8 JUN 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 8 JUN 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor.  But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.  For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more.  And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.” 2 Cor. 8:2-4

Jesus said it is better to give than receive.  There is something to be said about that, especially in the light of the verses above.  We can easily determine how giving or generous we are by looking at our bank statements.  How are we doing? We can also look at our attitude when we give.  Is it drudgery, stress, or anger, or are we happy about it?

The churches in Macedonia faced many trials and troubles that caused them to suffer greatly.  They were also very poor.  You would probably think that they would be looking to be the recipient of the money and seeking support, but they didn’t.  They were joyful and excited to give to others that were in need.  They even ‘begged’ Paul that they too could get in on the giving! Have you ever begged to give?

One of the marks of a healthy church and disciple is generosity which comes from love.  You look for an opportunity to give and support other Christians in need and their ministry.  In turn, you feel the joy of being able to invest in others financially as a demonstration of your love for them.  It becomes an exciting thing and you want to do it even if you have very little to give.  You are willing to sacrifice so that other followers of Jesus can meet their needs.

Would others describe you as a generous person? 

Reading Plan: Psalm 50; Deut. 16:18-20, 17:14-20; 2 Cor. 8:1-16;  Luke. 18:1-8

7 JUN 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

7 JUN 23 Wednesday : A Closer Walk Devotional

“The false prophets and visionaries who try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion against the Lord your God, who redeemed you from slavery and brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Deut. 13: 5

When the Lord calls a people to himself, those people are separated from the world. They live and worship differently, and act in a manner that reflects God’s character and values.   As the Good Shepherd, he not only guides us in daily life, but also protects us.  We need to hear what he says in his Word in regards to those that would lead us astray from the worship we give and the life we live.

From the time he established a relationship with the Jews and the church, he warned of false teachers and prophets that will come into the community of faith.  Today is no different.  Every generation has the same problems and the same formation and testing.  We are told to handle these false teachers and prophets intentionally and harshly because they ultimately harm the individual and community.

Some think they are prophets with a capital P, that they are hearing from God and deliver a gospel or word that doesn’t line up with the Word.  If their predictions don’t come true, even one, they should be dismissed as false teachers.  There are many on tv, in pulpits, and congregations saying, “God told me..”.  Beware! This is the phrase of the day that leads us astray.   

We are not called to put them to death, but to call them to repentance. If they don’t, then put them out of the church until they do. 

Are you aware of the false prophets and teachers around you and what to do?

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:49-72; Deut. 13:1-11; 2 Cor. 7:2-16;  Luke. 17:20-37

26 MAY 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 26 MAY 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.” Psalm 102: 26-27

Some days I feel like I have aged dramatically and passed that point where I have lived more life than my future holds.  Most of the time, I look at that with joy because death is not the end.  The psalmist is in a similar spot when he acknowledges his mortality. “For my days disappear like smoke, I am withering away like grass.” (v.3, 8)  For some knowing this initiates a heavy and depressing feeling.  The reality of death is real even though we try to suppress it.

In truth, everyone will die.  The death statistic has not changed since the first person died, 10 out of 10 people die.  There is an exception for a couple of people in the Bible, Enoch, and Elijah. Those that were raised from the dead by Jesus died a second time.  This passage speaks about one person that does not change but lives forever.  He is God.  Well, what about Jesus?

In Hebrews 1, the writer states something interesting.  He says that God identifies his Son Jesus with the very verses of Psalm 102. God credits Jesus with the creation of the universe, earth, and all that is in it.  He states that Jesus will live forever and He is always the same.  Chapter 13 of Hebrews says he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Christ did die, but He rose again to life.

Knowing Jesus beat death and lives forever is the truth that sets the believer’s mind free from aging, death, and fear of it.  It frees us from fearing death and desperately doing all we can to fight it.  Death becomes merely a door to the full presence of the holy, majestic, awesome, and glorious Triune God.  I have nervous anticipation of walking through that door, but He who is on the other side of it is far more wonderful than anything on this side of the door.

If you are afraid of growing old and dying, put your trust in Jesus for what he did for you on the cross and he will give you eternal life that starts the day you surrender to him.  He will give you peace to live a purposeful life now until you walk through the door and see him face to face.

Are you struggling with getting old and the reality of death?

Reading Plan: Psalm 102; Ezek. 34:17-31; Heb. 8:1-13;  Luke. 10:38-42

24 MAY 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 24 MAY 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“I will be careful to live a blameless life-when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.  I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.  I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.  I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.” Psalm 101: 2-4

Psalm 101 is a short chapter but swings a heavy punch.  While I eat breakfast in the morning, I scan the news to see what is happening in the world from entertainment to politics and everything in between.  Then I pray and open the word of God to truly feed my soul with real nourishment.  The Lord speaks truth into my daily life of what is good and evil.  He sheds light on the dark places of my heart and on the path He expects me to walk.

As I read this today, I recall the images and headlines on the news feed.  It is clear when I look at the word of God, wickedness stands out in the world and in my own life.  God’s wisdom and direction are there in the Word if you read it.  A course of action is to ask, ‘Am I living a blameless life? Am I godly and righteous in name only? Then intentionally look to make changes to the things you currently know.

Thankfully God doesn’t normally reveal all of our issues to us at once.  God did that with Isaiah and he felt undone, ruined.  That’s probably an understatement.  We can work to live the life God wants for us, but we have to deal with our problems head-on with God’s help and our fellow believers.  These three verses above are enough to keep us busy for most of our life.  It starts with you and what you feed on.  You are what you eat.

News, politics (worldviews), Instagram, FB, other social media, music, and movies are good place to start.  You are affected by what you take in and can cause spiritual and moral drift.  We have to be intentional in fighting these things and embracing Jesus.

What are you doing to live a blameless and righteous life?

Reading Plan: Psalm 101, 109:1-4, 20-30; Ezek. 11:14-25, 23; Heb. 7:1-17;  Luke. 10:17-24

23 MAY 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 23 MAY 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit.  These were his instructions to them: ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into the fields.’” Luke 10:1-2

This is one of my favorite passages for disciple-making.  Up to this point, Jesus has modeled what ministry will and does look like.  They have heard Jesus teach and preach.  They have seen how he interacts with people from all kinds of backgrounds whether poor, rich, healthy, sick, lost and found.  The disciples needed to see how Jesus really lived among them.  

They saw really nice and good encounters with people who wanted to know how to be made right with God or desired to be healed.  They also saw difficult encounters with those that rejected the Master’s teaching and were offended to the point of hatred.  Many wanted to kill him like the prophets of old.  Jesus told them in Luke 10 that there will be people in the places they would go who would reject them.  Jesus gave them instructions to deal with that.

The men learned that Jesus was already planning to go to the locations he was sending them.  They got a chance to earn their PHDs, preaching, healing, and delivery.  These patterns for ministry would serve them well in the years to come.  Before they started this short mission, he told them to pray.  The scope of ministry for them and us for that matter is huge.  If you are not working in the harvest field you won’t understand this passage or care. 

 In the first outing back in chapter 9 there were twelve and now seventy=two.  They have multiplied, but seventy-two disciple-makers are not enough, there needs to be more.  Where do you get them?  Jesus says that you ask for them from the Father.  He will give them more, out of the harvest that they are entering.  Their harvest was the villages and towns around 146 of them, but ours is every nation and tongue of the world.  

Are you praying for more disciple-makers? Are you one?

Reading Plan: Psalm 97, 99, 100; Ezek. 7:10-15, 23b-27; Heb. 6:13-20;  Luke. 10:1-17