Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. But I trust in You, LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hands. Psalm 31:9, 14-15

Bent But Not Broken

I've missed a few of my devotional thoughts for the past few weeks. I've had a series of accidents. I fell and broke my hip in October which was repaired surgically. As I was home recovering and felt well enough to take a few steps without my walker I fell again (my fault this time) breaking the femur in my leg on the same side as my hip. I had to have a second surgery in two weeks. It left me for a month in the hospital and in a nursing home rehabilitation facility for physical therapy.  It was an expensive lesson in patience and common sense that added an extra burden not only on my poor wife, Tommie, but also on my immediate family.

Having learned a great lesson (not to get cocky) I am sticking to my walker and not moving without having someone walking with me.  It's a slow-go for me at the moment but one I'm paying the greatest attention to.

I was considering the spiritual implications to my situation and what was God's lesson through it all? Trust and humility came to mind. But yesterday I received a Christmas news letter from a niece in Seattle. She talked about the difficulty in that sometimes God doesn't always heal a person when we pray for them and they have to heal naturally. He has given our bodies a remarkable ability to heal (Psalm 139:14). She made the statement that coming through it most of us don't reject God because of what we just passed through. Many develop a deeper faith in God than before the trial. Bent but not broken.

As we are in the season of celebration of the incarnate birth of Jesus Christ and His mission (John 1:1-5) we can all take time for a slow-go as we contemplate the Word that came to us in the flesh.

I will continue my weekly devotional thoughts and post them every Monday. In the meanwhile I would appreciate your prayers. Keep checking back. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you and your families! May you experience God's grace, peace, and mercy in your lives during this marvelous season.

Ken

God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19 ESV)

I'll Vote for That

I was amused today when I pulled the mail out of the box. A political candidate had sent a postcard asking for my vote for mayor in our upcoming city election. He said he wasn't the kind of guy to make campaign promises with no intention of keeping them. I had to smile at that.  Most of us know in the world of politics a lot of promises are made and then broken.

The one thing that ought to excite all of us is that the promises of the Lord never fail. They will all come to pass. Every one of them. If you are a student of the Word that should make you jump up and shout “hallelujah.” Read Revelation chapters 21 and 22. Yes, in the end Satan is defeated and we win, becoming partakers of the glorious eternal kingdom and reign of Jesus Christ. That's a huge promise!

One of the attributes of God is His omnipresence. That means He is everywhere at the same moment in time. He is aware of all that goes on with our lives 24/7. He sees everything, suffering, heart aches, pain, sleepless nights of pain or worry, you name it. Nothing gets past Him. In His knowledge and wisdom He knows what to do and exactly how to do it so that hard times bring growth, strength, and trust to our lives and glory to Himself. He will never forsake us. That is another one of His sure promises (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20).

So if you ever get a card in the mail from someone wanting your vote  remember man's promises will fail. But when you trust in the Lord you can be sure He will do all He promises to do. He is not only the covenant making God, He is also the covenant keeping God. You can always mark yes on that ballot. I'll vote yes on it every time.

Ken

While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. (Ezra 10:1 ESV)

They Worshiped, Wept, and Went Their Way

G. K. Chesterton, a prolific Christian writer of the 20^th century, wrote of the Christian experience: “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” (What's Wrong with the World”, Part 1, Chapter 5, “The Unfinished Temple”). So it has been throughout the ages that God has set an order of worship and service to Him by His people, both Jew and Gentile. His own chosen, the Jewish people, indeed found serving God with a pure and devoted heart difficult. As water takes the path of least resistance they chose the easy (and sensual) path of creating religion through worshiping other gods. God brought the nation of Babylon to discipline them in their continued rebellion. Babylon conquered them and most of those who were not put to the sword were taken away from the land of Israel into a captivity that lasted 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11). But God did bring them back to their land as promised (Jeremiah 29:10).

Those who returned at the end of the captivity rededicated themselves to the Lord and His Law. They worshiped Him, wept over their sins, repented, and went their way rejoicing (Nehemiah 8:6-12). America can take a lesson from these people who wept over their sins and repented.

Our nation is in its greatest crisis since the events leading up to and including the American Civil War. But millions are praying even now that this nation will experience a revival of God's grace. They pray that those seeking meaning and significance in their lives will find it through the regeneration of Christ and His Holy Spirit.

Weeping is not enough. There must be repentance, a turn around and a change of heart. The ultimate remedy cannot come from any political party or organization. We cannot trust in government, social programs, nor any other means for an answer other than God Himself. If there is no repentance then God in His righteous wrath will have no choice but to judge America for our many sins. Worshiping, weeping, and going our way rejoicing in the salvation Christ freely offers to both Jew and Gentile alike (Galatians 2:8-9) is the resolution. Christ is the only answer to preserving our beloved nation. He is enough for our Land. He is its only hope.

Ken

“How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?” Job 6:25 (ESV)

Be Nice

One of the reasons I love the Bible is it presents the followers of God open and frank in their dealings with life's issues and especially with the strengths and frailties of men and women of faith. Outside of the example of trust that was shown by our Lord to His Heavenly Father is the faith of Job through a horrific time of testing.

In almost two simultaneous disasters God allowed Satan to take by death Job's 10 children by a catastrophe, have all his wealth stolen from him and most of his servants put to the sword, and then have his body plagued by running, worm infested sores. He was left sitting in the ashes of his destroyed prosperity scratching his sores with a piece of pottery. His own wife told him to "curse God and die" (2:9) Then three of his friends showed up to “comfort” him. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zopar.

They were so shocked at his horrific circumstances they sat down for 7 days and said nothing. That was the smartest thing they did during their entire visit. When they began to speak, their entire discourse was to say all the disaster that befell him was because he had sinned. After all, would God do this to a righteous person? Their belief, as with many today, was God blesses the righteous and brings calamity to those who are wicked.

There was a time in my early 40s when I endured nearly 2 years of agonizing pain due to a very large benign brain tumor. All the doctors I saw in my home state during that time, both general practitioners and neurosurgeons, did not find it. Many people thought I was faking except my immediate family who were helpless witnesses to my horrific suffering. I knew I was dying and had come to the point of acceptance of that fact. Many were the nights and days of excruciating pain when I would quote out loud Job 13:15 to the ceiling from my bed, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him; yet will I argue my ways to His face." 

One day at the height of this painful and debilitating illness I received a postcard in the mail in what appeared to be a woman's handwriting that said, “If you would just get your eyes off yourself and on to Christ everything would be fine.” I even had my pastor at that time tell me through my pain and suffering, “You just need to get busy with your life.” When my disease had advanced to the point I was bedridden he even asked when he prayed for me on one occasion “Is there any sin in your life you want to confess?” implying, even as did Job's comforters, the reason for my suffering was sin. The final affront was after my tumor was found by the Mayo Clinic and removed and I had returned home, I heard my general practitioner doctor's nurse say to him, “You mean there really was something wrong with him?”

The saying, “The Christian Army is the only army in the world that shoots its own wounded” is still unfortunately true today. As a soldier of Jesus Christ, I strive to lay aside weapons of judgment and be a medic. Christ has called us to bear each others burdens, fulfilling His Law (Galatians 6:2). Do you notice it doesn't make any difference as to what those burdens are? They could be spiritual or physical. As Christians we need to lay our weapons down and let love, mercy, and assistance toward the body of Christ be part of the kit we carry. This can only come through the strength and discernment that comes from daily reading and studying of the Word of God, along with a dedicated and sincere prayer life.
These two disciplines will impart to us the understanding, mercy and strength to also lay aside our weapons of judgment. Perhaps calamity in someone's life could be a lesson in patient endurance where the Lord wants to turn that person's molten pain into spiritual steel, that His works might be displayed in them (John 9:3). He did this for me. And it made some Christians angry! 

It is noteworthy at the end of Job's encounter with his friends God's anger burned against the three men for they did not speak what was right as Job had (42:8). God demanded Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zopar make sacrifices of bulls and rams and have Job pray for them. Fortunately for them the LORD accepted Job's prayers(vs 9). In all the trials Satan put him through Job proved God right for though he questioned Him (which is not a sin), he never cursed Him. 

Let's learn to practice the example of love and compassion Jesus set for us just like the same mercy God shows us through Christ. Think of when you've been in the furnace of affliction, or (God forbid) you find yourself or a loved one there in the future, or perhaps right now. When you consider that, it's easier to accept, love, and to help that person. That's what Christ has called us to do with His walking wounded. Be a medic. Be nice.

Ken

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat (Mark 6:31)

Relax

Today is Labor Day. The holiday that was specifically crafted to honor workers, specifically taking a day to relax and take it easy. Even Jesus saw the need for rest as did His heavenly Father. In the Law of Moses the LORD God made it the Fourth Commandment to honor the Sabbath and devote it to rest, worship, and sacred assembly (Exodus 20:8-11, Leviticus 23:3) .

According to the U.S. Department of Labor; “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

It was first celebrated September 5, 1882. It's a time where many take to the outdoors for parades, picnics, or just hanging out at home and doing backyard grilling and enjoying general relaxation. There are definite benefits to relaxation if done sufficiently; it can improve mood, help lower blood pressure, help in relieving pain and it has been found that even laughing may add to heart and lung wellness, promote muscle relaxation and reduce anxiety.

Jesus knew the importance of rest, and He called His disciples to it. The Psalmist also calls us to take time to rest our bodies, our minds, and refresh our spirits and souls in the Lord (Psalm 55:22). Jesus said to those that are laboring under a heavy burden of care to come to Him and find rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

Take time out today to mediate upon these words of our Lord and God, Christ Jesus. Take time to do as He suggested to His disciples and go to a nice place and rest a while. Eat a burger, toss a Frisbee or just sit in the shade and enjoy your family. Labor Day is a misnomer. It isn't a day for labor but for rest. It pleases the Lord for you to do so. Refresh yourself today and rest body, mind, and soul. He isn't commanding you to do it but it's still a good idea and He will be pleased you did. Enjoy the Lord and enjoy a day of rest! God's blessings to you.

Ken

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Matthew 27:51

The Way is Open

The Apostle Matthew recorded some strange occurrences during the crucifixion and death of Christ. There was a darkness on the land from noon to 3pm, the time Jesus was crucified up to the time He died. When Jesus voluntarily gave up His life and died (John 10:18) there was a great earthquake and the veil (curtain) in the Jewish temple was torn from top to bottom revealing the inner room where God's presence dwelt. There were other amazing events that happened you can read about in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27:45-54.

The tearing of the temple curtain is to me perhaps the most pivotal physical event of the day Christ died. The veil was a curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies where the presence of God dwelt. It protected the priests that ministered in the temple from dying from being in the direct presence of the holy power (shekinah) of God. Aaron the priest was warned not to come into the Holy of Holies except once a year (Exodus 30:10) on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), lest he die. In coming into the Holy of Holies he atoned for his sins, that of his household (Leviticus 16:6), and for the sins of the nation of Israel (Leviticus 16:15, Hebrews 9:7).

Upon the death of Christ God tore the curtain from top to bottom. The parting of the veil represented that the way of access for humanity to God had been opened up by the means of the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ for our sins (Romans 6:10). It is significant the veil was torn from top to bottom. Only God could tear it top to bottom. If it had been torn bottom to top men could have taken credit for it. The tearing of the veil means our abundant hope and eternal life has been confirmed by God Himself.

Christ was our once and for all sacrifice for sin doing away with the animal sacrifices commanded in the Law of Moses (Hebrews 10:1-18). He has now become our great High Priest to which we hold firmly in our confession of faith (Hebrews 4:14). The torn curtain gives us free access to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. When we dare to walk through it we find ourselves standing at the foot of the cross. The way is now open to all who wish to walk through and come in to the presence of the Holy through His Own Dear Son.

Ken

Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. 2^nd Chronicles 29:30 (ESV)

When God is Enough

In past devotional thoughts I've talked about the kings of Israel and Judah.  Only 5 kings of Judah obeyed and served the Yahweh. Sadly to say though some of the 5 who began serving Him later fell into apostasy.

One king who stayed the course of righteous obedience to the end of his life was the 13th king, Hezekiah. He is considered a very righteous king by the author of the books of First and Second Kings and is one of the most prominent kings of the Bible. He is also in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:9-10). He loved the Lord with his whole heart (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37) and God blessed him and the land of Judah because of it.

Today many people, without the church and many within, look at the commandments of God and His Son with a laid back outlook and treat them mostly as statements to be questioned or even totally ignored. Why practice them? 'Obey' to many is a four letter word or they have such a low opinion and perspective of God they can ask “What's in it for me?”

Well, let's take a look at the advantages of obedience. Obedience leads to glory, honor, and immortality (Romans 2:6-8). It leads to being blessed (Luke 11:28). Christ has called us to it (John 14:15). It is an act of worship (Romans 12:1). God rewards obedience (Genesis 22:18, Exodus 19:5, Luke 11:28, James 1:22-25). It proves our love (1^st John 5:2-3, 2^nd John 6). It demonstrates faith (1^st John 2:3-6). It is better than sacrifice (1^st Samuel 15:22-23) and through it we experience the blessing of holy living (Psalm 119:1-8, Isaiah 48:17-19).

David said “I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in Your commandments, which I love” (Psalm 119:47). Desiring to truly know God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in all His power, glory, and active attributes can bring the purest delight to every aspect of our being. When we have nothing left but God and we gladly bow down and worship, faithful to do His best for us in His commandments, we come to discover that He is truly enough.

Ken