20 OCT 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 20 OCT 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Jesus told them, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen the - blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good news is being preached to the poor.’  And he added, ‘God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.’”  Matthew 11:4-6

I think we all struggle with doubt and disappointment and need affirmation about what God is doing in the world.  John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by preaching and baptizing as many as would receive.  John faced opposition to his ministry from the religious elite and from those who didn’t like him calling out their sins.  This landed him in hot water and by the eleventh chapter of Matthew’s gospel, he is sitting in jail.

John had heard that Jesus’ ministry had taken off well, but John expected a liberator and a rebellion to take place freeing the Jews from Roman and religious oppression.  He is probably thinking, when am I going to be set free so I can team up with Team Jesus and take the country back? He is not alone in his expectations as the disciples too thought Jesus would restore Israel to prominence.  Was this the plan?

John sends his disciples to Jesus to get a full report of what is happening.  Jesus responds with the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the miraculous signs that would accompany the Messiah. He footnoted the statement with this caveat: God blesses those who do not fall away because of me or are offended by me. (ESV) Jesus is shattering any expectation that the Jews have added on and if it can happen to John, it can happen to any of us.  Sometimes we desire Jesus to do some great thing that he is capable of doing but isn’t part of the plan.

Instead of doubting or being disappointed, we need to go back and look at what He actually said he is going to do.  We also need to look at what we are supposed to do and are commanded to do.  When you read it, the Scriptures will comfort and affirm you, unless you are disobedient.  Then it will smack you!

Does Jesus offend you for not meeting your expectations?

Reading Plan: Psalm 16, 17; Jer. 38:14-28; 1 Cor. 15:1-11; Matt. 11:1-6

19 OCT 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 19 OCT 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10: 32a, 38a

Have you ever had your commitments tested? In the last couple of years, technology has become a dominant part of our lives to the extent that it can threaten personal and national security.  An application called Tic Tok, owned by the Chinese government, posed a threat to personal information, financial security, and collective national security.  The United States government wanted to ban it nationally, but there was a kickback!

People desired social media more than their freedom or personal and national security.  What about allegiance and dedication to the neighbor or nation? This is not much of a test of commitment, but the people failed in their commitment.   In the passage in Matthew,  Jesus lays out a major and dramatic test of our commitment to him.  Are you truly going to live for Jesus come what may? If not, you are not worthy of being mine.

Jesus said he didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. (v.34) There will be major divisions because you are a Christian.  Realize that Jesus presents all of these challenges that believers will face before they become one.  He never is guilty of bait and switch, but lets everyone know upfront.  Jesus explains that being called by my name will divide families, communities, and nations.  If you are a true believer, you will commit yourself even if it fractures all of your relationships.

Muslims who come to faith in Jesus can lose their family, community, and even their lives.  In America, you may be treated with indifference, shame, rejection, and socially ostracized.   Be sure your commitment to Jesus and the mission he has given us will be tested.  The question is, what will you do? Will you kick back against Jesus and tell him, no? Or will you say like the hymnist, thou none go with me I still will follow, no turning back I’ll follow Him.

Is God testing your loyalty and commitment to Him?

Reading Plan: Psalm 18:1-20; Jer. 38:1-13; 1 Cor. 14:26-33a, 37-49; Matt. 10:34-42 bb 

18 OCT 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 18 OCT 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul.  Fear only god, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt. 10:28

Fear is one of the most common emotions that can dominate our thoughts.  God knows us intimately and gives us the wisdom to get through life’s most difficult moments. There are 365 verses in the Bible that say “Fear not” or “Don’t be afraid”.  There is a verse for every day of the year because he knows each day brings worry and fear.  God’s people do have things that can make us afraid.

Jesus told his followers that they could be mocked, rejected, insulted, persecuted, beaten, jailed, tortured, and killed for proclaiming the name of Jesus.  Unbelievers have all the fears common to man, plus the fear of death, and fear of standing before a holy God as they give an account for their lives.  Jesus sets us free from the fear of death, judgment, and the things we will face as we live out this adventure.

Jesus says there is only One whom you should fear, God.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  God is the only one who can destroy your body and your soul in hell.  God is sovereign and knows every step you take, the hairs on your head, when you die, how you die, and if you belong to him.  When you turn from your sin (repentance) and follow Jesus, you are entrusting your life to God.  From that moment on, you are learning each day to trust in the Lord with all of your heart.

As you trust Him, especially during difficult times, he will extend to more of His Spirit to give peace beyond all understanding, to have joy and even power to press through it.  God gives us disciplines and insight that can help assist us in gaining victory over fear such as prayer, his word, meditation, fasting, community, and purpose.   You can build emotional and spiritual resilience with God’s help.

Do you struggle with fear?

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:1-24; Jer. 37:3-21; 1 Cor. 14:13-25; Matt. 10:24-33

17 OCT 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 17 OCT 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.  Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.” Psalm 5:4-5

When you turn on the news today, there is all kinds of evil in our world.  I think people are slow to acknowledge it, especially when they do evil or the people they associate with or like do evil.  We water it down to the point that we try to make evil appear good.  One simple one is lying and we play that down regularly to the point we don’t think it that bad. We justify ourselves and say, ‘Everyone does it’.  Does it make it good to do?

God says that lying is evil and all liars will have their part in the lake of fire.  As we get used to sinning, something happens to our hearts and minds.  If you are not a follower of Jesus, your heart is already hard and sin is what you do.  Jesus states the condition of your heart is hard, wicked, evil, and darkness.  As for Christians, our hearts can become hard if we make sin a habit and dabble in evil. The Lord can bring troubles into our lives to bring about change and repentance.  

We are told to hate what is evil and to cling to that which is good.  God detests sin, wickedness, and evil, and cannot be in its presence.  The passage from Pslam 5 states that he hates the people who do evil.  We sometimes hear people say, God hates sin and not the sinner, but the Word of God says differently.  Sin is not cast into hell and the person spared, but the sinful person is.  

The only way God’s hatred and wrath are satisfied is if the evil person receives his wages which is death or through the cross of Christ. (Rm 6:23)  Thankfully, God provided his son Jesus to take your death and exchange it for life.  How do we destroy sin, wickedness, and evil? By lovingly sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, He will destroy it in the person and make them a new person.

Do you know how God destroys evil people? 

Reading Plan: Psalm 5,6; Jer. 36:27-37:2; 1 Cor. 14:1-12; Matt. 10:16-23

16 OCT 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 16 OCT 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing.  If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.” Matt. 10:13-14

Salespeople expect rejection because it comes with the territory.  Have you ever spent time shopping for an item that you wanted to buy? You look at different stores, online, and check prices, availability, etc., before making a decision.  Those that are trying to get you to purchase that item know if you are serious or not.  They don’t waste their time on certain clients because they have the experience to know if you are ready or just kicking the tires.

In our gospel reading today, Jesus gives the newly dubbed Apostles a mission in order to help them become competent and confident in the role of messengers and ministers.  They were to work on their Ph.D., preaching, healing, and deliverance.  They were sent specially to the towns and villages that Jesus was planning to go to.  They would experience firsthand what Jesus was doing.  They saw Jesus model it, they have assisted in it, and now they are doing it.

Jesus told them they some would receive them and their message and others will not.  This is important in order to sure up their expectations and to give them an understanding of what to do when things don’t go their way.  I like to look at it like a street light in which there are red, yellow, and green lights.  Each light represents a response that you might get.  Red is a rejection or ‘talk to the hand’ type response.  They don’t want anything to do with you or the message.

Yellow and Green lights are those that receive you and want to know more.  The Scriptures show there are always some, few, or many that respond.  Jesus tells them basically, if you get a green or yellow light bless them and stay with that family.  If you get a red light, don’t waste your time with them, just move on.  Sounds harsh, doesn't it? No.  God prepares the hearts of mankind to be ready to receive the good news.  If they are not prepared, there is nothing you can do.

Are you wasting your time on certain people?

Reading Plan: Psalm 1, 2, 3; Jer. 36:11-26; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; Matt. 10:1-15