29 APR 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 29 APR 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth.  I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” 3 John 3-4

When you are a practitioner of disciple-making, there is a great deal of time invested and caring for others.  Jesus himself modeled his patterns, teaching, and formation to the twelve and others for three years.  His intention from the beginning was to develop these men so that they could eventually make disciples on their own.  They eventually would do so.

When you invest deeply with a few people at a time, there is no guarantee that the disciples will in fact take the baton and start living out what you have imparted to them.  As a matter of fact, many don’t and that is a painful reality.  Sometimes the people you have invested in take more time to get on their feet and then put into practice what was learned.

I can attest that It is such a great feeling of joy to know that your spiritual children or even your own children are following the truth and living out the faith.  John experiences this and writes to his disciple Gaius.  John hears how Gaius’ faithfulness has impacted others, and it moves John to praise and thanksgiving.  There is some affirmation towards Gaius in what he is doing, and thankfulness that God is allowing John to see the fruit of his labors.  

Are your disciples faithful and making disciples?

Reading Plan: Psalm 30, 32 Dan. 6:16-28; 3 Jn. 1-15;  Luke 5:27-39

28 APR 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 28 APR 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But when Daniel learned the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem.  He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10

It has been said that you are either in a trail, coming out of one, or about to enter one.  Jesus said that in this life there will be trials and troubles.  Daniel in this passage is entering a trial and test of his faith.  The jealousy of other leaders has sparked a plan to trap Daniel and remove him from his position.  What is Daniel’s response? Is it panic?

No! Daniel has established a pattern or rhythm of prayer that empowers him and gives him peace of mind even in dark times.  When you have entrusted your life to Jesus and let him have your problems, you grow through the experience.  When you talk to God regularly, he gives you insight into daily living and answers to your problems.

Daniel does something counter-intuitive to our nature.  He doesn’t complain but gives thanks.  This act builds spiritual resilience and helps us to think clearly and change our why questions into what or how.  God will use the trial to build us up even though it was meant to hurt or destroy us.  We come out on the side of trials better than when we entered them.

Why would you want to establish a regular rhythm of prayer?

Reading Plan: Psalm 105:1-22 Dan. 6:1-15; 2 Jn. 1-13;  Luke 5:12-26

26 APR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 26 APR Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true.  Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.” 1 John 5:10

The more I read the Scriptures, the more blunt and offensive it appears to be to our modern ears.  We think we know so much more than people from the previous eras of history.  We certainly have more information, but hardly the wisdom.  Sometimes we believe if we have the right evidence or the most prominent thinker, we can hang our hat on a topic and call it settled.

In doing so, we can presume that we have all truth and that is enough to discount God’s own testimony.  Christians face the indifference of opponents to our faith even rejection and hostility.  Rejection is a painful thing to be on the receiving end of.  We are personally made to feel less than and our message is viewed as a fairy tale.  That’s a politically correct way of saying the message is a lie or trash.

In reality, we are dealing with two things, our audience is spiritually dull and God is being insulted.  Every time we share the good news there will be people who reject the message because God has hidden the truth from them.  The pieces of the puzzle they do understand they suppress in their hearts thereby hardening themselves to God.   Their response to God, his message, and his messengers is taken as an offense.  Ultimately, they are calling God a liar and they will face the consequences.  May God have mercy on their souls.

Are you calling God a liar?

Reading Plan: Psalm 38; Dan. 5:1-12; 1 Jn. 5:1-12;  Luke 4:38-44

25 APR Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 25 APR Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” Luke 4:36

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Prov. 9:10) The more people understand who God is and his capabilities, the more likely fear will set in.  The people of Capernaum were in awe of Jesus’ teaching and how he spoke with authority.  It’s not that the other Rabbis were not learned or scholars or people of influence, but Jesus was something else.

As he preached and taught, he didn’t cite other people’s words or ideas unless he was exposing errors.  He taught from a position as “the” source of wisdom and truth.  When you read the Bible you find that he makes truth claims that leave no room for any other viable ideology, religion, or other truth.  This causes a stir in a person’s heart to be in awe of Jesus or to hate Him.

The people experience Jesus’ authority and power when he encounters a demon-possessed man.  Demons are fallen angels that rebelled against God and live on earth living among us.  In this case, a demon has overridden a man’s will and life controlling his every action.  Demons know Jesus and they know those that belong to Him.  When the demon sees Jesus, he is struck with fear.  He knows his maker and knows what he can do to him.

No one, not you or me or angel or animal or planet or demon can hold back the will and command of Jesus.  His will, will be done, period.  He does what he desires and no one can stop him or complain that he is doing this or that.  Jesus has both the authority and power to back it up.  That can spark fear, but it can also spark hope.  If Jesus is for you, who can be against you or what can man do to you?

Are you trusting in the authority and power of Jesus?

Reading Plan: Psalm 26, 28; Dan. 4:28-37; 1 Jn. 4:7-21;  Luke 4:31-37

23 APR 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 23 APR 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: Peace and prosperity to you! I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.  How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.” Daniel 4:1-3

The Book of Daniel is a great and exciting book with an overarching theme of God’s Sovereignty.  It gives a glimpse into the human heart and how we think.  It specifically gives us insight into the mind of a king and how pride and power blind him.  God reveals himself to the king in dreams and unbelievable actions.  

The king’s memory is short and quickly goes back to self-worship, pressuring the kingdom to worship him too.  After God delivers three of His children from the fiery furnace, the king is in awe of God and rightly proclaims the glory due to God’s name.  What he says is true about God and that is good, but it is only lip service.  The king’s heart wanes toward God’s mercy and grace and God shocks him with another dream of judgment on this kingdom.  

While he is full of pride, he is reminded that God is the one who establishes kingdoms and can remove them as he desires.  We can be fooled by our own minds that our success is by our own hands, but the true source is God.  Whether you are smart or not, rich or poor, your position in life is determined by God. (1 Sam. 2:7)  Learning to submit to God no matter the circumstance and honor God not just by our lips in the proclamation, but by obedience showing our possession of Him.

You may proclaim who God is, but do you possess Him?

Reading Plan: Psalm 148, 149, 150; Dan. 4:1-18; 1 Pet. 4:7-11;  John 21:15-25

18 APR 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

18 APR Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.  He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.” 1 John 2:1

As believers, we are called to live a life that is different from the world.  The plumb lines that are set by Jesus are to live holy and righteous lives.  The world doesn’t recognize these standards and often makes fun of them on one end and will hate you on the other.  God’s ways are light and that helps us to see where we are going so we do not stumble.

The world is blinded by darkness.  When we bring light, it reveals the truth and sins.  Have you ever had someone turn the lights on when you were dead asleep? You probably hissed and moaned then pulled the sheets over your head, right? As Christians, this shouldn’t be so.  We are learning to walk in that light and need one another to help us stay the course.

You never know where there might be deadly traps or subtle detours.  John knows that we are still tempted to do things and can get out of alignment with God’s standards for us.  When we sin, we are not left in the dark and alone.  We have someone that is praying for us and advocating for us with the Father.  He can restore us when we repent. (1Jn. 1:9)  The Holy Spirit is also there to guide us in making the right choices.  When we obey his word and follow his lead then our path will remain illuminated for us.  When we don’t, we walk in darkness and subject to falls. 

We also need one another to love us and tell us if we are walking in darkness.  The church is there to build each other up and to fortify our hands for battle.  The world, our flesh, and the devil are always fighting to harm us so we must be mentally and spiritually awake to fight. 

Are you walking in the light and leaning on your Advocate?

Reading Plan: Psalm 5, 6; Dan. 2:1-16; 1 John 2:1-11;  John 17:12-19

16 APR 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 16 APR 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But you are my witnesses, O Israel says the Lord.  You are my servant.  You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God.  There is no other God-there never has been, and there never will be.” Isa. 43:10

If I didn’t reference the book that this quote came from, you might have thought that it came from the book of Acts, chapter one.  God’s ways have not changed and do not change.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Our struggles with our study of salvation in the New Testament can be satisfied by our study of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible).

You might ask yourself, why Israel? What is so great about them? Why did they receive such favor? The Jews were not special, bright, mighty, or large in number nor did they do anything to get noticed. If you are Christian, stick your name into those last three questions.  Jesus says the same thing to his disciples in John 14:16. We are not his because we are smart, fit, attractive, race, ethnicity, or any other reason.  

You were selected, elected, or chosen by grace, unmerited favor, and for no other reason than by His good pleasure and glory.  Anyone that belongs to Him, is His for a purpose.  We are to glorify Him in all of life, be His witnesses, and serve Him.  The 1 Peter passage below, says that we are a chosen people, royal priests, and a holy nation for God’s possession.  This is fantastic and humbling news.

Why am I a Christian?

Reading Plan: Psalm 146, 147; Isa. 43:8-13; 1 Pet 2:2-10;  John 14:1-7

14 APR Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 14 APR Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” John 16: 7-8

There is an interesting discipleship pattern that is subtle in the gospels.  Jesus initially calls the disciples and tells them up front the vision he has for their lives.  He tells them to follow him and he will make them into fishers of men, disciple-makers.  Throughout the gospel account which covers their three years together,  we see Jesus model for them everything they will be expected to do.  Jesus gives them the opportunity to serve with Him but also gives them time to do ministry on their own while being observed.

They will begin to understand people from Jesus’ viewpoint.  They will also be tested throughout many challenging situations so that their faith and dependence on Jesus would grow.  By the time Jesus is ready to ascend to heaven, the disciples have reached the level of training needed to start a movement.  Jesus charged them (and everyone who follows him) to go and make disciples, the very thing they were trained to do.

The next phase could only come if Jesus left.  They had to be on their own and learn how to walk by the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit would be their teacher, and comforter, and give them the power to do ministry and overcome sin.  As disciple-makers, we too will have to train others to the point of doing the same thing.  If we stay with them, it will hinder their development and reliance on the Holy Spirit.  It will also hinder our walk because God has more for us to do outside of them.

Are you training disciple makers and then leaving them to it? Maybe you should.

Reading Plan: Psalm 136; Dan. 12:1-4, 13; Acts 4:1-12;  John 16:1-15

13 APR 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 13 APR Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world.  I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” John 15:18-19

When I first read this passage many years ago, I was frankly surprised that if you live for Jesus people would hate you.  Then, I started sharing my faith with my friends in Middle School.  I got a lot of kickbacks and rude responses.  In my mind, I thought I was sharing the greatest news ever, which it is, but my audience didn’t think so and wasn’t afraid to tell me.

The reality is people will reject you if you are sharing your faith and living for Jesus.  Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes so we are not surprised.  He tells his disciples again in John 15 that people in their nature hate Jesus and we are hated by association.  Today, Christians are persecuted and killed more than at any other time in history.  

We don’t have to fear suffering for Jesus.  He actually gives us the grace to receive it as joy and knows we have been counted worthy to suffer for his name. Paul, the chief sinner and sufferer, commands us to rejoice! If you are spoken against, dismissed, treated with indifference, verbally or physically harmed, know that it happened to Jesus first.  These are the marks we carry as faithful follower of Jesus.  Never think we are victims.  We are victorious…more than conquerors even!

Are you hated for living out your faith in Jesus?

Reading Plan: Psalm 146, 147; Ezek. 37:1-14; Acts 3:11-26;  John 15:12-27

12 APR Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 12 APR Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.  When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.  This brings great glory to my Father.” John 15: 2, 8

The passage in John paints a picture of a vineyard in which Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and the Father is the vinedresser or gardener.  He intentionally works in the vineyard to produce a regular crop of fruit.  We can miss some really good information about what our lives should look like and our part in that.  We can also get what he is saying wrong and begin to feel like we are not doing enough.  God wants you to be filled with joy, not sorrow.

If you focus on the fruit, then you will miss out on all the heavenly glory. (paraphrasing Bruce Lee) The fruit is a byproduct of being connected to Jesus and receiving the life-giving spirit from abiding in him. We are to be focused on being faithful, not fruitful.  He tells us in this passage that we cannot produce fruit apart from him.  If we are not remaining in Him, we will wither and die.  Those branches are broken off because they are useless.

The fruit itself is both internal and external.  The internal fruit is that of the Spirit and is about your maturity and development as the person that God wants you to be.  The external fruit has to do with people coming to faith through your testimony, gospel sharing, and investment of time.  In both cases, it is the Lord that is working through you moving that life-giving power like a branch connected to the vine.  If you are connected, you will see fruit and prove that you are His.  

Are you remaining faithful to Jesus?

Reading Plan: Psalm 97, 99; Micah. 7:7-15; Acts 3:1-10;  John 15:1-11

11 APR 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 11 APR 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

There are many troubles, frustrations, and fears in this life that cloud our minds.  We try to find answers through all kinds of measures such as diet, exercise, psychology, medicine, and religious practices.  While they can be helpful to our general health, we are still left wanting when it comes to soul issues.  Those issues bring fear into our life.  How do we deal with this?

Jesus in the gospel accounts tells us that we need both peace “with” God and the peace “of” God.  If you have this you are given a spirit of power, of love, and self-control.  These fears troubles, frustrations, and fears can be overcome or endured.  Jesus says that this peace cannot be given to you by the world.  It is not theirs to give.  This is not a principle to develop strategies or glean or rewrap or sold as a new prescription.   

It is a gift that is freely given by God's grace, which was paid for by Jesus on the cross.  The gift of peace “with” God comes first.  When you surrender to Jesus, you are no longer enemies but are now friends.  You are right with God and do not face his wrath.  The peace “of” God is also given throughout life as we face trials, fears, temptations, and even the horrors of life.  It gives us resilience that pours out when we need it to protect us.

Jesus promises to give us His peace when we believe in our hearts in what He did on the cross, repent of our sins, and put our trust in Him.   If we don’t do that we will never experience true peace.  This gift is offered to all, but few receive it.  Have you?

Are you dealing with a troubled mind and need peace?

Reading Plan: Psalm 103; Isa. 30:18-21; Acys 2:26-41;  John 14:15-31

7 APR 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 7 APR 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.  But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief.  Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants.” Isaiah 53:5, 10

Today is Good Friday which is an understatement.  It was a fantastic day for those that are being saved.  People outside of the faith look at this and scratch their heads, why is it good? Didn’t your god die? Yep! He sure did, but that is only part of the story.  Good Friday is not something to Passover, no pun intended.  

Since the Passion of the Christ came out some years ago, we have watched it on this day.  It is extremely raw and graphic, but it also reminds us that Jesus’ death is the most important one in all of history past, present, and future.  Isaiah writes hundreds of years prior to Jesus’ death and the significance of it.  Jesus did not die for his sins because he did not commit any.

He died for sinners, the ungodly, and enemies of God.  God’s plan was created before the earth was created or even Adam existed.  The Trinity met and laid this out from start to finish.  It pleased God to crush him because it fulfilled the plan to make himself known and bring him glory.  God planned to save some people from all the history of the world through the work of his Son on the cross.  It would demonstrate his love, mercy, grace, and justice.

God is still seeking people to give to Jesus as his family.  You might be one of them.

Have you responded to the call of the gospel on your life?

Reading Plan: Psalm 22, 10-17; Isa. 52:13-53:12; Heb. 10:16-25; John 18:1-19:1-42

3 Circles (Gospel Presentation, Ray Vaughn)

6 APR 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 6 APR 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.” 1 Cor. 11:26

The early disciples set forth marks of a healthy church that should be practiced regularly.  If we see these marks happening, we can tell whether it is healthy or not.  The metrics they measured were not the number of people on a Sunday, the amount of money in the offering plate, or if they had a building.  One of these marks was the practice of the Lord’s Supper, Communion, Eucharist, or Mass.  All of these terms describe the same idea.

Jesus implemented this sacrament the night before he was crucified and commanded that it continue to be practiced until he returns at the second coming.  The Lord’s supper causes us to remember what it took to give us forgiveness of sins, our adoption, eternal life, and peace with God.  Remembrance leads us to worship God with praise and thanksgiving for what he did for his people.  Understanding the high cost brings humility.

The Lord’s Supper is an expression and visible sign of God’s love for us and the love we are to have for God and others.  Paul shows the church that he started in Corinth the pattern of doing this.  Every church practices the Lord’s Supper to some extent, but not all in the exact same manner or frequency.  They do bring the focus of Jesus’ death into focus so the church can remember this great sacrifice made on our behalf.  

Are you taking the time to remember Jesus’ death with other believers?

Reading Plan: Psalm 116:1, 10-17; Ex. 12:1-4,11-14; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; John 13:1-7, 31-35

5 APR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 5 APR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:2b-3

As we move through each day of Holy Week, we are exposed to the plan and the pain of Christ that brings us salvation.  We often complain about the common pains and suffering that come to mankind and kick against God.  We wonder why God would allow my loved one to suffer or die before we are ready for them to go.  

People get upset with those that share the gospel and say, ‘God has a wonderful plan for your life’.  Rightly so, since God never promises health, wealth, and prosperity in this life.  Pain and suffering have their purpose in this life and Jesus promises you will have it if you follow him. It was in God’s plan from the world’s foundation to send Jesus to suffer and die so that some of the people would receive salvation.

Jesus told the disciples over and over again throughout his ministry that soon he would head to the cross and be executed.  His death would satisfy the penalty of our sins and give us “the” way to life.  Whoever God sends to the Son will have life and be raised on the last day.  Our suffering and death will be used to bring God glory, to develop us, and to change others around us.  When we do suffer, look at what Jesus went through for us.  The writer of Hebrews says that this will help us to endure.

Do you know there is a purpose in suffering and death?

Reading Plan: Psalm 70; Isa. 50:4-9a; Heb. 12:1-3; John 13:21-32