Author Archives: jsjdevotions

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August 3, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Church & Worship, God's Grace & Love, Love & Works, Money & Wealth

ON VACATION

There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. [Deuteronomy 15:11 (NLT)]

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. [1 John 3:17-18 (NLT)]

DSC08043-cropwebbNow that August has arrived, it seems like everyone is taking a vacation. People are retreating to the beach, a cabin in the woods, Grandma’s, or maybe just to the back yard. The Senate and House of Representatives are even taking a break (which could actually be good news for the nation). I don’t know if all the New York psychiatrists really left for the Hamptons but (more calamitous for me) my hair dresser has gone to the Wisconsin Dells.

Even though God doesn’t physically need to take a rest from his daily work, do you suppose He ever wants to get away from it all? Does He tire of the endless complaints, sorrowful pleas, and anxious appeals he gets 24/7? Does He ever get weary of forgiving the same sins over and over again? Does He yearn to escape from the clamor and confusion of this mixed up world of ours? Thankfully, our heavenly Father is truly a God of endless patience, boundless energy, and limitless love. Even when we take off from work, turn off our cell phones and stop answering emails, He continues to receive our calls; His door remains open all day long every day of the year.

God never takes a break and, unfortunately, neither does the tremendous need for Christian love and works. Charities and churches don’t take vacations and neither does the need for their services. Sadly, as volunteers and donations disappear over the summer months, their resources to meet those needs diminish as well. While we take vacations, poverty, hardship, and affliction never do. Offering envelopes and church pews may go empty but so do the stomachs of hungry children everywhere. The tremendous needs of the less fortunate don’t take a holiday but the ability to fill those needs does. So, on our way out of town, maybe we should drop off some food at the local food pantry, visit the area blood bank, and write that tithe and offering check to our church (and a few more to the charities of our choice). God never takes a break from loving his children and neither should we!

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. [Galatians 6:10 (NLT)]

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. [Proverbs 21:13 (NLT)]

 

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August 1, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Obedience

FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS

And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors. [Matthew 6:12 (RSV)]

Forgive us as we forgive others. [Matthew 6:12 (GW)]

Various plans for debt relief have been in the news and all over the internet recently. It may be tough to pay back those college loans but being in debt was much tougher in Biblical times. Back then, if someone was unable to pay a debt, he could be thrown into prison or have his family sold into slavery. Jesus told a parable about the forgiveness of debts. When the king decided to bring his financial records up to date, all those who owed him money were brought to him. One servant owed him ten thousand talents and was unable to pay. When the King ordered that he, his family, and everything he owned should be sold to pay the obligation, the man begged the king’s forgiveness; the king showed compassion and generously forgave his servant’s debt.

This servant then went to a fellow worker who owed him only one hundred denarii and demanded immediate payment. His co-worker begged for a little more time, but the man insisted on immediate repayment and had the debtor thrown into prison. Although the king had offered the first servant mercy and forgiveness, this same man was unwilling to offer mercy and forgiveness to someone else. When the king learned of this, he had the unforgiving debtor thrown into prison to be tortured until he’d repaid the original debt.

Jesus then advised His disciples that the same thing would happen if they refused to forgive their brothers and sisters. If they denied forgiveness to others, forgiveness would be denied to them.

It is so much easier to ask God for His forgiveness of our offenses than to offer that same forgiveness to those who have hurt or offended us. God, however, doesn’t hold grudges and Jesus didn’t die on the cross for a select few; He died for all. We are all sinners and our debt was paid by Christ. A refusal to forgive others is a refusal to acknowledge our own sinful natures. It becomes easier to forgive others when we remember how much God (and other people) have already forgiven us.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [Colossians 3:13b (GW)]

If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures. [Matthew 6:14-15 (GW)]

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July 31, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Challenges & Difficulty, Forgiveness, God's Plan, God's Promises, God's Word: The Bible, Obedience, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Today: Make it Count, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

NO AMNESTY

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. [Psalm 51:1-4 (NLT)]

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Tonight, we’ll experience what’s called a “blue moon,” a somewhat rare occurrence of two full moons in the same month. A few years ago the Chicago Public Library had what they called the “Once in a Blue Moon Amnesty” program. For three weeks, any late fees were waived on all overdue material, no matter how late it was. Apparently, many people prefer keeping their books, magazines and DVDs rather than paying steep fines as a consequence for their late return. The amnesty was offered in hope of getting more than two million dollars’ worth of media back on the shelves. It had been twenty years since the city ran a similar program of reprieve. Avoiding the consequences of our actions, like the Chicago Public Library’s amnesty offer, usually only happens “once in a blue moon!”

David was famous: he was a musician and shepherd, a giant killer and celebrated warrior, a great king and the author of most of the psalms. Nevertheless, he was human and David, like the rest of us, fell into sin. Adultery with Bathsheba was just one of them; he also murdered Bathsheba’s husband Uriah by sending him to his certain death. When David finally confessed his transgressions, the prophet Nathan assured him that they were forgiven. Nathan added that God’s forgiveness didn’t mean David wouldn’t suffer the consequences of his sins: his child by Bathsheba, conceived while she was still married to Uriah, would die. David’s confession and apology to God were not enough to eliminate the consequences of his actions; there was no amnesty for him.

Hopefully, when we wrong others, we confess, apologize and try to make amends. Nevertheless, our confession, someone’s forgiveness, and even restitution won’t free us from consequences. We may still lose respect, a job, a friend or even a marriage. Our actions may lead to a punishment as simple as a traffic ticket or as serious as time in prison. A child may be put in “time out,” a teenager might be grounded and a college student could be put on academic probation. We may receive a poor performance review, not be allowed to participate in an activity, be expelled from school or find a relationship irrevocably destroyed. We could lose money, status or even our family. If we choose to sin, we must be prepared for the consequences of that sin. Amnesty is rarely an option.

We ask God to forgive our sins and he does. We must never forget, however, that God’s promise of forgiveness is not like a “Get Out of Jail Free” card in the game of Monopoly. Neither God’s forgiveness nor the forgiveness of those we’ve wronged will exonerate us from the consequences of our actions in this game of life.

The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt because they rebelled against their God. [Hosea 13:16a (NLT)]

But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord. [Ezekiel 4:12 (NLT)]

And because you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You must bear the consequences of all your lewdness and prostitution. [Ezekiel 23:35 (NLT)]

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July 29, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, Trusting God, Worry

LEAP OF FAITH

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. … For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. [Psalm 91:2,11-12 (NLT)]

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There are some things a grandma would rather not see and a video of her 15-year old granddaughter bungee jumping off a crane is one of them! I’ve already watched her zip line and fly off a trapeze into a stranger’s outstretched arms, but this one took the prize! Talk about a leap of faith!

How could my son trust his daughter’s life to absolute strangers at a carnival? Was the cord in good condition? Was she harnessed in properly? Did the workers have any training? As I pondered these questions, it occurred to me that for much of our lives we have to trust absolute strangers with our safety. I don’t know the mechanics, air traffic controllers or pilot when I get on an airplane nor do I know the lift operators, maintenance crew or manufacturer when I board the gondola for a ride up the mountain. I don’t know the other drivers as I speed down the interstate or stop at a red light. I’ve never met the people who made or inspected the elevators I ride or the drug company that makes or pharmacist who fills my prescriptions, yet I have to have faith in them all. If I didn’t, I’d be afraid to leave my house. In fact, if I didn’t trust strangers, I’d even be afraid to stay in my house. After all, I don’t know who built and installed the furnace, laid the gas line, or made my smoke and CO detectors. I simply have to trust that my house won’t explode and I won’t die of carbon monoxide poisoning in my sleep.

Every day, we have to trust complete strangers with our lives and safety; most of the time, they are worthy of that trust. Unfortunately, as in the case of the deliberately crashed Germanwings Flight 9225 or the driver who runs a red light, some people aren’t. Nevertheless, while we don’t fly Air Chance and we do drive defensively, we continue to board airplanes and ride in cars. While I don’t inspect an elevator before boarding it, I sometimes glance at the inspection certificate or count the occupants once on board. Although I don’t take my medicine to a chemist for analysis, I do use a reputable pharmacy and inspect my pills before taking them. Nevertheless, no matter how cautious we are, it still comes down to a matter of trust; we have to exercise faith in absolute strangers.

If we can have faith in people we don’t know, why do we have so little in a God we do know? The story is told of a man who went out walking on a dark night. He slipped and fell over a cliff. While tumbling down the mountain, he managed to reach out and grab hold of a small tree. Hanging there, he grew desperate and called out, “God, send help to save me!” A booming voice from heaven responded, “I’m here my son. You don’t need help, all you have to do is let go and drop to the ground.” Looking down into the darkness and unsure of what lay below, the man called out again, “Is there anyone else up there who can help?”

How many times are we like that man, unwilling to let go or take a leap of faith? If we can trust strangers who, even at their best, are imperfect, why do we have so much difficulty trusting our perfect and loving God? When He tells us to let go, will we trust him enough to do it? Will we take a leap of faith?

You can’t learn how to fly if you never take a leap of faith. [Anonymous]

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. [Psalm 118:8 (NLT)]

They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced. [Psalm 22:5 (NLT)]

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July 27, 2015

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God's Word: The Bible, Holy Spirit, Knowing Him, Prayer, Trusting God

THE REAL THING

The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him. [John 1:9-11 (MSG)]

7-27-15 CARDINAL6991weLast fall, I wrote about false prophets (“The Fraud”) after mistaking a fake bird for a real one. Yesterday, I almost missed the real thing! Wandering through the Botanic Gardens, what I initially thought was a red scarf or a fallen blossom fluttering in the breeze turned out to be a fledgling cardinal. Perhaps he was too young to be frightened by the many people walking past him as he boldly remained perched on a small sign close to the ground. I seemed to be the only one who noticed this beautiful creature, as exquisite as any of the blooms in the gardens. Never expecting a real bird to perch that close to the pathway, it wasn’t until I came within a few inches of him that I knew him to be real! Ignored by everyone but me, he remained there, chirping away, for several minutes and God blessed me with another one of His “Aha!” moments.

Was that what it was like when Jesus walked the Holy Land? Did people just pass Him by, hurrying to their destination, too busy to notice this itinerant preacher? Had they forgotten the promise of a Messiah? Were they so sure they knew what to expect that they didn’t see what was right in front of them? After generations of ignoring God and His messengers, were they so set in their ways they wouldn’t even stop to listen to Jesus’ words? Were they blind and deaf to His message of truth? Those who didn’t notice the bird merely missed an “Aha!” moment; failing to see Jesus, however, has tragic consequences.

When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, are we like those people who missed seeing the bird. How will we know if He is real if we don’t stop, look and listen? Prayer and God’s word will draw us close enough to hear and see Him. Yet, do we use our mouths more than our ears when we pray? Are we so intent on our needs that we don’t hear God’s message to us? When we read the Bible, do we look for what we want to read, cherry-picking our favorite verses, or do we examine what is actually there? Do we ever skim through a chapter and miss the beauty that is hidden in God’s words? Do we fail to experience glory moments with Him simply because we’re neither looking nor listening?

Eyes that see and ears that hear are blessed by God. He made himself known to man through Jesus Christ but it is up to us to see and hear Him. Father in Heaven, let us never pass by the truth; open our hearts and minds to the real presence of Jesus in our lives.

But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance. [Matthew 13:16-17 (MSG)]

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” [John 14:6-7 (MSG)]

 

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July 23, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

SHIFTING THE BLAME

“I don’t deserve to be called your son anymore. Make me one of your hired men.” … Then his son said to him, “Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and you. I don’t deserve to be called your son anymore.” [Luke 15:19,21 (GW)]

The man answered, “That woman, the one you gave me, gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” [Genesis 3:12 (GW)]

DSC01629awebAfter brazenly demanding his inheritance while his father still lived, the prodigal son quickly wasted it all in a reckless and immoral lifestyle. Realizing the error of his ways, the ashamed and penniless youth swallowed his pride and returned to his father, hoping to be hired on as a servant. His story, one of repentance, forgiveness and redemption, is quite a contrast to that of a young woman whose tale is circulating on the Internet. She recently called into a radio show and told of getting a $90,000 college fund from her grandparents. In three years, however, she managed to blow through all of it—not just on tuition but also on clothing, college breaks and a trip to Europe. Now, having no way to pay her $20,000 senior year’s tuition, she called the show to complain—not about her recklessness and spendthrift ways but about her parents. Although any fifth grader knows enough to divide ninety by four and figure out how much money can be spent each year, she blamed her parents for not teaching her to budget; it was their fault she was broke. The young woman showed no remorse for her actions and refused to accept responsibility for her predicament. The prodigal son worked at a pig farm before returning home and was willing to work as his father’s servant. This young woman’s response to getting a job in the school cafeteria was, “That’s embarrassing.”

I wonder, however, if we’re really all that different from this young woman. Hopefully, we haven’t squandered $90,000 but we’ve all blamed others for our errors, difficulties, and even our sins. It wasn’t just Eve that Adam blamed for the apple incident; he blamed God for giving him the woman in the first place. We’re not much better. In an effort to excuse our actions, we shift the blame to our parents’ divorce, our ex-spouse’s greed, bad genes, the credit card company that shouldn’t have increased our credit, the loan officer who allowed us to refinance, the persuasive salesman, our idiot co-workers, the teacher who can’t teach, the woman who shouldn’t have been so seductive, the husband who shouldn’t have been so busy, the spouse who just didn’t understand, a troubled childhood, the bartender who over-served, and the other guy who made us angry or started the fight! We shift the blame to justify our own bad behavior and, if we show any remorse, it’s only because of the mess in which we find ourselves once we have to face the consequences.

With a repentant heart, the prodigal son took responsibility for his actions and was welcomed into his father’s house. Make no mistake about it, if we don’t accept responsibility for our actions with a humble and repentant heart, our story, unlike that of the prodigal son, will not be one of forgiveness and redemption.

When someone is tempted, he shouldn’t say that God is tempting him. God can’t be tempted by evil, and God doesn’t tempt anyone. Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death. [James 1:13-15 (GW)]

If we say, “We aren’t sinful” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong. [1 John 1:8-9 (GW)]