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July 13, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Knowing Him, Miracles, Salvation: A New You, Trusting God

THE MIRACLE IS OUR SALVATION

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. [John 2:23-25 (NLT)]

People were impressed by his miracles and, as long as Jesus provided them with the spectacular miracles they desired, they believed. Are we a bit like the people of Jerusalem? Is our belief predicated on the miracles of Jesus and what he can do for us? Jesus, however, knew how fickle people are and that many of those who professed belief would later call out, “Crucify him.” They wanted a messiah who would save them from Rome, not a savior who would give them eternal life. They wanted a messiah who would make life easier for them, not one who told them to turn from their sinful ways and take up their crosses.

As long as life goes smoothly, as long as God heals us and provides for our physical needs, it’s easy to believe in Him. But, if God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want, does our faith falter? If He doesn’t produce miracles for us, do we stop believing? The reason for faith in Christ is not to get something from God but, rather, to be reconciled to God.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval. [John 6:26-27 (NLT)]

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July 12, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

PUT ON HIS ARMOR

2014-6-26armor webFinally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. [Ephesians 6:10-13a (GW)]

When you dress this morning, give some thought to heeding Paul’s advice about putting on God’s armor before setting out to face the world and its many challenges. Picture yourself decked out in a suit of armor and chain mail, a shield in one hand and a sword at your side, ready to face the day and prepared to fight evil. Know that you are armed with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and God’s word.

So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God’s approval as your breastplate. Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also take salvation as your helmet and the word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies. [Ephesians 6:14-17 (GW)]

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July 11, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Promises

HE IS MINE!

The Lord is my shepherd. I am never in need. [Psalm 23:1 (GW)]

What confidence David shows in the 23rd psalm; what confidence this psalm gives me. Note that he used the pronouns “me,” “my” and “I” instead of “you,” “our” and “us.” While sharing is nice, we all want to have someone or something that is truly just our own. Psalm 23 tells me that I do: the Lord is my shepherd. He is my very own personal shepherd who will feed me, guide me, and provide me with everything I need! He refreshes, restores, revives and reassures me. He both shields and comforts me. I dwell in him and He in me; He is mine and I am his! He cares for me as if I were the only lamb in His flock. We’re all His sheep, but He knows each of us by name. He is the personal shepherd for each one and every one of us.

Thank you, God, for loving me as if I were your favorite lamb, the one most precious in your sight. Thank you, God, for loving everyone else the very same way!

I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. So I give my life for my sheep. [John 10:14-15 (GW)]

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July 10, 2014

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Love & Works, Miracles, Sharing Our Faith

WE CAN HEAL

So the apostles went out and traveled through all the towns, preaching the Good News and healing people everywhere. [Luke 9:6 NCV)]

There are a few Christians who truly have a healing touch; they can lay hands upon a person and physical healing will result. Most of us, however, don’t have that gift. Nevertheless, we all have the ability to heal and restore others. Healing may occur when we hold a hand in a hospital room, write notes of encouragement or sympathy, visit a shut-in, or when we offer a smile or a few kind words to a stranger. We offer healing when we greet a visitor at church, remember a birthday with a card or call, provide a helping hand, advocate for someone who needs a voice, or bring food to a family in need. Healing can begin when we dry a child’s tears, drive someone to a doctor’s appointment, give relief to a stressed mother, offer a listening ear, and open a door or lighten someone’s load. When we share our experiences with those who will find them helpful or encouraging or when we graciously accept an apology and readily forgive, we help restore spiritual health. I’ll never cure a case of leprosy as the apostles probably did but, Lord, show me how to be a healer.

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. [Hubert H. Humphrey]

I am not a God and I cannot perform miracles. I am simply a person who has been given the rights and responsibilities to be a Healer. I pledge to myself and all who can hear me that this is what I shall become. [From “The Oath of the Healer” by Louis Weinstein]

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July 9, 2014

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Bible Stories, God's Grace & Love, Knowing Him, Obedience

A BOY’S LIFE

          His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
          “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.
          Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. [Luke 2:48-52 (NLT)]

Do you suppose Mary and Joseph “grounded” Jesus (or the 1st century equivalent of grounding) once they got back to Nazareth?

In the gospels, Jesus seems to jump from babyhood to manhood in one fell swoop so we rarely think of Jesus as a boy. Except for this story of his staying behind in Jerusalem at the age of twelve, we know nothing of his youth. Since he was a boy, however, it is quite likely that he had skinned knees, bloody noses, bumps and bruises. He probably had stomach upsets and fevers; he knew what it was to be hungry and tired. He played and laughed and cried and experienced the full range of human emotions. In spite of being the Son of God, he was obedient to his earthly parents. In spite of being the Prince of Peace, he lived in obscurity in a humble home in a small village. His tears were dried by Mary as she held him in her arms and he learned the art of carpentry at Joseph’s side. And, through the years, he “grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. [Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)]

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July 8, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Family, Friends & Fellowship

SHARPENING

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. [Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)]

God sends challenging tasks into our lives when we least expect them. Fortunately, He often sends special people into our lives, as well, whose job is to encourage (and push us) to meet those challenges. In 2012, our Florida church had a fund raising event, “Art from the Heart.” Although I had never shared my photography with anyone outside of family, I felt compelled to do two 16 x 20 photos and donate them. The following year, I donated what I called “baskets of blessings” with a variety of items created from my photos. Because of those donations, our church photographer, Arlene, wanted to meet me. She asked me to take photos for our church website. This request took me out of my comfort zone; I only took pictures of flowers, birds and my grands, not real people! Arlene, however, wouldn’t let me wiggle my way out of the challenge. Thanks to her patience and encouragement, I actually began enjoying the opportunity to do something for a church I attend only a few months a year. At the end of the season, I gave her a photo/prayer book I’d written, asked if she would like my daily messages, and started sending her my morning emails.

Last fall, when I returned to Florida, this wonderful woman kept encouraging me to have a website for my messages. I know enough about computers to send emails and edit photos, but this whole web presence thing seemed beyond my ability and I balked. Good friends, however, sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron, and Arlene persisted. Today, because of her determination and hard work, fantastic computer skills, and patience in teaching me, we are pleased to welcome you to Devotions of the Heart.

Thank you (and a big hug) to Arlene, who made this possible. Thank you to my email family, many of whom I have never met, for encouraging me. Thank you, God, for sending me both challenges and friends to encourage and sharpen me. I am blessed.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. [Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)]