Title: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly/Topic: Church Life

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 5; Jeremiah 6; John 12

Scripture: John 12:4-6
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Observation: The ugly truth is that there will always be bad people among the the good in church life. Even among Jesus' own disciples, there was a faker. He covered his sin with religious sounding words and only Jesus knew he wasn't genuine. Here is an odd observation: Jesus allowed him to remain with him for his entire ministry and did not expose him to the rest of the group. At the last supper, Jesus spoke about his betrayer so that Judas would know that Jesus recognized the truth about him, but none of the other disciples realized it until later. Did Judas even know the truth about himself? I wonder. I have seen those who live lives deceiving others for their own benefit. They think they are wise and always recognize lies, but, in fact, they are often very self-deceived (2 Tim. 3:13).

Application: We are supposed to be on the lookout for those in the Church who are false believers because they can cause destruction in the Body. But we have to accept the fact that there will always be those among us who are not worshiping with pure motives. The more difficult truth to face is that any one of us can become one of those people. All it takes is to harbor sin in our life without repenting of it. Even a small sin, if kept hidden and unrepented of, will grow and pollute us without our even realizing what is happening. We are so good at justifying ourselves that if we keep going to church and engaging in religious activities and speech, we can become a “bad apple”. We must guard our own hearts and keep ourselves clean by constantly humbling our hearts before God and allowing the Spirit to examine and speak to us.

Prayer: Father, my greatest concern is that my heart remain pure before you. I am a poor judge of it's condition, especially when I am angry or hurt. Give me hearing ears to listen to the voice of your Spirit. And also give me a discerning heart into the motives of others; not for the purpose of judgment but for the purpose of restoration and , when necessary, protection of the Body. Let me walk in truth and speak truth all of my days.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Good Shepherd/Topic: Why I Believe

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 1; Jeremiah 2; John 10

Scripture: John 10:14-18
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Observation/ Application: Christianity is the only religion in the world where the leader or founder laid down his life for his followers. It is the only religion that deals adequately with the reality of the sin nature in all of us. Jesus laid down his life voluntarily to pay the penalty for our sin. This is why I am a Christian. There is truth found in other religions that lines up with the truth in the Bible. But none of the others addresses the “sin” question well at all. These verses also teach the inclusivity of Christianity. It was not just for the Jews. Jesus came for “other sheep” as well as for the Jews. “Whosoever will” may come to him and b e granted eternal life. There is but one proviso; one must admit his/her need of forgiveness for wrongs done in this life. That assaults the pride of many. There are so many who cannot accept that they deserve judgment for the “little” imperfections and mistakes they have made in life because they feel themselves to be basically good people. But if there is to be no sorrow or pain in heaven, we must all be made perfect. Thus, the process of humbling ourselves, admitting our need, and receiving forgiveness from all our selfishness is necessary. I can believe and trust in a God who loves me enough to sacrifice Himself to pay for my sins and who promises that when I humbly accept that gift, I will be made perfect so I can enter heaven and fellowship with Him forever.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for your great love and kindness toward me and all men. May all mankind come to know of your love and grace toward them. Let me be a light and a mirror that reflects your love to others.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Righteous Wrath/Topic: Judgment Day

Today’s Reading: Zephaniah 1; Zephaniah 2; Zephaniah 3; John 9

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:4-6, 12,
4 "I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the pagan and the idolatrous priests-
5 those who bow down on the roof to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the LORD and who also swear by Molech, [b]
6 those who turn back from following the LORD and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of him.
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, 'The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.'

Observation: It is out of vogue to talk about God's wrath in churches these days. But God's wrath is spoken of quite a lot in the Bible. It is something we need to understand if we are believers. God's wrath is righteous and is necessary. If there were no consequences to sin, everyone would do as they pleased without regard to the harm they did to others. There could never be peace on earth or a heaven. Notice that God's judgment is poured out on those who try to serve other gods and also serve the only true God. We cannot serve two masters. God is righteous; his laws for living a good life harm no one and form the basis for a loving, peaceful society. The other gods indulge every form of sensuality and brutality. God also judges the complacent. Now that is one verse that really hits home for most American Christians! We are called to be those who preserve life and show God's light by loving others. If we sit on our duffs and entertain ourselves without trying to right wrongs in this world and praying for God to work, we are in grave danger of facing God's wrath ourselves. Many have argued to me that if God is love then how could he condemn anyone to hell. It is BECAUSE he is love that he must do just that. He gives everyone a chance to do right and make good choices. If they do not, he must separate them from the rest of the people who have chosen to serve God so that no one will be hurt or harmed. While we are here on earth we get to choose how we want to live and we will suffer as long as there are wicked people on earth. But there will come a time when God judges everyone and the wicked will not be allowed to spend eternity in heaven. Heaven is a place where all sin will be wiped out. Those who have repented of their sin will live there forever with God in peace and harmony. Those who are arrogant and refuse to repent or be corrected will go to eternity and live in a place where no love exists. That will be more torment than any of us can imagine.

Application: We must examine ourselves and repent of any complacency, double-mindedness, deceit, and selfishness we have in our lives. We must submit to the One who loves us and learn to be loving and gracious as He is. He is gentle but also the ultimate Authority who will judge all wickedness. Let us submit to the Lover of our souls.

Prayer: Lord help me! I still sin and am stubborn at times. I repent before you and ask that you cleanse me from all unrighteousness. And help me not only to live by your Word but to proclaim it to all boldly and correctly. I will not be ashamed of the gospel which alone is able to save men. Thank you for your grace O Lord!
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Do it Today, Lord/Topic: God's Supernatural Work

THIS IS MY FIRST DAY BACK FROM A TRIP TO ISRAEL AND BURUNDI, AFRICA. I SAW AMAZING THINGS. GOD IS STILL DOING THE MIRACULOUS AND MOVING IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF MEN. WHAT I SAW IN AFRICA STIRRED A LONGING IN ME TO SEE GOD WORK IN AMERICA THE WAY HE IS WORKING IN BURUNDI TO RESORE A NATION AND A PEOPLE. TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL REFLECTS SOME OF WHAT GOD IS STIRRING IN MY HEART.

Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 1; Habakkuk 2; Habakkuk 3; John 8

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:2
2 LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.

Observation: Habakkuk echoes the cry of my heart in his prayer to God. How I long to see the awesome deeds of the Lord renewed in our day, in the time we live in now! I believe in what I read in the Bible. Jesus promised in John 14:12, “ I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” I have seen and experienced the miracle power of God, yet not with the regularity that I desire to. The Church in America is anemic and weak due to a lack of prayer and our own forms of idol worship. We “worship” at the altar of TV, internet games, money, and leisure.

Application: Are we as the Church in America willing to give up our idols and pray and seek the Lord's face for His divine favor? It starts with me: Am I willing to put aside my own pleasures and leisurely pursuits to pursue the Lord instead? Am I willing to spend time in prayer to see his will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Only my actions will tell. Words and desires without action to back them up are like an empty well. Prayer is what primes the pump of the flow of the Spirit.

Prayer: Oh Lord, I do want to see your works renewed in my day! Help me to grow in prayer and to put away useless activities that serve no purpose other than to amuse me for a time. I pray for our leaders and all those in authority that we may lead lives of peace and that all men may come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, whom You sent to forgive and cleanse us from our sins and to restore us to right relationship with you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.