Archive: 2020

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Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Thoroughly Equipped”
Week 1 of 4: “The Scripture Leads Us!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL

THIS WEEK: Psalm 119 – Benefits of the Word!

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Did you know the longest “chapter” in the Bible is a song that recognizes and reflects on the Word of God and all its benefits?  This week’s devotions will highlight a few of the  176 verses.  Another interesting component of this Psalm is you can learn the Hebrew Alphabet.  Each set of eight verses began with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  This isn’t reflected in the English translation but, the heading of each section is identified by that letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Here’s how the Psalm starts:

1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

who walk according to the law of the Lord.

2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes

and seek him with all their heart—

3 they do no wrong

but follow his ways.

At times the Word of God gets criticized as being irrelevant, out of date, or limiting to freedom.  Individuals have chosen to see the Scripture of God as a constrictor to fun or something that restricts them from the good things of life.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Yes it curtails the desire of the sinful nature.  It guides the life of the individual away from the love of money and self to the love of God and others.  It points out the acts of the sinful nature and points people to produce the fruit of the Spirit.  It is brutally honest in how people were punished for worshipping false gods and yet is direct in relating the persecutions of those who did not give in to worship of someone or something other than the LORD.

Does the Scripture limit our behavior?  Sure.  Our sinful nature loves to take us on a path away from the Lord.

Galatians 5:19-20 is brutally honest.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Look at this list.  Does living like this seem fun, inviting, and a life worth living?  How does this bring a blessing to you or to others?

The biggest blessing God doesn’t want us to miss out on is the reality of heaven.  He knows the power of the sinful nature to turn from him, and so he calls us to repentance and communicates the truth of his love, mercy and grace in the pages of Scripture to turn us back to him.

The Scripture tells us “The Lord laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) We could not be blameless on our own, but have been given the perfection of Jesus.  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Believing and living with Jesus at the focus of our lives brings us the greatest blessing of all…life with God forever.

The only place God tells us of this and blesses us with this is the pages of his Word.

Seek him.  Follow him. Be blessed by him!

Apply: This week keep track of the blessings you receive because you are connected to and walking with the Lord and his Word.  Maybe there’s some you’ve been missing!

Prayer: Lord we love your Word and all the blessings it brings.  Help me to stay close to you and your Word and enjoy the blessings you give to those who do.  AMEN.

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Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL

THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!

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As we wrap up a week of devotions on our relationship to government, today I’d like to reprint the main points from Sunday’s message (Listen to it at the links above.) As we go to the polls (or have gone) we realize we live as a child of God, part of his heavenly kingdom, and as a citizen of the United States, an earthly kingdom.  We live in both, participate in both, but remember some clear distinctions while recognizing similarities.

Here are seven distinctions of the two kingdoms:

• We become a citizen of God’s Kingdom by faith in Jesus.
• We become a citizen of America by birth or citizenship process.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

• Our primary citizenship is in heaven.
• Our secondary citizenship is on earth.

Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,

• The leader of God’s kingdom is Christ.
• The leader of America is our President.

Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

• The guide for the Christian is the Word of God.
• The guide for the government is the constitution.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

• The primary role of God’s kingdom is the salvation of souls.
• The primary role of government is the safety of people.

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,  for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Romans 13:3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

• My purpose as a Christian in America is to make Christians.
• My purpose as a Christian in America is not to make a Christian nation.

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

• My Christian life is motivated by grace.
• Life in America is motivated by the law.

Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;

Here are three similarities:

• Christ is the head of both.

Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

• I give respect and honor to both.

Romans 13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: … if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

• I desire to impact both.

Jeremiah 29:7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Apply: Impact the nation in which you live…GO VOTE! Impact the kingdom of God…SHARE Jesus with someone!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me a member of your kingdom by grace and allowing me the privilege to be a citizen of America. Help me to understand and keep each kingdom distinct while I live in and impact both…to your glory! AMEN.

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Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL

THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!

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Death and taxes.

Some would say these are the only two certainties in life.

Kind of morbid when you think about it.

So if these are “inevitable events” of life, perhaps a different perspective make them both more palatable…should I even suggest exciting? (You decide if that’s an overstatement!)

Let’s deal quickly with death. Because of sin, death is real and will happen unless Jesus returns first.  However, for a follower of Jesus, it is not an event to fear. Death, while an end to our time on earth, is the first day we get to experience heaven.  Remember and hold on to Jesus’ promise: John 11:25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

But what about taxes? Is there a positive way to view this reality?

Let’s review.

Every government exists because it has been established by God. Therefore every government is under the authority of God, whether they realize it or not.  Because they are under the authority of God, they are God’s servants to be a blessing to those who do good and God’s servants to be agents of wrath to those who do wrong.  They have a job to carry out, again whether they realize it or not, given to them by God.

So, to support God’s servants who give their full time to governing, we pay taxes.

Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

What changes if you start thinking of your taxes as an exercise of faith that supports God’s servants? At times it is hard to see this because governing officials don’t always carry out their God given responsibilities or do it as we wish they would.  However, governing officials are accountable to God for the way they govern and we are responsible for the way we support God’s servants…with our taxes.

We also have a responsibility to honor and respect those in authority. We may not agree with them on policy, but again we do it not because we agree, but because we recognize they are God’s servants.

Romans 13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Believe me, this doesn’t come easy for me. It is easy to complain, be rude, or insulting to governing officials I don’t align with.  Perhaps you struggle with the same.  Lord, forgive me and help me to honor you by honoring and respecting those you have allowed to be in authority over me.

Apply: What blessings have you received from governing officials that you support through the paying of your taxes? To what official do you struggle to show respect?  Ask the Lord for strength to show respect, even if you don’t agree or in how you choose to disagree.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our governing officials. Forgive me for complaining about and being disrespectful to them.  As I pay taxes and show respect, let me remember that these are your servants through whom you intend to bless me.  AMEN.

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Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL

THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!

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Human justice is not always perfect justice.

However, God has entrusted his arm of justice to the rulers of a government.

They are God’s servants to bring “punishment on the wrongdoer.”

No problem, if you don’t break the law.  Big problem if you do.

Romans 13:4-5 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Remember, one of the main purposes of government is the safety of its citizens.  Laws are enacted (in general) to provide for that safety.  The government also has a right to enforce those laws and punish the wrong doer.

Our country has been rocked recently by unrest over alleged police brutality.  As a result, some feel they are justified in breaking the law or striking out against law enforcement.  Without knowing all the details of every situation, I will suggest that when law enforcement is called it is because either a law was broken or the safety of individuals was at stake.  Without justifying police who over step their role (for which they too are accountable to God), police are acting as servants of God when they enforce the law and bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Our court system and judges are servants of God when they apply the law and bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  God is a God of law and justice.  He asks the governments he has established to be the same.

So pray for all those in our government that are entrusted with the sword of punishment.  Ask the Lord to give them all the wisdom to discern when and how to act as his servants of wrath.

Sounds like a strange prayer to ask the Lord to enable government to be his agents of punishment.  It is, but if every government is established by God’s authority, they too are given authority to punish the wrong doer.

So God asks us to submit to the authorities, not challenge them, subvert them, or try to overpower them.  They are God’s servants.  If you do what is right, you have nothing to fear…only if you do wrong.  If you do wrong, don’t be surprised when you encounter one of God’s servants with a badge who has been entrusted with the responsibility to bring punishment on you, the wrongdoer.

But don’t submit, just because you fear punishment.  Submit because of conscience.  It’s the right thing to do…especially for God’s child.  When you recognize God has established the authority, he has allowed the laws of the land and called upon that authority to be his servant and punish the wrongdoer, we will naturally want to align our behavior to not just avoid jail, but to honor the LORD.  A conscience guided by the Spirit of God will walk in step with that Spirit, and thus avoid facing the one who bears the sword.

“Law and Order” shouldn’t just be a TV program or campaign slogan, but the reality of a society living at peace…with authority enforcing the law to keep order and safety and citizens obeying the law to show respect not just to the governing officials, but to show respect and honor to the LORD, the one who has established governments and asked them to be servants of punishment.

Apply: How does this truth of Scripture help to guide my behavior in the country in which I live and my interaction with those that  “do not bear the sword for no reason.”?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving your desire for justice and upholding right and punishing wrong to governing authorities.  Grant them wisdom to be your servants in this arena so we may all live safe, peaceful and productive lives.  AMEN.

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Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL

THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!

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Are you for real?

The President? Senators? Representatives? Governors? Mayors? … God’s servants?

Sounds strange doesn’t it to think that a public official would add to their title, “Servant of God.”  Especially in our culture that wants to eliminate referencing God in the public square, to state that governing officials are God’s Servants sounds almost as bad as fingernails on a chalk board…especially when those governing officials appear to do everything BUT serve the will of God.

But they ARE God’s Servants.

The term “servant” designates a relationship of authority.  I could be Vice President and hold a lot of authority, but still “serve” the President whose authority supersedes mine.  To be a “servant” is to indicate there is one who holds more authority than I and there is one to whom I am accountable.

Whether a public official realizes it or not, they do not have ultimate authority.  God does.  They may think they do and act like they do, but one day even they will have to bow the knee before Jesus and give account for how well they carried out the role of God’s servant to those whom they had authority over.

It makes sense.  If every authority exists because God allows it to exist, every authority exists to serve at the will of God.

Consider these two references to Old Testament Kings…one good one and one bad one.

King David…servant of God: (David did recognize the LORD’s authority over him.)

1 Chronicles 17:23 “And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon…servant of God: (What???  God would use a heathen king to bring judgment on his people Israel.)

Jeremiah 25:9 I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy w them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin.

It ought not surprise us that God can and does use governing authorities to carry out his will for his people. He’s God and the ultimate ruler over all.

Romans 13:4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.

Governing officials serve God by brings good things to his people.  What are the good things God blesses you with through our government?  Government provides protection and safety through local police, state troopers, National Guard and our military forces.    Government provides a system of travel and roads to give us freedom of movement to buy, sell, visit, and engage in life.  Government allows our churches to be exempt from property and income taxes to allow more dollars to go toward Gospel ministry.  Government provides schools to provide education for our children (not perfect, but good in many ways).  What others would you add?

I agree, it’s strange to think of governing officials as God’s Servants…but they are, whether they realize it or not, there for your good.

Apply: What good things have your received from God through your governing officials?

Prayer: LORD, thank you for being the ultimate authority in faith and life.  Lead all those in positions of authority to realize their authority comes from you and understand they are your servants there to bring good to people.  AMEN.