Ever feel surrounded by hopelessness?

Piercing the Hopelessness - July 13, 2011

Devotion - Piercing the Hopelessness - July 13, 2011

Daily devotion from Romans 4:18.

See series:

• Devotions

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations.

Romans 4:18

Ever feel surrounded by hopelessness?  Its dark cloud can come from many directions. It can come from the condition of your finances. It can come from your workplace. It can come from your marriage, from your family or from your chronic bad health. It can come from bad memories you can't shake. It can come from some sinful weakness that you've been battling for years. From wherever your sense of hopelessness rises, the devil loves to take it and spread it over you like so much tar. His goal, of course, is to smother you.

A similar kind of hopelessness surrounded an Old Testament believer by the name of Abraham. God had promised Abraham that he and his wife would give birth to a son, and that through his son's family the Savior of the world would one day arrive. The problem was that Abraham was about 100 years old, and his wife was about 90. Human perception alone told them that the possibility of a son was simply hopeless.

But Abraham pierced the hopelessness by trusting his Lord's promise. The rest is history. The son came. The son's descendants grew into a great nation. And from that nation the Savior of the world was born. Abraham pierced the hopelessness not because of the strength of his character. Abraham pierced the hopelessness because of the strength of God's promise.

You can do the same. Beyond your perceptions of hopelessness are the sure promises of God. These promises come from the same One who has washed your sins away in his blood, who has covered you in his perfection, who has claimed you as his own by the power of his word—the good news of salvation. His promises are vibrant. They are unbreakable. And they are real.

And so confront your sense of hopelessness. Face it. Pierce it. After all, you possess the strength of God's promises to you.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, when the devil tries to surround me with hopelessness, empower me by your gospel to pierce it. Because at the end of the day, your promises are real, and my hopelessness is not. Amen.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 1:27-30 - July 12, 2011

Devotion - Philippians 1:27-30 - July 12, 2011

Daily devotion from Philippians 1:27-30.

See series:

• Devotions

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:27-30

In this section of his word, God encourages us in our faith especially in the struggles we have as Christians living in a sinful world.  He directs us to always “conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”  When he brought us to faith in Jesus, God brought about a vast change in us.  He called us out of the darkness of unbelief into the wonderful light of knowing and trusting in Jesus as our Savior.  He created in us a new life that enjoys all the spiritual blessings that were won for us by Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Now God calls on us to reflect our new spiritual life in the way we conduct ourselves.

He explains what he means.  He wants us to “stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.”  We will gladly hear and learn God’s word and hold fast to every truth which God has revealed to us about Jesus in the Bible.  We will not add our own judgments, ignore doctrines that are difficult to follow, or change the meaning of the God’s word to fit our own ideals.   Together we will strive to defend and promote the whole truth of gospel everywhere.  We will not fear the people and forces that oppose us because the almighty Lord has promised that he is always with us.

Life as a Christian in this world will never be easy.  We will struggle against enemies of the gospel.  But the same Lord who sustained Christians in the past in their many struggles is still with us today.  Daily he gives us strength so that in spite of our struggles we can rejoice in the love of Jesus.

Prayer: 

According to your promise, Lord, help me in the struggles I have in living my faith.  Prevent me from ever compromising the truth of your word. Overcome my discouragements with the joy of trusting in Jesus my Savior.  Amen.

God gives us time to help people know the joy of Jesus. There is no better time to do that than right now!

Philippians 1:22-26 - July 7, 2011

Devotion - Philippians 1:22-26 - July 7, 2011

Daily devotion from Philippians 1:22-26.

See series:

• Devotions

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Philippians 1:22-26

The apostle Paul was taken to Rome and placed under arrest for preaching the name of Jesus Christ. While he waited for the trial to begin, Paul knew that if the judge declared him guilty, he could be immediately executed.  He was not afraid to die, though.  In fact, he writes, “I desire to depart and be with Christ.”  Trusting in Jesus as his Savior, he knew that he would not perish, but have eternal life.  Therefore, he confessed that physical death for him was “better by far” because it will have two results—both good.  He will be freed from the suffering and trouble that is part of life in this sinful world.  And at the very moment of his death, his soul will go to be with his dear Savior Jesus in the eternal bliss of heaven.

Paul desired to depart and leave this evil world and be with Jesus.  For him personally that was far better, yet it was not the better thing for the Christians at Philippi.  Their faith and life would be enriched if Paul was freed so that he could serve them with the Word of God. Of course, it was not Paul’s choice to live or die.  That choice is one that God makes and carries out according to his will and in his time.  Yet the apostle was confident that God would grant him more time on earth because it would result in “fruitful labor” for him.  Paul would have more opportunities to instruct the Philippian Christians in the truth of God’s Word.  He would have the chance to bring the message of the saving gospel of Jesus to many more people.

The purpose for Paul's life was not to pursue his own interest or gain.  Called to faith in Jesus, he used the hours and days of his life to serve others with the Word of God.  He helped them grow in their faith and obtain true joy in Christ.  It’s for that same purpose that God leaves us here.  While we wait for him to call us to our eternal home in heaven—which will be far better than the temporal life we have now—God gives us time to help people know the joy of Jesus.  There is no better time to do that than right now!

 

Prayer: 

Dear Jesus, fill me with the joy of the salvation that you won for me so that I am willing and eager to share it with others. Amen.

Are you tired of pleasant evasions, euphemisms, and cheery refusals to confront a problems?.

AUTHENTICITY - July 6, 2011

Devotion - Authenticity - July 6, 2011

Daily devotion from Romans 3:23-24.

See series:

• Devotions

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24

A word that seems to resonate today with a lot of people is “authenticity.” To be authentic, to be real, to say what you mean and mean what you say—many observers of our present society are telling us that this is a quality people are longing to encounter.

Think about that for a moment. This apparent longing for authenticity suggests that people are weary of not finding it. They’re tired of spin. They’re tired of those who talk around a problem. They’re tired of pleasant evasions, the euphemisms, the cheery refusals to confront a problem.  They want people to speak the truth and speak it plainly.

More often than I care to admit, my sense of authenticity has been a disaster. Too many times I’ve avoided the painful truth about myself. Too many times I’ve filled my head with music from my IPod rather than confront a tough issue about my character. Too many times my day-to-day existence has been a string of self-distractions; a smiling, shallow refusal to face the sins in my life. Perhaps that describes you too.

If it does, there’s some refreshing news for the likes of you and me. It’s refreshing in its authenticity. In fact, it defines authenticity. It’s the Word of God. My Lord gives me straight talk about the reality of my sinful failures. He sugarcoats nothing. He confronts my problem with honest, unblinking eyes.

Then he gives me an Answer, a Solution. The Solution is complete, final, sure. The Solution is Jesus. His blood has washed my sins away. His perfect life covers me. Because of him I don’t have to play games anymore. I don’t have to pretend. Now I can be authentic. Authentic with God, others, myself.

And because Jesus has done the same for you, you can too.

Prayer: 

Holy Spirit, thank you for your Word of Truth. Empower me by your gospel to be authentic with you, with others and with myself. Amen.

"Some people can’t go anywhere without their cell phone"...

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.”

Deuteronomy 11:18-21

For centuries observant Jews have tied verses of the Bible on their hands and foreheads by placing them in little leather boxes, called tefillin, and then securing them with leather cords.  Many Christians have pictures and plaques with Bible verses hanging on their walls or setting on bookshelves.  The words of Joshua, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” might greet visitors in the foyer, while the words of the Psalm, “O give thanks unto the Lord,” look down upon those seated around the dinner table.

It’s good for us to keep God’s Word before our eyes.  However, we must be careful that we don’t just keep these words on the surface of our walls or on the surface of our hearts.  Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).  God wants us to fix his Word in our hearts and minds, so that it produces love and obedience in our lives.

Through his Word, God reminded the Israelites of all that he had done to rescue them from slavery in Egypt and set them apart as his people.  The Word of God reminds us of all that God has done to rescue us through the perfect life of his Son and his innocent death on the cross.  The Israelites remembered how God saved them from death in the Red Sea.  We know how God has saved us from death by connecting us with the death and resurrection of Jesus.  This grace moves us to love the Lord and to follow his commands – to fix his Word on our hearts and teach it to our children.

Some people can’t go anywhere without their cell phone.  If they forget it, they will turn around and drive miles to get it.  They just don’t feel quite right without it.  God wants his Word to be like that for us.  He wants us to fix it on our hearts and minds, to teach it to our children, and to talk about it throughout the day.  He wants it to be something that we can’t go without.  Why?  So that we can know his love better and live as his people.

Prayer: 

 

Heavenly Father, your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  Help me to fix your Word in my heart, so that I may see your love more clearly and live my life by its guidance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Get a life!”

For to me, to live is Christ.
Philippians 1:21a

“Get a life!” is an expression that is sometimes thrown around.  We’re told to pack our lives with more excitement, to help ourselves to an extra measure of things that will make us happier, to fill ourselves with the goodness that life has to offer.  But a big void will remain in our hearts that cannot be filled with the glitter and glamor that is advertised as the fullness of life.

Jesus said, “I am…the life” (John 14:6).  He is our life’s fulfillment.  Because sin permeated us, we were dead before God.  But Jesus came to suffer the punishment we deserved as sinners; he died to give us life with God.  To live is Christ!  We have the free gift of eternal life through Jesus!

Our Savior fills our life with his love so that we never want to be without him.  God’s forgiveness won by Jesus’ death on the cross gives us such great peace that we never want to be without it.  Jesus’ victory over death by his glorious resurrection fills our hearts with such wonderful comfort that we never want to lose it.  His promises give us such firm confidence that we never want to go through a day without the assurance of his powerful presence.

Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives.  Our lives are defined by our Savior, from beginning to end.  The fullness of life that we have through him will be reflected in the way we do our jobs, the way we interact with people, the way we spend all of our time.  To live is Christ!  Our joy is dedicating our whole life to Jesus who gave his life for us.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, I thank you for giving me life with God.  Let my life be more and more defined by your love. Help me dedicate my whole life to you! Amen.

Do you have everything you need?

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Romans 3:21-22

"Do you have everything you need?" That's a pretty typical question, isn't it? A parent asks their child that question as they head off to the first day of high school, or as they get into the car to head to college. That question is directed to a co-worker as they head off for a meeting or business trip. New parents might ask each other that question as they take the new baby on some adventure.

Or our conscience might ask each of us that question as we ponder our eternal destiny.

Do we have everything we need?  Well, let's remember that God's standard to enter heaven is absolute perfection, complete righteousness.  And you and I have fallen woefully short of that standard.

But Jesus didn't come to this earth because we were good people. He came because we were sinners who needed to be saved. And Jesus did exactly what we needed him to do: he saved us.

Yes, he died for you, thereby paying for your sins, but he also lived for you. He lived the perfect, human life which you need in order to enter heaven. And in wonderful grace, God gives YOU credit for the life which JESUS led.  In other words, as God looks at you, he sees you as perfect, because that's what God has declared you to be through Jesus.

"Do you have everything you need?" When it comes to the most important question of all—whether we have all that we need to enter heaven—the answer is a resounding "Yes!" through Jesus our Savior.

Prayer: 

 

O Holy Spirit, I praise you that through the gospel you have given me Jesus' perfection. Assure me that I have all that I need to enter heaven, because of Jesus' work in my place. Amen.