be turned around with Him asking “Who do you really think I am?”

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Other Side of the Coin

2011-03-21T13:39:00.002-05:00

But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:7 (New American Standard Bible)

The flipping of a coin to decide an issue goes far back into history. The Romans called the practice “navia aut caput” (ship and head) as a ship was imprinted on one side of the coin and the head of the emperor on the other. The British called it “Cross and Pile.” The cross was on one side of the coin while the bottom part of the die used to cast the coin was on the opposite side.

There are two sides to God’s coin that describes His nature and being. In flipping that coin many people expect it to come up on the “God is Love” side every time, meaning He will overlook sin and rebellion and be a benign Grandfather who looks the other way when sin is present or being practiced. In reality God’s greatest perfection is in His holiness. We cannot even imagine how much He hates sin and how harsh is His judgment of it. Because of that He absolutely abhors any blemish or spiritual impurity and there is always a penalty for it that must be paid.

In the biblical history of mankind the story is told that God’s perfect creation was disfigured by sin and rebellion. In the next thoughts following that tragedy God offers Himself as the ultimate payment for sin (Genesis 3:15) and those who believe in what He did for them will receive clemency while He takes the full brunt of His wrath against it.

While one side of heaven’s coin has a picture on it of God’s great love the other side depicts God’s hatred of sin and His wrath toward it. While He is a God of love He is also a God of justice and demands accountability and a payment for guiltiness. It goes against what human nature desires but if we are to believe in God then it is how His personality and being exist in eternity. He hates sin and will deal with it in the harshest terms. The good news is on the top side of the coin is the head of Christ the King who satisfied God’s demand for justice by shedding His blood on the cross of Calvary. In this interesting commentary when someone flips that coin in faith it comes up heads every time.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Right to Title

2011-03-14T06:09:00.001-05:00

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36 (New American Standard Bible)

This week I’ve been contemplating the titles accorded to Jesus Christ. They are many and all are self-explanatory. He is:

The Son of God, the Son of Man, the Son of David, the Rose of Sharon, the Bright and Morning Star, the Alpha and the Omega, the Root and the Stem of Jesse, the I Am, the Lamb of God, the Only Begotten of the Father, the Resurrection and the Life, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Counselor, Teacher, Lord, God, Master, Healer, Emmanuel, Savior, the Logos of God, Messiah, Prophet, King of the Jews, the Second Adam, the Christ, High Priest, Head of the Church, the Bride Groom, Chief Corner Stone, the Sheep’s Gate, Firstborn Over all Creation, Anointed One, Judge, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Firstborn from Among the Dead, the Light of the World, the Word of Life, Lord of All, True God, Bread of Life, Author and Finisher of Our Faith, The Holy One of Israel, Deliverer, Good Shepherd, Mediator, Rock, the True Vine, the Way the Truth and the Life, the Door, Friend.

These are titles given to the Ultimate Human Being who is 100% God and 100% man. He is the One who mediates for us to God the Father. Who could stand for us more fully to the Father than another fellow human being? Who can represent us to God more perfectly than the purest human being in the universe? We have an Advocate with the Father who represents us, defends us against satanic attack and promotes our greatest interests all the time. He understands us to the very core because He became one of us and lived with us in this dirty environment called Earth.

His many titles have always been, are now and will forever be. They characterize the Word made flesh. He has demonstrated He has the right to bear them. In all of this there is one title that is particularly personal to us as His church; it is the title of friend. With all His majesty and splendor and regal titles this Mighty King speaks to us as His own beloved. He invites us to dine with Him. He says “I no longer call you servants but friends.” (John 15:15).

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Scourge of All Mankind

2011-03-07T15:29:00.000-06:00

“Behold we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” Matthew 20:18, 19 (New American Standard Bible)

In the story of Jesus’ passion He was whipped or ‘scouraged’ before He was nailed to a Roman cross. We mostly reason that it was just part of that ancient system of punishment and do not give it much thought outside of its brutality but it was a definite part of the redemptive plan. The Roman flagrum was a vicious multi-thonged whip that had pieces of bone, metal or glass embedded in its cords. The person being whipped was tied in such a way that their back was stretched allowing the whipping to inflict the greatest degree of pain and damage, the pieces on the cords tearing flesh and breaking bone. Mostly it was the Roman equivalent of the ‘third degree.’ As the person was whipped and they confessed their crime the one doing the whipping would go lighter on the force of the strokes. If the person would not confess then each stroke would become heavier and heavier until the person could stand it no longer and begin confessing. Many victims died from shock and loss of blood due to the whipping.

Jesus received such treatment before He was crucified. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the healing we receive by the stripes of God’s Chosen One (Isaiah 53:5). The usual interpretation is healing of a physical sort although the meaning in the context speaks of sin and spiritual healing. The beating Jesus took was intercessory. It could be considered the scourge of all mankind for it was because of our sins that that scourging ought to have been given to us. These stripes were part of the penalty for our rebellion against God, God taking the punishment on Himself in our place. Jesus Himself asked the two men on the road to Emmaus, “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26). No other story is so ideal in its fullness and nobility. The stripes taken upon the Son of God were completely satisfactory to God’s judgment on all sin because they were taken upon Him, the one and only pure sacrifice for sin. Those stripes were planned to be taken by Him before the foundation of the world. Before you and I were born the price for our sins was in God’s mind already paid.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Seventy Bucks worth of Grace

2011-02-28T08:46:00.001-06:00

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 (New American Standard Bible)

It’s always interesting how the things we preach often wind up being the very things we have to practice. Such is the way of grace. I had a case in point just this past week. Some unscrupulous person put a virus on my computer. The thing popped up without warning and the estimate by my local computer store to remove it was seventy dollars, minimum.

As I was working to get my system back I sat drumming my fingers on my desk doing the slow burn. All the thoughts from “If these people would use their intelligence and talent for good” to “May the fleas of a thousand camels infest this guy’s armpits” ran through my mind. As I sat contemplating a good round of justice the thought suddenly came to mind, “Jesus died for this guy, too.” A lot of my steam vented at that instant as I thought of the things I’ve done in my life and to others that have brought grief and unhappiness. There is none righteous, no not one.

Fortunately my big brother is in town and he is a walking computer guru. With his help I got my machine back on track for just the hours involved. My “seventy bucks” didn’t go very far in delivering the grace that was merited toward this person. The person who was responsible for this transgression toward many computer users is still loved by Christ and His blood was shed for him too. In the case of grace given to you and me it didn’t cost God seventy dollars; it cost Him His Only Begotten Son. That grace is the gift that keeps on giving; wave upon wave upon wave of continuing favor. No recriminations and no fleas please. Granting grace mirrors the very nature of our Lord Jesus Christ and when it comes down to it there is no price one can put on that.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Lord's Prayer

2011-02-21T18:33:00.000-06:00

“Oh righteous Father, although the world has not known Thee, yet I have known Thee; and these have known that Thou didst send Me, and I have made Thy name known to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith Thou didst love Me may be in them, and I in them." John 17:25, 26 (New American Standard Bible)

When people speak of the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ we generally think of “Our Father who art in heaven.” Those remarks in Matthew Chapter 6 were not so much a prayer as they were a guideline on how to pray. In reading through the gospels it seems that the real Lord’s Prayer makes up the entire 17th chapter of John. It is one of the most revealing insights into the who, what, why, when and where of God’s love for mankind.

In this prayer Christ reveals He has total authority (vs. 2). That He did not come to us through His own will but was sent by Jehovah God (vs. 3). He reveals He always existed with God sharing His glory in eternity before the earth was created (vs. 5). He was faithful to show Himself to the people God the Father gave to Him (vs.6). The words He spoke to them were not His but His Father’s (vs. 8). He goes on to speak of the care and protection He gave those His Father had placed in His hand and how He Himself guarded them so not one of them was lost (vs. 12). He prays they may be sanctified (vs. 17) and intercedes not only on their behalf but on behalf of those who will believe because of their testimony of Him (vs. 20). He finishes His petition with the request that those who do come to know Him as God’s Anointed One will be able to come to where He is and behold His glory (vs. 24).

This chapter seems the Crown Jewel of the gospels and the manifest “Mission Statement” of God’s plan for mankind. It is a prayer of disclosure, filial piety, petition, worship, authority, intercession, unity and prophetic insight. It is without doubt the most astounding prayer ever uttered in the history of mankind. The prayers of Christ are now for us an intercession. Robert Murray McCheyne wrote; “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”

Ken

http://www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com/

Seeing the Invisible

2011-02-14T06:51:00.002-06:00

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (New American Standard Bible)

As I write this it is the middle of winter here in Arkansas. Recently as I was riding down the Interstate I noted a hawk hovering high above the leafless trees as it looked for its morning meal. I estimated the bird was around 90 feet above the ground and was astounded that being that high she could catch the movement of something as small as a mouse moving amidst the ground clutter below. Hawks, being believed to be among the smartest of birds, are also renowned for their visual acuity. A hawk’s eye has five times as many photoreceptors as that of humans with special nerves and muscles unknown to other animals. In addition they have an indented fovea (a small indentation on the retina at the back of the eye) which serves to magnify the center of their field of vision. The typical hawk has 20/2 vision as opposed to 20/20 of an average human. This means a hawk can see an object 20 feet away that a human could only see from a distance of 2 feet.*

I was suddenly struck with how amazing just this one facet of nature is and how something this intricate and complex cannot be a random thing formed out of a chaotic mass of chemical confusion. It screams of a Being capable of great power and One who creates with intelligent design. I thought of today’s verse and how, because of what nature testifies around us, at a future day there will be no excuse for people’s rejection of His existence, for nature itself testifies of the reality of God.

This is not only a testimony to those who do not believe but to those of us that do. In all things created there is great encouragement in God’s intelligent and loving design. Even though He is the invisible God the amazing world around us is a living and touchable testimony of Him and His reality among us. While the physical sight of a hawk is astounding there is a greater insight the human heart can attain that makes the sight of a hawk seem fuzzy in comparison. That is the second sight of the reality of God the Father. The evidence is all around us from the intricacy of the hawk’s eye to the rotation of electrons around the nucleus of an atom. Even though the Creator is not seen with the physical eyes of man the evidence around us speaks of His reality. The eyesight of the hawk is clear and clean but spiritual eyesight can see the invisible every time.

(*Courtesy of Dr. Louis Lefebvre, Professor of Biology and Program Director, Minor in Science for Arts, McGill University).

Ken

In Praise of Women

2011-02-07T18:56:00.000-06:00

And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet, and anointing them with perfume. Luke 7:37, 38 (New American Standard Bible)

The Jewish religious men of Christ’s day would never have allowed a woman known to be ‘unrighteous’ to touch them let alone anoint them with perfume as Jesus allowed. It was astounding to the Pharisee’s when Jesus would show the greatest compassion to the suffering sheep of Israel and especially to women. It seems that Simon, the host of Jesus’ meal in this case, was rather surprised that Jesus did not rebuke the woman for her act. Women had little rights and were considered below second class citizens.

We have much to be thankful to Jesus Christ for what He has done for the human race. One of the things I have been especially keen about is how highly He elevated the value of women. Even today as Orthodox Jewish males begin their day with ‘brochos’ or blessings, one of his prayers to God will be, "Blessed are You for not making me a Gentile, a woman (emphasis mine), or a slave." We can see the levels of disdain women are held in many cultures today. This mindset is society’s precept alone and has nothing to do with Christianity. Ladies, you can thank Jesus Christ for the value He has placed on you and to the great height and honor to which He has elevated you.

Even though there are those within our own society who still treat women with disregard they do so selfishly ignoring the example of Christ’s love. The good news is the worth of women is shown to be exceedingly precious in the eyes of God as evidenced by the example of Jesus Himself. This acceptance is just a little added sparkle to the magnificent gem that is the Christian faith. Christ has made us all heirs and joint-heirs with Him and has marked us for majesty for eons to come. But right now He has crowned women with some of the highest honor and dignity. God truly is the greatest expression of love and He plays no favorites for in Him there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female (Galatians 3:28). Instead those of us who believe in Christ are all Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

There Are No Words

2011-01-31T15:43:00.005-06:00

Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things and because of Thy will they existed, and were created. Revelation 4:11 (New American Standard Bible)

Consider what the scene in heaven must have looked like as the resurrected Christ moved from earth and entered the Celestial City where He took His seat of honor at the right hand of His Father. There are approximately 989,000 words in the English language and not one adequately describes fully the majesty and glory of Christ at this moment in His resurrected and glorified Being. The astounding beauty and holiness of Jesus Christ are beyond any kind of noun or adjective in any language.

There have been many attempts to satisfactorily express what the heavenly scene must look like. It is hardly people floating on clouds plucking on their harps. The book of Revelation gives us tantalizing foretastes of both what heaven and the majesty and glory of God are like. But these are mere words almost akin to explaining the color red to a blind person. How can such a thing be described? John tried to relate it in his eyewitness account but he could only describe the infinite in finite terms. The glory he was witness to was beyond explanation yet it was as real as the ground you are standing on.

We may not be able to define exactly what the Throne of God looks like but we do know that the Lamb of God is fully worthy to be seated there. He was the King of Glory from eternity past, then as the God/Man He walked among us as complete Deity being called the Son of Man and the King of the Jews. After His resurrection He returned to His unveiled fullness with a splendor that outshines the sun holding power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor and glory. He is ultimate holiness with ultimate rule and authority in His hand now and forevermore. While words do not fully describe Him now when we see Him as He is in that future day a picture will be worth a million words. Suffice it to say what we can imagine now falls dreadfully short of the reality He is. Jude in his epistle summed it up in words that also fall short of the full grandeur and splendor of Christ the King but still ring true; “to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

Ken

Rocking the World

2011-01-24T07:47:00.001-06:00

And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she had been, in the midst. John 8:9 (New American Standard Bible)

Most of us are familiar with the story of the woman taken in adultery who was brought before Jesus. The grace Christ offered to this woman is a model of understanding and compassion that is so lacking in the average human including the majority of Christians. Jesus, as the Ultimate Man of Wisdom, knew exactly what to say and do in this situation.

In reading this account again I was taken with the grace Christ showed to the woman’s accusers as well. As God Incarnate consider what the Lord could have said to these men and He would have been totally justified. But Jesus in His grace and mercy simply wrote on the ground and then stood and shined the light of His righteousness on their hearts. Nothing else was said and these men were allowed to depart as they considered their deeds and the motives of their hearts. No lightning bolts or fire from heaven but on that day only the still small voice of God was heard. He surely is a just God but He’s also the God of second chances.

I believe that as those men walked away from their attempt to entrap Jesus and destroy this woman that Jesus was very grieved because of their spiritual blindness and judgmental attitudes. Jesus did not die just for ‘nice’ sinners. His example in this situation is a great model for me. When I see the uglier side of people often my first thought is to despise them the grace that the Great God of Eternity offers. When we say Jesus Christ died for the entire human race it doesn’t mean just for unbelievers with a good moral attitude but also for the scarred, the angry, the bitter and the vicious. At times like this God wants me to drop the stone which I ought not to have picked up in the first place and extend my hands and my heart in the beauty of true grace. When it comes to other people and who they are God doesn’t want me to rock anyone’s world.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

T'aint Necessarily So

2011-01-18T12:36:00.003-06:00

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said “Write for these words are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:5 (New American Standard Bible)

In the movie “Groundhog Day” Bill Murray played Phil, a weatherman whose assignment was to cover the ground hog day celebrations in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil completed the first day only to find at midnight the day would begin all over again. Phil was stuck in Punxsutawney doomed to relive the same day over and over again for many years.

Sometimes I tend to feel like Phil the weatherman as it seems each day begins anew yet is filled with the same disorder and confusion as the day before. Will we ever escape this madness? I believe many of us can identify with the frustration of our times and how the Pearls of the Lord are trampled underfoot every day by unbelievers and we are turned on and attacked for our stand in Christ. As we put our faith and hope in the words of Jesus Christ we are encouraged that He will return to end this mess mankind has made of earth. We and the entire earth will be redeemed. As badly as things seem now this is as bad as it will get for us and for unbelievers this is the best it will ever be.

The signs of the time pointing to the end of this dispensation are changing like summer into fall. We see the signs of fall in nature and know harvest is upon us. These changes are easy to follow and understand but in the same way Jesus, in His words, gave us the signs to look for just before he returns (Matthew Chapter 24 & Luke Chapter 21). When we study this we aren’t looking for an exact day or time for that is in the mind of the Trinity alone. But we certainly can behold the season of signs and know that Christ’s return is closer than we can imagine.

If there is one thing God wants us to have its hope in the promises of His words. He knows the wait for us, in human years, is difficult and sometimes discouraging as we only see the world becoming more wicked and chaotic. Looking at the world and seeing God’s big picture tells us that this too shall pass. What a hope that we will not have to continue to see the world descend into deeper skepticism and horror and that Satan and his hoards will be vanquished once and for all through the power of Jesus Christ. What a glorious hope. What we see now t’aint necessarily what we’ll get and thank the Father of Lights for that. Be encouraged for Christ even now is reaching for the handle of the door and when He opens it no man will be able to shut Him out.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Chief Shepherd

2011-01-10T07:26:00.000-06:00

“Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door to the sheep. All who come before Me are thieves and robbers but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door, if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:7-9 (New American Standard Bible)

When Jesus gave this illustration to the Jews they understood the terminology of the sheep’s gate if not its spiritual lesson. When shepherds led their sheep to pasture they would gather enough stones to build a pen for the animals. It would be roughly the shape of a square with an opening at one end that was the “door” for the sheep. The shepherd would stay near the opening watching over his animals as they grazed during the day and at night when all the sheep were in the pen the shepherd would lie across the opening serving as its “gate.” Not only was it to keep his sheep in but also to be their protector ensuring nothing would get past him and hurt his flock. Good shepherds would go to great lengths to fight off attacking animals. David told King Saul he had killed both a lion and a bear that came after his flock (I Samuel 17:34, 35). Being a good shepherd wasn’t for the faint of heart.

Jesus, the ultimate good shepherd, provides for the needs of the flock and is its security against all enemies. False shepherds care not an iota about the safety of the sheep but are only concerned with feeding themselves. In contrast a good shepherd has an intimacy with his sheep with an interest that is personally attentive to those in his charge. The model of this intimacy is that of the personal and loving familiarity of the Father to the Son. What a comfort to know that as our own Good Shepherd lies at the gate we have perfect comfort and rest with His continual presence. With that also is the confidence that when the danger comes to kill, steal and destroy the flock we have a courageous and invincible Shepherd who will run toward the danger with zeal and meet the threat head-on to protect those in His hand. Surely it makes perfect sense that all that enters through the Gate will be saved. That is our reassurance that we always have One who is watching over us, protecting and meeting our need. The sheep are never in situations the Chief Shepherd is not aware of for He never leaves or forsakes His flock.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

It's not you, it's them

2011-01-05T09:12:00.001-06:00

"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil. John 7:7 (New American Standard Bible)

Ever have someone get upset with you when you shared Jesus with them? I once had a woman tell me, “I would rather go to hell than have someone tell me I needed to turn to Jesus Christ as my savior!” What would create such ire in a person to say such a thing? I often marvel at how Jesus Christ, who did great good, is one of the most reviled men in history. Even 2000 years after He walked the earth His name can still provoke great agitation and loathing from the greater part of the human population. Talking about God is really too generic to pose any threat. After all, one can make any abstract idea into a concept of God. But why does the name of Jesus bring such antipathy? It’s because He calls us to accountability for our actions shining light upon the inmost portions of our thoughts and motives. One of the quickest defensive postures a person will make is when their belief system or lifestyle is challenged. Jesus goes further to say He is hated because He reveals and testifies of the evil deeds people practice. People can speak of God in a detached way but they can’t do that with Jesus. He was too specific in what He requires of us and that drives some people crazy. No one can tell me how I should live my life!

If you’ve ever limped away from that kind of angry attack concerning the Son of Man then I have a couple of good things to encourage you with. The first is you’re in good company; for even the prophets of old were treated this way when they met the scoffers of their time. Secondly, what you say is not of yourself. As you graciously share Christ it isn’t up to you to persuade anyone to come to Him. That job is the Holy Spirit’s. When people reject your testimony of Jesus they aren’t rejecting you but the One who sent you. Whether they have an awakening to Christ at that time is no one’s business but God’s. The Lord is a marvelous closer knowing exactly what to bring to any person so that they may immediately or perhaps at some future time come to a relationship with His Son. What God expects of us is to be obedient to that task. That takes a whole lot of pressure off if you ask me. In sharing with others do your best and God will handle the rest. When you are reviled for your testimony in Christ it isn’t you, it’s them.

Ken

I Saw That Coming

2010-12-27T12:36:00.001-06:00

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all. Psalms 103:19 (New American Standard Bible)

I once knew a Christian lady who would become angry whenever the prophetic words of Jesus were spoken of. She believed the Bible was God’s word but balked for some reason at prophecy. Even after talking with her about the glorious message and hope in the prophetic side of the Bible I never had a clear understanding why she felt that way. The words of God’s prophecies bring hope. Almost 1/3 of the Bible deals with future events; some already fulfilled and some yet to be.

We’re heading into the New Year with a lot of grief traveling with us. There is a great moral lapse in America and in the world in which millions push God away and practice wickedness with no fear. Justice is perverted. Those in power take advantage of citizens while pushing destructive agendas. Add to this the organizations that threaten and murder innocent people by the score sowing the seeds of fear and dread. Nations rattle swords with impending rumors of hostilities. At the time of this writing North and South Korea are standing on the brink of reigniting a full scale war on the peninsula with possibility of nuclear intervention which could possibly drag the human race into World War III. We may be less than two years away from Iran developing a nuclear device which surely would become a major threat to Israel and world peace. And it goes on and on. But there is hope.

Jesus Christ was the ultimate prophet of history. He not only foretold future last day events but prophesied of His own life in His death and resurrection. Christ fulfilled 48 prophecies from the writings of the Old Testament prophets. Just to have fulfilled only 8 the odds would be 1 in 10 to the 17th power. To have fulfilled all 48 prophecies the odds are astronomical at an astounding 1 in 10 to the 157th power. It looks like this; the smallest object known to man is the electron. It is so small that it will take 2.5 times (10 to the 15th power) to make a single file line one inch long. Counting this one inch long line of electrons at 250 per minute, day and night, would take 19 million years to count just that one inch. Let’s suppose we mark only 1 electron and stir it back into the mass, blindfold a person and tell them to find the marked electron. Those are the same odds of any man fulfilling 48 prophecies as it is recorded Jesus Christ did in His lifetime (Evidence That Demands a Verdict, p 167).

I don’t know about you but believing in a God who can do that builds within me a lot of hope that the world will soon be redeemed and returned to its first estate. The Apostle Paul likened the travail of the present earth system to a woman laboring in birth pains (Romans 8:22, 23). We agonize in our spirits as we wait for God to return and set things right. As God is a loving heavenly Father He desires to show us His plans so we may be encouraged. God will fulfill all the things He promised through His Son. Be encouraged as we enter the New Year; the odds are in our favor things will turn out just fine.

Ken

O Come Let Us Show our Teeth

2010-12-20T10:27:00.000-06:00

At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. John 10:22, 23 (New American Standard Bible)

We seldom stop to think that Jesus enjoyed life and being in the company of festive people. The Gospels tell of Him attending a wedding, being invited into people’s homes for dinner and fellowship and even being in Jerusalem during Hanukah (Feast of Dedication). If we carefully study the life of Christ we do not find a humorless or dour Savior. Some people even believe it is blasphemous to imagine Jesus ever smiled or laughed when He was like us in every respect. Being 100% God He was also 100% human. Instead we find in Jesus a Man who loved to be social and was totally comfortable and happy in every group situation.

Somewhere along the line the view of Jesus’ humanity got skewed into pigeon holing Him into some kind of sourpuss who looked down on those who had something funny to add to a conversation; or who laughed out loud at a party. Can you imagine what a party with that kind of man would be? Dead silence with Jesus sitting in a corner frowning and glowering and an occasional dip of a chip. Don’t enjoy yourself and for heaven’s sake show no merriment in its proper context. God has a tremendous sense of humor. Just look at creation and the many hilarious animal clips on “The Planet’s Funniest Animal Videos.” Studying the Puritans carefully one finds even they enjoyed a good party with fiddles, food and dancing.

Jesus did come to give us life and that to the fullest. He was human in every sense and that would include enjoying event celebrations and entering into gaiety and laughter. I believe He is immeasurably pleased when we enter celebratory occasions with cheerfulness and joy. As we greet one another during this Christmas season let’s laugh and even toast one another with a cup of eggnog and give praise and thanks to the One we celebrate. That’s enough to make anyone smile. Merry Christmas to you all and blessing for a very happy new year.

Ken

You Can Go Back

2010-12-13T08:24:00.007-06:00

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10 (New American Standard Bible)

I’m pretty sure if I took the Gospel message to a group of people and they abused me I would more than likely shake the dust off my feet and say “Tough luck, guys. You had your chance. I’m out of here.” The history of the Christian faith has many folk who have chosen to go back. In 1956 Christian and Missionary Alliance light bearer, Jim Elliot, and 4 fellow missionaries were brutally slain in the jungles of Ecuador by members of the Auca Indian tribe as they tried to share the message of God’s love. While Jim Elliot couldn’t go back his wife, Elisabeth, did. She returned and spent 2 years ministering to the people who were responsible for shattering her life. Several of the Auca men who had participated in the murder of her husband became Christians as a result. The Apostle Paul was stoned at Lystra and his body dumped outside the city. He miraculously stood up and returned to the city which had almost ended his life (Acts 14:10). Hudson Taylor’s first endeavors to bring the gospel to China seemed to bring defeat. In 1855, 18 preaching tours to Shanghai were poorly received by the Chinese people and his medical supplies were lost to fire. In 1856 he was robbed of nearly all he owned. The year 1858 brought the death of his child. Taylor remained in China for another 51 years, in that time he was able to bring 800 missionaries over and establish 125 schools while learning 4 Chinese dialects.

How could they do it? The world believes the message of the cross is foolishness while we who are being saved know it is the power of God (1st Corinthians 1:18). No man or woman born of Adam’s seed can do it on their own. Those who do are endowed with the same Spirit of our loving Heavenly Father that came back to Adam’s lost race to redeem it; the same human race who murdered His Only Begotten Son. The thought of it is glorious in its theme. No other belief system unveils such a Divine Being or offers such hope to those who feel so hopeless. The example serves me well. I can say to those who abuse me “Hey, I’m back. How can I be of service?” This is the Christmas season where we celebrate the birth of He who became flesh and dwelt among us bringing light into our darkness, opening the eyes of the blind, healing the broken hearted and proclaiming the acceptable year of our Redeemer God. You have loved us with an everlasting love Jesus. I'm so grateful You came back for me.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Gobbling up God's Blessing

2010-11-23T07:49:00.003-06:00

O come; let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms. Psalms 95: 1,2 (New American Standard Bible)

My three-year-old granddaughter, Elizabeth, was recently in my office checking out a calendar which was turned to the month of November. She pointed to the last Thursday and asked why the number was in red. “That means that day is Thanksgiving. Do you know what Thanksgiving Day means?” Without a beat she threw her arms up and said, “We eat turkey!”

I believe that is one of the many things we have to be thankful for. In America we are surely blessed even with all the evil that is apparent within our society. I was sitting on my front porch a couple of days ago and was thankful for the peace and relative safety of not having to worry about having a mortar round dropped on my house or being shot at or kidnapped by thugs or martyred for my faith in Christ. Then I thought of the smaller of blessing like being able to draw my next breath. That set me to thinking of the little capillaries of thanksgiving that I tend to take for granted like my sight, my hearing and even my sense of touch.

Even with all our woes we are still the recipients of great blessing in so many ways. Looking over the rough spots of life and at the positive aspects of what we have can bring us to be in awe of what God has given us. When we stop to consider what we do have there’s a whole boatload of things, both physical and spiritual, for which we can raise our voices of Thanks. Thanks be to God who gives us bread instead of stone and fish instead of scorpions and serpents. Giving thanks to Him for the many large and small blessings we experience every day can be so easy-as easy as our next breath.

Thank you Jesus for the many things you do for me and for the blessings you bestow both in my physical world and what You have done and continue to do for me in spiritual places. You hold all things together and all I am is only because of your grace.

Ken

All in the Open

2010-11-10T16:22:00.001-06:00

But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.” Acts 26:25, 26 (New American Standard Bible)

Lee Patrick Strobel, who was a veteran reporter for the “Chicago Tribune,” was an avowed atheist who in 1980 set out to prove the accounts of Jesus Christ were untrue. His careful quest became nearly a two year investigation into all the historical data concerning Jesus of Nazareth. At the end of his search he was amazed that the evidence, instead of cementing his atheistic viewpoint, brought him face-to-face with God’s Only Begotten Son. At that time he knew he needed to make a choice as to what to do with the Living Christ. The atheist became a believer and one of His most ardent champions. The disciple John said of his experience with Jesus that He had witnessed Christ in human form and physically interacted with him in a real space/time sense (John 1:14, 1st John 1:1-3). The disciple Peter also said that the story of Jesus wasn’t some clever story that was created by some crafty liars but that Jesus was actually witnessed in His power and glory (2nd Peter 1:16). All of Jesus’ disciples but John died martyrs deaths, their witness being written in their own blood. This thing surely was not done in some corner.

No other person of antiquity has been so fully documented by eye witness accounts as Jesus of Nazareth. Even His enemies admitted He was the doer of miraculous things (John 11:47, Acts 3:1-10, 4:10, 14-16). Why is it so easy to admit Caesar and his Roman legions crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC but stumble at the overwhelming evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really lived and did the things He did? He never left it so we would wonder that all he was was some great teacher. I like what C.S. Lewis said concerning Jesus;

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him [Jesus]: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” – Mere Christianity, p 52.

Blessings,

Ken

What This Country Needs

2010-11-02T12:46:00.005-05:00

For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 2nd Corinthians 1:20 (New American Standard Bible)

I voted today and as I did I thought about all the promises that are made by candidates to their constituents and how 90% or more of those promises are never fulfilled either through the elected altering them through self interest or by cunning design. As I checked my candidates of choice I thought of today’s verse and I’m so happy God makes promises He keeps. His yes remains yes.

At the core of this message is Jesus Christ who affirms the security of God’s word to us. God is always faithful to fulfill His promises even if the final end comes far in the future. Consider Abraham who waited for Isaac to be born to him; Joseph who waited in prison for years and was finally vindicated; the followers of Jesus who completely broken after His death found Him fulfilling God’s promise that first Easter morning.

To all of God’s promises we can simply say “faithful” (yes) and “let it be so (Amen).” These promises result in our good and bring glory to God. And as sure as the sun rises every day so are the promises God makes to us and establishes to us with surety through Christ. We vote for people who promise us happy days never sure of what we’ll get. With the surety of God’s promises happy days have always been with us.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Picture Perfect

2010-10-25T07:42:00.001-05:00

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Revelation 1:17, 18 (New American Standard Bible)

The name of Jesus is blasphemed more than any other name in history. One never hears the name Buddha, Gandhi or Swedenborg used in vain. Hollywood is particularly accountable of profaning the Only Begotten Son’s holy name. But do those who misuse His name and title truly understand of whom they speak? The apostle John was given a personal glimpse of Christ as He is now. I believe if people took the time to see the reality of the Glory of Jesus they would think twice about uttering His name in vain. Revelation 1:12-18 gives the most specific and beautifully stunning picture of the physical Jesus we’ve ever had.

The long robe and golden sash He wears were part of the priestly attire of the high priests God instructed Moses to make in the wilderness (Exodus 28:4). Jesus is our High Priest who is constantly interceding for us to our heavenly Father. His whiter than white hair corresponds to the complete holiness and eternity of the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13, John 17:5). His eyes blazing like fire indicate His piecing judgment of sin. His feet glowing like brass in a furnace speak of sacrifice for sin and the heavenly pronouncement against it. His voice as rushing waters speaks of His great power. Holding the seven stars (churches) in His hand show His sovereign possession. The sword coming out of His mouth, based on a weapon of that day, speaks of His role as Judge. The gladius was a doubled edged sword used by the Romans in a slicing/stabbing action designed to kill. He is no longer the helpless babe of Bethlehem but the mightiest King and Sovereign Lord of the entire universe. Shining like the sun expresses the highest glory.

It is understandable that John was so overcome with fear he fell down and couldn’t move. The surprise is this Mighty King who holds all this power and authority laid His right hand on him and said “Don’t be afraid.” In this day and age when the name and person of Jesus Christ is mocked, maligned and slandered it does good to revisit the account of who He really is and will be for eternity. Surely His mighty power astonishes yet His love and touch is tender, affecting and emotionally stirring. He is so much more than the world gives Him credit for. Jesus, seen in all His glory is a sight that awes. Truly one picture is worth a thousand words.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Oldest and Biggest

2010-10-18T09:15:00.003-05:00

And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does he prospers. Psalms 1:3 (New American Standard Bible)

In the Bible trees usually represent strength and beauty. There are a couple of good representations that exist in our world today. Two trees are the Bristlecone Pine Tree and the Giant Sequoia Redwood. The Bristlecone Pine lives primarily in the White-Inyo Mountains of California. It has been reckoned to be the oldest living thing on earth at an estimated age of 4,767 years. It has existed all those years in a high and harsh environment. The Giant Sequoia is the second of the mighty trees. Redwood trees can live well over 2000 years and are the largest trees on the planet with heights of nearly 300 feet weighing in at an amazing 5,511,500 pounds (2500 metric tons).

The Psalmist says that those whose meditation is on the Lord are influenced by the Word of God. Such meditation involves study, practice of what they learn and times of solitary time alone and like a tree, abiding in the Word of Life. This is possible only if a person desires to do so. David calls doing this a ‘delight.’ As we do that we are like trees firmly rooted. What we do will prosper and we will be like fruitful trees. This prosperity is fruit ‘in its season’ and not necessarily immediately. But it will come around as surely as apples in springtime. What the godly person does will be influenced and controlled by the Law of God.

Firm roots make it difficult to walk off the righteous path. Christ delights in feeling ourselves take root in Him and growing down into the clean, rich soil of His righteousness. The Lord Jesus isn’t concerned if we own the title of oldest or biggest. He wants us to be the deepest.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

How Sweet the Sound

2010-10-11T07:15:00.002-05:00

God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us- [Selah. That thy way may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations. Psalms 67:1,2

The song Amazing Grace has lost some of its luster for me over the years. I’ve been disappointed for a long time with how this beautiful hymn has become a canned “standard” for the world that is played in movies, the media and at various worldly gatherings. It feels to me as if it has become a “feel good” salve for the secular conscience. It's an attempt at piety in which people try to meet with the Living God without having to be in the same room with Him. This kind of use of the hymn has many times soured me on hearing it but the message remains as strong and vibrant as when it was first penned by John Newton in 1779.

The grace and life changing power of Jesus Christ is still a tremendous catalyst for change over the years. Many skeptics and even those hostile to the gospel have been radically changed for the better upon truthfully coming face-to-face with its message. People like the English journalist Frank Morrison, the agnostic C. S. Lewis, New York gang leader Nicky Cruz, former White House aide Chuck Colson, author Eugenia Price, and former U.S. senator Mark Hatfield to name a few. Many continue to come out of the nations; Zaire, Japan, Hong Kong, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Canada, Vietnam and every other realm on earth. Surely every nation, ethnic group and language contains a remnant that loves and praises the bringer of that grace.

Even if the message of grace has been watered down by the world the power of it has never diminished. In a world of 7 billion humans there are conceivably hundreds of thousands every single day who hear the message of amazing grace and believe in the Chosen One who brought it. That is an encouragement to those of us who believe and a blessed hope to those yet to discover how amazing God’s grace really is. It is a daily blessing that is also an eternal hope. The Church of God continues and the gates of hell are not prevailing against it. All praise to God.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Putting the English on it

2010-09-20T09:27:00.004-05:00

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God night and day.” Revelation 12:10 (NASB)

I believe it was baseball manager Yogi Berra who was asked by a reporter why his team lost the game that day. Berra replied, “I guess we made too many of the wrong mistakes.”

When it comes to the mistakes we’ve made in our lives, Satan, the ultimate adversary, runs to God to condemn us. He is certainly good at it because he has been at it for thousands of years. But for those of us who are believers in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ all condemnation is worthless. When the accuser says to God; “(Your name here) has done (you name it) and certainly deserves to be punished and forsaken by You,” Christ immediately stands up in our defense and says, “Father (your name here) may have done (you name it) but that was put on me at the cross and forgiven by my blood. This charge has been pardoned. It won’t stick.”

When Satan brings up our past the Lord must remind him of his future for he will be cast down. Whether your mistakes were the right kind or the wrong doesn’t matter. Did Christ’s sacrifice on the cross take care of some sins or all of them? If you leave them at Calvary they are forgiven and forgotten. When Satan accuses us of making the wrong mistakes, through Christ you can eject him from the game. When Jesus was nailed to the cross Satan is the one who got hammered. That’s a message that don’t need no clarifyin’.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Out of the Fog

2010-09-13T09:29:00.002-05:00

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34, 35 (New American Standard Bible)

Do you know the Boy Scouts of America came to be because a man was lost in the fog? The Boy Scouts was originally introduced in England by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in 1907. In 1910 American newspaper publisher William Boyce, while visiting London, became lost in the dense fog and was helped by a young boy. The lad refused a reward for his help and told Boyce that as a Boy Scout helping others was his duty. Boyce was so impressed he contacted Baden-Powell to talk to him about bringing the organization to America.

Helping others out of love will sometimes leave the receiver of that help in shock. I’ve noted with some amusement how people I’ve helped in the past ask “Why did you do that?” And a good many of them believed my motive was done because I wanted something. When I’ve told them it wasn’t me who did it but Christ in me the look on their face must be close to what Boyce had when that young English Scout refused any payment for his help. But I know those folks I’ve helped have never forgotten that someone took the time to help them and perhaps they went looking for the Founder of my program. Hopefully they found Him. I will know one day.

It is no stretch of the imagination to say the present age is overcome by darkness. That makes it difficult enough but add to that darkness the fog of unbelief and the sense of bewilderment and loss that feeds on it. How relieved they will be when we appear out of the fog and offer them a hand. With the Spirit of Christ working through us it won’t be as much a duty as a privilege.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Nothing for Something

2010-09-06T08:40:00.001-05:00

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. Psalms 34:15 (New American Standard Bible

Ever gotten into a conversation with someone whose eyes dart around for someone else to talk to or even in the middle of your conversation calls to someone across the room? I believe all of us have been offended at someone we were talking to who was doing their best to ignore us. I believe that many of us feel that is mostly how our relationship is with God. I suppose if we are truly honest many times in our Christian experience we feel like we are getting nothing for something. We talk, we pray, we worship, we do good works and it seems we hear nothing but silence from God’s side. Is He there but looking for somebody else to talk to?

God is eternal and omniscient; He has perfect understanding, insight and knowledge and He has always existed. The good news is if that’s the case then He has thought of you forever along with every human who has lived or is yet to live. Isn’t that awesome that you and your story have been in the loving mind of God for eternity? Ever have someone love you who is far away? Is their love diminished because they don’t interact with you all the time? I would say that love exists in a spirit of confidence and trust. Even though you can’t hear their voice or see them you rest in the assurance their love for you is deeply true and enduring.

Even though it may sound like it’s a one-sided conversation with God His ear not only hears your voice of prayer He hears your every thought. God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Be strong and let your heart take courage, if your hope is in the Lord. He is in total control of your life even when He’s quietly observing. His not speaking shows a depth of comfort and relaxed relationship with those He loves. There is no awkward silence with God. He’s there for you and His love is as true as the first day you fell in love with Him. Even in the quiet times His grace is always an offering of something for nothing.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Fixing Broken Wings

2010-08-30T07:39:00.000-05:00

Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

A few years ago a sparrow flew into a window of my house and hurt her wing. I nursed her until she was well enough to fly again. When I took her outside and opened the box that had been her hospital room she came out of it like a flash and flew up and over my house. As she disappeared the old adage “The bird with the broken wing will never fly so high again” came to me and how Satan uses that train of thought to discourage us when we fail. He tells us if we blow it there’s no way we can return to the place with God we once knew. Horse feathers.

I talk a lot about grace for it is something that is changing my life for the better every day. It is marvelous to consider and dwell on. It means God the Father continues to love and cherish us even when we may have gotten off the path. We tend to believe that our broken wings will never allow us to again reach the full height of His love. The grace of God through Christ tells us the opposite is true. The bird with the broken wing can fly that high again. We feel unworthy to come to Him when we feel we’ve let Him down but we are encouraged to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace to receive mercy and help. The throne tells of the sovereign power of the one we approach and the grace speaks of His generosity, good will and blessing.

No matter where you find yourself today you are the particular focus of God’s love and concern. Not only does He know where you may be today but He's always known you would be right at this spot in your life. He can't be surprised but He can surprise us with grace. But you may say “That’s all well and good Ken, you don’t know what I’ve done. God can’t love me anymore.” Not so. God knows exactly what you’ve done and where you currently are. There seems to be in many of us a floor of brass located between the head and heart that keeps the knowledge of grace from trickling down from belief to conviction and certainty. Let us rest in the promise of His grace to us all and in particular to those of us with broken wings. Broken wings can be fixed and restored to health through His amazing grace. Let your faith take wing.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Razorblades

2010-08-27T07:55:00.000-05:00

You ask and you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:2 (New American Standard Bible)

Chuck Smith tells about the time his then 2-year old daughter one morning came out of the bathroom with one of his razorblades in her little hand. Chuck saw what she had and gently said, “Oh honey, let daddy see what you have there.” When she showed it to him he took it from her and she began to cry. Oh, what a mean daddy; he wouldn’t let his little girl play with razorblades. There are still amazing moments in my own life when I see where I am and how God has withheld answering a prayer that was given amiss. He denied me for my own protection and brought my life around so I would not be in a position to hurt myself or someone else.

At times when I find myself in an unpleasant situation I will tell God, “Lord, I really hate where I am at this moment but keep doing what you’re doing because I know it is perfect and right for me.” It isn’t easy to pray that and it honestly irks me to have to say it for I have a fondness for razorblades.

Answered prayer is a beautiful thing and prayers that go unanswered are most times a blessing we don’t recognize. Because our Heavenly Father loves us so deeply when we ask for razorblades He will always say no. Sometimes we can see the outcome and we shudder at what might have happened if we had gotten what we asked for. Sometimes we don’t see what the outcome might have been but it is certain we will know one day. Thanks to God for every unanswered prayer. With Him we need not worry about being careful what we ask for. He loves us as no earthly parent can and there is always protection, grace and mercy in His answer.

Ken Evans

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

No Room for Fudging

2010-03-01T22:15:00.000-06:00

Be Anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6, 7 (NASB)

There is a Chinese curse that goes, “May you live in interesting times.” We do live in interesting times and the way our world is today, it does rather seem like the earth and even the nations are under some kind of curse. Nations threaten nations, armies and navies deploy, armed terrorists foment shock and panic and on the smaller level neighbors bicker, bosses yell and families feud. Perhaps the greatest difference between our modern day and Paul’s is with our technology and instant communications anxiety just gets here faster and more often. We are bombarded on every side by television, magazines, radio, telephone calls, billboards; people knocking on the door and…well you get the picture.

Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything. Anything? Where does he get the authority to say such a thing? He was quick to remind those who followed Christ that he did not receive a gospel preached by men but he received his knowledge through a revelation of Jesus Christ Himself (Galatians 1:11, 12). Paul’s writing here gives us the key to the locked door of peace and to a place of rest. He tells us to be at ease and to pray. Most of us see praying as only a way of getting something from God. He sees it as communion with His heart. When we pray it is always relational. Sometimes I will pray a psalm. I will read a few verses then pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise through the beautiful words of David’s worship and interact with Him spirit to Spirit. When I don’t know how to pray specifically I rest in the fact that the Holy Spirit always prays for the saints of God interceding for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26, 27).

How do we get to a place of trust where anxiety is lessened? Just like any talent it never happens without practice. People don’t just get up one morning and decide to play the piano like a Strauss or Chopin. If one is gifted it takes time to develop that gift into something that is breathtaking. Roam through the Psalms and meditate upon their truths. You will meet the Messiah there. Walk with Him every day through the Word of God. You will begin to take His truth to heart and come to believe the greatest rest lies in that truth. We may live in interesting times but we have a God who is a lot more than just interesting. He can take care of things. He can take care of that thing that is weighing on you right now. Don’t be anxious for anything? ‘Anything’ leaves no room for fudging. It is possible to come to a place where we can be anxious for nothing. When we do the peace of God which is beyond anything we can imagine will guard our hearts and minds in His Son, Christ Jesus.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Settling for the Slush

2010-02-22T16:25:00.000-06:00

The Thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. John 10:10 (New American Standard Bible)

I grew up in a city outside of Los Angeles. The L.A. Basin seldom gets snow and if areas do it is usually just a very light dusting. When I was a child during the winter if my family wanted to play in the snow we had to drive a couple of hours into the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. Along Hwy. 38 around the 7000 foot elevation there would usually be plenty of snow to play in after a major Pacific storm had moved through the Southland. It was always a treat for us southern California kids to get to see, touch and play in the white stuff.

I do recall during the first years dad would drive my mom, my brother and I up to the mountains that as soon as I would see the first patches of dirty, slushy snow along the highway I would beg dad to stop so I could play in the stuff. Every time mom and dad would patiently assure me, “There’s more snow up higher and it’s cleaner and deeper. Those patches by the road are dirty and there’s not enough to really enjoy.” After a few winters of that I learned to ignore the sporadic snow with its dirt, slush and pine needles and look forward to getting higher into the mountains where some snow drifts would be up to my waist. My brother, Gary, and I would launch ourselves into it and play till our hands and feet ached from the cold. It was great fun.

I had been willing to settle for the slush and if someone hadn’t been along with me who knew better I would have came home with visions of dirty snow, mud and mire as having been a real romp in the snow. I find there is a parallel to my walk with Christ in that story. That old thief Satan loves to try and steal my security and satisfaction in Christ and to see me be satisfied with sparse and slushy temporary things. And how often does Christ have unspoiled and deep experiences for me to dive into and I am only willing to settle for dirty and slushy snow. The riches of Christ are so deep and vast that if we really recognized what was up the road higher we would be astounded and would hold the first experiences as lackluster and without any real positive appeal or value. Snow yes, but certainly nothing to bring lasting satisfaction. Patience is the key. As I was little at the time I did not understand what was up the road at a higher and better place. But I learned. Jesus desires for us to reprioritize our main concerns of earth’s temporary things and not be content with just slush. He has so much more for us and truly delights in our squeals of excitement and as we finally dive into His deep and limitless riches by abiding in His root. What a treat ignoring the slush and patiently heading upward to where what He has for us lies in limitless pristine drifts. How He loves to pour out His blessings upon those who love Him and as we patiently head up the highway of life deeper blessings are waiting for us past the mud and slush of temporary things. I want to head up the road. C’mon, let’s go play in the snow.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Uncle Elmer's Million Pounds

2010-02-15T10:15:00.000-06:00

And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:43 (NASB)

Will God redeem a person on their deathbed or will He reject their plea for salvation in the last hour or minute of their lives because all their life they pushed Him away? Surprisingly I’ve spoken to several Christians in my life who said they believed that any deathbed confession is rejected by God. If the person rejected Christ all their life then Christ certainly doesn’t want them at the end. In the cases where I’ve talked with Christians who hold this view I point them to the cross and the dying confession of faith in Christ one of the thieves crucified with Jesus is recorded as making. The thief had to do nothing but ask Jesus to remember him when He came into his kingdom. Jesus’ reply was “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

There is another story I like to share at times like this and allow the hearer to decide. It is about my uncle, Elmer Carson, who in 1975 was placed in the hospital dying of emphysema. All His family was believers yet all his life Uncle Elmer had rebuffed any call to salvation. As he lay dying in the hospital his daughter, Lynda, talked with him concerning his soul. Elmer’s response to her was, “I haven’t followed Jesus during my life and doing it now would make me a hypocrite. I can’t accept him.” Lynda had her pastor come talk to Uncle Elmer and got the same response. My cousin called my dad who was a believer and shared her fear her dad would go into eternity separated from God. Dad’s response was, “Elmer is dying. Get your pastor to go see him again and lay it all out for him and tell him he needs to get his soul right with the Lord.” The pastor returned and said to Elmer, “Mr. Carson, let me be honest here for the hour is late, you’re dying and you need to accept Christ. You will not be a hypocrite for God’s love and grace for you is there until you take your last breath.” As they talked Uncle Elmer came to a point of belief on Christ asking Him to forgive his sins. After he did his first statement to the pastor was, “I feel like a million pounds have been lifted off my shoulders!” Uncle Elmer passed away a few hours later in perfect peace and I believe immediately went into the presence of His Christ who became his Lord in the last hours of his earthly life. Truly I believe one of the first people I’ll see on the other side is my smiling uncle robust and healed completely in body, mind and soul.

I’m glad that at that moment on the cross Jesus in all his pain and suffering on that cross didn’t hesitate but in this man’s belief on Him immediately forgave him and accepted him into fellowship with Him. My dear uncle was like the thief on that cross and his witness that a “million pounds” had been lifted from his life is a testimony that the weight that had been lifted was a lifetime of sin. This is what Christ came to do: to reconcile the human race back into fellowship with His Heavenly Father. I would recommend doing it sooner than later for we never know when we may draw our last breath. It’s difficult to speak of these things but our soul’s destiny is deadly serious. One second after we die it’s too late to repent. We’re all born out of fellowship with God and if we do not address the problem with the Lord then that burden begins to grow and can ultimately feel like a million pounds. Will Jesus Christ accept any man or woman into fellowship with Him at any time and under any condition? He can lift a little child’s light burden as they confess that Jesus is Lord of their life but He’s still strong enough to lift a million pounds too.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Simply Profound

2010-02-08T06:56:00.000-06:00

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 1st John 2:12 (New American Standard Bible)

Ever notice how easy it is for children to display their true selves? I have the great pleasure to be able to give daycare to my two youngest grandchildren who are both toddlers. Elizabeth is 36 months old and Ewan (sounds like ‘you-un’) is 27 months. As I’ve had them before they could walk it has been interesting to see how they have grown physically and matured. Fascinating is one word that describes my wonder at how quickly they begin to comprehend and use intuitive thinking to express themselves. Seeing how the Lord has created the human body and mind to grow from a single egg in the womb to a little child who can sit on your lap, kiss you and say “I love you” is a testimony that is as awesome as pondering the universe. We are indeed wonderfully and awesomely made.

One day while Jesus was ministering to the multitudes some parents brought their little children to Him so He could lay His hands upon them and pray for them. His disciples rebuked the parents and in the process received a gentle rebuke from Jesus. He said let the little children come to Him and don’t hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14). Why little children? From what I’ve seen of a little child they have not yet learned how to hide or mask their true feelings but are able to reveal their inner most being to the world. Only later as they grow older and learn negative responses from care givers and society do they become masters at hiding their true selves and burying their emotions.

As God does know everything there is then nothing He does not know or needs to be taught. Therefore He knows us completely and always has. How often we grow beyond the simplicity of child-like authenticity and think we’re hiding our true selves from the One who sees and knows us better than we do ourselves. When we try to hide our inner hurts and pains from Him who knows all things it is similar to Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes with fig leaves tied around their nakedness. Christ is there and knows exactly why we’re hiding. Becoming like a little child is lowering our defenses and telling Jesus in our own child-like way just how helpless we are without His oversight and loving care. He desires us to come upon His lap and rejoices and smiles when we lay our heads upon his breast. He desires honesty in the inward parts and authenticity of spirit and trust. While the whole gospel message can bamboozle theologians a little child can fully grasp its meaning in the song “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.” Nothing my two toddlers can do that delights me more is to come to their “Papa” and relay their truest feelings to me through words and signs. They are masters at letting it all hang out. They know and trust my love and authority. It is said the great theologian C.S. Lewis was once asked through all his vast study of and knowledge in the Scriptures what was the most profound thing he had learned. His reply was “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” You can’t get any simpler than that. Or more profound.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

I Beg Your Pardon

2010-02-01T09:38:00.000-06:00

For Thy name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Psalms 25:11 (New American Standard Bible)

Ever hear someone tell a new convert that Jesus’ work of redemption has made it “as though you never sinned”? Well, yes and no. I consider what criminal pardon is. The criminal is indeed guilty of the act but in spite of it he/she receives clemency. The authority granting the pardon does not look upon the malefactor as having never committed the trespass but gives a cancelation of a penalty for the offense. The trespasser is well aware of their guilt yet is no longer held accountable to be punished in the eyes of the law. Even at that a person can be pardoned and still be disrespected and held in contempt by their peers.

Pardon and forgiveness walk a thin line but there does seem to be a line. A debtor can never forget what they did but can find great relief and even awe in a pardon. They no longer need to keep looking over their shoulder for the Long Arm of the Law to catch up with them and give them what they deserve. I find the greatest wonder in being pardoned for my sin. I know what kind of nasty piece of work I can be and get embarrassed at some of the things I’ve done in my past. This causes me to be amazed at being pardoned for all those sins. Forgiven yes and in remembering my actions very aware of what a pardon for my rebellion means to me personally.

We all are guilty for the word of God says there is no human being who is without sin, no not one (Psalms 14:1-3, Ecclesiastes 7:20). If we are guilty, and God’s Word tells us we unfortunately are, then we all deserve to be punished for our sins. This is where pardon brings such a wonderful relief to us. Christ does pardon those who come to Him in faith but goes a further step in forgiving the person and not harboring disrespect and disapproval against them for what they did. If I were pardoned I would want to be totally accepted back into complete fellowship with those around me. Christ does this for all who believe on Him. God’s plan was to give a means to receive pardon through the shed blood of His Son that all who believe on Him can receive leniency and compassion, pardon and forgiveness. We all stand before one another with the marks of the shackles on our wrists. We can’t say we were framed for we know better. “Yeah, I’m guilty as sin” takes on a whole new meaning. I did it and I deserve just punishment. All the more incredible when we are pardoned for all the wrong we’ve done and then realize there is no contempt held against us in the settlement. There are times in this world when seeking pardon from someone we must bow and scrape and at times beg. But with the Judge of the Universe we only need believe on His Son and simply ask. Jesus said all who come to Him He will not reject (John 6:37). Begging His pardon is never necessary for He is always willing and gracious to give it to anyone who asks no matter how serious the crime.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Missed it by a Hair

2010-01-25T13:03:00.000-06:00

For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little. Luke 7:47 (New American Standard Bible)

Back in the 1970s I was fortunate enough to witness a great spiritual event of God’s grace that fell on a generation of seekers. It was called, for lack of a better name, the “Jesus Movement.” In the mid ‘60s young people put off with the impotence they saw in their parent’s lives and conventional Christianity rebelled against standard collective norms. They took up lives of what they called “freedom” from the constraints of hypocritical society. They grew their hair long, grew beards and checked out and turned on. Their mantra was “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll.” It only took many of them just a couple of years to find that the freedom to “do their own thing” had brought them hurtling headlong into a solid wall of loss. Some hit that wall and were broken and some had enough sense to see what that lifestyle was doing to them and they put on the breaks. These kids had been given up on by society and were deemed unworthy under any circumstances.

The most heartbreaking part of the story is many mainline denominational churches had given up on them too. As these young people began to be led to Jesus they embraced Him as Lord of their lives. Wanting to follow Jesus they began going to some of these churches still with beards, long hair and casual clothes. Many churches turned them away because of the way they looked and many Christians, myself included, had a very low estimate of “Hippy Christians.” Fortunately in my part of Southern California there was a pastor in Orange County whose compassion for them was enormous. He told them they would be welcomed and received warmly at his church. Within the first couple of years so many young people who came out of the hippie movement and met Christ were a vibrant part of his church. There were so many of them they continually outgrew their buildings finally pitching a large circus tent on the church property in which to hold services. That tent held around 2500 people and was full to standing room only practically every night. One day my brother, Gary, said “Ken, you need to come down to Calvary Chapel and hear this guy Chuck Smith.” I groaned inwardly. I hadn’t joined the hippie movement but I was burned out on denominational inflexibility. “Gary, I don’t know. I’m really burned out on churches at the moment. I don’t know if I can.” His excitement over what God was doing is what caught my interest. So I went one Thursday night to see for myself.

I remember it was the winter of 1970-71 and it was cold in the tent. There were huge red kerosene heaters around the tent to keep the chill off. But what I saw that night totally floored me. With my crew cut hair and “establishment” clothes I stood with about 2500 bearded and long haired men and girls with flowered clothes, headbands and beads and got my attitude readjusted. During the worship time hundreds of these kids stood with their hands raised with tears on their cheeks praying and praising the God who had forgiven much. One picture I have burned in my mind is one guy who wearing a spotless white Nehru Jacket (look it up) with hair almost to his waist had his arms raised glorifying God. I wish I could have taken a snapshot of that for truly one picture was worth a thousand words. Jesus was rescuing and redeeming thousands into new life and a new direction. Many of those young men became pastors and many of them are still pastoring today. Jesus Christ had once again thwarted the plan of Satan to destroy a generation and many of that generation I saw rejoicing in their redemption that night and many nights to come.
I often need to recall those nights in that large tent when I come across someone who looks unkempt and coarse. Like Simon the Pharisee I tend to go to the conclusion that I am better than others who are not like me even to the point of recoiling from their touch. Surely this was total proof to my legalistic mind that Christ came to save sinners of whom I was the worst. Many of us did not reach out to these lost sheep in the beginning missing it by a hair and a beard or two. I am glad that God’s grace continually breaks in wave upon wave upon the human race and that grace does not tell apart high rank or low rank. When it comes to God’s saving love and grace He is no respecter of persons. Thankfully, those waves of grace break over an establishment guy named Ken Evans, too.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Don't Shoot the Messenger

2010-01-18T09:58:00.000-06:00

And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (New American Standard Version)

One of the hardest parts of being one who strives to rightly divide the word of truth is telling both sides of what God says. That is the dilemma many people in ministry face if they want to truly tell the whole truth and nothing but. Presenting the less than tasty morsels of Scripture is a very difficult and uneasy part of Christian ministry.

While the gospels do show us there is a beautiful Redeemer who has revealed a Heavenly Father full of love and compassion, we are also shown a side of Him that absolutely will have no acceptance of sin or rebellion. His complete holiness will never allow it. So where does that leave those who die in their sin? Those who die in their rebellion against God’s plan of salvation cannot go into His presence but their eternal souls must go somewhere. Then where? Scripture does not teach we become ghosts who walk the earth nor does it teach that we become angels so eternal separation from God of unregenerate men and women would be the only option according to God’s Word. The answer is extremely unpopular yet fully explained in Scripture. I once had a lady where I worked try to bait me in the “How could a God of love send people to hell” argument. She angrily said, “It’s so stupid that a God who is Love could send anyone to hell. There is no hell.” I looked her in the eye and said, “You know, I really hope there is. I’d hate to spend eternity with Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.” She recoiled with a look of instant shock and understanding and with wide eyes said, “Well, there is no life after death, so I’m not going to worry about it” and got away from me as quickly as she could. I hope my statement stayed with her and gave her pause to consider how important her choice of eternity was. She was overall a very nice lady. I would hate to think of her in that horrifying place.

Speaking of hell isn’t popular or politically correct yet Jesus spoke much of hell and warned of its reality. There’s no hope of drinking whiskey and playing poker with buddies there. Hell is a horrific place of separation from God and other humans, a place of inconceivable torment, fear, complete exhaustion and utter hopelessness of ever getting out. With modern medical advances there are more people being resuscitated today than in history and a frightening picture of a real hell is told by many who are fortunate enough to return from that horrible place. Could it all be hallucination when so many of them come back with the same descriptions of the place? Why is it that some who are resuscitated from heaven may doubt the experience but every person who is resuscitated from hell comes back a believer? It is because they all have experienced a real and horrifying place of total separation from God and other humans in the same place.

God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to a place of forgiveness with Him through the sacrifice and shed blood of His Son. Does God send people to hell? No, God never sends anyone to hell; they go there by their own choice. I once heard it said “the gates of hell are locked from the inside.” Jesus is earnest in His desire to keep anyone out of that place by warning of it as the final destination for those who reject God’s escape plan of salvation. It is a warning that has fallen on increasingly unbelieving ears and one that is seldom preached from many church pulpits for fear of seeming bigoted and unloving. But wouldn’t telling of this place and its reality be the loving thing to do to keep people from going there? I’ve never seen a coin with just one side. The other side of God’s coin shows a holy God who will not allow sin to dwell in His Holy Presence. His all consuming love is balanced by His perfect hatred of sin and His perfect judgment of it. If you’re not sure about where you stand then why not trust Jesus? What have you got to lose? If you have a hard time with God and hell talk to Him about it but don’t shoot the messenger. Jesus is coming back very very soon. He wants to keep all He can from eternal separation from Him in this hideous place. He says hell does not need to be an option. Eternal life in Him is the greater reality. It’s free and ours for the asking.

Lord Jesus, I admit I need your help and I want to trust you. I want to ask you at this moment to become Lord of my life and to forgive my every sin. I know there is no sin big enough to keep you from forgiving me fully and keeping me out of this horrible place called hell. You will keep me safely in your care. Thank you for your love and total forgiveness to me right at this second. Amen.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Man Christ Jesus

2010-01-11T09:37:00.000-06:00

Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased. Luke 3:21, 22 (New American Standard Bible)

The brilliance and wisdom of Jesus Christ is unparalleled in history. We read how at the age of 12 years old His intelligence and understanding amazed the learned men of Israel. It is interesting that the 18 years between that short glimpse of Him in the Temple and His entry into ministry is strangely quiet. I’m sure that today if someone of His brilliance was shown at that tender age there would be a push to get Him in front of an audience. “Let’s get this kid on television.” The only thing Scripture tells us about that time is Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and standing and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). The baptism of Jesus was the beginning of His earthly ministry. Jesus was without sin (1st Peter 2:22) and did not need to be baptized with John’s baptism of repentance. Yet He went to the River Jordan where John was baptizing sinners and allowing Himself to be baptized with them identified Himself as their friend and one impossible to tell apart from their existence, who had arrived to seek and to save those who were lost.

Still, it astounds me that God became one of us, taking on humanity. The man Christ Jesus was fully God and fully man. In becoming a man He never gave up His Deity. Who He truly was was demonstrated at His transfiguration. The great glory that was revealed before Peter, James and John at that moment in time was so bright and stunning that Jesus’ face shone like the sun and His clothes were as white as light (Matthew 17:2). In His lifetime this great glory was somehow veiled yet remained as powerful as it was before His Incarnation when He was the literal Presence of God in heaven.

As powerful as His baptism was in identifying Jesus with sinners it was also His Heavenly Father’s obvious approval of His Son and His ministry to humankind and as His Perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. In the short 3 years of His ministry Jesus healed all who came to Him, brought forgiveness and revealed to us that all who saw Him had seen the Father. He brought a smile and color to the pale face of history. The Mighty God was brought out into the open in the Person of Jesus Christ doing away with the notion that God was spiteful and without pity. A new view was revealed; that Jehovah God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form; someone who is approachable, compassionate and real. What is God the Father really like? Take into your arms and heart the Man Christ Jesus and you will know.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Socrates and Those Other Guys

2010-01-04T11:35:00.001-06:00

And it came about that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. Luke 2:46, 47 (New American Standard Bible)

I recently did a search on the Internet on men of ancient wisdom. Names like Socrates, Sophocles, Confucius, Aesop, Euripides, Aeschylus, Lao Tzu and Cato came up. Interestingly the name of Jesus of Nazareth was not even mentioned. Why is the most profound thinker and source of wisdom to ever live not even included among the men of great wisdom?

As a pre-teen, the wisdom and insight of this remarkable person amazed the elders of Israel. These were the religious men of the day, the “seminary trained” of the nation, who spent their lives studying and discussing Scripture. Isn’t it a remarkable witness of Jesus of Nazareth being the Anointed One that at 12 years old His wisdom and insight astounded these learned men? What does this tell us of Jesus the person? The wisdom of Jesus is even to us today astounding when we read what He said. For instance, the woman taken in adultery is a prime example. Instead of reprimanding her accusers or haranguing them with the Torah He brought them to leave the scene with the simple statement of “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” I tend to want to go for the throat while Jesus goes for the heart. Can we not say Jesus Christ was the most brilliant man who ever lived? Again when the Pharisees tried to entrap Him with treason concerning paying taxes to Rome He did not jump to justify a position but simple spoke truth; “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” How profound.

As we truly stop to inspect the words of Jesus we can only stand amazed. Many people of the past who went to the Gospels to destroy their distinction and renown were stunned by what He had to say and came to the firm belief that He is the Son of God. It gives greater credence to the other things He had to say about Himself, for example, He and the Father are One (John 10:30) and He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him (14:6). This is the same Person who created galaxies and stars by the word of His mouth (Genesis 1:14-16). His legacy to those who have believed on Him is total and unbreakable. His words are carved in eternal stone, His deeds and Being confirmed by historical witness. Jesus Christ is the wisest, most brilliant man who ever lived. When it comes to Socrates and all those other guys the words of Jesus are indeed the wisest of the wise. His words are life.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Simeon's Song

2009-12-28T09:14:00.000-06:00

Then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart In peace, according to Thy word; For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32 (NASB)

Forty days after Mary’s purification from giving birth was complete Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer a purification and sin offering as required by the Law of Moses (Leviticus 12:1-8). In the course of completing this obligation to the Law the parents of Jesus met a remarkable man there in the Temple. His name was Simeon. He was a devout Jew and a man on whom the Holy Spirit continually rested. The Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he saw God’s promised redeemer and the consolation of Israel. On this particular day the Spirit led Simeon to be at the Temple at the exact moment Mary and Joseph arrived to fulfill their duty to the Law.

I’m sure there was more than one couple in the Temple that day to present their male child to the Lord. Specifically, the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon the Promised One as Mary and Joseph entered with their precious bundle. Simeon’s delight must have been obvious for Mary willingly let him take the Christ Child in his arms. God’s word was once again proved faithful and true. Simeon gave beautiful words of praise and rejoiced in the goodness of the baby’s Heavenly Father. Israel and the entire world had received the comfort it so deeply needed and desired.

Simeon never lost hope the Holy Spirit would let him see the promised Messiah. That promise was fulfilled that day in the Temple. It thrills me how the Person of Jesus Christ continues to bring hope and joy to millions even to this day. It is so easily understood that a Kindergartner can grasp it, yet so complex biblical scholars scratch their heads at the concept. While we cannot hold the Child in our arms we can hold the Man Christ Jesus in our hearts. Simeon’s song of praise is sung among the believing peoples of the earth every second of every day and I know our Heavenly Father is pleased. He is the comfort and glory of Israel and a Light of revelation to the Gentiles. I can sit down with a child and sing Jesus loves me this I know without shame and in my alone time be brought to tears, speechless with glorious awe as I consider what He means to me. Jesus loves me this I know. Now it is possible to be lifted into His arms and blessed and called His child. He sings over us with joy.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

First Light

2009-12-21T08:35:00.000-06:00

A light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel (Luke 2:32). (New American Standard Bible)

As I grow older I am finding I love lots of light. It is such a relief to turn on a light in a dark place when I don’t know what is in front of me. Light overcomes darkness and where there is light darkness cannot smother it. Sailors say that on a calm night at sea a simple lighted match can be seen up to a distance of five miles away. The Gospel story is a story blazing with the light of hope and revelation.

All people on our planet are included in the light of God’s redemption. The good news is that God decided a long time ago to redeem a fallen race. He sent His only Begotten Son to us as one of us, to restore a broken relationship with Him. This is the story on our minds this week as we approach Christmas. The Mighty God, the All Powerful God who did not need to veiled His glory and became one of us because He loved us so deeply. That little innocent child, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger was the first tiny light on the darkened sea of humanity. It drew the shepherds to it. That light would ignite the entire world becoming a witness to all and a beacon to those looking for a safe harbor. There are no favorites in God’s home, only beloved children, Jew and Gentile believers, who are esteemed and honored as heirs to the family name. It is the greatest story ever to be told and the star that led those wise men to that child is just the first page and the Christ Child is its first light.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

By a Nose

2009-12-14T14:07:00.000-06:00

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9 (New American Standard Bible)

Have you ever really listened to how dysfunctional the words of the song “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer” are? Rudolf didn’t do what the other reindeer did plus he had a shiney red nose. The other reindeer made fun of him and ostracized him from their group. Their affection and care were not based on the natural and living worth of the red nosed reindeer but was withheld because it was based solely on performance. We all know the story. Suddenly one foggy night Rudolf’s lighted nose helped Santa and the reindeer deliver Christmas. Then how the reindeer loved him. Based only on Rudolf’s performance was he accepted by the other reindeer. He was only as good as he could perform. If the fog hadn’t socked the North Pole in ol’ Rudolf would still be sleeping in the corner of the barn.

I cringed the first time I realized the strong message of conditional acceptance that song conveyed. It sounded a lot like how I can be. Those who know me best know I certainly can be particular in how I give my total acceptance. I wish I could say I don’t struggle with this tendency. But I do-constantly. Jesus was always grinding the Pharisees for that attitude. A “sinner” was someone who didn’t act in the spirituality of one of the religious elite. In the eyes of a Pharisee someone of a lower spiritual class did nor even merit touch. Look at how Simon the Pharisee judged Jesus when a woman considered a “sinner” anointed The Lord’s feet with her tears and costly perfume (Luke 7:39). I can be magnanimous with some people’s sin. In fact in my high-mindedness I can be so filled with pride that I will actually gloat over how spiritual I am. Until someone comes along with a problem I consider a real sin. I think the Lord loves tossing these situations through my houses of glass to shatter my ugly conceit.

Jesus was always showing Himself to be the center of loving activity among those thought to be hopeless and totally lost. Think what most of us would tell that woman taken in adultery in John 8. You know you really are a whore and you’re only suffering the consequences of your choices. Now get Christ in your life and start going to church. That’s a 2 line sermon that in that kind of circumstance most of us couldn’t resist preaching. The grace of God said, “I do not condemn you either, go and sin no more.” Thank God He doesn’t look upon us with conditional acceptance. We’d all be in the corner with Rudolf. Grace. It is a concept that is hard to get our minds and hearts around. It is acceptance and merit that are undeserved even through our mistakes and omissions. Let them who have eyes to see and ears to hear learn this lesson. No shiny noses required.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Rejoice!

2009-12-07T08:23:00.000-06:00

Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Psalms 96:2 (New American Standard Bible)

We have come into the season of Advent, the four weeks leading up to our celebration of the birth of Christ. This is a festive time and one of good cheer. We celebrate with family dinners, church and office pot lucks, decorating our homes with holiday garland, decorated trees, lights on the house and within, and the giving of gifts. It is not only a time of fun and remembrance but a time to reflect on the meaning of God’s greatest gift to humankind, the gift of His Son.
We ponder just what kind of a Being would give so deeply of Himself to redeem a horribly sinful and rebellious race as we humans. It can bring to us a deep sense of wonder and awe. No other god in any religious belief has done this. Any religious being who has even come close to doing this for us has only sacrificed himself and never risen from the dead in all Power, Authority and Honor as has our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Psalmist writes, “All the gods of the nations are idols” (96:5).

This story is astounding in its notion, rich in its concept and fully stunning in its completion. It is entirely life changing in its power. Jehovah God became a flesh and blood human and walked among us, tasting of life as we know it, experiencing every aspect of dirt, dust, heat, cold, and sorrow from birth to death to triumph from the grave. How perfect is it to have another human being representing our case to the Father over an angel or other spirit being? Astounding doesn’t even begin to explain it. Being 100% God and 100% man He fully understands us.

During this time it is often said “Tis the season to be jolly.” As we consider what God has done for us it is also a season to rejoice. This is indeed tidings of great joy to the entire world. So rejoice; take heart and be glad for this child given to us has become our salvation, bringing us from darkness into glorious light. He has broken all our chains and opened the doors of our prisons and poured out on us the present of God’s love to those who call upon the name of Jesus. It is truly a time of laughter and light for those who believe on Him. Light is sown like seed for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in the Lord you righteous ones; And give thanks to His holy name (Psalm 97:2).

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Walking Works of Art

2009-11-30T06:21:00.000-06:00

For we are His workmanship, created for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (New American Standard Bible)

Do you believe you are a work of art? It helps to understand exactly where the word ‘workmanship’ comes from. It is taken from the Greek word poiema (poy-ay-mah). It is the root word from which we get our English word ‘poem.’ You are His work of art; His beautiful love poem. How does that make you feel knowing the Creator of the universe has made such a stunning statement about you in Christ? How lovely you are to Him.

But even though our beauty outshines the stars we weren’t meant to just stand around and look pretty. Our spiritual light was made to glow within a shadowy world. Christ has not only created us as His very own masterpiece but He has given us the power to do good works through Him; good works He has created beforehand for us to walk in. People enjoy things of beauty and when they see the beauty of the risen Christ in us they are touched and influenced, whether they admit it or not. Ever have someone say to you, “Man, there’s just something different about you”? People are reading us all the time and most people love a good story.

You are God’s beautiful poem to a curious world and one that even a child can read with great depth and understanding. It’s a splendor for ashes story that cannot be rivaled by any other dimension or idea. You are such a beautiful masterpiece created by Christ Himself to walk in good works. There is so much ugliness in the world that when something of rare beauty comes along it stands out like a sparkling diamond on black velvet. Christ can make torn and damaged pages into beautiful poems that tell of old lives becoming new creations in Him. When God wants to display His very best He opens our pages to a world starved for the beauty of His Spirit. In Christ you are indeed a thing of rare beauty. You are His workmanship; a page redeemed from ruin and decay to a poem written in gold for the entire world to see.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

What He Did and What He'll Do

2009-11-23T12:30:00.000-06:00

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. Revelation 21: 3, 4 (New American Standard Bible)

Did you ever notice how there is a Christian emphasis on the redemptive work Christ did on the cross and not much is said about what is in store for us in eternity? The account of our redemption is a marvelous story; one crowned by the glorious resurrection of Christ Jesus from death and the grave. However as beautiful as that story is it is only the beginning for us Saints. In doing a recent series for our church youth on the End Times I again had a chance to once again sift through the rest of the story; a story that touches on total redemption. Not only will our souls and bodies be redeemed but there will be redemption of the entire universe (Revelation 21:1). When Christ comes the second time with all honor, glory and power we Saints who return with Him will have already been translated into resurrection bodies, immortal and completely geared for living in an eternal environment. Our new and eternal bodies, instantly received when we are taken up in the harpazo, the translation of the believers to heaven, will be patterned after Christ’s own glorious resurrection body. Of that the Apostle John says we are the children of God and shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is (1st John 3:1, 2). And again the Apostle Paul says Jesus Christ will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:21). Our glorified bodies will be undying bodies of flesh easily recognized by one another and made to withstand the rigors of standing before the throne of God and even exploring the universe.

Unlike our bodies now, our glorified bodies will not be weak of frail. They will be imbued with great power and glory while remaining corporeal and substantial. They will never age, be sick or die. As our pattern Jesus gave us brief insights into what a resurrected body could do. There are many strange qualities which He demonstrated which are difficult to reconcile to a body like His. For instance He was able to vanish and reappear at will (Luke 24:31). He was not limited to space or time and could teleport Himself wherever He wished as He wished. This was demonstrated when He ascended to heaven (Acts 1). He could handle objects (Luke 24:30). He could eat food even though He no longer needed to (24:43).

And then He puts the icing on the cake as He throws in a high end residence for us. He told His disciples He was going to the Father to prepare a place for those who believe in Him, adding if He went away He would return again to receive us to Himself so that where He is we could be too (John 14:3). The City of God comes down from heaven; it is the city in which the Saints will have a seat forever. Within the city are the very Throne of God and the Lamb. A crystal clear river flows out of the Throne and down the main Blvd of this heavenly metropolis where the tree of life will bear 1 full crop of fruit every month. Its leaves will be for the well being of the nations. There will be no need for the light of the sun, moon or stars for the Lord will be its light and He will light the nations. There will be no Temple there as the Lord will be the Temple and kings will bring their glory into the city. It sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? It must as the Lord has to remind us twice these things are faithful and true (Revelation 21:5, 22:6). He will dry our tears, stop our pain and our crying and end death and all mourning. Our Heavenly Father has indeed given us redemption from our sins and because of that we are encouraged and ever grateful. He holds within His power great gifts which He will lavish upon us with fondest delight, even as a parent does for a child on Christmas morning. We have believed in God and in His Son (John 14:1). Because of that we can be excited and sure He has readied eternity for us and the best is yet to come.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Like the Stars

2009-11-16T11:57:00.000-06:00

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1 (NIV)

In a time of fear and discouragement Abram received deep comfort and encouragement from the Lord of Heaven. Abram and his wife, Sarai, were childless and were greatly advanced in years, well beyond the normal ages for bearing children. It looked like the line of Abram would end with him and there would be no male heir to carry on the family name. Not only did God tell Abram not to be afraid He promised him a great blessing. In her old age Sarai would bear Abram’s son. To put the finishing touch on the promise the Lord took Abram outside his tent into the night and told him to look up at the stars and count them if he was able (15:5). Imagine in that time without all the earth’s light pollution just how the nighttime sky must have blazed in its fullest glory with millions of stars, the dazzling stars proclaiming the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). This son God was going to give Abram and Sarai would have a family line that would be as numerous as those millions of sparkling points of light above him. I can imagine that in the quiet of that night contemplating God’s promise and those stars that Abram must have been nearly overcome to tears.

God does not change. In the 4000 years since Abram stood outside that tent and gazed up at that beautiful nighttime sky the earth and its people have changed a lot but God has remained the same. His Holy Character, Attributes and Power are as great and spanking new as they were then. He is as interested in you and I now as He was in Abram way back when humanity was young. Are you waiting for a promise? Waiting sometimes is the hardest part. Abram waited longer than any person who wanted to be a father had to wait but still he believed the Lord and it was accounted unto him as righteousness (James 2:23).

You are as precious to the Lord as righteous Abram was. You may be working through your long wait with no expectation that a spiritual promise will be fulfilled. The Lord has not changed in the last 4000 years or even a speck in eternity past. He is the same yesterday, today and yes, forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is our shield and very great reward. His compassions and mercies never fail. He is not a God who just offers us the moon. Because He is our shield and our very great reward He gives us the stars.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Like a Boomerang Only Better

2009-11-09T09:28:00.000-06:00

So shall my word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 (New American Standard Bible)

What do you do as a parent when you want your kid to live in the City of God and they consider it the City of Snoresville? The things of God are a justifiable aim to them but just not something they want to take a shot at just now. The greatest heartache any parent can have is to watch a child make choices that will bring them nasty consequences. For us experience and insight make 20/20 hindsight guaranteed and from that we can pretty much know when they are heading down the track toward the 5:14 from Toledo.

But it isn’t a lost cause. They’re hearing, even if it seems like they aren’t listening. And they’re watching even if it seems like they’re glued to their cell phones. The word of God is so powerful that it is compared to a razor sharp two-edged sword that pierces the division of the soul and spirit, ably judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). That word and example when it is thrown out, like a boomerang, will go out in all its power and begin to come around again.

We can only count on the faithfulness of the Lord to apply His word to the hearts of our children as He judges their receptivity. Sometimes it takes what seems a short time and for others its years of the 2000 yard stare. That sword never loses it edge and it continues to work even when it looks like the Lord is choppin’ and no chips are flyin’. The Lord is faithful in His work and we don’t know the last thoughts our kids think before they close their eyes at night. Perhaps there are thoughts of wonder or even surrender. God’s sword is a work in progress for us all and like a boomerang it faithfully returns and accomplishes everything He desires.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

An Independent Service Provider

2009-11-02T10:07:00.001-06:00

Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. John 13:16 (New American Standard Bible)

Slaves and servants are both expected to do what they are commanded with no back talk, argument or debate. I am not always a good bond servant. I have holding me back from total faithful service a national American mindset of personal independence and a nature that is both fallen and more than ready to demand my own rights.

I find it is helpful for me to share some of my struggles in this area. Many of us share it equally so hopefully my sharing might serve as a source of encouragement in helping others see they are not alone in this. This week I clashed with my Master in my role as a bond servant. Many of you know I manage the facilities at my church and have for the past 12 or so years. Over the years one of my pet peeves is people using chairs and not stacking them after they are done with them. Stacking them against the wall helps make cleaning the carpets easier. I’m hesitant to mention this as some may think I’m pointing fingers but I’m not. The only thing I’m pointing out is my encounter with my Master this week when I felt the need to exercise my “rights” as an Independent Service Provider. Upon beginning my week’s cleaning the first room I encountered had unstacked chairs sitting on the floor. I and our Kidz Zone Director are constantly asking Sunday School teachers to stack the chairs in their class rooms at the end of their hour. This particular day my patience had worn thin. In my righteous indignation I said to myself, “OK, if the chairs are down I can’t clean the carpet. Tough. So I’ll just move on to the next room.” Well I’d not gone five feet when an inner voice said to me, “You say you’re my bond servant, Ken. Don’t you know a servant does whatever he is commanded? You cannot be selective in your obedience for a servant has no right to refuse any commands that aren’t well-liked. A servant serves the one who commands him. You may think you're cleaning this church for the people but you are cleaning it for Me your Master.” I returned and stacked those chairs and even did a little extra cleaning for that particular room not to my own credit but to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

I don’t know if any of you ever deal with that but I do all too often. My “rights” are particularly dear to me and when I feel they are being trampled on it can really make me itch. But a lord never makes suggestions to a servant but instructs and, yes, even commands that his will be done. How can I call Him Lord and not do what He tells me? Can I be a true bond servant when I say “Sorry Lord, I’m not willing to follow that command”? When coming to the point of true servanthood I can only understand I am not my own. As a true servant I cannot be selective in completing all I am called to do. As the Lord commands me so must I obey in every circumstance. It comes down to a matter of the heart. After all, does a servant
do whatever his Lord tells him or file a 1099 as an Independent Service Provider?

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Well Done or Extra Crispy?

2009-10-25T20:53:00.000-05:00

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know of what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village. Luke 9:54-56 (New American Standard Bible)

Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, my zeal for the Lord surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees. It’s as though I’ve been drinking directly from the nozzle of a spiritual espresso machine. I’m primed and ready to call fire down from heaven on anyone and anything I believe is disrespecting the sanctity of the Judeo-Christian ethic.

My devotion to tradition and my own pride is the poorest reason to want to see others taken to task for their sins. Yet in my own eyes my personal indignation is the most righteous and pure. And whose righteous indignation is not the best? James and John were of a people whose righteous indignation and, at times, outright hatred of a neighboring region, Samaria, was always near the surface. It could bubble up like stinky sulfur without much provocation. Jews in this time were extremely antagonistic of Samaritans and the dislike was mutual. Calling fire down on them was not so much to avenge the slight upon the honor of God but due to prejudicial feelings of James and John. I can tend toward being like that too. I could think of a bunch of people I’d like God to turn into crispy critters. Jesus surely didn’t see it that way. As Deity Incarnate, He had every right and the personal power to call fire down upon those surly Samaritans who had insulted Very God of Very God. But He had not come to kill but to save.

Jesus didn’t try to reason with James and John but instantly give a warning to them for their insensitive and uncompassionate spirit they had allowed themselves to go into. I’m glad He will do the same with me when I am inclined to pray down fire and brimstone on an unbelieving world. But being stopped and rebuked really isn’t enough. What I long to see is a spiritual renovation of my heart. It is far better He would make me the kind of person who would automatically want to use oil to bind and heal wounds and not to boil scoffers in. How else would we expect sinners to act except to act like those out of fellowship with Christ? Is grace too weak and inept to have any effect? Thousands come to a saving knowledge of Him everyday all over the world. What if someone had burned them down the day before they became believers? Is anyone so lost in their sin that Christ’s death and resurrection can’t change them? Even those with an agenda so obviously opposed to the works and righteousness of God? If God can extend such amazing grace to an unbelieving world then I can work to understand what that looks like and practice that part of His presence. Lord Jesus help us when we want to call down fire on those who hate You. When trying to decide between Regular or Extra Crispy let us pray that we’ll choose grace, patience, prayer and to deal righteously instead. In that Lord you will only say “Well done.”

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

What if He Doesn't?

2009-10-19T07:38:00.000-05:00

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. Daniel 3:17, 18 (NASB)

OK, I have to admit it, I like to praise God when things work out like I hope but it’s the sound of crickets when He decides to work in a way that wasn’t in my idea of how things ought to conclude. Even if most of us don’t say it aloud when God doesn't do it the way we think He should most of us think “Man, I wouldn’t have done it that way. What’s wrong with you Lord? Didn't you see my way was better?”

Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-nego were three Israelite slaves who served in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Though living in a foreign land where foreign gods were worshipped these three young men had dedicated themselves to serving only the One True and Living God. When commanded to worship another god they immediately said the answer was something they didn’t even need to think through. They would worship no other one than the God Yahweh and even if He didn’t keep them from being consumed in this Babylonian crematorium they would still not bow to the king’s idol.

So what about today? What if God’s decision for us is to face the fire and be physically consumed or left with a situation in life that is less than desirable? What if He doesn’t heal that brain tumor, or that cancer, or make that miserable job better or changes that mate into the person we crave? Does that mean He is any less loving or any less perfect in His choices for us? Would we, like these three children of Israel, put our complete faith into His choice for us and trust that through the fire He has a plan in it somewhere that benefits me? If He had not saved those 3 boys physically then there would have been a plan and direction for their deaths that would have glorified Him in some way and they would have been safe in the place He would have brought their souls. For myself praise is a two-way street that a lot of times leave me standing at the corner of ‘What I Want’ and ‘What God Knows is Best.’ Deciding to head down the street called ‘What God Knows is Best’ and trusting in that outcome is something that many times after the fact brings great understanding why the best choice was for me to endure the flames. I don’t need to like it but God does want me to grow through it. God is good and He is perfect in His choices all the time, not just when He pulls me out of the fire.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

I'm Not Afraid of God

2009-10-12T12:46:00.000-05:00

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

I was once rebuked by another Christian when I mentioned the phrase “the fear of the Lord.” The man had been a Christian for only a few years and didn’t understand what the meaning of the phrase really meant. I explained to him the word ‘fear’ meant a very deep and holy reverence and did not convey that we needed to be afraid of God’s punishment. Still, this gentleman was very offended at the word saying it conveyed to him a father of wrath who was ever willing to punish His children first and ask questions later.

I really couldn’t blame this brother for his feelings. I’d wrestled with that understanding for years. He wasn’t the God of love and grace to me but the short-tempered Parent-in-the-Sky that always had his Cosmic Club ready to pound me if I slipped up just a smidgen. I think many of us have been there or are currently struggling with that concept. We were taught early on an unbalanced view of any kind of correction as punishment, the kind that was given to control rather than to give instruction and teach correction. This certainly isn’t what is meant by the “fear of the Lord.” He wants us to know His complete and rounded character.

When things are balanced nothing gets broken. The concept of a great and fearfully working God is a real one but fortunately it isn’t the only one. Yes, He can show wrath upon wickedness but His being and attributes are beautifully counterbalanced by His perfectly gracious and merciful character. His great and awesome holy power should cause us to have deep awe and reverence of His Being. Even angels before His throne cover their faces and their feet as they fly before Him and cry holy to one another (Isaiah 6:2). They aren’t afraid of Him but reverence His Being. There is no one else in the entire universe like Him. He is so awesome and holy in His Being that only He has the right to require He be worshipped. I’m not mad at God and neither am I afraid of Him. I truly reverence His wonderful and breathtaking Being. That is the beginning of a wise relationship with the Ancient of Days. Blessed be His Holy Name forever.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

When God Reins

2009-10-05T11:16:00.000-05:00

“Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all.” 1st Chronicles 29:11(NASB)

It was a perfect California evening. I went out for a walk one evening in a neighborhood I lived in back in the 1980s. The sun had set and the twilight was softening the shadows. There was a nice smell to the evening air as I walked, lost in thought. I’d taken this route numerous times with no difficulties. As I walked around a corner and headed up a street toward my house I noted a large black Rough Collie (bigger than Lassie) I’d not seen before sitting in an open garage watching my approach along the sidewalk. It waited until I was directly in front of the driveway and lunged snarling down the driveway toward me. All I saw was a 70 pound mass of black fur coming at me. The animal moved so quickly that all I could do was turn and face my attacker and hope I could keep from being mauled to badly. It took that big dog about 2 seconds to get within jumping range of me then it reared up, continuing to snarl but standing on its hind legs. The animal was on a 12 foot chain and had reached its limit and could go no further. When it saw I wasn’t about to run it stopped growling and went to all fours and stared at me. I’d not ever seen any animal give a “gotcha” look but that dog gave me one. I was visibly shaken as I turned to walk on. At one point I glanced over my shoulder to see what the dog was doing and it had trotted back up to the garage to await its next “victim.”

Satan is a lot like that. He works by intimidation and fear making you think he has more power and clout than he does but, like that collie, God has him on a very short leash. While as a created spiritual being he does have a lot more power than any human he’s no match for the Son of Man. He can growl and threaten all he wants but Christ’s restraining supremacy reins him in. There is ultimate power in the Name of Jesus and many of us have experienced it firsthand.

Satan uses situations and other people to try and gain victory over God’s people. Sometimes it seems like victory is a sure thing for him but if you wait long enough you can see him drawn up at the end of the line as God reins him in causing those he sends against us to fail. That big, black collie scared the daylights out of me on that calm evening and Satan works the same way-through dread and harassment. But when it comes to the restraining power of the Living God it is evident, like that big old black dog, Satan's bark is a lot worse than his bite. All praise to the God of heaven who upholds us with the right hand of His righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

I've Got You Covered

2009-09-28T09:20:00.000-05:00

You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; Of the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not approach you. Psalms 91:6, 7 (NASB)

I really like stories about how God delivers people from drastic circumstances and even death. What is more exciting than reading about it is hearing a firsthand account from someone who experienced God’s protecting power. Nick Choco (sounds like choe-koe) a pastor of mine when I was a teenager, had been a Navy Medical Corpsman during the Korean War. Navy corpsmen were used as combat medics in Marine Corps divisions and a young Nick Choco was attached to the 1st Marine Division. At that time he was a 20 year old from New Castle, Pennsylvania and a committed Christian. Pastor used to briefly mention from the pulpit incidences he had experienced in going to injured Marines under fire and how God protected him. He mentioned one time from the pulpit that a Navy corpsman couldn’t stay under cover when a wounded Marine yelled “Corpsman!” but had to go to the man and give medical aid, even if bullets were flying. After one service I stopped him outside and asked, “Pastor Choco, were you ever wounded when you put yourself out in the open to help a marine?” He thought a moment and said, “No, but I came close.” He paused as his eyes got a faraway look. “I do recall one time I went to a wounded marine by a tree. While I was working on him Chinese machine gun bullets were tearing into that tree next to me.” His eyes got really big as he thought of it and he finally said, “Whew, that tree was being torn apart by that machine gun…thinking back on that I ought to be dead but I didn’t get a scratch. God’s hand was covering me that day.”

I believe it’s good to read and hear stories like this. A lot of Christians say miracles were only for the Old and New Testaments. But I’ve always tended to choke on that bone as I have personally experienced God’s miraculous power working in my own life and in the lives of those around me; Mighty Power that has no equal. That power is given to each of us individually to meet that individual need we are facing. Perhaps it isn’t always in the physical realm as it was for Medical Corpsman Nick Choco but in a wonderfully tender and emotional keeping that puts us at rest and builds our faith and trust in Him. He works for us in the smoke and noise and when His voice speaks to us in quiet reassurance. His keeping power is constant and capable. In any condition and situation His word to us is, "Don't worry, I've got you covered."

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Just Plain Scary

2009-09-21T12:16:00.000-05:00

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time now and forever. Amen. Jude 25 (New American Standard Bible)

We’re a couple of days away from the first day of autumn and this past weekend I put my fall decorations in the front yard. One of them is a happy looking inflatable harvest scarecrow. When my 2½ year old granddaughter, Elizabeth, saw him she immediately buried her face in her mama’s shoulder saying she was afraid of him. We immediately took her out of the area and soothed her but when she and her mom left my house Elizabeth said, “Good bye Pawpaw,” and looking at the scarecrow said “Good bye Scary.”

Now you know as well as I my harvest scarecrow is purely decorative fun and is no threat to anyone or anything. But even though I am an adult I believe that, like Elizabeth, I sometimes see things outside of their proper context as looming horrors that will do me under.

Christ as my protector probably takes these incidences with a smile, much as I saw Elizabeth’s fear of this inanimate object. All I needed to do to handle this situation was to simply pull the plug on Elizabeth’s specter and he would have been immediately subdued. How hard is it for God to do the same for my own specters? Is He not the God of all power and authority? As the God who measures the universe with the span of His hand can’t He work through any problem I encounter? In an effort not to make light of people’s problems I do believe that the Living God sees any problem we encounter as simple and easily taken care of as Elizabeth’s. What may seem like a Scary the Scarecrow may in fact be to the Lord a problem just filled with air and His answer may be as simple as pulling a plug. He says of Himself “Behold, I am the God of all flesh; is there anything too difficult for me (Jeremiah 32:27)?” Jesus was right when He said in this world we would have troubles (John 16:33). It’s true and at times I’m hiding my face in the shoulder of the Father crying “Scary.” But in His sure way He smiles at my troubles knowing they can be as easily handled as a harvest scarecrow. Now that’s the greatest comfort. In fact that isn’t scary at all.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Is it Really too Good to be True?

2009-09-14T12:44:00.000-05:00

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:5 (New American Standard Bible)

If I didn’t trust in the final work of Christ the reports I see of the world would lead me to despair. Things are bad enough already for me to have a continuing rock in the stomach and a knot as large as a pineapple between my shoulder blades. Tension might be relieved somewhat if things showed a tendency toward getting better, but alas the news I see seems to continue to grow more evil and darkness hovers over the earth like a funeral shroud. So how will it all end for us and how will we know what is going to happen?

The truth of it is God doesn’t want to leave us in the dark. For hundreds of years He worked through the prophets of Israel identifying things that would be happening in the future. Jesus continued unveiling the plan to His disciples when He spoke of the signs that would be happening in the world before His Second Coming. Many of the Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled and some are yet to happen. The final state of affairs ends in the Revelation of Jesus Christ when the earth and heavens as we know them will be fully redeemed and made new. What a glorious hope. At that time the tabernacle of God will dwell among us and we shall be His people. The curse will be lifted from animals and mankind alike. The strong will no longer prey upon the weak, God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, death will be no more, there will be no more mourning or crying or, pain. As the old heavens and earth melt with fervent heat new heavens and a new earth will be created. Old things will be forgotten never to be remembered again (Isaiah 65:17). There will be no “Hey, do you remember back on earth when we did…” The old things will be gone replaced by eternal life in a completely pure mind and dimension.

It does all seem too good to be true which leads God to reassure us again that these things to come are faithful and true. In today’s world if it seems to be too good to be true it usually is. Not so at the end for believers in Christ. What we see now won’t even be a shadow of things that were. Those things will be gone and forgotten as the universe is made beautifully new and perfect by the One who holds all things together by the might of His power (Colossians 1:17). The hope is in Jesus the Anointed One of God who is the First and the Last. If it sounds too good to be true this time it will be. Christ is accurate, reliable and exact in His knowledge and power to do it. He is constant, unfailing and certain in His promises to fulfill it. Is it only too good to be true? It is beyond that for it is Faithful and True.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Power of the Rod

2009-09-08T20:55:00.000-05:00

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (New American Standard Version)

Do you know what a shepherd’s rod is or what it’s for? I quoted today’s verse for years with no idea what I was talking about. When I did finally learn what it means for a shepherd to carry a rod I came to a whole new appreciation and respect for the care and courage of the shepherd. A rod is a weapon of protection for the sheep. Shepherds in the Middle East and Africa still carry them. A rod is a short club that is crafted from a young sapling and cut to fit the hand of the shepherd. After the shepherd finishes making the rod he practices throwing it until he perfects his aim against any predator that may threaten the sheep. A rod in the hand of a good shepherd becomes not only a weapon of protection but also a symbol of power and authority in defense of the flock. The sheep of his care rest easy in the nearness of a good shepherd knowing that remaining near him means he will not hesitate to protect them in any frightening valley or from any lurking shadow. The staff is a sign of guidance, supervision and even fondness. Sometimes a shepherd will walk beside his favorite sheep allowing his staff to rest upon the back of the beloved one in a sign of affection.

When I’ve walked through my own personal valleys it was sometimes difficult to know that I was under the guarded eye of the Good Shepherd. But when I came out of the valley of the shadows into the light it was both a surprise and great comfort to see Him walking beside me with His rod in one hand and His staff resting upon my back. Not only was He guarding me He was holding me in the highest regard and affection. His protection isn’t a duty but a love. In any darkness you may find yourself today I encourage you that the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is right there in the dark places with you. May you be comforted knowing His rod is ready to protect and His staff to give guidance, fellowship and affection. His Authority given by the Father is His rod and His Loving Kindness to you is His staff. You can be comforted in the dark places and know He is really there with you. Where you are right now might be dark and scary but His watchful eye is upon you. His rod and His staff are ready to do their job. There is the greatest comfort in that.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com