8 JUL 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 8 JUL 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.  Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.  And Jesus replied I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 40-43

There is just so much that is beautiful about this passage even in the midst of being the most evil day of the ages.  Jesus demonstrated his love for all of us by taking our punishment and death on the cross.  He drank the full wrath of God so that we don’t have to, making the way possible for salvation.

Two criminals were also crucified on either side of Jesus and an interesting thing happened.   The religious leads came to gloat that Jesus was being crucified and soon would be dead thereby ending the problem.  They mocked him, telling him to heal himself since he was able to heal so many.  They taunted him to come down off the cross and prove himself one last time.

Jesus was able to do all of that and destroy all who resisted with a word, but he chose to lay down his life so that others might live.  Then, the two criminals begin to mock him, but one of them has a change of heart.  He confesses his own sin and owns the consequences.  He yells at the other criminal and rebukes him.  “Don’t you fear God? Don’t you realize who he is and that there is no reason for him to be on a cross?

Then he asks Jesus to remember him in his Kingdom.  Even a few hours away from death, Jesus shows mercy and grace to one.  Jesus says that he will be with him in paradise today.  All of the world religions including Judaism require good works to be done to earn favor from God or the universe.  There is no guarantee to be in a better place after death.  Not so with Christianity.  The Lord can choose someone to be with him at the last minute if he desires to.

Isn’t it a beautiful and wonderful thing when a sinner becomes a saint?

Reading Plan: Psalm 137, 144; 1 Sam. 14:16-30; Acts 9:10-19;  Luke. 23:32-43

7 JUL 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 7 JUL 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the way found there.  He wanted to bring them-both men and women- back to Jerusalem in chains.” Luke 9: 2

Take a minute to think of who some of the most cruel and evil people are today.  There are certainly people that come to mind, right?  Many of these people strike fear and anger in our hearts and minds.  They are doing things that are harsh, maybe thieves or murderers.  In our day, we remember their names like Dahmer or Bin Laden.

After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the church was born and began to spread like wildfire.  So much so, that Jewish leaders began to become jealous and angry.  They tried to stop it from taking root in Jerusalem and the surrounding cities and nations.  The Jews were terrorists to the Christians of that day.  The Christians were jailed without cause, beaten, and murdered.

Where was God in all this? Remember that Jesus himself was killed on the cross to fulfill the plans of God. Jesus told his followers that they would be hated because of Him and would face persecution and some even death. (Matt. 5) Rapid multiplication comes from the blood of martyrs.  At the same time,  the enemies of God will be dealt with, in His way.  Some of them will be shown mercy and grace, and others will be shown justice.

Paul is a great example of this.  He was a Bin Laden of the day and everyone knew his name and was afraid.  But Jesus sought out Paul and made him one of his Apostles.  That encounter changed Paul and he became a fantastic instrument in the hands of God.  He went on to reach many people for the Lord and start many churches all over the Middle East.  

When we face people wicked people today in our daily lives or see dastardly people on the news, pray for them.  You never know how God may change their lives and use them for His glory to bring many to saving faith.  God may do something special in you or through you in the midst of your trials.  Take heart, God is with you.

What do you do with cruel and evil people?

Reading Plan: Psalm 140, 142; 1 Sam. 13:19-14:15; Acts 9:1-9;  Luke. 23:26-31

6 JUL 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 6 JUL 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent! Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty.  So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded.  As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder.” Luke 23: 14b, 15b, 24-25

In the court case, Jesus versus humanity was judged and sentenced by Pilate.  This short case has an amazing shift in outcome.  If we were watching this on television and had no understanding of who Jesus is, we would be shocked by the outcome.  We would be very angry that Jesus who was pronounced innocent by two different Judges ended up flogged and crucified.

How can this be that an innocent man dies a criminal’s death? In Pilate’s initial conversation with Jesus, he is bold to tell Jesus that he has the power to pronounce life or death. Jesus tells Pilate that he would have no power if the Father hadn’t given it to him.  God’s plan had not failed but was successfully executed.  Every piece of this story is important and worth chewing on.

One of the pieces we miss or just let slide by is Barabbas.  This is a picture of what Jesus did for the elect.  The substitutionary atonement of Jesus for Barabbas, the holy spotless perfect lamb for an evil sinner.  This past week a female professional basketball player spoke angrily that a certain segment of our population killed Jesus.  But she left out her own name, her own sin, her own guilt and shame.  We could do that too if we are not careful.

Barabbas, son of the father, was a sinner and rebel, but so are we! Reread that verse and replace Barabbas’ name with yours.  “He released “me/your name” and sentenced Jesus to death.” That is the essence of the gospel.  Jesus died for me.  Jesus died for you.  You can die for your own sins, but that is not just one death, it is two.  The payment of your sin is satisfied either on the cross or in hell.  God is satisfied and glorified in either! 

Will you turn from your sins and trust Jesus or suffer the wrath of God?

Reading Plan: Psalm 131, 132, 133; 1 Sam. 13:5-18; Acts 8:26-40;  Luke. 23:13-25

5 JUL 23 Wednesday- A Closer Walk Devotional

 5 JUL 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Don’t be afraid, Samuel reassured them.  You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn back on him.  Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you-they are totally useless! But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.” 1 Sam. 12:20-21, 25

People are interesting creatures, to say the least.  We establish habits and fall into some that are not healthy or offensive to God.  At the same time, we are blind to our own faults and evil.  Don’t believe me? Ask anyone you meet if they are a good person? The response of the majority is yes.  The standard for goodness is always set by the person being asked and it is always on a sliding scale.  They may admit to being a liar, adultery, homosexual, and murder at heart, but still tell you they are good.

This is what is known as self-righteousness. We are all guilty of this at one time or another.  Samuel, a Prophet of God, told the Israelites that they had done wrong in asking for a King instead of yielding to God’s leadership.  They would ultimately suffer for it.  But Samuel told the people what God expected for their lives and character.  The plumbline of what is right and good is defined by the Lord, not us.  

Today, if you turn on the news or look at your feed, you will see the redefinition of terms to fit peoples’ sins.  We figure if we control and define the definitions then our lives will be acceptable in society and thereby extension to God.  We naturally create gods to suit ourselves and we worship them.  In this passage, Samuel speaks against this stating that we are to worship God alone.  All other religions are worthless and useless.  

From the time this book (1 Samuel) was written until today, the Jews have gone back and forth seeking other gods.  Jesus came to fulfill their religion and set a new covenant to be right with God.  We who are Gentile Christians must understand that we too are vulnerable to the same sins of Jews.  God has expectations of us because we have been bought with Jesus’ blood and are commanded to live holy lives, not sinful ones.

In a world that is offended by everything, is anyone asking if what they are doing offends God?

Reading Plan: Psalm 33; 1 Sam. 11:1-15; Acts 8:1-13;  Luke. 22:63-71

4 JUL 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 4 JUL 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.  Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.” Acts 8:4, 6

When Jesus told the disciples that they would take the message of salvation and freedom from sin and death to the nations, they probably had a difficult time comprehending how.  For the most part, people get used to staying in one place and enjoying the people they have always enjoyed.  To go to a different city, state, or country means a big change.

As we read at the beginning of Acts 8, we see that moving into a new place and among new people was not their plan.  God orchestrated the move and they moved.  That happens to us today.  People are forced to move due to their job, political unrest, and persecution.  These moves are important and we shouldn’t miss what God may be doing in the midst of it.

Philip, the apostle, moved to a new city and found people whose hearts were already prepared for the Lord to receive the good news and be saved.  In every place and every land, there are people being prepared for the good news to take root and be set free from the bondage of sin.  Even if you just impact one person, it is worth the move, suffering, and change.  It brings glory to God and grows you as a disciple.

Today in the United States, we celebrate our freedom from England’s rule.  Many of those Christians came to this land for freedom of religion and to share the gospel.  If you are reading this in America, it is an extra special day to know that God weaved through the mess of history to bring you people that carried the good news to your ears.  He set you free from the wrath of God and established you as Christ’s own forever.

Are you celebrating your freedom from sin, death, and the wrath of God?

Reading Plan: Psalm 33; 1 Sam. 11:1-15; Acts 8:1-13;  Luke. 22:63-71