Pastor Bruce’s blog

Here’s the last installment!  It starts on Monday the 21st and ends on the 27th…

Devotionals for Week Three (January 21^st to the 27^th)

Day 15

Psalm 73

This Psalm is described as a “Psalm of Asaph,” and as such, we start the third large section of the Psalms.  Asaph is a worship leader a chief musician and he apparently wrote the first 11 psalms in this section.

It starts out with a conclusion: “Truly God is good to Israel, to such who are pure in heart.”  And as you read through the psalm you realize that it came only after a great struggle.  Asaph looked at the wicked, some of them anyway, and started to compare his life situation as a God follower to the well-to-do ungodly of his day.  He started to think, “Why should I follow God if the ungodly seem to do so well?”  And then he goes to the sanctuary (vs. 17) and he wakes up.  Ah, You’ve put them in “slippery places,” Lord!  How could I be so foolish to think that living an ungodly life would go unnoticed by You and lead to ultimate prosperity!  He ends up knowing that God Himself is the greatest treasure and that God is, by choice and by nature, “the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  That was verse 26.

So where do you invest yourself?  Is it in the world, the treasures, riches and distractions of the world or are you all invested in God Himself?  And from what vantage point do you observe life?  If it’s from the television or other media, you won’t see well, but if it’s from the sanctuary you’ll see clearly the end result of living far away from God.  Make the choice today.  I will “put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.”

Day 16

Psalm 84

Interesting to note, this psalm is a psalm of the “Sons of Korah,” either written for them to sing or written by them.  Do you remember Korah?  He and others rebelled against Moses in the wilderness and the ground opened up and swallowed them!  God didn’t hold the sins of the father against the children, though, as the sons of Korah continued on as singers, worshippers in the Temple.  And here’s their song.  It’s all about the Presence of God in the place of worship.  And their desperate longing to be there.

Verse 2 says, “My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God.”

Question: Is that how you feel?  Do you really long for the Presence of God, His “courts,” and do you really care about being with Him, to the point of longing and fainting?  If you do, then you’ll do this: you’ll make every effort to be with Him.  You’ll pray continually.  You’ll worship with abandon.  You’ll actually be early for worship on Sunday and your heart will be ready for what He’s going to do and say that day.

We often sing, “A day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.”  We need to wrestle with our hearts and lives until that desperation to be with Him is seen in the reality of our lives.  Do we really mean what we sing?

Day 17

Psalm 94

This is another Psalm dedicated to the wrestlings of the righteous over the “triumph” of the wicked.  It never seems to end, does it?  The folks who get away with wrong are the ones who say that God “does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand.” He doesn’t pay any attention to what goes on here and you’re on your own.

Ever feel like that?  Of course you have.  Most people I know have suffered abandonment in some important way and have been left on their own.  You’re going to have to fend for yourself.  In high school hallways, in the locker room, on an athletic field, in college life, in business life, you need to come up with your own answers, especially when it comes to oppressors.  From bullies to bosses to nasty neighbors, you have to figure out how to deal with them.

But it’s not really that way.  Verses 8-11 say that God not only sees the affairs of your life, but acts.  He even knows the thoughts of man, and thinks they’re futile in the light of His sovereignty.  He teaches us how to live and then enforces righteousness in the world.  Let the knowledge that God is at work in your life situations, especially when it comes to the difficult ones out of your control, comfort you.  Put your faith and trust in Him.  Read the last verse.  He’s your Defender.

Day 18

Psalm 103

I have to tell you, this is one of my favorite Psalms.  I take great comfort from this one and encourage everyone who struggles with life and themselves to read it and memorize portions of it.  It starts out with David’s spirit directing his soul: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!  And then he goes on and on about what God has done for him, forgiving inquities (sin), healing diseases and redeeming life from destruction, for example.  All throughout this psalm are listed the benefits of being a God follower, a believer, one made righteous by God and adopted as a son.

And so, when I run across a believer who wonders how God feels about him or her, I point them to this Psalm.  Especially verses 10-14.  The words are so lofty, so grand and descriptive that I feel like I’m standing on a mountain and having my breath taken away by the view.  “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  Really, that far?  That forgiven?  His mercy that great?  Yes, and then these words: “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.  For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”

When it says that God “pities” us, what does that mean?  It means that like the deep emotion I feel toward my own children, that moves me to tears and brings me to action on their behalf, God feels the same way, only better.

If you doubt God’s love, read this psalm.  He absolutely loves those who are His and with a magnificence that only He possesses, cares and acts on their behalf.  That’s you.  Believe Him. And bookend your life, like this psalm, with the phrase, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

Day 19

Psalm 118

This psalm contains the middle verse of the Bible.  In other words, if you counted up, numerically, all the verses in the Book, then went for the center one, you’d find it here.  Verse 8, that center verse, says “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”  Hmm, fitting theme to the whole Bible, eh?

It’s also something like the National Anthem of ancient Israel.  When Ezra dedicated the rebuilt Temple after the captivity, the beginning and ending verses (and we assume the middle ones also!) were read: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.”

This is an important song for spiritual Israel too, the church.  Notice in verses 22-24 the quote taken by the New Testament: “The stone (Jesus) which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”

But let’s finally focus on verse 25.  “Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray send now prosperity.”  The words, “save now” are really one word in the Hebrew: “Hosanna.”  Remember when Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem?  The people who were there shouted “Hosanna!” when he came through.  Save now.  Are you or any one else you know, struggling?  Needing help to get through and not knowing how to “prosper” your purposes, your life?  Cry out to Jesus, “Hosanna!”  He is the fulfillment of this verse and the whole of the Psalms.

Day 20

Psalm 146

We’re nearing the end of our fast and this is the second to last Psalm of our devotional!

This psalm is bookended with praise to God and literally, this is a psalm of praise in every way.  As a matter of fact, these last psalms are dedicated to just that, praise!  Is your life dedicated to the praise of God, so that when people get to know you, they themselves praise God?

I love verse 5 in this psalm: “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.”  You are in the right place in life, if God is your God.  But are you happy?  If someone looked at you, would they be thinking, “Man, that guy, gal, is so happy!,” or would they be thinking you look like you’ve been sucking lemons?  If you have God as your God, circumstances might be tough, but you’re happy inside.  You know that God is going to come through for you, carry you, no matter how humble your circumstances.  Just look at what He does for the downtrodden of the world, in verses 7-9.

Be happy today that He is your God or else make Him your God today and become happy!

Day 21

Psalm 139

Ah, here we are at the end of our 21 days of praying and fasting to seek the Living God!  And it’s fitting that we end with Psalm 139.  This psalm has a remarkable message: wherever you’ve been, even from the womb, to wherever you could be, God not only sees you but actively forms and carries you.  In verse 17 it says “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.  In other words, God thinks of you all the time.  Good thoughts, precious Fatherly thoughts, thoughts that move Him to act on my behalf.

This psalm is precious to those who don’t like themselves in some way.  Did you realize today that God Himself made you the way you are?  He formed us, then fashioned a number of days for us.  You are designed by a perfect Designer!  For His purposes and plans in the earth.  Your days are written in a book that God wrote.

God has a plan for you this year.  You have been constructed to perfectly fit that plan.  It’s a fun plan, a significant plan, a fruitful plan, a life filled plan.  Accept your design.  Thank Him for making you the way you were designed.  And ask Him to show you the plan.  He thinks about you all the time and when God thinks, He purposes good for you.  Trust Him.

Hey Faithful Prayer Warriors!

This is try number 2 to get the devotional up!  Sorry!  PB

Devotional for Week Two (January 14-20)

Day One: Psalm 20

This psalm is a prayer for the king. The “you” in the psalm is King David. The setting is a congregation (here, the nation of Israel) praying for blessing and protection on its leader. The prayers cover a broad array of concerns: prayer for God’s help in battle to prayer that the king would be in right relationship with the Lord (v. 3: “May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifices.”)

It’s also a pledge to rejoice over the victories of the king (v. 5).

What’s very strong here is the confidence of those praying, who are convinced of the faithfulness of God. “I KNOW that the Lord saves His anointed.” “He WILL answer Him from His holy heaven.” These believers know that because of God’s presence, there is protection and victory.

How often do we pray for those in leadership—church or government? Praying for victory in spiritual battles is often the reason we see victories come forth in front of us! Consider this psalm when praying for leaders.

Vv. 7 and 8 form the center of a worship song many of us used to sing. In fact, most of us who know it can’t help hearing it in our heads every time we read it. Let’s look at these verses in a fresh new way. Let’s let the Holy Spirit show us if we are trusting in anything other than “the name of the Lord our God.” Are you trusting in your strengths, your planning skills, your wisdom or understanding? We usually trust in a variety of things—some good and some not. Our call is to remove our trust from all earthly things and to place all our trust in Him for victory in every area. We start by believing He’s faithful, and then we put our trust in Him and He proves it!

Notes:

Day Two: Psalm 23

This is the one psalm nearly everyone knows. Like vv. 7-8 in Psalm 20 (above, Day One), the verses are almost too familiar. It’s connected to Ps. 20 in that both are psalms of confidence. Rather than pointing to God’s faithfulness, though, this psalm uses two comparisons: the shepherd and the banquet table. This is God’s protection and blessing for the rest of us who aren’t kings, leaders and generals (as in Ps. 20)!

Some thoughts on such a familiar set of words: “still waters” might better be translated “waters of stillness.” Let’s let God lead us to such waters in our lives. We can be at deep peace no matter the circumstances. It will take some spiritual work to find that place, but it’s our portion in Christ.

“He restores my soul.” It’s so well-known a phrase it can lose its power. Life and sin have a way of beating our souls down. God wants to—and is able to—restore our souls. In fact, He’s doing that in you right now. Let’s realize how much we need this, and how often. Let’s be the people that say “yes” to God’s work of restoration. Happily, we don’t have to figure this out; we wouldn’t be able to anyway. Let’s just invite him to do the work of restoration that we can’t do.

His rod and staff are what a shepherd uses for direction, correction and protection. God uses His rod and staff with us, too. They are often invisible to us, and He often uses circumstances, but He still directs, corrects and protects.

Note that the table is not just nowhere in particular, and not just set up for a banquet. It’s set up “before me in the presence of my enemies.” We can rest in God’s favor at all times, even when there are enemies at work. In fact, we can spiritually prosper (anointed head, overflowing cup, goodness and mercy in attendance!) in any set of circumstances. These promises are not just for eternity (“dwell[ing] in the house of the Lord forever”) but for now as well (“all the days of my life”).

(For some New Testament references on God as a shepherd, check out John 10:14, Heb. 13:20, and two in I Peter—vv. 2:25 and 5:4.)

Notes:

Day Three: Psalm 25

The first line is more powerful than it might seem. It doesn’t say, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my thoughts…or mind…or petitions.” It says, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” That’s everything—our thoughts, our emotions, our opinions, our concerns, our affections, our plans. This is the prayer of someone utterly relying on God’s character (His goodness and mercy), willing to lift up his entire soul to the Lord.

It’s according to His mercy that He “remembers” us (v.7), not according to our sin. Keep in mind that God has the ability to “forget” our sins, meaning that when He forgives, our sin no longer factors in to how He views us or relates to us! His mercy becomes the determining factor. He, happily, sees us in Christ—which means He sees us as relating to our God as Father, and having our sins completely paid for at the cross. Let’s not diminish what Jesus has done for us by lamenting about our sins long after we have confessed them and been forgiven. Some of us tend to beat ourselves up over our sins and failures. However, God allowed Jesus to be beaten instead. Let’s honor that sacrifice by thanking Him and acknowledging that there is no longer a need for anyone to be beaten!

V. 9 The importance of humility. When seeking God, let Him shine a light on any pride. We want justice and we want to be taught His way, don’t we? When “lifting up our soul,” let’s leave all pride at the foot of the cross and remind ourselves that He is God, we are not, and that is as things should always be! The low place is where we discover His way.

Vv. 16-21 This year, when we are afflicted by outside enemies (v. 19) and by our own sin (v. 18), let’s lift up our soul—everything—to Him who is trustworthy to deal with both.

Notes:

Day Four: Psalm 32

One of the most tender of psalms, yet powerful. It’s David’s story of being in unrepentant sin, its effects on him, and the joy of knowing that sins have been completely forgiven. Vv. 3-4 describe what every Christian has gone through before they confess their sins; we are spiritually “groaning” and God’s hand is experienced as heavy. But the next two verses begin the process of freedom: full and open confession followed by assurance of being heard and forgiven. Then David experiences a new sense of God’s protection and deliverance.

Reread vv. 1and 2 after reading v. 5—that emotion that opens the psalm is the result of what happens in vv. 3-5.

God desires to guide us and teach us. Verse 9 encourages us to accept that guidance and not be like horses or mules, who are led under compulsion. We should seek His guidance out of trust and grateful love for what He’s done and who He is. How teachable are you? Do you want as much guidance as you can get, or do you resist the idea of anyone telling you what to do? God has guidance, help and direction for us at all times—how much do we ask Him for those things?

The benefits of letting God lead us are great: mercy surrounds us (v. 10), we’re glad and we rejoice in Him, and we even shout for joy (v.11).

This is the go-to psalm for us when sin weighs upon us and we feel “stuck.” It reminds us of the negative ramifications of unrepented sin, but more than that, it tells of the joy of deliverance when we confess. It also encourages us to learn how forgiving, patient and eager to forgive our God is. Once we confess, He forgives and desires to move us along in His plan. Let’s let David’s experience here encourage us to come to Him quickly, believing in His ability to forgive, and even more, His desire to set us free and “teach [us] the way [we] should go.”

Notes:

Day Five: Psalm 34

“I will bless the Lord at all times!” There is always a reason to bless the Lord, in good times and in bad. He is good, merciful, gracious, forgiving, able to work everything together for good, eager to hear our prayers for help, and so very patient with us! For this season of fasting, let’s let His praise be continually in our mouths (v. 1). Like any habit, it takes practice, so let’s start practicing.

Vv. 4-8 are so encouraging, and a reminder of how much He wants us to look to Him (v. 5) so that He can hear us, and deliver us, and encamp around us. “They looked to Him and were radiant”! Why? Because in His presence, they reflect his face shining upon them (Ps. 31:16).

Then one of the believer’s favorite verses: “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” What an invitation! This is so personal, so close to us, so experiential. This is more than right doctrine, or knowing about Him. It’s an offer to come and experience Him personally—to know Him intimately. And of course there are rewards for doing so: no want (or “lack”) of any good thing (v. 9-10). His eyes are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry (and just the opposite with those who do evil). His ears are open. Let’s fill them with blessing, words of trust and faith, and let’s continue to “lift up our souls” as well.

V. 18 has a revelation in it. “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Many of us have a broken heart, and we know many folks who do as well. But it’s a small group of folks who have a contrite spirit. We appreciate that He is “near” those with a broken heart, but this verse says that He “saves” such as have a contrite spirit. That implies a humility along with brokenness, which God clearly desires to minister to. When we are broken by circumstance or sin, let’s stay humble and receive His hand of salvation. For those with a broken heart only, let’s pray that they also have a contrite spirit, that the Lord may move from being just near to actually saving them out of the situation.

Notes:

Day Six: Psalm 45

This is a wedding song—the only one in the Psalms! The “participants” are the bride and groom. The groom is the king of Israel, but the context quickly changes to the King of Kings—this is a messianic psalm as well. This King of vv. 2 to 8 could only, ultimately, be Jesus Christ.

We believers are the “daughter” of v. 10. Nearly every Bible commentator sees the queen and daughter in this psalm as standing in for the church. We are exhorted to leave our former family (“forget your own people”) as we are called to put the Kingdom first (Matthew 10:37).This simply means making Him our first love and our highest priority. Why? The King greatly desires you! So…have your left your old life completely so that you can have the new life with Him—the fullness of the life He offers us? Is there something you can let go of so that you can draw even closer to Him? Do you realize how much He wants to have a close relationship with us—as close as the best husband wants with his wife?

Forget about your unworthiness—read vv. 13-15. This picture of the bride is a picture of us. The Lord puts His chosen garments on us. These are the robes of righteousness and the garments of salvation. You, yes, you are even now being readied and brought to the King of Kings in preparation for the marriage feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9). And if we have the eyes to see this spiritually, we are surrounded with like-minded and like-hearted companions on our journey. They not only accompany us, but do so with gladness and rejoicing (v. 15).

Thank Him today for choosing you as his child, part of the Bride of Christ. Thank Him for dressing us spiritually with His righteousness when we know how little we deserve it. Thank Him for those who He has sent to help us along the way, especially those that celebrate our growth in Him.

Notes:

Day Seven: Psalm 121

This is the second of the so-called “Ascension Psalms,” which are psalms 120-134). These were songs sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, and specifically to the Temple (Zion). Ps. 120 bemoaned how far the pilgrim was away from “home”—the Temple and Jerusalem. Ps. 121 finds the pilgrim close enough to see the hills that surrounded Jerusalem. Just seeing the hills reminds the pilgrim of the faithfulness and greatness of God.

It also reminds the pilgrim, and us, that the Lord is really our only source of help. And we don’t look in vain. The description here is of someone who looks longingly but expectantly to the Lord. The pilgrim knows where to look for help, and doesn’t doubt that it will come. And why shouldn’t it? This is the One who made heaven and earth (v. 2), who protects us, never slumbers, is our keeper and protects us day and night, sunshine or darkness. This is One who is both powerful and intimate. There may not be such a short but comprehensive description of the protection of God as is seen here. Our walking (naturally and spiritually) is covered. He is our shade to shield us by day, and our protector by night. We are preserved from evil—more than we will ever know in this life. Our souls are preserved, and there is much sin, distress and anguish that we need to be preserved through. Finally, all our comings and goings are covered by Him. We are safe.

Do you know the Lord as your Helper? Do you see that thee God of creation is also the God who watches over you day and night, protecting, preserving, and helping? The next time you need help, ask the One who can help above all others.

Notes:

As you know, we take time in the first month of the year to focus on prayer with fasting!  From the 7th of January to the 27th, we’ll seek God together, with joint prayer meetings on the 8th, 15th and 22nd.  It puts the year squarely in God’s Hands!

We prepare a devotional for those who would like to follow along during our days of prayer.  Here’s the first week’s worth, from the Psalms…

Devotional for Week One (January 7-13)

Day One

Psalm 1

The first psalm is our “way into” the whole collection of thoughts, prayers, and expressed feelings known as the Psalms. So let’s stop and carefully consider this first one.

First of all, the word “blessed” in the first verse doesn’t come close to what the psalm really says. The phrase means “Oh, the happiness…!” What a great expression of joy that is!

Perhaps the most obvious aspect of the first psalm is the contrast presented between the godly and the wicked. Described first is the godly, who are first defined by what they don’t do. The godly don’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly, don’t stand in the path of sinners and don’t sit in the seat of the scornful. (For those who like to study the scriptures more deeply, notice the downward progression here from walking to sitting….).  What they do is to delight in the law of God, which means both his commands and the whole of Scripture. Their reward: fruitfulness and spiritual prosperity, continually.

Then the ungodly are contrasted. They are the opposite of “planted by the rivers”—they are like chaff  blown away by the wind. Their future? They won’t stand in the judgment (meaning they will be found guilty by God) and will be driven from the godly (v. 5).

Unlike much of the world, God sees distinctions among his creatures, and gives blessings to those who follow Him. We are godly in the sight of God if we are “in Christ,” that is, if we are believers in Christ and are his followers. It’s our relationship with Christ that will cause us to walk in godly ways and therefore reap the benefits. It’s all of His mercy!

God also sees godliness in terms of what we avoid as much as what we do. Steering clear of ungodly advice, ways and people is something that blesses Him. If you’ve made those kinds of godly decisions, you might not be aware of how much you’ve pleased God by doing that.

Let’s begin our time of fasting and prayer by thanking the Lord that He has promised to prosper us as we walk in His ways. Let’s also be prayerful about the ways in which we might be waking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the path of sinners or sitting in the seat of the scornful (see Ps. 139:23-24). Wouldn’t you rather be like a tree planted by a river?

Notes:

Day 2  Psalm 11

How very easy it is to be distracted from faith to unbelief! In Psalm 11, David first proclaims his trust in the Lord in this psalm, and then describes his temptation to fear and unbelief. He’s given some drastic (bad) advice to “flee…to the mountain” rather than to trust in God because the wicked have seemed so successful in their efforts to destroy him, and all his efforts have failed so far.

What should he do? He “reckons” some things to himself. He remembers that God is in heaven, and that God is with him as well. He remembers that the righteous (here we can substitute the believer) may be tested, but that the wicked is facing a sure and awful judgment. The God who is in heaven is not unaware of what’s going on (v. 4 “His eyes behold…”).

Are you being tempted to “flee” to some other place of comfort—sin, isolation, your own thoughts or perhaps ungodly advice? Don’t flee, even when it seems as if “the foundations are [being] destroyed.” Stay focused on the Lord and release your thoughts and feelings and petitions to Him, trusting that He sees and is always moving.

Note: V. 3 (“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”) is often used in describing our society. It is true that the righteous foundations of our society and culture are under attack, but sometimes this is quoted in a kind of defeatist attitude or by way of sounding an alarm. The advice remains the same: Look to God, remind yourself of who He is and that He sees everything, and that yes, He still makes distinctions between the righteous and the wicked, and rewards each accordingly. Let the Lord draw you back to Himself more quickly and easily this year.

Notes:

Day 3   Psalm 14

“Fools” and “foolishness” (v. 1) in the Scriptures are more of a moral description than an intellectual one. It doesn’t have to do with how smart someone is or what their actions are like. It describes someone without an understanding of spiritual things. Brilliant, well-behaved people can be fools.

“In their hearts” means in practical living. We can be “practical atheists” sometimes, even as believers. We do that when we ignore God, don’t turn to Him in prayer, forget that His wisdom is available to us (James 1:5), move forward based on our own thoughts only, or think that He doesn’t care or isn’t interested. It’s not what we say about believing in God that’s important, but about how much God figures into everything we think and do.

“There is none who does good.” (v. 1). This tells us that the only truly “good” actions—from God’s point of view—are those that come from faith, that have His glory in mind, and that rely on His grace and strength. This psalm tells us that from the divine perspective, there is no “good work” that is possible from an unbeliever. Of course from our human perspective, there are many good works possible from everyone, and they should generally be encouraged. But a “good work” in this sense is not possible from the practical atheist (even us, when we are acting like practical atheists).

Being even more radical, the psalm tells us that there is no one who, in their hearts and apart from the grace of God, seeks God or does good—no one. All desire to follow Him or draw near to Him, to seek Him and obey His word—this is all the grace and gift of God. Thank Him today for grace that has drawn us to His salvation, and grace that continues to work in us the desire to seek God and to do His will.

Notes:

Day 4   Psalm 16

This is a powerful prophetic psalm, especially in its last verses. Clearly Jesus is the “Holy One” ultimately referred to in vv. 9-10. But this is also a psalm of satisfaction with God and His provisions in our lives.

First, He is our portion. He is our inheritance. He is our cup. According to v. 4, our “sorrows shall be multiplied” if we find our final happiness and joy in other quarters than with God. The last line reminds us that at His “right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Two thoughts: Do we agree with King David in v. 6, where he says that the life he receives from God in this life is “pleasant” and “a good inheritance”? Remember that while it’s true he was king, he also suffered a great deal of oppression from outside enemies and from within his own family. Can you see that your lines have fallen to you in pleasant places (v. 6)? Perhaps David’s joy is connected to the next verse: “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” Certainly having that real awareness makes life pleasant and good.

Secondly, is God Himself our portion, our inheritance, our cup—personally? Many of us can wholeheartedly declare “Yes!” To many of us, though, we don’t experience much of this greatest of gifts: knowing God Himself. He sent Jesus not just to forgive our sins, but to forgive our sins SO THAT WE COULD KNOW HIM. He knocked down the wall of sin and condemnation and separation so that He could be more involved in our lives on every level. Let’s meditate on that today, and let’s ask Him to do a work in our hearts and minds until we realize that He Himself is our greatest joy.

Notes:

Day 5   Psalm 18

This is a song of praise to the One who delivers. David describes great resistance (vv. 4-5) but also describes the great attributes of the God who saves (v. 2). A person could meditate on v. 2 for days (our rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, shield, horn, stronghold)!

Isn’t it wonderful that our God who is merciful, blameless, and pure (vv. 25-26) can also be described as “shrewd” with the devious? God is merciful and pure, but He also isn’t blind to the wicked thoughts and intentions of those who are against Him. Our God is not “sweet and naïve,” and can’t be manipulated!

If you’re ever doubtful about God’s ability to help you or rescue you, read and meditate on vv. 28-48. What a description of God’s power to save! Confess—even out loud—back to God that this is what He is like, and what He is like to you personally! We have every reason to be confident of His ability to do what is necessary for us.

Lastly, take a look at the opening (v.1) and the closing (vv. 46-50). The word “love” in the first verse is not the usual Hebrew word for love, but one that suggests a close intimacy with God. It expresses David’s devotion. How do you feel about God? If you can’t say that you love Him that way, ask Him to change you so you can.

The closing is like a mountaintop that’s finally been reached. “The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted!” There is a repetition of the Lord’s deliverances, and then a decision to give thanks to Him among the Gentiles (the unbelievers). Let’s be more verbal this year with our gratitude to God in front of those who don’t know Him. Real gratitude is very attractive!

Notes:

Day 6   Psalm 19

This psalm is well-known as the psalm about God’s word, found especially in vv. 7-11. Some of us have sung a song based on this portion of Scripture for years!

The opening is glorious, and points to the other gift God has given us through which He speaks aside from His word—His creation! The heavens declare His glory, and His creation speaks—yes, speaks to us—of His goodness! Can you hear it? Are you receiving His speech through His creation? God isn’t nature—that’s pantheism. But nature is His creation, and it attests to His goodness and points to Him. Romans 1:18-20 reminds us that God speaks to all people through His creation, attesting to His existence, even His greatness. Unhappily, Romans reminds us that many suppress that truth, in essence closing their eyes and ears to these truths. Let’s look to His beautiful creation this year with new eyes, to let the heavens declare His glory to us!

Verses 7-11 can really only be opened to us as we spend time thinking about them. What the law of the Lord can do is astounding, and we all could stand to be reminded about its power. We sometimes think of God’s word as truth, and sometimes as commandment, but little more. God’s word transforms, enlightens, rejoices our hearts, and makes us wise—and that’s just for starters. Spend some time in these verses and let them change your perspective and your prayers.

Lastly, verse 14. What a prayer for the day. What a prayer for the year!

Notes:

Day 7   Psalm 37

Another long psalm, but it has the same contrast between the righteous and the wicked that we find in so many others. If you read it with that contrast in mind, it comes together more easily.

Are you DWELLING in the land He’s bought for us (v. 3)? Abraham had to “complete the transfer” of the land God gave Him by walking the length and breadth of it (Gen. 13:17). Can you say you have a good handle on the “length and breadth” of the spiritual inheritance you have in Christ? Maybe this coming year is a good time to “walk the land” of our inheritance and see all the many things He’s purchased for us.

Do you fret? Not only are we told not to in this psalm, but we’re told we don’t need to. For one, it doesn’t do any good anywhere, and in fact “causes harm.” The wicked who prosper—and there are admittedly many—will be cut off. In fact, v. 13 says that “the Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming” (see also Ps. 2:4). It is the meek who will inherit the earth (v. 11 and Matt. 5:5), not the wicked, and our inheritance is eternal (v. 18). Be encouraged, and keep encouraging yourself in this.

A convicting verse: V. 21. Have you paid back everything you borrowed?

An encouraging one: Vv. 22-23. He will hold us up, even when we fall.

V. 34 tells us to wait on the Lord. This should actually be our spiritual posture at all times. God is always doing something, always saying things, always working in us and for us and through us. As we “keep His way” (v. 34), He exalts us to inherit the land.

The last two verses of psalm could be written down and kept in your purse or pocket for a long time! It’s a reminder and a promise.

Notes:

I actually have a Twitter account! I’ve resisted the urge in the past, but I’ve actually found some people (a few) that I like to follow. Pastor Chris Hodges from Birmingham, Alabama is one and another is Pastor John Piper. They’ve indirectly convinced me to give it a try. So if you’d like to “follow” me, my Twitter account is under my name (Bruce N. Plummer) or @PB54CCC. I’m guessing that I’ll be better at blogging there! His Blessings, PB

Man, I can’t believe that it has been so long since I’ve written anything in my pastor’s blog!  I guess that shows you that I don’t find writing an easy task; I rather talk!  But sitting here this afternoon, I’m re-thinking and mulling over the sermon text for Sunday, wanting to write what I’m seeing in it.  The reference is Romans 1.15-17, but I’ve been doing some studying and listening to some messages on Romans lately, so I have a lot inside.  Verses 16 and 17 are basically a summary of the entire book of Romans.  In them God shows us that He wants to shelter anyone who believes from the “wrath to come.”  Last week we heard a message on Hell that made me think about that awful destination.  I don’t think we’ve preached a message like that in quite a while.  (Thanks, Chad Markel!)  We don’t normally think that there will be a very real and serious consequence to sin, one that each of us deserves.  Yet, God is not wanting to punish us that way.  He’s made a provision through believing in “the Gospel of Christ.”  If God wanted to even the score, He could have simply let us have it, but He sent His Son to pay the horrific price so that humans have a choice.  We can ignore His warnings and provision for escape and, in essence, choose wrath and Hell or we can be set free and become His children by adoption and escape what we deserve.  We need to believe; that’s all and that’s everything.  Thank you God for being so merciful!  PB

Ruth was a great example, wasn’t she?  I mean, she didn’t have a godly upbringing, at least not in the sense we know.  She had tragedy and sorrow in her life that might have made even the most positive person turn to bitterness, her mother in law being an example of that.  And yet, she chose to live according to one principle that made all the difference for her.  She chose to follow the spiritual connections in life when they conflicted with the natural attachments she had with family, culture and religion.  In other words, when she sensed that God was “in” a relationship, like the one she had with Naomi, she followed that leading of the Spirit and didn’t look back.  It led her to her ultimate destiny, whereas if she followed her natural connections in life because they were familiar, we likely would never have heard of her.  Will you follow the spiritual connections in life when they conflict with the natural ones?  If you do, you’ll end up where God’s path and destiny are.  Come to church again this week to hear how her other choices along the way brought her to an amazing opportunity!  His blessings, PB

We’re beginning a new series of messages this weekend on the Book of Ruth.  I was studying the first chapter today and I couldn’t stop thinking about what God was saying to me.  It all has to do with choices and, well, I’ll explain it all on Sunday.  But for now, read the first chapter of Ruth before the weekend comes and get ready for the Lord to teach you about the key to finding the place of destiny He has planned for you.  See you then!  PB

I was reading in Exodus today and came across the detailed references concerning the Ark of the Covenant.  Sometimes Christians wonder why all of those details are there, but let me tell you what God reminded me of in reading them once again.  The Ark was really just a fancy box with poles attached to the sides for carrying.  It was what was inside the Ark that made it special.  The Ark contained the two tablets of stone that God had given to Moses on Mount Sinai.  Those tablets were “handwritten” by God with the Ten Commandments etched there by Him.  It was the highest expression of what is right and wrong ever given to man.  It was also impossible for flawed man to perfectly keep them.  And so above the Ark, right over the top of it, was the “Mercy Seat.”  It was where God met with Moses and eventually the High Priest.  The Holy God of All had expressed and codified the Ten Commandments as the standard of His holiness.  But God, being Who He is, related to man at the Mercy Seat.  He is still the same.  Holy beyond all we can know of holiness.  But willing to bend to man in mercy in order to relate to us.  I so love Him for that.  Don’t hold back from going to Him.  He still sits on the Mercy Seat, the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, and is open armed ready for you to go to Him.  Blessings, PB

Hey Everyone!

This has been a great journey this year!  If you’re just joining us, we’re finishing the last seven days of a 21 day season of prayer and fasting.  We’ve had some wonderful prayer meetings on Tuesday nights and we’ve seen God’s hand move in amazing ways as we’ve sought Him daily.  I invite you to jump in wholeheartedly this week and to come to the celebration we’ll have at our annual Worship Night on the 23rd at 5pm.  It’s our way of celebrating the end of the fast and giving honor and place to the Lord!

His Continued Blessings,

PB

A Devotional For the 21 Day Fast: Days 15-21

Day 15    Chapter 15 of John

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser…” and so begins Chapter 15 of John.  You’ll notice that all the words of the chapter are in red and so yes, the entire chapter is a direct quote from the Lord to His disciples to prepare them for His soon absence in body.  No doubt, Jesus is the Source of our life in the same way that a vine’s branch must remain directly connected to the vine itself.  If disconnected from the vine, the branch dies and dries up, good only for burning in a brush fire.  (Verse 6)  The branch that remains or abides in the vital connection with the vine will not only live but likely bear fruit.  (Verses 2-8)  And so let’s ask ourselves the question: how is your personal, vital connection to the Lord Jesus?  Are you spending time with Him, asking Him what’s on His heart, casting your cares on Him?  Are you going to Him first, looking to Him for answers and telling Him that you trust Him to bring you to true fruitfulness?  Do you pray for things on His list, according to His will and priority, or do you just bring a laundry list of concerns and requests to voice to Him?  (Verses 7 and 16)  His plan and will for you is that you “go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”  (verse 16)  But what if you don’t feel as though you are bearing much fruit these days, yet you’re still abiding in Him?  Two things will happen.  (verse 2) Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away (or if you look at that phrase more deeply it means to “lift up”) and every branch that has been bearing fruit He prunes for more fruitfulness.  He lifts up the branches, followers, and encourages them, the ones that have drooped low and are soil covered and ties them up higher, in the sun.  And He prunes, cuts away the unnecessary and old, for a better future.  Personal relationship, the flow of life, personal attention and the resulting fruitfulness are God’s plan for His relationship with you.  Ask Him for all of that, now and in the year to come.

Day 16    Chapter 16 of John

This is yet another chapter of preparation for the followers of Jesus as He drew closer to His sacrifice.  All the words were meant to help the disciples but they were confused and didn’t really understand what He said until later when He was really gone bodily.  They needed what Jesus talked about here to understand what Jesus talked about here.  They needed the Holy Spirit.  Verse 7 remains one of the most amazing parts of Scripture.  “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”  Jesus said here that there was a better situation coming, better than walking with Him, talking with Him, watching Him and seeing Him do what no one had ever done before.  Better?  Yes, better.  You and I have a better situation because the Holy Spirit, God Himself, would come to live in your life as a believer.  He would lead you into all truth, telling you things to come, glorifying Jesus and helping you in ways you can’t relate to right now. (Verses 8-15)  Are you listening to the Holy Spirit as intently as you can?  Are you sensitive to His voice, His movements, and His convictions?  Are you asking the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to bear upon the world at large, the friend or family member that doesn’t know the Lord, the backslidden friend or your own heart?  He is the greatest Asset we could ever ask for.  Ask the Lord to make you more sensitive to the Spirit than ever before and cooperative with His movements and instruction this year.  You’ll be so much better off for doing so!

Day 17    Chapter 17 of John

This entire chapter is a prayer, the prayer that the Lord Jesus prayed for his followers.  The ones who were His followers at the time and the ones to come were the reasons for this prayer.  (Verse 20)  So what did Jesus pray for us?  That we would be “kept” and that we would be one, living in unity.  (verse 11)  That we would have His joy fulfilled in us and that the enemy wouldn’t get through to us. (verses 13 and 15)  And that we would be “sanctified” or set apart as holy, different than the world, by the truth, God’s word.  (verse 17)  Are you blessed by the fact that our Savior prayed for us?  That He knew just what we needed and asked the Father for it?  That He interceded and still intercedes for us personally and corporately?  We worry that things won’t go as we plan or hope.  We have conflicts with people and wonder if they’ll ever work out.  We fear that the enemy is going to pull us away from God and be successful in ruining everything of our walk with Christ.  We don’t think we’ll ever really be all that different than the world around us.  But Jesus intercedes for us.  He prayed and prays for us all the time.  He watches over us and has plans for us.  Thank the Lord today for His watchful care, His intercessory prayers and His goals for us.  Ask Him to show you where you can forgive and relate to others, especially Christians, so that His intent in this prayer is answered.  And follow His example and intercede for others who so desperately need the Father’s intervention in their lives.

Day 18    Chapter 18 of John

And it begins.  Jesus is here arrested by a “detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees” in the middle of the night.  He and the disciples had just finished praying, well, at least Jesus was praying, in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Judas led the group of arresting soldiers and officers.  By the end of this chapter our Lord appeared before the high priest and eventually Pilate, the Roman governor of the region.  At first glance someone might say that Jesus was moved about and tormented by people at their whim.  However, look at Who’s really in charge.  The whole group of armed officers approaches Jesus in verse 3 and in verse 4 Jesus steps to the front and asks “Whom are you seeking?”  When they said “Jesus of Nazareth” and He replied, “I am He,” they “drew back and fell to the ground.”  Really?  Were those troops arresting Jesus against His will?  No, they were carrying out His will.  All through this chapter we see that Jesus is sovereign and in control.  He releases the disciples from arrest, verse 8. He doesn’t let Peter’s swordplay cause an all out fight, which it should have.  (Verses 10-11)  He answers the High Priests Annas and Caiaphas perfectly and calmly, even though He was struck in verse 23.  He had predicted Peter’s betrayal and watched it play out as the cock crowed.  And He controls the conversation with Pilate, witnessing that He was a King and getting Pilate to ask the question, “What is truth?”  Jesus was Lord, even when He was seemingly carried along by the will of men.  Question: are you attached to Jesus by faith and salvation?  Are you His?  You can expect that though it seems that people are in control of your destiny that God Himself is ruling over the affairs of men and bringing about His will in your life. Trust Him.  People aren’t in control this year.  God is.  Trust Him with your family, your job, your finances and keep your trust in the One who is really in charge.

Day 19    Chapter 19 of John

Here is the day that should ever live in the annals of injustice and depravity.  That man should torture and crucify the Lord of Life is the greatest irony of all time.  And yet Jesus chose this out of obedience to the Father and for the “joy set before Him,” as it says in Hebrews 12.2, choosing to be the Savior of man.  Thank the Lord that He did this for us or we would have no hope of ever being right with God.  The entire earth would have collapsed in upon itself if Jesus had not come, lived a perfect life and given that life as a substitute for we who are saved.  History would have ended if He had not come.  In that greater sense, He is the Savior of every man because all life would have ceased.  He endured the worst death that the Romans could devise for a person, inflicting horrible, long-term pain on its victim and controlling the populace with fear in observing it.  Many did not live through the scourging that went on before the crucifixion.  Jesus chose that death.  For you.  For me. For our children.  Our friends.  For people here.  For people far away.  For those who have lived before us and those who will live after us.  We have freedom because He was taken captive.  We have forgiveness because He became sin who knew no sin.  Ask Him to help you to live according to what has been done for you, in the shadow of the Cross.

Day 20    Chapter 20 of John

As terrible and wonderful the last chapter was, this chapter is just simply an account of pure joy, even disbelief on the part of the disciples.  We read the story of Mary Magdalene, Peter and John (he’s the “other disciple,” by the way) going to the tomb and finding it empty.  Jesus reveals Himself to Mary Magdalene first in the moving account in verses 11-18.  This is also the first time that we see that Jesus isn’t immediately recognizable to His followers after His resurrection.  Mary thinks He’s the gardener at first, but then He unveils His identity, calls her by name and she calls Him “Rabboni,” which means literally “My Great One.”  The disciples get a special visit from the Lord as they hide from the Jews in verses 19-23, but Thomas, one of the twelve, wasn’t there.  He, of course, doesn’t believe that they really saw Him and declares that he won’t believe unless he personally sees Jesus and touches His body where they put the nails and spear through His skin.  Thomas doesn’t miss the next meeting and Jesus calls Him out to address his unbelief.  Thomas answers the Lord’s call to believe and says, “My Lord and my God!”  Isn’t it wonderfully kind of the Lord to do what it took for Thomas to believe?  A human might have cast him out, but Jesus brought him close.  God wants to increase and solidify your faith.  He will do what needs to be done to bring you from unbelieving to believing if you’ll ask.  “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” said Jesus in verse 29.  May He bless you with increased faith this year, not having seen like Thomas got to, but seeing instead with spiritual eyes.  God want you to believe.  All that we’ve read during the fast was recorded by John for one reason: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”  Believe that He will lead you in marvelous ways this year as you pursue His will and path for your life.

Day 21    Chapter 21 of John

Here we are on the last day of our 21 day fast!  God has spoken so much to us as we’ve read and meditated on the book of John for these past three weeks.  However, there’s one more chapter to read and learn from.  I personally love this chapter and read it often, it’s one of my favorites.  Here’s Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James and John and a couple of other guys, just hanging out between appearances from the Lord over the 40 days He appeared to men after the Resurrection.  They, seemingly, get tired of waiting and go fishing at Peter’s suggestion.  Of course, they fish all night and don’t catch a thing.  Jesus, whom they don’t recognize but is with them, calls from the shore, asking about their fishing expedition.  They cast their net one more time and, as you know, they brought in a net full of fish, 153 to be exact.  There’s so much to see in this chapter.  Peter doesn’t run away from the Lord but runs, swims to Him, the nets didn’t break this time as they did in the first fishing story, the Lord already had breakfast on the fire when they came; all of that has wonderful meaning.  But here’s what I want to point out: Jesus restored and re-commissioned His disciples to go out, find and care for His flock by walking in faith along the individual path He outlined for each one.  Peter could have been disqualified, for that matter, all of them could have been, but Jesus had grace for each one.  He could have told them that they would have the same path in life and death but He had a different one for Peter and a different one for John.  He released them all to a life of Him being present but unseen by the human eye, fulfilling the call to go out into all the world and make disciples of the nations.  So here’s what God has to say to you.  He will forgive and restore you no matter how far you’ve fallen.  He will give you repentance and He will refocus you to His calling for your life.  You won’t have the same path that others will have, but you have been called to be His hands, His feet and His voice, His Body, His representative ambassadors in this world.  Ask the Lord to make this year a year of fulfillment in being His man or woman in the sphere in which He’s placed you.  If you love Him, you’ll feed His sheep.

Hey Everyone!  This is the next segment of devotions for days 8-14 of our 21 day fast.  Keep on praying!!  For those of you who may be just “tuning in,” the chapter references are all from the Gospel of John…

A Fasting Devotional for Days 8-14

Day 8    John Chapter 8

In this chapter, John retells the story of the woman caught in adultery, His interactions with her accusers and the marvelous ending.  In that story He reveals more of Who He really is, as we see Him convict the consciences of the woman’s accusers and with only the words “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (verse 7)  In verse 12 He says, “I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  Then He begins again to shine the light of truth on the Jews who challenged Him and what He was saying and continues until they are ready to stone Him at the end of the chapter.  Remember John’s stated purpose in writing this book.  It’s “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”  Light and truth are closely related.  Light is a revealer and in the same way Jesus the Light revealed some difficult things to the Jews.  “You are of your father the devil…” (verse 43) is the one that comes to mind.   Ouch!  But look at verses 31-36.  Jesus says this of the truth: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  Truth reveals.  Truth hurts, it cuts.  But the truth, when accepted and adhered to, makes you a free person.  Ask the Lord for the truth in a deeper way.  Ask Him to reveal Himself, and yourself, in a clearer picture.  There may be some uncomfortable moments when He answers (like the woman’s accusers and the Jews) but in the end, there’s freedom.  Remember, the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, but He often uses people, certainly situations, to help us to see what we need to see, coupled with the Scriptures.  It’s still Jesus behind it all, wanting to make you free.

Day 9    John Chapter 9

“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.”  (Verse 1)  Did you ever read that sentence and ask why He “saw” this man?  This chapter is all about blindness, the physical blindness that this young man had and the spiritual blindness that the Pharisees retained.  The entire story is contained in this chapter, the story of how Jesus asks the man to hold still while He made some clay from His spit and some earth, applied it to his eyes and told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam.  Jesus then disappeared until the now healed, interrogated young man was found by Jesus, giving thanks to God in the Temple.  Because Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath (verse 14) and He didn’t fit into their rules regarding the Sabbath, they couldn’t believe that the miracle could possibly indicate that Jesus was the Messiah.  And so the formerly blind man (verses 27-33), presumably uneducated and common, now tells the blind Pharisees the common sense answer to the real question: just who is this Jesus?  Then the seeing man was finally introduced officially to Jesus and he confessed that he believed.  Jesus was the dividing line between those who believed and those who didn’t.  Those who believed saw, but the stubborn Jews refused to humble themselves and believe and so remained blind.   And it cost the now seeing man, as the Jews disfellowshipped him, allowing him no more contact with the bulk of Jewish society.  Two questions: are you humble enough to allow God to work in your life so that you believe and will you believe to the point that you stand out from the rest of the world around you?  Ask the Lord to help you to “see,” even if it means that in seeing and believing that others are divided from you.  It takes courage but it’s worth it!

Day 10    John Chapter 10

In this chapter, Jesus identifies Himself as the Great Shepherd of the Sheep.  He talks freely about the so called shepherds that have come before Him and identifies the “hireling,” a leader who runs when danger comes and leaves the sheep with the wolves.  All very vivid imagery describing how God cares for those who are truly His.  Those who are truly His, “believe.” (Verses 25 and 26)  And what is the characteristic of one of His Sheep?  Look at verses 27-30.  They hear His voice, they have relationship with Him and they follow and obey Him.  The promise to those who are His is that He will give them eternal life and security in their standing with God.   How are the characteristics of sheep applying to your life these days?  Do you listen for His voice?  God loves to speak to His people, but distractions, apathy and other factors are allowed to get in the way.  It’s not God’s voice that’s the problem, but our ears!  How is your relationship with Him?  Also distracted and forgotten?  And when you hear Him by the Spirit, through the Scriptures, do you follow His directives?  You see, Jesus may be the Great Shepherd, but are we the kind of sheep that are identifiably His?  Ask the Lord to help you to hear Him much better this year.  Make plans to set aside time to actually pray in the Spirit and pause long enough to find out what’s on His heart.  Have a Bible reading program that takes you through the Bible in a significant way this year.  Relate to Him, practice His Presence.  And then ask Him to give you a heart and determination to follow His directives.  After all, He is the Great Shepherd and He won’t lead you astray!

Day 11    John Chapter 11 Halfway through the fast already!

If there were a chapter in John that you would have read before, right behind John 3 is John 11.  In this portion of the Scripture we read the miraculous story of Lazarus, his death and his raising from the dead.  Jesus’ uttered those famous words at his tomb, “Lazarus, come forth!”  Of course, he did!  Many have said that if Jesus didn’t specify “Lazarus” that everyone in the tombs there might have come back to life and out of their graves.  Yes, the Word of God is that powerful.

The relationship Jesus had with Mary, Martha and Lazarus is another marvel of this chapter.  Jesus plainly had a personal interest in this family of three siblings and loved them.  Not that He didn’t love others or that He doesn’t love you and me, but the chapter features His very personal closeness to people.  Jesus weeps at the “funeral,” but have you thought that since Jesus is the express image of God that this reveals how the Father feels about human tragedy and unbelief?  I love what this tells us about God and His heart.  Yes, He weeps with you at your tragedies.

Notice the most remarkable part of this chapter, though, from a human standpoint.  After Lazarus came out of the tomb you would think that there would be no one remaining in unbelief regarding the Lord Jesus.  C’mon, how could you not say that this is God in the flesh, having given life to the dead right in front of your eyes?  Yet in verses 45-57 at the end of the chapter we find that while many did believe, others still did not.  They went from there to the Pharisees and they plotted His death, even though Jesus did what no man could do.  Miracles, signs and wonders are marvelous.  They are evidences of God’s witness to the Gospel.  But they, in themselves, are never enough to save anyone.  It always has been and always will be faith that saves.  Pray today that God would draw people to Himself and grant them the gift of faith.  Pray for faith to arise in the hearts of your friends and loved ones.  And ask Him to strengthen your own faith as you pray.

Day 12    John Chapter 12

As Jesus approaches His final Passover He has dinner with Mary, Martha and our friend Lazarus.  Imagine sitting at the table with the man Jesus raised from the dead?  Mary, in a manner similar to the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, anoints Jesus’ feet with costly spikenard and wiped the excess with her hair.  It was done of love and sacrifice and prepared Him for the day of His burial.  In these first 8 verses we see a foreshadow of His betrayal and His death and burial.  There are so many things we could focus on in this chapter, but let’s settle on verses 25 and 26.  “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.  If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”  How much do you love your life in this world?  Is it all you think about and care about?  Not that you should neglect your responsibilities and relationships, but just where is your heart?  Do you prioritize the Heavenly over the Earthly?  Are you pursuing Eternal fruitfulness and a real relationship with God or is He a “part” of your life? Do you follow Him to where He is, and where His Heart is?  Where He is, “there (His) servant will be also.”  Ask God to show you where your priorities lie and ask Him to take you where He wants you to be.

Day 13    Chapter 13

This chapter takes place at the last Passover supper (seder) Jesus has with His Disciples.  It nearly entirely takes place in an upper room that we read details of in other Gospels.  Again, there is so much here for us to take in; His foot-washing lesson, His betrayal’s beginning and His prophetic conversation with Peter about roosters crowing during his denial are all in this chapter.  Again, let’s focus on two verses, 34 and 35 this time.  “Love one another as I have loved you,” the Lord said, and then He tells them that this kind of love would identify them as His disciples to the world.  How is your love toward, especially, other Christians?  The most obvious expressions of love belong to our spouses and children, but Jesus said that His new commandment was that we were to love, in a sacrificial way, people only related to us by our common faith.  Do you mean that the Christian across the church aisle, who I am not related to nor do I especially like, is someone I need to show extravagant love toward?  Does that mean that I need to forgive them when they wrong me, give to them when they are in need, express love toward them at all times and sacrifice myself for their sakes?  What kind of love, other than that, would make us stand out in the world as His disciples and most closely imitate what our Master has done for us?  Ask Him, during this prolonged time of prayer and fasting, to show you how to love like that.  Ask Him to show you where you stand on the issue of loving like He does and to show you who the specific people are that need you to love in His way of loving.  Go beyond toleration to love that reflects His amazing love.

Day 14    Chapter 14

This chapter is preparation for the days following Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, days in which the Disciples would seemingly be on their own.  There are many wonderful words in this chapter, but let’s draw our attention to verses 15 through 17.  “If you love Me,” said Jesus, “keep My commandments.”  Wow, how can I do that, you might ask, when I’ve never been able to come close at any time in the past?  Are we back to earning God’s favor by our adherence to rules and regulations?  Not at all.  Jesus here speaks of a love relationship that’s not based on our perfection, but on grace.  Remember, Jesus is full of grace (to relate) and truth (to reveal).  But if you love Him, really love Him, you’ll want to do what He holds dear and important.  Again, how could I possibly be consistent in even that?  Ah, that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.  The Helper, the One who is the Spirit of Truth, Who will guide you into all truth, Who will abide with you forever (!) will be the One who will enable you to keep His commandments of love and sacrifice in holiness.  He dwells with you (like someone living in your house with you)  and will be in you!  Wait a minute.  Did we read that right?  That God Himself would live in you to enable you to live according to God’s commands?  Yes.  It’s the privilege of everyone who believes on Jesus and is further reinforced by what is said in verse 23.  If you are His, He will come and make His home with you.  Do you doubt that you can live a godly, overcoming life?  Do you live life like every other person you meet?  Or does your life manifest the truth of the amazing words recorded here?  Ask God to enable you to believe that, as a Christian, you have the Lord living in you.  Ask God to burn out the ungodly in your life so that your outsides match the Holy Spirit on the inside.  Ask the Lord to use you as His instrument so that you decrease as He increases in His work through you to love and reach every life around you.  And thank Him for a privilege that none of us fully understand or appreciate.  That’s “Emmanuel” in a way we can hardly grasp!