6 MAR 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 6 MAR 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“You know the saying, One plants and another harvests.  And it’s true.  I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” John 4: 37-38

In John 4, Jesus intentionally takes a detour to find a person that has been prepared to receive the good news and is open to a heart examination with the law.  Jesus takes this woman through a series of questions that exposes her sin and understanding of spiritual things.  By the end of the conversation, she believes that Jesus is the Christ and is here to save the world.

She then leaves the scene as the disciples return in order to share the good news she has just heard.  Many people from her village come to know Jesus as their savior and Lord.  The disciples are mystified on a number of levels.  Jesus explains to them the mystery of their current and future work by relating it to farming, from planting seed to gathering the harvest.

The work of God will be done in people from a variety of socio-economic, race, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.  The disciples were surprised Jesus was talking to a Samaritan woman which were two things Jewish people don’t do.  He opened the aperture of understanding and scope of their work.  Jesus has people from other flocks outside of the Jewish community.  The Holy Spirit is working through believers to plant seeds of the gospel and gathering those already prepared that receive the good news.

  As we faithfully share, God will give the increase among the people and in his timing.  None of our efforts are in vain because God will use it and be glorified by it.

Are you planting seeds and/or gathering in believers?

Reading Plan: Psalm 56, 57; Jer. 1:11-19; Rom. 1:1-15; John 4:27-42

Daily Office Year 1

1 MAR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 1 MAR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” John 3:3, 6

I used to hear the question from time to time from those that shared their faith, have you been born again? I thought it was a strange introduction for conversation other than it helping to be a filter.  If they said no, then you proceeded to tell them the gospel and watch the Spirit work.  If they say yes, then ask their story and their understanding of it.  Either way you had a starting point.

Whenever I am sharing the gospel consistently and get rejections it can be frustrating, just to be real.  Then, I go back and read chapter three of John and other passages to remind myself how people come to faith.  Who is the author and finisher of my faith?  It is the Lord. I have to remember that my role is to faithfully share the gospel to everyone and leave the results to God.  Ultimately, it is God who decides the person and when the regeneration of the heart of a lost person happens.

Until that happens, it matters not how eloquent you are or eager, the light will not come on until the Holy Spirit flips the switch.  That’s what being born again is.   That gives me peace of mind, but also focuses my prayers and gospel conversations.  Being a faithful witness will always make you fruitful whether that is one or hundreds.  God is still seeking his lost sheep among the earth and they will be found.  Today examine yourself with the question Jesus posed to Nichodemus.

Are you born again? Where do you stand?

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:49-72; Deut. 9:13-21; Heb. 3:12-19; John 2:23-3:15

Daily Office Year 1

26 FEB 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 26 FEB 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.  For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself.  Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and freed us from sin.  1 Cor. 18, 30

Lent and Easter leave many scratching their heads because the good news doesn't make sense to them.  Paul explains to his readers that God has enabled believers with understanding and faith.  They didn’t arrive on understanding and salvation on their own accord.  The Gospel itself has power to bring about salvation both to Jews and Gentiles.  

Yet, the Jews were offended because they wanted proof via signs and wonders.  Gentiles desire wisdom that would explain it so they could mentally ascend to salvation. They are both left blind, spiritually dead, and condemned awaiting destruction.  It can be scary that God holds your future in the palm of his hand.  There is no fate or chance, only God.

All that we need is found in Jesus.  He is our wisdom, hope, and savior.  When we surrender to him, he makes us pure, holy, and frees us from sin and death.  During Lent, consider adding prayer for those you know that balk at the Gospel and ask the Holy Spirit to change their heart toward God.

Who do you know that can’t wrap their head around Jesus?

Reading Plan: Psalm 63:1-11, 98; Deut. 8:1-10; 1 Cor. 1:17-31; Mark 2:18-22

Daily Office Year 1

25 FEB 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 25 FEB 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“No, do not be afraid of those nations, for the Lord your God is among you, and he is a great and awesome God.  The Lord your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little.  You will not clear them away all at once.” Deut. 7:21-22a

As you reflect and study during Lent, think about the greatness and awesome power of God.  He is the greatest warrior and truly fights for his people.  Even Jesus told the people not to fear anyone except the one who can not only destroy the body, but also the soul. The Jewish people had to be reminded of what God had done for them in Egypt as they faced new enemies in the promised land.

Our memories are too short of our experiences of God.  We forget what he has done for us and have to be reminded of his goodness, providence, and ability.  When our problems become so large, we can think they dorf God himself.  That’s the nature of man and of spiritual warfare.  The fog of fear can blind us to the reality of who God is.  God is great! 

Do you use the word awesome? I do, for a great cake or an experience, but it should be reserved for God alone.  He has the victory over evil, darkness, Satan, and the demons.  All are subject to him and will be cast into the lake of fire with one word.  Now that is awesome! If we are truly going to grow in this life, we have to entrust God with our enemies because he is able to handle them.  In due time, he will handle them perfectly and eternally.

Who are the enemies that God needs to deal with in your life?

Reading Plan: Psalm 30, 32; Deut. 7:17-26; Titus 3:1-15; John 1:43-51

Daily Office Year 1

24 FEB 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 24 FEB 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the Lord your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you.  He will love and bless you..You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth.” Deut. 7:12a, 13a, 14a

God is the same in the Old Testament and the New.  He is always internally consistent, in that he operates the same.  He is truth, love, and holy.  None of his attributes are in conflict with the other.  That is hard for us to understand because we don’t have that clarity or perfection.  We also don’t completely do what we say we will do.  It hard to comprehend that someone can.

God is love and his love is much different than friendship love and romantic love.  He loves us prior to faith with a love that is unmerited and unconditional in a sense.  His love is not dependent on us.  He loves us even though we are unworthy of it.  When we enter into a relationship with him, it is a covenant love.  There are conditions to receiving more love, but we are not separated from it.

In this passage, God tells the Jewish people that if they listen and obey, they will experience more love from God and will make their lives fruitful in children and sustainment.  Jesus says the same thing for us when we are in this new covenant relationship.  If you obey His commands, it demonstrates our love for him.  The Father will love us and he will love us and reveal himself to us. (John 14:21) He will make us fruitful in the Spirit, in disciples, and life.

As you reflect today, do you want more of God’s love? Are you obeying Jesus’ commands?

Reading Plan: Psalm 31, 95; Deut. 7:12-16; Titus 2:1-15; John 1:35-42

Daily Office Year 1