Devotional Thoughts | The Nature of God

What is God like? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself this question? It is impossible to describe God, as there are not enough superlatives in the languages of humanity to capture the totality of His nature.

Often our perception of what God is like is influenced by our circumstances. As I talk with people, especially in times of hardship, or heartache and sorrow, I often hear an anger response to God. The questions

Why Me?

What did I do to deserve this?

What kind of God would do this, or allow this to happen?

Their perception is shaped by their pain and anger.

What can be known of God is revealed in the creation and in the scripture. I’m thankful for what has been made known.

Psalm 86

1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. 6 Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. 14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you. 15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. 17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

1.       He is compassionate – He feels with us. He is touched with infirmities, and struggles.

2.       He is gracious – the word gracious comes from a primary Hebrew root which literally means to stoop or bend in kindness to an inferior. It is by his grace that we are in relationship with him. As we walk let us lean on his grace.

3.       He is slow to anger – the scripture is full of the evidence of this attribute. We too need to possess this quality as we walk the path of life.

4.       He is abounding in love – God is love… yes, his very nature is love. Sometimes love is expressed in discipline. Hebrews 12 tells us the Lord disciplines us because he loves us. When we are faced with hardship determine if it is the result of our resistance to God and the consequence of self-will.

5.       He is faithful.

Conclusion: Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

Devotional Thoughts | Good News for 2021

Shortly we will be marking the end of this year and welcoming the New Year. It goes without saying that 2020 was a year unlike any other in our lifetime. The disruptions of our regular activities, at work at school, at church due to the pandemic has left many feeling unfocused in life. Truth be told, we like structure, orderliness, and routine in our lives as it gives us a sense of security, and purpose.

As we face the New Year, I want to challenge the listeners to purpose in their heart to live 2021 with renewed purpose and focus. Do not allow the Corona Virus pandemic to steal one move day of your life.

NOTE: I’m not advocating you live carelessly ignoring safety protocols, and recommendations. Rather, I am encouraging you to rediscover your calling and adapt your methods to fulfill your calling and purpose. This is a time those who follow Christ should really shine.

Remember your calling? Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation [NIV]

People desperately need to hear some good news. No matter what the media source the airwaves and internet is full of depressing news. Sickness, dying, death, economic disaster, business closures have dominated the headlines for the past 10 months and I see no change in the immediate future. Yet we have been entrusted with some fantastically good news.  

Gospel – is translated from the Greek – a good message.

We are tasked with the wonderful privilege of bringing a message of good news to a world which is saturated with bad news.

Having just celebrated Christmas we recall the angelic announcement made to the shepherds of “good news to all people.” We have the privilege of echoing the same message.

This year let us make it our goal to declare this good news in the way we live, in our interactions with family, neighbors, friends and coworkers.

What is the good news?

1.       There is forgiveness of your sin

2.       There is freedom from your failures

3.       There is deliverance from your bondage

4.       There is peace for your turmoil

5.       There is healing for your diseases

6.       There is unconditional love for you

7.       There is a bright hope, a promise for your future

All because of the good news that Jesus saves. This gift is free to you because Jesus purchased it for you when he was crucified.  If you have not received this gift, may I ask you to confess your sin to God and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord. Then, will you make the most of the opportunities you have, and whatever means are available to tell others the good news.

Devotional Thoughts | The Gift of God

Since it is the day before Christmas day, I want to reflect on the characters involved in the Christmas story and highlight some of the important principles revealed. I believe as we incorporate these principles we have a better grasp on the significance of the Christmas celebration.

Mary presented herself, her body, her reputation to become the mother of Jesus. "Be it unto me as you have said."

Joseph, presented his will. He submitted his embarrassment, his reputation, his pride to the Lord when in obedience he took Mary as his wife.

The Shepherds left their sheep and went to Bethlehem and presented their worship to the Lord.

The Magi presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as well as their time, their treasures, and their worship.

Most importantly let's consider the Gift of God. His one and only Son.

Light in darkness - a light of righteousness that shines in the darkness of sin.

Hope in despair - Hope of abundant life here and now, and the hope of eternal life in the presence of the Lord.

Peace to conflict - The Prince of Peace gives peace even in the face of conflict. In the midst of our conflicts and struggles, there is a peace that Jesus gives that goes beyond understanding.

Joy to the world – the joy that comes in knowing there is forgiveness of sin, there is power to live an overcoming life, and there is the promise of heaven. Melody Green wrote a song that expresses our reason for joy.

I was struck by a phrase from the beloved Christmas Carol, O Come All Ye Faithful. The first stanza begins, “O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant…” It is because of God’s gracious gift we have great joy, and walk triumphantly.

I pray you and your family and friends rejoice is God’s gift.

Devotional Thoughts | Adversity Part 5 - Adversity is God’s Way of Conquering Our Pride

Adversity is God’s Way of Conquering Our Pride:

1. I once heard a speaker say, “God’s grace is free. But there is one essential requirement to receive it: “Humility.”

Humility – 1. The quality or condition of being humble; lack of pride; modesty.

Humble – 1. Having or showing the feeling of humility rather than of pride; aware of one’s shortcomings; modest; meek.  2. Showing deferential respect.

1. Scriptures:
   a. 1 Corinthians 11:28 – 30 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  

b. Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.                           

c. Proverbs 13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.                   

d. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 

e. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

f. Proverbs 29.23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

g. Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

h.  James 4:6-7 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

i. Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

3.   Biblical Examples of Pride

   a. Pharaoh – Exodus 5:2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go.”  

   b. Naaman – 2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.

         c. Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride
led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.    

         d. Hezekiah – 2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

         e. Haman – Esther 3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.

         f. Nebuchadnezzar – Daniel 4:30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my
majesty?”

         g. Belshazzar – Daniel 5:23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the
Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised
the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand
your life and all your ways.

    4.  Examples of Spiritual Pride:

         a. Job 33:9 ‘I am pure, I have done no wrong; I am clean and free from sin.

         b. Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

         c. John 9:41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

         d. 1 Corinthians 4:18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not
coming to you.

         e. Revelation 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and
naked.

1. Effects of Pride:

a.   It prevents reconciliation in relationships – Be the first one to say, “I’m sorry. ” Pride often says, “It’s their turn to say I’m sorry and apologize. Not me! Not this time!

b.  It promotes impatience – Impatience is really saying, “I can do it better and faster.” Impatience is pride. Superficial love that is proud. 1 Corinthian 13:4

c.   It promotes self-centeredness – Self –centeredness breeds a lack of concern, compassion, empathy and always a lack of service to the Lord, accompanied by a myriad of “excuses.”

d.  It prevents God’s blessing – God will not bless the proud. He will not put His stamp of approval on the one who say, “I did it my way…”

1. Effects of Humility:

a.   Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.

b.  Isaiah 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

c.   Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

d.  James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

e.   1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

My prayer today is this - Oh Lord, give us a humble heart, that we may seek you. Grant us, even in our adversity the full assurance of your presence. May we be comforted by the wonderful truth, that You are near. Even when the waves of adversity would seemingly threaten to overwhelm, and we fear we may perish, assure us of you abiding love, care, and deliverance from every trial.

Psalm 34 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.  [NIV]

Devotional Thoughts | Adversity Part 4 - Adversity Is God’s Call for Self – Examination

Adversity Is God’s Call for Self – Examination:

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 “But if we judge ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.”
Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.”

The Value of Pain: In the physical realm pain is one of our greatest protectors. In his book Where Is God When It Hurts, Dr. Paul Brandt speaks of how important pain is to us. What is the first thing you do when you feel pain? You stop and look to see what the problem is, you self – examine.

Proverbs 28:13. “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Let’s focus on the word prosperity. In the Hebrew it means to push forward, to go over to advance.
A. God requires that we search out, confess and renounce, (forsake) our sins.
B. The presence of sin results in powerlessness.
C. John prayed for his friend Gaius that he would prosper in all things and be in good health, even as his soul prospered. 3 John 2. It was John’s prayer that Gaius would have a right relationship with the Lord so that God would allow him to push forward, or advance, in business and health.
D. If we conceal our sin, we will not prosper.

It is for lack of self – examination that many Christians grow cold and self – sufficient. That is one reason why God allows adversity. Adversity forces us to look at our lives. To see what we are doing or not doing which results in pain. Have you noticed that much of the pain you experience is the result of choices you have made which were not directed by the Lord? Self – examination often reveals self – sufficiency. It hurts to realize how we have hurt others and ourselves. But stop and think how much we grieve the Lord when we walk in our strength and understanding. God wants us to depend on Him. Adversity will once again cause us to see things in the proper perspective.

The easiest thing to do is to ignore sin. Like cancer, our sin will eat away at our relationship with the Lord until we are obeying the lusts of our flesh and have fallen into spiritual death.

Sin is sin. We can have our consciences seared and dulled until we no longer feel that we are grieving the Holy Spirit. Then God doesn’t hear from us until we are floundering in our own sea of despair.

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

If you are experiencing adversity today, stop running. Stop blaming others for what is happening. Stop and look at your life. Is there hidden sin, is there something which stands in the way of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in you life? Are there things which need to be submitted to His Lordship? Then do so. Deal with the plank in your eye before you concern yourself with the speck in someone else’s. God wants you to prosper and push ahead in your spiritual walk. Let’s remove every obstacle that we may prosper, push forward in our spiritual walk, in our life and health.

Devotional Thoughts | Adversity Part 3 - Adversity Is Our Assurance Of His Love

Adversity Is Our Assurance Of His Love

1. We have all heard, “If you really loved me you wouldn’t discipline me….” Of course, we know what the Bible says in Hebrews 12:6 – 13

2. ‘Disciple’ and ‘Discipline’ are derived from the same root word. A good disciple is one who is disciplined. Many people feel that love for the child and discipline of the child are at odds with each other, that they are mutually exclusive, even enemies. Some teach that if you really love your children, you won’t need to discipline them. Or that if you discipline your children, they will have every reason to doubt your love. That just isn’t true. In fact, the Bible teaches us just the opposite. Proverbs 13:24. “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”
   
   Let me be perfectly clear about this. We are talking about disciplining or discipling our children, we are not talking about crushing their spirits. That is cruel and unbiblical. We are however, talking about curbing and shaping their assertive self – wills. There is a great difference. We have all been around the spoiled brat, the one who has no discipline or direction. It’s not fun when they are children, and even less enjoyable when they are grown.

3. Philippians 1:12. “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”. In this verse of Scripture the Apostle Paul says the things that have happened to him have come to serve the advancement of the gospel. The word ADVANCEMENT comes from the Greek “Prokopa” which means to cut before. It was used of an army of pioneer wood - cutters which preceded the regular army, cutting a road through an impenetrable forest, making possible the advancement of the army into regions where otherwise it could not have gone. Paul assures the Philippians that his circumstances have not only failed to curtail his missionary work, but they have advanced it.
   
   What were his circumstances? His was under arrest. He was chained to a Roman soldier night and day. God had built a fence around him. He had placed limitations on him. He had handicapped him. But Paul said they were God’s wood – cutters making a road for the advancement of the Gospel.
   
     So it is in the life of the Christian. The things that hedge us in, the things that handicap us, the tests that we go through, are the discipline of the Lord. Working in us and for us as the wood – cutters making a way for the gospel to work more effectively in our lives and through us in the world around.  At times we don’t see or understand why the Lord is allowing this to happen to us, but the discipline of His love results in our reaching spiritual maturity.
   
   
   

What are you going through now which you would, or could consider to be an adverse situation? What impact is it having on your life? Do you sense the love of the Lord even in the middle the trial?

Let me conclude by reminding you the Lord loved you when you were unlovable lost in sin. He loved you and received you with open arms when you came to the cross. He loves you as his child and desires the very best for you.

Devotional Thoughts | Adversity Part 2 - Adversity is God’s Way of Getting Our Attention

Adversity is God’s Way of Getting Our Attention.

Matthew 13:18-23 – The parable of the Sower.

God’s stiffest competition for our time, attention, and affections are “the cares of this world.”

In order for many people to be faithful to the Lord, it must be convenient.

Jeremiah 35:13-15 “I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.”

When adversity comes, we are suddenly faced with problems and pressures too big for us to resolve.         Psalm 25:1-2.

When things get worse ...what then?

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened; and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. When we get to the end of our rope, that’s when God can do His best work.

What is God’s ultimate purpose in getting our attention? Simply one.

Romans 8:28 – 29 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…

Adversity can be our greatest motivation for spiritual growth, or our greatest means of discouragement. The difference depends on our understanding of God’s purposes through adversity.

Devotional Thoughts | Adversity Part 1

Adversity: Trouble, affliction, opposition, pressure, chastening, anguish, testing, or tribulation. It is greater than our ability to resolve. It usually comes in multiples, one

test on top of another. (When it rains, it pours.)

There are two different types of testing.

Dokimazo – The act of testing someone or something for the purpose of approving it.  1 Corinthians 3:10 – 15 – (gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw tested by fire); 1 Corinthians 11:28 – called to self-examination before receiving communion; Ephesians 5:8-10 – live as children of the light...find out what pleases the Lord.

(generally used by God, never used by Satan.)

Peirpzo – To try to test intentionally with the purpose of discovering what good or evil is in a thing.

(it is used at times by God, i.e. Genesis 22; 1 Corinthians 10:13. It is, in a negative sense, used by Satan, Matthew 4; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5- …Tempter may have tempted you and our efforts have been in vain )

The question we will be exploring over the next few weeks is this. What is God’s reason for allowing us to experience adversity? The answers are found in seeing:

Adversity Is God’s Way of Getting Our Attention

Adversity Is Our Assurance of His Love

Adversity Is God’s Call to Self Examination

Adversity Is God’s Way of Conquering Our Pride