Here As One of Us

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Let’s say, for just a moment, that you were the God of creation and had decided to reveal yourself to the created. How would you have done it? Would you have aligned the stars of heaven to proclaim, “I’m here!” Would you have autographed the creation by making the paths of the major rivers of earth to announce, “I did this!” 

Too silly? Well, I’m with you, but God did reveal Himself. Rather than my suggestions, He did it the perfect way. He revealed Himself in a human body—the body of Jesus Christ. Though being God, the tongue that called Lazarus from the dead was a human tongue. The hand that reached out to rescue Peter from drowning was a human hand. The dusty feet that walked the length and breath of Israel announcing, “The kingdom of God is near,” were human feet. The tears that rolled down His cheeks were from a heart as broken as yours or mine has ever been. That’s why “we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses” [Hebrews 4:15].

So people came to Him. At night. In narrow streets. On the seashore. Around the Temple. They invited Him into their homes. He played with their children. They got to know Jesus, the revelation of God in human flesh. 

I want you to know Him too. Jesus is more than a portrait in stained glass. He is God walking among us. 

The Word became human and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

The Right Path

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

The path toward righteousness/holiness is not the easiest path, but it is the best path. There are many blessings for staying on it. Life is much richer when we deny ungodliness to walk in righteousness. Are you walking on it daily?

One of the reasons it is not easy is that the path toward holiness demands our obedience. That has always been the way. From Genesis to Revelation, we are told to obey God. To do that, we must abandon our culture’s wisdom and embrace godly wisdom. Where do you find godly wisdom? Certainly not from Congress or a college class room. You won’t get it from a bar tender or Hollywood. You will, however, get it as you fear the Lord. Yes, you read it correctly, to fear the Lord. Listen to the Psalmist, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise Him forever” [Psalm 111:10].

We are refreshed as we walk on the path toward holiness. God did not design our bodies to live with anger, bitterness, hate, or resentment. In fact, living with these emotions over a period of time can cause us physical harm. By walking on the path of righteousness, we lay those harmful emotions where they belong, at the feet of Christ [1 Peter 5:8], then, He restores us.

Sure, there will be missteps along the way. Thankfully, God takes steps to correct them. It’s a sign that you belong to Him, and a wonderful demonstration of His love for you.

Are you lost or confused? Stay on the path of righteousness. There is a path that the world follows, but it only leads to death [Proverbs 14:12]. By staying on the path of righteouss/holiness, you’ll find your way every time.  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:5-12

A Familiar Voice

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

I am currently teaching a series on the Apostles’ Creed at the church I pastor. A couple of weeks ago, we looked at the phrase, “… from thence He shall come to judge the quick [those alive] and the dead.” On that day, the Scripture says, “All in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son and come out…”

As I pondered that, it stuck me that there is coming a day when everyone will hear the Lord’s voice. Some will hear it for the very first time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not because He hasn’t spoken, it’s more about they have never listened. It will not be a familiar voice, it will be the voice of a stranger. It’s likely they will hear it that once and never hear it again, as they will be eternally separated from Him. If that’s true, the only voices they will hear from that point forward, will be those that they followed here on earth. How sad!

In contrast, the Saints will hear a familiar voice—like sheep that know their shepherd. They have heard His voice before and opened their heart’s door to Him.

On that final day, the door will open, but it will be different. On that day, He won’t be coming to our house, we will be entering His!

Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will come out. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.  John 5:28-29

A Family of Friends

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

One of my Bible College professors was fond of saying, “The Church is a family of friends, and friends who are family.” When you become a Christ follower, not only does God pardon you, but He also places you in His family of friends. 

“Family” is the best term to describe the Church. We are called, and call ourselves, brothers and sisters. Just to make a point, the terms “brothers,” or “brothers and sisters,” is mentioned 148 times in just two books of the New Testament [Acts and Revelation]. 

Because God uses His family to bless His family, so much is accomplished in it. He gave each of us gifts so that we could love each other, honor one another, be watchful for troublemakers, and to bear each other’s burdens. 

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God!

God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. Ephesians 1:5-6

Prayer and Peace

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Sure, you can worry, but it comes at a high price. The Greeks had an interesting view of what it means to worry. They used a word that means, to divide the mind. Think about that for just a moment. Worry creates a double-minded thinker. If worry actually worked, there would be no problem with it. But rather than doing anything about tomorrow’s problems, worry simply negates today’s strength. When your perception is divided, your vision is distorted. When your strength is divided, you lose energy and stamina. I don’t know about you, but who can afford to lose their power?

What is the prescription for worry? How can we overcome its grip on our lives? We need two things; one, our part, and two, God’s part. 

Our part must include prayer with thanksgiving. Paul said it best when he told the Philippian Christ followers to, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” [4:6 - emphasis mine].

God’s part includes guarding your heart with peace. Paul continues, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” [4:7]. 

Try it. You will be amazed at what happens when you replace worry with prayer and thanksgiving!

Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:7 [The MESSAGE Paraphrase]

Our Divine Helper

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

I follow a Christian theology that is Trinitarian. That means I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As Christ followers, we talk about the Father a lot. We study the Son, Jesus, and pattern our lives after His example. But what about God the Spirit? When it comes to the Holy Spirit, some are confused at best. 

Allow me to simplify things a little. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in our lives, which enables us to carry on the work of Jesus. Jesus promised us this Helper. He said, “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” [John 14:16-17].

“The Helper.” The Holy Spirit helps us in three very specific ways:

Inwardly, by granting us the Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-24

Upwardly, by praying for us when we don’t know how - Romans 8:28

Outwardly, by pouring [literally, gushing] God’s love into our hearts - Romans 5:5

If you want to be everything God wants you to be, don’t overlook God the Holy Spirit’s impact in your life. All God’s children are led by Him.

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14

Today, Not Tomorrow

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

When I first gave my life to the Lord, I had no idea where it would take me. To be honest, if God would have shown me at that time all the changes I needed to make in my life, I’d have boarded a ship to Tarshish! Yet, here I am today pastoring a church in Julian, California, and writing books and eDevotions. Had God told me that back then, I probably would have laughed my head off in unbelief. But that’s the Lord’s way. He doesn’t show us more than is necessary. 

That is especially true about the difficulties we face. We know we will have them because our Lord told us so, “In this world you will have tribulation” [John 16:33], but He doesn’t show us more than we need to know. What He desires is for us to cast our cares upon Him and trust Him for our future.

That’s why we take things a day at a time. We haven’t yet developed the faith to overcome all the problems we are to face in the future, but God has given us all that we need to overcome what we face today. Keep in mind the Lord taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” And also remember that the Children of Israel, while in the wilderness, could only collect enough manna for one day. So, too, the Lord gives us sufficient grace to face our daily challenges. 

As one who is called according to His purpose, there are many adventures and challenges ahead of you. God will supply everything you need to face each situation. Trust Him for strength to face today’s challenges and tribulations. Tomorrow is another day.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 [The MESSAGE Paraphrase]