October 2019 – Daily Devo Time

Daily Devotional for October 31, 2019 – Letting God have complete control – no matter what

1 Corinthians 10:13
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

Yesterday, as I listened to news reports about the hurricane force winds in California – and the wildfires that were spreading because of them – I asked God, “Why are You allowing this?” I don’t often question God. I trust Him. I know that He has plans, purposes and timing far beyond what I can envision or understand. Still, countless innocent people are losing everything they own, through no fault of their own. People and animals are finding themselves in abject danger – even facing the potential to lose their lives – all in the blink of an eye. So I had to ask…”WHY, Lord…what is the purpose of this?”

I thought of other instances where I’ve asked this question and others. Why is their physical abuse? Why do we have cancer and other insidious diseases? Why are people – particularly children – allowed to suffer? Why are natural disasters allowed? These are some of the hard questions I have asked of a loving, all-knowing, all-powerful God. And today, I got an answer in the words of 1 Corinthians 10:13.

No test or temptation that comes our way is beyond what God can handle or help us overcome. It may/may not help you to know that others have endured the same challenge that you are facing. But it should help you to know that God will get you through this. He will lift, protect, strengthen and comfort you. God has promised that “ joy comes in the morning.” He just hasn’t said which morning!

God will wipe away your tears and fill your heart with joy and peace. It may not happen today…or even this year. And the wait may seem unending and impossible. But don’t give up on God…because He never gives up on you. This IS the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

Daily Devotional for October 30, 2019 – Are you “armed” and prepared?

Ephesians 6:13-18
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

I encourage you to stop and read the words of Ephesians 6:13-18 again. Read them slowly, thoughtfully, and let them soak in and take hold. You are up against far more than you can handle on your own. BE PREPARED. In these verses, the Apostle Paul outlines how to do this…are you paying attention?

Imagine what could happen if we all did these things…applied truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation to each and every situation. What if we prayed hard and long for our brothers and sisters…and kept each other’s spirits up, so that no one falls behind or drops out? We can do this…but we will have to exert some effort and energy. For me, the end results more than justify my diligence. What about you?

Daily Devotional for October 29, 2019 – Are you talking with God…or offering a performance?

Matthew 6:6
“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

I saw a darling video on Facebook recently of a toddler who was sitting in a high chair waiting for his dinner. Someone had placed a bowl of pasta on his tray. Off-camera, you can hear someone praying – presumably the father. The baby bows his head and folds his hands. The prayer goes on a bit, and the baby gets restless. During a slight pause in the prayer, he starts to pull noodles from the bowl and eat them. Then the voice starts up again…and the child quickly snaps his eyes shut and folds his hands. This happens a couple of times as the man goes on…and on…and on!

I always say, “When giving a performance, know your audience!” And in my opinion, this prayer was a performance. While I know that we have to teach our children about prayer, I will never understand why adults think that young children are going to sit still for lengthy ones – particularly before a meal. And what point are they trying to make? This is why I love Matthew 6:6 so much…Jesus clearly reminds us to keep our communication with God simple and honest…and much of the time, offered in private.

This morning, I saw a meme that said in essence that Christians are often their own worst enemy. You and I tend to say and do things that cause others to feel that they want nothing to do with Jesus, if this is how His followers behave. And sometimes, this includes “putting on airs” and offering public “prayers” that are more of a display of our piety than a genuine conversation with God.

I urge you to think about how, when and where you talk to God. I am not at all suggesting that we never pray in public – or with children. Both have their place. But God want us to be humble, simple and honest…and He wants our focus to be on Him, not on the “role-play” of what we perceive to be a “good Christian”. This is the perfect day to find a quiet, secluded place – and get real with God. It’s time to praise the Lord…and pass the pasta! Join me in shifting your focus – and really begin to operate in His grace.

Daily Devotional for October 28, 2019 – Living in God’s “sunshine” – no matter what

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

Recently, I shared some sad news with a friend, and she looked at me and said, “Are you all ever going to get some sunshine?” My instant, honest response was, “We have sunshine every day!” In any moment, every single one of us has “something”. I believe that how we respond is in direct correlation to our Christian faith – and our determination to live as someone who belongs to Jesus.

You and I can live like we truly believe in Jesus – and His assurance of a home in heaven for all of Eternity. Or we can show the world that we’re really not all that sure that God exists. That’s really what it boils down to…we either believe in God and trust Him – or we don’t.

I don’t mean to diminish grief, illness, heartaches, and human suffering. These are all very real situations and emotions. God allows us to endure these, because He knows that they strengthen us as His followers. God also knows that when we demonstrate joy and confidence in Him during difficult times, we show others that Satan and the world cannot defeat us. We are destined for greater things…for a seat at the King’s table forever and ever! This is more than enough reason to be cheerful – no matter what!

If you are in a season of sadness, I am so sorry. I pray that God will surround you with His comfort and peace – and fill your heart with hope. I pray that your joy will return quickly as you look for His blessings each and every day. If this is a season of “smooth sailing” for you, thank God for this time of reprieve…and ask Him to build you up for whatever lies ahead. Learn to live so deeply in God’s love and power that nothing can truly get you down. Look for “sunshine” in your life every single day. It is there…even in your worst circumstance.

God never leaves us…but sometimes, we turn our back on Him, if only briefly. Don’t do this. “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” (James 4:8, CEV) Look for His “sunshine” each and every day. Demonstrate to others how God is always meeting your needs – and mean it! Practice living in the presence and fullness of God’s blessings and care each and every day.

Let others see Jesus in each word and action…and keep pressing forward. Heaven is coming! Let’s start living today like this is where we’re headed!

Daily Devotional for October 27, 2019 – Where have you been?

1 Thessalonians 5:6
Others may sleep, but we should stay awake and be alert.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

At some point in your life, someone has reacted to something you said as if it was the first time he/she heard it, and you asked, “Where have you been?” And honestly, I have probably been that person myself from time to time. We all get tunnel vision. We all get caught up in the events of our own lives. And truthfully, we all think that what is happening in our world is far more important to others than it really is. So we assume that they are paying close attention…that they have picked up on the minute details of our lives – and care about them as much as we do.

This can be humbling in a couple of ways. First, we recognize that others are not thinking about us nearly as much as we believed. And then, we realize that we are not paying close attention to others, either! As Christians, the second realization is the one we should be focused on more intently. Rather than make everything about ourselves, we should be asking, “Who needs me?” We should be prayerfully awake and alert to the needs of others…and more importantly, to the missions and ministries to which God has called us.

Will we still get busy and miss a few things? Absolutely! But when we start each day asking God to sharpen our focus, we are bound to do better. When we genuinely ask God to show us who needs us…which situations and circumstances merit our full attention for that day…we stand a far better chance of avoiding the question…”Where have you been?”

We don’t know the day or hour that Jesus will call us home – or return for His church. And I am here to say that when this time comes for me, I don’t want to have left any of God’s missions for my life uncompleted. I want to be able to claim with confidence that I was awake, alert…and serving where God placed me on any given day.

I want to be confident that I did not operate with selfishness or tunnel vision…but with a heart for God’s people…and a concerted effort to meet their needs on His behalf – and as He directed. What about you? Where have you been?

Daily Devotional for October 26, 2019 – Loving God by loving His children…are you demonstrating faithful obedience?

1 John 5:1-4
If you believe that Jesus is the Christ—that he is God’s Son and your Savior—then you are a child of God. And all who love the Father love his children too. So you can find out how much you love God’s children—your brothers and sisters in the Lord—by how much you love and obey God. Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn’t hard at all; for every child of God can obey him, defeating sin and evil pleasure by trusting Christ to help him.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Last night, I watched a replay on C-SPAN of the funeral service for the Hon. Elijah Cummings, a U.S. Congressman from Maryland who died last week. Over and again, the speakers acknowledged Rep. Cummings’ faith in God…and his efforts to treat every.single.person like he would wish to be treated. Throughout his life, Cummings made a concerted effort to love others…and to give every person dignity and respect – even those with whom he disagreed.

One of the most poignant illustrations of this came during a Congressional hearing a few weeks ago, in which Cummings defended the character of a fellow representative from the other side of the aisle. Cummings noted that this man was one of his best friends – and vehemently and emotionally renounced claims from some that the man was a racist. It should be noted that Cummings was black – the fellow Congressman is white. Rep. Cummings did not back down from publicly defending a person who expressed contrary opinions so strongly that many would never believe these two men could be anything but enemies. And yet, Cummings did not let conflicting opinions and attitudes affect his obedience to God and his effort to love even a political adversary.

I will tell you…I am not in the same league with Elijah Cummings. There are plenty of people whose attitudes and actions annoy or disgust me – and I have a hard time finding love in my heart for them. But I do love God – and my obedience to Him is tantamount. So I must find a way to love others…all.of.them. I don’t have to make them my best buddies. I don’t have to support their agendas – or endorse their words and actions. But I must pray for them and genuinely care about their well-being – and their souls.

It is not our job to judge others…but as disciples of Christ, it is our job to love them with the love of Christ. We must pray for them and treat them kindly (which means choosing our words and actions carefully). We must check our own behavior and attitudes to ensure that we are demonstrating the teachings of Jesus and representing our Heavenly Father in a manner that pleases Him. Elijah Cummings was an amazing example of faithful obedience and love for others…and there are more like him, if we look around. God is counting on you and me to be among these faithful servants, as well. Are you ready to answer the call?

Daily Devotional for October 24, 2019 – Praying expectantly…what are you asking for?

James 4:1-3
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

One of the hardest things for me to do is to pray for God’s will instead of my own. After all, I want “good” things…health, happiness, and well-being for everyone. I want our children to be protected from the evils of this world. I want everyone to be prosperous, safe, and successful. I want all people to be accepted and included – and to know Jesus. I want everyone to experience true freedom…in every regard. And I believe God wants these things, too! So what is the problem?

The issue is that my “path” to these things is not always the same as God’s. His meanders and accounts for free will and the allowance for “life-building skills and lessons” along the way. Mine is straight to the point. Like the commercial on TV that says, “It’s MY money, and I want it NOW!”…I want what I want – when I want it!

I love how these verses come right to the point…we often know from the outset that what we are asking of God is selfish and ridiculous – and we are embarrassed to ask for it (or we should be). When we ask God for things according to His will, there is no hesitation…no embarrassment…and no doubt that God will answer. The outcome might not be exactly as we desired, but we are confident that it will be timely and perfect.

So as you think about your relationship with God, consider areas where you may at least mentally desire things that you know are selfish and wrong – and not in step with God’s plans. Let’s ask God to show us where we need to do some soul searching – and realign our thoughts and dreams with His. Let’s stop trying to get our own way in everything – and seek God’s will instead.

Don’t waste another minute…get your priorities in order. Pray in a manner that denotes God’s sovereignty and wisdom – and glorifies His Kingdom. And say “Enough already!” with selfish thoughts and desires. In the words of Matthew 6:33…” Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

Daily Devotional for October 23, 2019 – Love God – love others…that is all!

October 23 ~ Deuteronomy 4:2
Do not add other laws or subtract from these; just obey them, for they are from the Lord your God.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Children love to play the “telephone game”. You whisper something into the ear of one child, and he/she whispers it to another. By the time you go all the way down a line of children, the original sentence and intent have been totally discombobulated! This is a good lesson in how destructive gossip and idle talk can be. As adults, we are subjected to the words of others who seem to believe that if one says something often enough, it becomes the truth. Or they play off of their “celebrity” or “status” to convince others that something is indeed factual.

This is how we get to a place where people believe that something is scripturally sound – because So-and-So said it was! I am asking you to read Deuteronomy 4:2 again – and then study God’s word and think for yourself! Ask God to show you His truth! Consider everything you read and hear against these two commands…”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor just as much as you love yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Too many people are adding and subtracting from God’s laws – and altering His message to suit their own needs and agendas. Don’t be one of these. Love God…love others. Prayerfully obey God’s commands and respect His sovereignty. Let God be God…and serve Him with a grateful, humble heart. The “telephone game” and other manipulations are child’s play. It’s time for us to grow up and do better. Are you with me?

Daily Devotional for October 22, 2019 – Jesus is knocking…will you open the door?

Revelation 3:17-22
“You say, ‘I am rich, with everything I want; I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that spiritually you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

“My advice to you is to buy pure gold from me, gold purified by fire—only then will you truly be rich. And to purchase from me white garments, clean and pure, so you won’t be naked and ashamed; and to get medicine from me to heal your eyes and give you back your sight. I continually discipline and punish everyone I love; so I must punish you unless you turn from your indifference and become enthusiastic about the things of God.

“Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me. I will let everyone who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered. Let those who can hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Let’s face it…there are a lot of wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked people walking around in designer clothes and jewelry, living in extravagant homes, and driving expensive vehicles – or the closest equivalent that they can afford. The point is that THINGS do not satisfy – Jesus does.

Ask someone who has lost everything to a house fire, tornado, flood, or earthquake what really matters. Talk to someone who is lying in a hospital bed in a standard-issue gown, and see if he/she is concerned with jewelry, money, and material possessions. Think of those who have been displaced from their home, village, or country and ask yourself what they might consider to be a “critical need”.

Unless and until we start looking to Jesus for our “riches” and healing, we will never truly live as His heirs…and we will not be effective as His disciples. When people look at us, they need to see someone who puts Jesus first in all things…someone who finds fulfillment and purpose in the presence of the Holy Spirit – and makes everything else completely secondary.

I have a feeling that you and I have just a little of that wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked person in us…that our focus is not fully where it should be – and our priorities might be just a smidge out of whack. But we can fix this…here…now…TODAY! Jesus is standing at the door of our hearts and knocking…are you going to open and receive Him?

Daily Devotional for October 21, 2019 – Are you ready to “come clean” and “wear white”?

Revelation 3:2-5
Wake up! You have only a little strength left, and it is almost gone. So try to become stronger. I have found that you are not completely obeying God. Remember the teaching that you were given and that you heard. Hold firmly to it and turn from your sins. If you don’t wake up, I will come when you least expect it, just as a thief does.

A few of you in Sardis have not dirtied your clothes with sin. You will walk with me in white clothes, because you are worthy. Everyone who wins the victory will wear white clothes. Their names will not be erased from the book of life, and I will tell my Father and his angels that they are my followers.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

We all know that most of us have a hard time keeping our clothes (especially white items) looking crisp, bright, and stain free. And if your laundry includes children’s clothing, you know that the odds of any shirt staying free of stains for very long are pretty well slim to none.

Sometimes, we can look at a stain and say, “I know how that got there…that is such-and-such.” Often, we have no clue where we got the stain…it just seemed to show up out of nowhere! Sin is like this, too. Sometimes, we KNOW what happened…other times, it creeps into our life, and soon, our “shirt” is stained.

The Good News is that Jesus wants to give all of us bright white “clothing” to wear. He wants to wash us clean with His incredible, stain-removing, sin-forgiving blood. And then, Jesus wants us to pay close attention – to stay awake and alert and make a concerted effort to follow Him and avoid the stains of sin.

Wearing a garment with a big stain on it is not the end of the world. But the “stain” of sin is a whole other situation. None of us wants this! And Jesus offers us the opportunity to “come clean” – and to do our best to stay that way. He even promises to permanently place our names in the Book of Life! That sounds pretty awesome to me…what about you? I am ready to redouble my efforts to “walk with Christ in white clothes”. Are YOU ready to “wear white”?

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