Set Forth Truth Plainly!
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published February 22, 2012 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)
Hopefully not many readers of these devotions have had the opportunity to stand before a judge and testify to “tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” If one has, these brief words give the judge your solemn word that what you will speak about will be the truth. You won’t distort your story to protect the guilty. You won’t exaggerate the story to build up the innocent. You will simply tell the truth.
Temptation abounds in our culture to twist or distort the truth for our own best interest. This is no different for words of the Bible to make its teachings more palatable. We want to justify alternate lifestyles and so deem the Bible’s teaching on marriage “old fashioned.” Living God’s ways are challenging so we throw them out as “too strict.” To claim that Jesus is the only way to heaven is perceived as narrow-minded and arrogant, so the teaching is meshed into the nicety that there are many paths to God.
Just as a witness in a courtroom would do a disservice to the trial by not telling the truth, so Christians who distort the truth of God do a disservice to people of our generation. The Apostle Paul had one objective, “set forth the truth plainly.” How an individual received that was not his primary concern. He just wanted people to know the truth about God.
What is that truth? There are many, but let me commend to your conscience the most important truth. Apart from faith in Jesus, there is no hope of heaven. Why? “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Each reader must admit, “I am not perfect.” You may try harder, do more good, or feel like you are better than most. The harsh reality is that none of that activity or thinking removes your guilt and sin. There is only one way to stand perfect before a holy God. Later in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The reality? Jesus took your sin and gave you his perfection. Believe it. Jesus did this for you! This is the truth!
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, we love to push aside the truth of your Word. We think we know better. Forgive us. Assure us of your love and forgiveness. Lead us always to trust the truth that you and you alone are the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one comes to God except through you. AMEN.
Will You Be Voted Out?
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published November 4, 2011 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
9 “As I looked,
“thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:9-10)
Will You Be Voted Out?
So who’s going to be voted off next? Week after week shows like “Dancing with the Stars,” “Survivor,” “The Bachelor,” “American Idol,” and the like keep us coming back to see who gets voted off, kicked out or asked to leave. The suspense is created when after a performance, the judging panel has to render a person worthy of staying or deserving an early exit from the show.
The prophet Daniel wasn’t filming a reality TV show, but he was given a vision of the reality that will take place when all of humanity stands before the Almighty God. The glory of the perfect Judge is evident. The angels surround him. The court was seated and the books were opened.
Reality shows portray individuals doing their best to win the judge’s favor or vote. Viewers sometimes cringe because the person they thought was the best is voted off the show. How unfair! So what will the Ancient of Days and the heavenly court say of you? Will you be received into heaven or voted out and escorted to hell? What will be recorded about you in the book God sees? Don’t we like to think that our performance in life would earn a spot in God’s heaven? Unfortunately, if we are honest with ourselves and the Bible’s teaching (Romans 3:23), unless our performance is perfect, we will always deserve to be voted out of heaven.
Just as we are surprised when someone who, in our opinion, deserves to be voted off, is allowed to stay, so will we be surprised when God reads our name and welcomes us to spend eternity with him in heaven. This is grace, God’s undeserved love for you. He does not judge us as our sins deserve, but rather accepts us because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Psalm 103:8-13). Our sins are erased from his book because Jesus paid for them on the cross. Now when the book is opened and our name is there, we receive the good news that we stand forgiven and heirs of eternal life. What a glorious reality God has given to you because of Jesus!
(For more information about who Jesus is and what he’s done for you, go to www.whataboutjesus.com)
PRAYER: Ancient of Days, we humbly recognize our record cannot stand on its own. We desire your grace to not judge us as our deeds deserve, but rather on the perfect record of our dear Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN
When Opportunity Comes…
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published November 4, 2011 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
Text: Daniel 6:10-12, 16-23
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.”
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
“When Opportunity Comes…It’s Too Late to Prepare!”
John Wooden was one of the greatest college basketball coaches in history as he led the UCLA Bruins to 10 National Championships in 12 years. Among the many words he used to inspire, motivate and drive his team to perform at their best, was the phrase, “When opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare.” Not only is this true for basketball, but true for life as well.
Daniel was a faithful follower of the LORD. He spent a life time studying and growing in the words and ways of the LORD. His trust grew. His confidence to make decisions based on his faith increased. The LORD blessed him. Although he was one of the people of Israel who was taken captive to Babylon, Daniel was recognized for his wisdom and leadership and elevated to a prominent position in the Babylonian government. The LORD prepared him for the opportunities.
Then the challenge came. Those jealous of Daniel coerced the king of Babylon to issue a decree that “anyone who prays to any god or man except you, O king, would be thrown into the lions’ den.” The king followed his ego, only to realize that Daniel would have to be thrown to the lions. Daniel would not change his loyalty or his worship pattern. The LORD was first priority. The king he honored second.
The law was irreversible. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. Death was certain, except the LORD intervened to reward Daniel’s trust, sending an angel to shut the mouth of the lions. “No wound was found on him, because he trusted in his God.”
The value of being prepared with a high trust and confidence in the LORD God, is that we’re always ready for what life throws our way. Maybe you’re not facing death by lions, but what about when life brings you challenges at work, in your finances, in your relationships, in your health, in your community, in your world? Do you face them with worry, anxiety, or a movement away from the LORD? Or are you prepared to see these times as an opportunity, like Daniel, to take the faith the LORD works and put it into practice with calm assurance of the LORD’s ability to see you through?
Daniel was prepared for the challenge he faced because he had connected regularly with the source of all strength, the LORD and his Word. We invite you to study further the life of Daniel and other people of faith to see how they prepared for life and the challenges it brings and how the LORD brought them through. Connect with a local congregation (http://welslocator.locatorsearch.com) to assist you in growing your connection to the LORD almighty. Spend some time on www.whataboutjesus.com to learn more about the God Daniel worshipped, served, and was willing to die for.
Prayer: Lord, life brings many challenges. Lead me to follow the example of Daniel to prepare for these challenges with a constant and consistent pattern of connection to you and worship of you. Empower me by your Spirit to always be prepared for the opportunities to trust you! AMEN.
What Is Your Goal in Life?
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published February 15, 2012 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
What is your goal in life?
July 27, 2012. Does this date have any significance for you? It might, if it’s your birthday, the start of your summer vacation, or possibly an anniversary. But for most, it’s just another day…unless you are an Olympic athlete. This summer date marks the beginning of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. For four years and more, athletes have been dedicating hours upon hours to work and train to compete on an international scale with one goal: winning a gold medal.
As far back as 776BC (www.olympic.org) athletes have gone into strict training to gain the top prize. Today it’s a gold medal. For ancient Greek athletes it was a sacred olive tree wreath placed on their head in the vestibule of the temple of Zeus. The effort was immense, however the losers were many and the glory of the victor often short-lived.
While we admire the discipline and dedication of an Olympic athlete, the Apostle Paul encourages the same dedication, discipline and determination in pursuing a life with the Lord Jesus. Life can easily become consumed with the temporary and transient. Perhaps today is an opportunity to ask, “What am I doing today to spend time and energy pursuing the one thing that will last forever, a close and growing relationship with Jesus Christ?”
Paul “beat his body” and made it his slave to proclaim Jesus to others and to grow in his personal walk with Jesus. What do I have to say “No!” to in order to have time each day to spend reading the Bible or in personal devotion and prayer? What disciplines do I need to put the love of Jesus into my attitudes and actions each day? What priorities do I need to adjust to ensure I and my family are intensely pursuing the one thing that matters, the love of the Lord Jesus and a life lived for the Lord Jesus?
Today, with the Lord’s help, run in such a way to gain the prize that lasts forever! Tomorrow do the same…and the next day…and the next! “Be faithful to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank you for pursuing us with a focus and intensity that took you to the cross for each of us. Instill in us the discipline, determination, and dedication to pursue a closer and growing relationship with you so that when our final day on this earth comes, we will enjoy standing in your temple receiving the crown of life you won for us. AMEN.
How Long, O Lord?
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published December 15, 2010 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:7-11
How long, O Lord?
You were fired from your job because you refused to participate in unethical behavior. Your friends stopped hanging out with you because you turned down an invitation to a drinking party. Your spouse ridicules you for getting up and going to church on Sunday mornings. When a faculty member finds out you are a Christian he speaks of you as narrow-minded and unscientific and seeks to undermine your credibility.
At times the life of a Christian is difficult. Thoughts can easily come into our minds and say, “I’m glad I’m not a Christian,” or “I wish I weren’t a Christian.” Suffering because we are connected with Christ is not easy. Giving up and abandoning Christ seems like the easier choice. We may think, “Why keep putting ourselves through this?”
Christians of all generations have suffered in one way or another for their faith. It’s hard. It’s not fun. It challenges our patience and willingness to stand firm and stay true to Christ. To the outsider it may make Christianity unattractive.
Yet here’s the perspective we cannot forget. The Lord is coming back and will restore and reward all those who have clung to Jesus in faith for forgiveness of their sins. The blessing of heaven will far outweigh challenges we encounter in this life because of our faith. “The Lord IS full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11).
The farmer suffers through long days and nights of planting. He fixes tractors when they break. He works hard to save crops after hail and storms. Yet he doesn’t give up because the reward of the crop is worth it.
Dear reader, don’t give up. The Lord will return. Know that you will be blessed as you have persevered! ”I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
Prayer: I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Amen.
(Psalm 119:107)