30 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 30 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” 1 Peter 2:13-15

Do you ever find it difficult to live and work under leaders or authorities? Peter, Paul and Jesus, all tell us to submit to the authorities around us because it is God who places them there.  At any given time, God can raise a nation to predominate or take one down and destroy it.  Think about when they were writing and the governors and institutions that were in charge.  Those religious institutions and the government were brutal to Christians and often hunted them down, lit them on fire, or killed them in a horrid manner.

Yet, Peter, Paul, and Jesus say that we are to submit or be subject to these people.  Peter in the verses following the ones above, reminds us that we are ‘slaves’ to Jesus and his will for our lives is to submit.  We are no longer living for ourselves, but living for Jesus and in doing so we will face persecution and suffer because of his name.  Jesus also expects governments to do something, punish those who do evil, and praise those who do good.  When governments don’t fulfill their mandates, then God punishes them.

One thing we can consistently do no matter the institution or government is to do good and be torch-bearers of the gospel.  The Lord expects us to fulfill the mission mandated to us in Matthew 28:19 regardless.  Our good works will be the judge of wicked people, leaders, and rulers.  If they harm us, God will not let them off the hook but give them punishment.  Jesus himself warned the people that if anyone hurt one of his followers, it would be better to have a millstone tied around their neck and thrown into the sea.  God will deal with them.

Are you submitting to earthly authorities?

Reading Plan: Psalm 131, 132; Zeph. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 2:11-25; Matthew 20:1-16

29 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 29 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who call you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

I often ponder the relationship that God has with Israel and why he is selective in choosing people to be his possession.  If you look back in the Old Testament, you find people who aren’t too smart or big, just nobodies in the world.  If there were a bunch of kids on the playground and you were choosing players for the team, they would not be on yours.  They didn’t bring anything to the table that would warrant attention from other nations or even God.

But God.  God has made plans so detailed that it will blow your mind.  Most of the world can’t deal with the fact that God created our world, the stars, the planets, the solar systems, and the universe.  He chose to put life on this planet and sustain it even putting a creature that is made in his image above all other creatures.  Humans are the only creatures on earth that can be in an eternal relationship with God.  That is being very selective and people even in the church get offended by this.

Israel was chosen by God to be his people, he will be their God, and he expanded that people group when Jesus came by adding Gentiles from every nation, tribe, and tongue.  God decided to do this before the world was created knowing that he would save some and not all.  The same way he chose Israel initially, is the same way he chooses who will be his today.  It is his secret will and no one comes to faith or is saved without him deciding who that is.  We do not bring anything to the table that will make his team better.

His mercy and grace are amazing; he would pull us out of darkness and into his marvelous light.  Peter says that knowing and understanding this will give a passion to worship him and share this good news with others.  While we do not know who his people will be, we do know his lost sheep are out there ready to be found.  We need to get busy doing search and rescue.

Have you been brought into the fold of the family of God?

Daily Reading:   Psalm 119: 145-176; Obadiah 15-21; 1 Peter 2:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30

28 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 28 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control.  But now you must be holy in everything that you do, jas as God who chose you is holy.” 1 Peter 1:13a, 15

There are so many times followers of Jesus will ask what is God’s will for their life and what should I be doing. The will of God is in two parts, revealed and secret.  Everything you need to know for your life here on earth is ‘revealed’ right in the Holy Scriptures.  Start applying the word to your life because there is more than enough there for an entire lifetime.  The secret will of God is just that, a secret.  It is not meant for you to know.

Peter tells his readers that there is a call on our lives to be holy people because God himself is holy.  This doesn’t come naturally to us because our human nature is unholy.  We sin in every part of our lives, so it will take real work on our part and the help of the Holy Spirit.  The action of holiness starts in the mind and it can be a battle.  Paul says that we have to let God transform our minds and change the way we think.

Again Paul states in his letter to the Galatians that our sinful nature wants to do evil, which is the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other.  The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives, one of which is self-control.  It is the ability to override or overcome our own human nature and do the thing that is pleasing to God.  As it is exercised, it grows stronger and helps you to develop a holy and godly life.

Peter says the ultimate goal is to become holy in everything you do because it makes you more like God.  How are you doing with that? As you are doing life, you can put on the lenses of holiness and ask yourself how you are doing.  You must be intentional about applying the word and the standard of holiness in order to bring about real lasting change.  God the Holy Spirit is here to help you to see areas of need and the power to succeed in them.

Would people you know think you are holy?

Reading Plan: Psalm 121, 122, 123; Nahum 1:1-13; 1 Pet. 1:13-25; Matt. 19:13-22 

27 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 27 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance-an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” 1 Pet. 1:3b-4

Typically, I look at life with low expectations so I am not disappointed.  Some people think that is a terrible way to look at life or your interaction with people.  The reason is people are not perfect, broken, and often oversell and underdeliver thereby leaving us disappointed.  I’m not saying you should have low standards, there is a difference.  Set standards high but keep expectations low and you will experience less disappointment.

Peter looks forward to Jesus and the next life with great expectation because God is perfect, holy, and never fails us.  He can be trusted to do what he promises and delivers to the uttermost.  Peter goes on to say that our inheritance is safe in heaven and it is pure, undefiled, and cannot change or even decay.  Everything on earth is impure, defiled, changes, and decays, but heaven is not the same.  His outlook on earthly temporary things is different from heavenly eternal things.

Jesus also chimes in on this and says that our treasure cannot be destroyed by moths, rust, or stolen because it is protected and secured by God himself. (Matt. 619-29)  This is great news that we can be fully assured and never be disappointed.  This is why Peter can have ‘great expectations’ for the future and so can we.  We can live this life for Christ in radical obedience without worrying about the future and expect God to do all that he intends through us.

When we fully trust in God and surrender our lives to him, we can have this kind of confidence now and in the life to come. 

Do you have great expectations for eternity?

Reading Plan: Psalm 106:1-18; Joel 3:1-2, 9-17; 1 Pet. 1:1-12; Matt. 19:1-12

26 NOV 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 26 NOV 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king - bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.” Luke 19:27

There was a time when Israel wanted to be like everyone else and decided that they would like a king instead of following God’s leading and receiving his providence and protection.  God warned them of what they would get for accepting a mortal as their leader and how he would rule over them.  This was a great offense to God, their maker and redeemer.

An earthly king would draft their sons for the military, force them to be farmers, and manufacture weapons and war materials. He would take their daughters and force them into labor for him and would tax their wealth and the best of their property.  They would eventually beg for relief because of how they were treated, but the Lord would not respond. (1 Sam. 8)  

Jesus tells the story of a nobleman who is rejected by the Jews as their king.  He assigns the people a task and expects them to follow through by being faithful and obedient.  There are people who are faithful, and disobedient, and many who reject him whom he calls his enemies.  Jesus says that the disobedient would be stripped of what was given to them and the ones who rejected Jesus will be judged and executed.

People who have mistakenly portrayed Jesus as one to overlook their rejection of him in this life will have a rude awakening in the next life.  Those people will not receive mercy and grace but will receive justice and sentencing to the second death.  The blunt and direct words of Jesus are meant to bring about change in your mind and heart while there is still time.  

Have you received Jesus as Lord?

Reading Plan: Psalm 118; Isa. 19:19-25; Rom. 15:5-13; Luke 19:11-27 

25 NOV 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 25 NOV 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Then Peter came to him and asked, Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? No, not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22

Being in the Thanksgiving mindset, post-November 23rd, I began thinking of all the things I am thankful for.  I find it a good way to combat anxiety and depression by making an ongoing list of specific things that I am thankful for writing them on slips of paper and putting them in a box.  As I am feeling low, anxious, or worried I pull out a slip of paper and read it.  I then give praise and thanksgiving to God for what is written on the paper and before long peace and joy come.

The biggest thing I put on a piece of paper is real forgiveness.  Being forgiven is a powerful thing that has been given to us for those who believe, but it is also a sweet gift of mercy that we can give others and others to us.  God has forgiven us all of our sins, wrongdoings, and thoughts that have offended him.  For forgiveness to work there needs to be repentance, remission, restitution, reconciliation, and restoration. 

Forgiveness is conditional on repentance both to God and other people.  If there isn’t repentance then there isn’t forgiveness.  If we have been violated or sinned against, we must be ready to forgive when repentance happens.  Remember all that we have put Jesus through torture and crucifixion and then look at what people have done to us.  Our offense to God is always greater than anything that others do to us.  Jesus forgives all who repent of their sins and turn to him in faith.

When God forgives sins, he doesn’t forget your sins but doesn’t hold those sins against you in the future.  Your sins are washed away like blood-stained wool being made white as snow.  So when we forgive a person, we give that person a clean slate and will not bring those wrongs up again in the future.  Then the other R’s above can take place to get us to full restoration of relationships because of the power of forgiveness.  God has given that to us and demands that we do the same for others.

Are you forgiving those who do you wrong?

Reading Plan: Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6; Isa. 65:17-25; Rev. 22:14-21; Matt. 18:21-35 

24 NOV 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 24 NOV 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing.  You will change them like a garment and discard them.  But you are always the same; you will live forever.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Psalm 102:26-27; Rev. 22:13

We are getting to that time within the Christian Calendar from the Ordinary Time to the season of Advent.  In doing so, it makes me think of the greatness and goodness of God.  Frankly, all of the Scriptures point to the Trinity and shine the light on the Son from beginning to end revealing his majesty and glory.  The quotes above from Psalm and Revelation, declare the deity of Christ, one of which is veiled and one directly.

It is important for us to see all the places and tie in or cross-reference within the Scriptures, so we can better know God in the fullest.  The quote from Psalm 102 talks about the unchanging nature of God that he is eternal and that he can bring nature and mankind into existence and dispose of it.  The psalmist shows that God is unchanging for eternity.  In Hebrews 1, the writer quotes these very verses about Jesus.

No one in the Scriptures is ever spoken about in this manner, but Jesus.  He is God eternal, yet distinct from the Father.  Jesus is given credit for the creation of the world by Paul, John, Psalmist, and Moses.  In Revelation 22, Jesus speaks about himself confirming that Jesus is God.  Revelation 1:18 and Isaiah 44:6 speak of God as the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega, and pointing directly to Jesus.  Jesus speaks this in a veiled manner in Isaiah, but clearly in Revelation that he is God.

We will be asked or told by those who won’t believe that Jesus never said that He is God.  Briefly, we have shown this not to be true because He has said it here.  He has also said this throughout the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  He has spoken through the prophets, apostles, and through himself directly.  So as you prepare for Advent, may God bless you richly by grasping the depths and breadth of God in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Do you know that all of the Scriptures proclaim Jesus’ deity?

Reading Plan: Psalm 102; Proverbs 24; Rev. 22:6-13; Matt. 18:10-20 

22 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 22 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“I will search for faithful people to be my companions.  Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.  I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.”  Psalm 101: 6-7

The words above were penned by King David addressing the people whom he would call friends or co-workers or servants.  He had been burnt by people around him and couldn’t trust them to be righteous, upright (integrity), and support the call of God on his life.  When I first read this, it stopped me in my tracks.  I asked myself, am I choosing my friends with any standard? What about God?

Even in our readings today, Revelation 21:8 says that the very same people David doesn’t want in his life will not enter heaven, but be cast into the lake of fire.  One of those traits that stands out in both is liars.  We take it for granted these days that lying is okay.  Our political leaders from top to bottom, business people, religious people, and even children all lie.  It is often the first thing that comes out of a person is a lie.

Yet, if you lie in court to a judge or Congress there is a penalty and sentence of jail.  David is setting the standard high that the people he will associate with will be people of integrity.  He needs to know that he can trust them.  One thing is for sure, he can trust God because he does not lie, ever.  God has not changed the 10 Commandments and the 9th is no lying.  If that was the only sin you committed, God would be justified in barring you from heaven.  We have actually broken them all, so what do you do?

First, you need to own that you are a liar. Quit making excuses that everyone else does it or it is no big deal.  It is a big deal, have you been lied to? How did you like it? It is a big deal to God and he doesn’t appreciate that you take sin and evil lightly.  Lying is a sin and evil.

What kind of friend are you to God?

Reading Plan: Psalm 101, 109:1-4, 20-30; Proverbs 22; Rev. 21:1-8; Matt. 17:22-27

21 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 21 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.  Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.” Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 21:12, 15

We can turn on the news any day of the week or news feeds online and see evil people doing terrible things.  We wonder if they will ever be caught and held responsible for their crimes or if will they continue to move freely and become successful.  Today, we see many people praise evil people for what they do and call it good.  Our society is evil and we all suffer for it.

The Lord gives us both commands and principles to give us comfort, but also to correct our attitudes and views on our actions.  If we love the Lord, we will hate evil.  There are no ands, ifs, or buts about it.  We will sift the evil out of our lives with God’s help and the accountability of fellow believers.  We will also stand against evil in our communities by speaking out against it and encouraging our justice system to take action.

Our primary way of combating evil in this world for the Christian is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and trusting that he will not let evil go unpunished.  You can also be a part of your local or national justice system.  From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals his holiness and justice, and evil people are struck with fear.   No one who commits sin, wickedness, or evil will escape being held responsible for their actions.  No one.  

God delivers justice in two ways, through the cross or hell.  Both satisfy God and we receive from him either mercy or justice.  At the end of the day, we will understand God’s amazing grace and who he truly is.

Are you angered by evil?

Reading Plan: Psalm 99, 97; Proverbs 21; Rev. 21:9-21; Matt. 17:22-27

20 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 20 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Then the devil, who had deceived them was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet.  There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  And anyone whose name  was not found recorded in the Book of LIfe was thrown into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:10, 15

While reading the book of Revelation can be challenging, to say the least, the Lord himself says that we will be blessed by reading it, hearing it, and keeping it.  There are many challenges to the people of God especially when reading the account of the churches that Jesus speaks about.  It is also challenging to understand all of the mysteries that it holds and yet it tells of the future.

Everyone wants to know what their future holds and will go to lengths to find out.  In various places in the world, people go to fortune tellers hoping to find out who their spouse will be, if success will be obtained, and other temporal things.  The Lord tells us not to seek out those evil people.  The important things of the future can be found in the pages of Scripture, at least those things that really matter throughout eternity.

In the passage today, we see what happens to Satan and his minions as they are released from prison and stage an assault on Jerusalem with the people that he has deceived.  You realize the magnitude and might of God Almighty.  He has no equal and none can come against him.  An army that is as massive as the sand on the seashore comes and God kills all of them in a flash.  He then takes Satan and throws him into the lake of fire permanently.

At any given point, God can end life as we know it in the blink of an eye, according to his will.  Those who have surrendered their lives to him now will be written in the Book of Life and experience Him to the fullest for eternity.  Those that are not in the Book will join Satan in the lake of fire for all eternity.  It is time to wake up because life is short, hell is hot, and people need to hear before it is too late.

Do you know what the future holds?

Reading Plan: Psalm 89:1-18; Proverbs 20; Rev. 20:7-17; Matt. 17:1-13

18 NOV 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 18 NOV 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.  Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” Proverbs 18:1-2

I think if Solomon was alive today and spent a few hours looking and listening to the news, social media, or walking our streets; he would confirm his own words from Proverbs 18.  People are very self-focused and unhappy with their current condition in life.  They want their lives celebrated and the spotlight put on them and it matters not if their lives are in shambles.  Common sense is not a part of their thinking,  often lash out, and speak all kinds of filth in response to it.

He addresses the same people as fools, who are defined as those who don’t believe in God or reject him. The mind of a fool doesn’t want to listen or understand because they are too busy talking.  My Dad would say that God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we would listen twice as much as we speak.  Fools only have a mouth and it is difficult and near impossible to keep shut.  Do you feel me? Can I get a witness?

I’m not sure if the world is full of fools, but we have given them a platform that touches it.  So what do we do with a fool? Solomon gives us a word,  sometimes we engage the fool and sometimes we don’t.  We have to develop the skills of dealing with people and in the correct environment.  Addressing a fool on social media may get you likes, but it will ultimately backfire.  It is better to pull the person to the side and have a one-on-one conversation, but know when to let them be.  At that point you have to quote Mr. T, “I pity the fool” and move on.

Do you feel like the fools are running the asylum? 

Reading Plan: Psalm 87, 90; Proverbs 18; Rev. 20:1-6; Matt. 16:21-28

17 NOV 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 17 NOV 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.  You did not learn this from any human being.” Matthew 16: 15-17

I like to watch clips on social media of people sharing their faith and having spiritual conversations with people who are either from different faiths or no faith backgrounds.  It is interesting how these conversations go and can be a great resource in understanding how people think.  Part of the goal of these conversations is to help people discover God within the Scriptures.  Some are trying to debate a person into the faith or try to convince them.

But this is not the way it works.  People only come to faith if the Lord makes it happen, period.  No one has ever been argued into the faith.  It is the Lord who initiates the relationship, not the person.  People who claim that they need more evidence, a sign, a miracle, or fill-in-the-blank to believe, are not ready or prepared to receive Jesus.  They are still dead in their sins and unable to respond to the gospel.

What do you do? Always share the gospel and present the law.  The law exposes the heart by shining light on their sin.  People always view themselves as better than they are.  That is why a criminal, liar, thief, or greedy person will tell you they are still good despite the evidence.  The law reveals your need for a savior and the gospel is the cure.  When Jesus asks his disciples, ‘Who do you say I am?’, it reveals their heart and if it has been changed.

Jesus tells Peter and the others, that it was not on their own accord or by other people that they have come to believe in who Jesus is, but it was the Father himself that did the revealing and enabled them to believe.  When we have discovered who Jesus is, our response will be correct and so will our submission to Him.  So, keep sharing the gospel because God is always opening the hearts of people.

Who do you say that Jesus is?

Reading Plan: Psalm 88; Proverbs 17; Rev. 19:11-16; Matt. 16:13-20

16 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 16 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” Proverbs 16:1, 33

Some may look at these verses from the Proverbs and cringe because they tell us something significant about God that can leave us unsettled.  We often can put God in a box mentally so that we can comfortably understand what we can,  limit our fear, limit his involvement, and project our desires.  The more you read and study Scripture, the magnitude of God grows beyond our ability to control.

This is a good thing because it can bring us comfort, strength, hope, and fear.  God is almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, holy, righteous, and present everywhere.  He is outside of time and space and is not bound by any of it.  He made everything we can and cannot see.  If you were to look at the pictures from the new James Webb space telescope, you would be amazed.  While NASA hopes to disprove the existence of God, it is doing the opposite.

The more pictures it takes, the greater the magnitude of God in our eyes.  We can think that we have this autonomy to live our lives apart from God and carve out or determine our destiny.  But God determines our every step, life, death, and eternity.  Before the foundation of the world, he knew his children, chose his children, and his children will be with him for eternity.  Nothing happens without God’s permission, nothing.

What does the magnitude of God spark in you?

Reading Plan: Psalm 34; Proverbs 16; Rev. 19:1-10; Matt. 16:1-12 

15 NOV23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 15 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

  “Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.” Psalm 119:97-98

When I read the passages for my daily reading listed below, I found that the psalm hit me today.  I read it and read it again.  Later I read it again and just thought about the things it was showing me about God, David, and me.  Then I began to talk to God about it and what he wanted me to know.

Before I knew it, I had a long conversation with the Lord and was just thankful to spend time with him.  It reminded me of the passage in John’s gospel when Jesus teaches on the True Vine.  He said, Yes I am the vine and you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.  

There is something to be said about abiding or remaining in Christ that you grow deeper in your relationship with him and he fills you with what you need to make it through each day. David himself tells us in the Psalms the secret to his relationship, cherish your time with God and savor his words in your mouth and mind.  This will make you spiritually healthy and strong.

Do you meditate on the Scriptures and pray them to God?

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:97-120; Neh. 7:73b-8:3, 5-18; Rev. 18:21-24; Matt. 15:29-39 

14 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 14 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Jesus responded, ‘It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.’  She replied that’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their master’s table.” Matthew 15:26-27

I was listening to a clip on Instagram of a preacher that I like and had to replay it a couple of times.  He has been asked often, if God is all-powerful and all-good and all-just, why would God allow tragedies to happen to innocent people?  He said he flips the question because people are not being honest with the question.  He asks the question like this, If God is all-good, all-powerful, and all-just, why didn’t he kill me in my sleep last night for what I thought, said, and did yesterday?

Connecting directly to God forces us to look honestly in the mirror and see ourselves as God sees us.  God is holy, morally perfect, and majestic, and he cannot be in the presence of sin or sinful people because we are not worthy.  That is hard for us to admit and it shows in our daily life in how we think, say, and do.  It is revealed in the questions we ask of God that we think we are good enough.

The woman in Matthew whom Jesus encounters knows she is not worthy, but she humbly seeks God’s mercy.  Jesus tells her that Gentiles are not his focus, but the Father’s children.  It would be wrong to give what belongs to his kids to a dog.  This is a test of the woman’s faith for sure, but it is a great story of hope for everyone.  Jesus will not turn away anyone who comes humbly before him acknowledging and confessing their sin and proclaiming him Lord or Master.

We cannot presume to come to his table in our righteousness, but in his great mercies do we trust.  We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under his table, but he is ready to show mercy if you are ready to surrender your life to him.  

Is God testing your faith?

Reading Plan: Psalm 78:1-39; Neh. 9:26-38; Rev. 18:9-20; Matt. 15:21-28 

13 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 13 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.” Matt. 15:7-9

One of the most difficult things is correcting people due to error or sin.  Those who make a lifestyle of sin become blind to what they do because it has become second nature to do the wicked or evil, then cover their tracks like no one will notice.  The one who always notices is God.  He not only sees the sin we do, but he also sees the motivation and condition of the heart.

Jesus was very straightforward and responded to people based on their heart’s condition and the attitude that came from it.  Those who were broken, humbled, and knew they sinned and felt shame, he treated them with gentleness.  Those who were proud, hard-hearted, and blind to their sin he engaged with a lot of salt.  In other words, he gave a harsh rebuke.

Self-righteousness is a sin that blinds and deceives a person to think of themselves as good despite evidence to the contrary.  God lays out in the Ten Commandments showing what holiness and righteousness are and breaking them defines sin or evil.  People delude themselves into thinking they are good even though they have broken all of the laws. 

The only way to open the eyes of a spiritually blind person is with the Holy Spirit and the Law.  The Spirit prepares their heart and the law breaks it by revealing their sin and need for salvation.  Those who remain in their state of delusion and uphold their self-righteousness after admitting their lawlessness are condemned.  They will in turn give you hate and heat.

Those who are affected and convicted of this examination will repent, turn to Jesus, and be thankful for the conversation.  Those are the ones that you can have a real impact on for eternity.  Jesus expects us to talk with both types of people and leave the results to Him, for he is the Judge.

What did Jesus do with the self-righteous?

Reading Plan: Psalm 80; Neh. 9:1-15; Rev. 18:1-8; Matt. 15:1-20

12 NOV 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 12 NOV 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult.  I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.  I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.  Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.” Acts 24:14-16

There are so many different issues going on in the world and with technology it has made it overwhelming to process or address the gambit of issues that exist.  It feels like a John Wick movie with a multitude of attackers that you have to defend against and silence their false philosophies and religions.  The good news is, that the fight and the arguments have not changed since Jesus and are just being rewraped and repacked.

The necessity of doctrine and even the historic creeds of the faith will do a believer well to know and use that to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.  We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.  Paul says we address these issues, philosophies, and hard hearts with the word of God because it is the power for salvation.

While all of these things can be frustrating and even overwhelming, we must remember that God is sovereign.  It is for us to trust in him because man is not changed by argument or convincing.  Man is born again, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.  He turns the light on in a dark and hard heart, but interestingly enough through regular people speaking his message.  The foolish are made wise and the wise foolish through this work. 

Are you prepared to rebut the philosophies of this world?

Reading Plan: Psalm 93, 96; Ezra 10:1-17; Acts 24:10-21; Luke 14:12-24 

9 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 9 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.  You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.” Psalm 71: 20-21

There are times in our lives when you are living for the Lord that you will face trials, suffering, and betrayal.  The Lord Jesus himself faced all kinds of challenges and trials, he suffered and was ultimately put to death.  He told his followers that if they followed him there would be a cost and would have to carry their cross.  God would be with them and would bless them for suffering in His name.

Paul saw that the road to a blessed life was on the path of suffering.  It became a joy to him once he understood that each time he went through a trial he experienced a  special connection with the Lord.  He embraced it with joy and told all that follow Jesus to rejoice in suffering because it gives you the ability to endure, shape character, and find a powerful hope.  God would give you special grace during those times that would be sufficient.

Amid pain, suffering, or betrayal, you naturally want it to end versus continue.  You certainly don’t rejoice in it, right? In this life, we may never fully understand why God allows us to suffer, but we do grasp that it is not a surprise to Him. In his sovereignty, he uses it for his glory.   All of it will cause us to trust in God and his word. God is faithful to his promises and everything happens how he desires.  He intends victory for his people and will make it so.

David in Psalm 71 captures the story of his life which was a hot mess at times and was certainly not perfect.  He trusted God in every way and every circumstance and faced many trials that were more than he could handle.  He knew that God was the only one who could make sense of it, bring him comfort, protect him, deliver him, or restore him.  Knowing this changed his mindset and his heart to joy because his future was secure in God’s hands.

Do you need to be reminded of the future God has for you?

Reading Plan: Psalm 71; Ezra 7:11-26; Rev. 14:1-13; Matt. 14:1-12 

8 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 8 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son.  Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.” Psalm 72: 1-2

It feels like we are in a perpetual election season since we have political leaders in cities, counties, states, and federal coming to the public to support their return to leadership or new people vying for the seat.  We all know a leader of some level because leaders are everywhere and in all parts of life regardless of vocation.  What are some of the traits we desire in a leader and why?

At least in politics, aspirants search statistics of the people and go after target groups that most likely will connect with them.  They study you and package speeches to entice you to vote for them based on what they think you want.  Do you study the candidates? Who are they as a person? How have they operated as a leader to this point? Do they hold the same values and are they virtuous people?

God himself raises people to be leaders in every part of life.  Some leaders have been developed to bring judgment on communities, states, and even nations because of the wickedness and sin of the people.  God raises a wicked leader to match the wickedness of the people.  That nation will crumble in due time.  God also raises up righteous leaders who have a love of holiness and justice.  

Those leaders establish godly and righteous judges and lawmakers who treat people in the right way, even the poor are cared for, and handled fairly, and oppressors are crushed.  Evil and wickedness are stamped out of existence in the land.   The people are refreshed to live in peace and flourish when the godly lead.  So as you get ready to vote again, do your homework on them see if any hold traits of a godly leader, then choose wisely.

Are you looking to establish godly leaders?

Reading Plan: Psalm 61, 62; Neh. 12:27-31a, 42b-47; Rev. 11:1-19; Matt. 13:44-52 

7 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 7 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.  He is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.” Psalm 60:5-6

How many of you like to wait in line? It doesn’t matter what it is for, it could be for lunch, a movie, a sporting event, the DMV, or fill-in-the-blank.  We don’t like to wait for anything but want satisfaction now.  I remember being put on the waitlist at a restaurant for about thirty minutes.  As you wait to be seated, you chat with your spouse and kids or look at the menu to be ready to order when seated.

When you finally make it to the table and place your order, the waiter tells you that they are out of that item.  What goes through your mind? You might be disappointed or angry that you waited so long and now this.  You might consider leaving because of the dissatisfaction.  Well, whether it is an insignificant meal or a major issue, how we react tells us something about ourselves.

 We put our satisfaction in things that do not satisfy and leave us wanting.  When we don’t receive it, we get angry.  If you want real satisfaction, peace, and lasting joy, you have to find your satisfaction in God alone.  He is the only one worth waiting on, the only one that can provide peace, and satisfy your heart and mind.  David knows that he can wait quietly on God and make a connection with the Holy One.  

David explains that God is his hope, rock, fortress, and salvation, and knowing that calms his fears and anger.  Some people shake when they are afraid or angry, it can be hard to contain.  David must have experienced this at times and says that knowing God intimately keeps that shaking from happening.  Being quiet and waiting patiently on your real hope (God), will give you victory in times of trouble.

Who do you find satisfaction in during times of great trouble?

Reading Plan: Psalm 61, 62; Neh. 12:27-31a, 42b-47; Rev. 11:1-19; Matt. 13:44-52 

6 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 6 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“My enemies have set a trap for me.  I am weary from distress.  They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.  My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident.  No wonder I can sing your praises!” Psalm 57:6-7

There is a time for war and a time for peace, a quote from Ecclesiastes three.  We recently heard that from the Israeli Prime Minister as they entered the war against Hamas.  If we look at history and the Biblical accounts of Israel, we will see that mankind has faced evil, wickedness, and strife with each other.  The Psalms are a great resource since they deal with the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual pains that come with life’s problems.

David dealt with the stress of dealing with enemies and war which could be one end lies, hate, slander being hunted, sounds of war, and actual battle stress.  His accounts of those problems and how he dealt with them are a beautiful blessing to us.  Why? God knows you will face all kinds of pain, suffering, and tragedy in this life and desires to help us through and walk with us through it.  

The primary thing that David did when he was afraid, angry, or emotional was talk about with God.  Talking about what you are going through is a big deal and is what we do in counseling.  It helps to get it out even if you don’t have the words but recognize what emotions you are dealing with.  If you don’t process your pain, you will project it either on yourself or others.  Second, David recalled the truth about God as in his attributes, abilities, and their relationship.

He knew and believed, that he was going through this with God even though sometimes he thought he was alone in it.  He held onto the truth of God and his word and it changed his mindset to worship.  God gave him a song in heart and joy that was unceasing! Music in general is helpful as David himself calmed Saul with the harp, but worship truly brings the mind and spirit into a place that brings comfort, healing, and strength because it is about God.

Are you struggling with the stressors of war?

Reading Plan: Psalm 56, 57; Neh. 6:1-19; Rev. 10:1-11; Matt. 13:36-43