Category Archives: Devotionals

Two people can look at exactly the same thing yet see something totally different. For example, two people look at a house. One sees the cracked walls, the broken windows, the worn stairs and the leaky plumbing. According to his evaluation, the house is a wreck and worth very little. The other person sees the efficient layout of the house, the elegant proportions of the rooms and the spacious closets. In his estimation, it is a valuable property.

What makes the difference in the two evaluations? One person sees the current run-down condition. The other person, while not blind to the problems, sees potential. One sees the house as it is, the other sees what the house could become.

Our evaluation of the church is often like that of the person who only sees all of the problems in the house. We see that the church is full of flawed people. We see people who say they follow Christ, yet do not always exhibit the character of Christ in the way they live. We see church leaders who rule rather than serve. Even worse, we may have a negative view of the church because we have been hurt by it. We have suffered harm by the very people who should have shown us the most love.

However, God’s view of the church is very different. He loves it. The Bible uses the metaphor of a bride adorned for her husband to describe it (Revelation 21:2). Where we see flaws, God sees beauty. Where we see imperfection, God sees loveliness.

Why the difference in perspective? It is because we see and concentrate on the present faults, whereas God sees the church as it will one day be.

God not only sees the church as it will one day be, He see the potential in every one who makes up the church. He is actively changing those in the church to become like Christ. He is in the process of giving us a new nature. When that process is complete, the church will also be what it ought to be.

Speaking of the church, the Apostle Paul writes that Christ, “…gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV)

The real question is not whether we have flaws, faults and imperfections but whether we are allowing God to change us into the perfect, spotless, pure and holy bride of Christ.

We like to boast of our independence. We like to think of ourselves as free agents who make our own decisions. No one can tell us what to do.

To a certain extent, this is true. We really do make decisions for ourselves. For example, we are free to choose what we read or what we watch on television. And, we make the choice whether we are going to read or watch at all.

But in many areas of life we are not free to make our own decisions. The school tells us what courses we must complete in order to receive a diploma. Our boss at our place of employment tells us what work we must perform in order to receive a paycheck. The shopkeeper tells us what price we must pay to buy his goods. If we are unwilling to comply with their decisions and requirements, then we will not receive the benefits they offer.

There is also another sense in which we are not free. Each of us acts according to our basic nature. To put it another way, we each have something fundamental within us which controls how we act and behave. Even worse, we become slaves to our attitudes, desires and habits. The Apostle Peter writes, “…a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” (2 Peter 2:19 NIV) In this sense, none of us is truly free or independent. It is only a question of what or who our Master is.

In light of this, we need to ask ourselves what or who we serve. Who or what has mastered us? Do our appetites control us? Are we driven by our emotions? Does greed dictate to us?

While we cannot choose whether we will serve, we can choose whom we will serve. If we submit to God’s rule and allow Him to give us His Spirit, He will free us from the things which mastered us before. The Apostle Paul writes, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace, because the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8 NIV)

Some make the mistake of thinking that they can allow their appetites and passions control them and still serve God. But as the Scripture above points out, this is an impossibility. We cannot please God while we give our allegiance to something else. We must choose one or the other.

Jesus also taught this truth. He said, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 NIV)

Who is in control of our lives?

Oftentimes we are oppressed by a sense of our own inadequacy. The task before us seems beyond our strength and ability. The odds against us are overwhelming.

This feeling of helplessness is not unique to us. Throughout history the people of God have often felt this way. For example, when God called Jeremiah to be a prophet he responded, “…I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” (Jeremiah 1:6 NIV)

From the world’s point of view our feelings of helplessness and inadequacy are fully justified. The Apostle Paul writes, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” (1 Corinthians 1:26 NIV)

But what the world does not realize, and what we often forget, is that when we are doing God’s will we do not have to accomplish it in our own power or by our own wisdom. God told Jeremiah, ““…Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:7-8 NIV)

Just like with Jeremiah, when God asks us to do something, He also gives us the ability to do what He asks of us. “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13 NIV) The Apostle Peter writes, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

It doesn’t matter if we are only a child. It doesn’t matter if we are not as intelligent as someone else. It doesn’t matter if we come from a family or group which is not well regarded. It doesn’t matter if we are poor. If we are doing what God has asked us to do, He will enable us to do it – no matter how unlikely it seems.

We may never have success as the world measures it. But as long as we are willing to do God’s will; as long as we are obedient to Him; as long as we rely on His strength, wisdom and power, we will be a success in His eyes. We will have no reason to be ashamed or inferior to anyone. We are exactly the right person to do what God wants.

All the followers of Christ have this wonderful promise: “…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

Children sometimes play a game in which they ask each other, “What would you rather be?” Then, they list a couple of choices. For example, a child might ask his friend, “What would you rather be, a musician or an actor?” When it is her turn, the friend might respond, “What would you rather be, a plumber or an electrician?”

Sometimes the choices and answers can lead to a serious discussion of a person’s hopes and prospects for the future. Other times, the game is merely a fun way to explore absurdities. “What would you rather be, a brick or a rock?” Still other times, it is whimsical. “What would you rather be, a cat or a dog?”

Whether the choices given are realistic, whimsical or absurd, the answers can reveal something about the personality and character of the persons playing the game. For example it might show whether someone prefers to work with his hands or with his mind, whether he likes to be in an environment where there are lots of people or be by himself, whether he is self-centered or more focused on others.

A variation of the game is to ask, “What would you rather have?” The answers can uncover what a person’s values are. And a person’s values are far more important than what kind of work environment he or she would prefer. Our values determine what we will pursue and how we pursue it.

Some people value material things above all else. They want wealth or possessions and they will do whatever it takes to obtain them. If they have to cheat, or do something dishonest to get what they want, they will do so if they think they have a reasonable chance of not getting caught.

Others value position, power or influence. In order to obtain it they will even betray friends or break their word.

However, the problem with material possessions and power is that they are temporary. However much we might crave them now, they will not last beyond this life. Jesus said, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37 NIV)

Even during this life some things are truly more valuable than others. What good are material possessions if we have no peace? What good is position or power if no one respects us? As King Solomon wrote long ago, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” (Proverbs 15:17 NIV)

What would you rather have, material possessions or the love and respect of those around you?

Everybody has a reputation. When someone mentions your name, an image automatically springs into the minds of those who know you. Perhaps people cringe and shudder when they hear your name because they think of you as cruel or deceitful. Perhaps they grin or chuckle because you are known for your easy-going nature and your practical jokes. Or, perhaps they smile fondly because they think of you as a caring and helpful person. Yes, whether good or bad, whether we like it or not, all of us have a reputation – even if people merely think of us as an insignificant non-entity.

The real question is whether our reputation is accurate. Am I really the kind of person people think I am? Some people deliberately show a false face to the world. In other cases, people have misjudged us or misinterpreted what they saw and given us an undeserved label – whether good or bad. God looks through people’s perceptions and sees the reality. For example, Jesus told a church, “…I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3:1 NIV) On the other hand, how encouraging it must have been when Jesus said of Nathanael, “…Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” (John 1:47 NIV)

The reason that God has an accurate evaluation of us in spite of our reputation is that, “…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV) To those who try to deceive others about who and what they really are, this is very frightening. But it can also be very reassuring. The good news is that even if other people have misjudged us and unfairly blackened our reputation, the Lord knows the truth. We can take comfort in the fact that He will not judge us based on other people’s opinions.

Even better news is that we do not have to remain the same person as we are now. If we have earned a bad reputation we can change. Christ not only takes away sin, He changes us into a different person. He gives us His own character. The Apostle Paul writes to the followers of Christ at Corinth, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV)

What kind of reputation do you have? Is it deserved? Have you let Christ change you for the better?

How shall we describe God? With what words should we extol His mighty works? At the birth of John the Baptist, his father Zechariah said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68-69 NIV)

Of all the attributes of God, Zechariah chose to highlight the fact that God is our Redeemer and Savior. Perhaps Zechariah had Psalm 18 in mind where King David wrote, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2 NIV)

The Jewish people used the word “horn” as a metaphor for power. When Zechariah said that God “has raised up a horn of salvation for us” he meant that God would use His incomparable power in order to save us. There is no power which can prevent God from saving us.

How did God do it? The Apostle Paul writes, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8 NIV)

God used His power to rescue and save us who had no power to save ourselves from the consequences of sin. And, God’s power is still available to the followers of Christ so that we can live godly lives. How great is that power? “…That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,” (Ephesians 1:19-20 NIV)

Someday, the power which saves us from spiritual death will save us from physical death. The same power which raised Christ from the dead will raise His followers as well. “…The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body…” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NIV)

Like Zechariah, let us praise God for the “horn of salvation” He has raised for us!

Have you ever stopped and just looked at nature? There is no doubt about it – we live in a beautiful world. Whether we look at it from the standpoint of the vivid colors we see, the variety of landscape and plants and animals, or the intricacy of the patterns in nature, this world we live in is beautiful. And, each place has a beauty of its own. The beauty of the mountains differs from that of the plains. Deserts differ from swamps and wetlands. All of them differ from the ocean shore and all of them are beautiful in their own way.

It didn’t have to be like this. God could have made the world so it had only a few colors instead of the infinite variety we see. He could have made it like the moon which, when we look at it from earth, appears to us only in different shades of gray. God could have made the world so it only has one type of terrain. He could have made it so it has a uniform temperature and no seasons. Yet, God gave us variety and environments which are suitable for every type of preference and temperament.

Yes, we live in a beautiful world. But, in spite of all its beauty our world lacks something – righteousness is not easy to find. It is also subject to death and decay. We live in a world which is dying. The Apostle Peter writes, “…The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:10 NIV) Science confirms that this world will not last – one day the planet we know and love will be destroyed.

God did not intend for it to be this way. The Bible teaches us that when mankind sinned by disobeying God, it also had a profound effect on creation. The perfect place which God first gave Adam and Eve was damaged. Death entered. The ground was cursed and thorns and thistles sprang up (see Genesis 3:17-19).

Though the world will be destroyed, the Bible tells us a time is coming when it will also be restored. The Apostle Paul writes, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19-21 NIV)

Peter writes, “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13 NIV)

Now if this present world, which is under a curse and is subject to death and decay, is still so beautiful, the new heaven and earth must be beyond our imagination! However, it is the home of righteousness. If we want to experience it, then we must be righteous also. Thank God, that through Jesus Christ we can be righteous. John writes to the followers of Christ, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

To what lengths are we willing to go in order to discover truth? Even more important: How willing are we to act on the truth we know? The Bible records, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him”” (Matthew 2:1-2 NIV)

Who were these Magi? Traditionally, we refer to them as the “Wise Men.” However, their title refers to a special class or profession in the Persian Empire. They were influential and powerful men. They were wealthy. They were also astrologers. In their capacity of royal advisors, they studied the heavens to try to figure out the future and forewarn the Emperor. They charted the movements of the stars. They devised and kept the calendar. Some of them were mathematicians. In other words, they were the scientists of that day. They had at least as much influence and respect as scientists do today.

There is much we can learn from the example of the Magi who came to find the Christ.

a) They were willing to act on the truth as they knew it. The Bible is very clear that astrology is wrong. Yet that is what these men knew. Because they had a heart for truth, God used a sign in the heavens to bring them to Himself.

b) They were willing to inconvenience themselves to follow the truth. They had to make a long trip to find the child they sought. Ezra records that it took him some four and a half months to make a similar journey ( Ezra 7:8-9, 8:31). A trip of several months duration was not something to be taken lightly.

c) They were willing to endure the skepticism of their families and professional colleagues. There must have been plenty of other Magi who had seen the same star, but didn’t see the significance of it. “You’re going to take a sabbatical to follow a star? Come now, your interpretation might be wrong, you know!” Perhaps one of their wives or a brother said, “You’re going on a journey because you’ve seen a star? I’ve seen lot’s of stars too, but I’m not leaving home because of it!”

d) They were willing to risk being thought of as subversive agents of a foreign power. Though the Roman and Persian Empires were not at war at the time of Jesus’ birth, there was constant friction between the two. The two empires regarded each other as natural enemies. Herod certainly saw the Magi and their quest as a threat to his throne.

e) They were willing to chance looking like fools in front of the Temple scholars. “What? A foreigner is telling us that our Messiah is born? Just who do you think you are?” Or, even worse, “I’m sorry to tell you this, but you’ve really misunderstood all you’ve heard about the coming of the Messiah. Let me show you from our Scriptures how mistaken you are.”

f) They were willing to bow before a peasant. The Magi were wealthy. They were aristocrats. Yet, they were not upset or dismayed by the obvious poverty of the family of the King they had come to worship. They were able to look beyond the surface and accept Him as King even though He wasn’t in a palace.

g) They were willing to put their money where their mouth was. They gave costly gifts to Jesus.

h) They were willing to obey when given further instruction. They not only followed the star to the house in Bethlehem, but obeyed the command, given them in a dream, not to return to Herod.

i) They were willing to run the risk of being thought traitors to their own country. “What were you doing in our enemy’s territory?”

Since the Magi had a heart for truth; since they were willing to follow the truth no matter what the cost; since they were willing to worship and submit themselves to Jesus the King, we honor their memory two thousand years later. The real question is whether we are willing to seek and follow the Christ as they did.

We live in troubled times. Our days are filled with uncertainty. We do not know what the future holds and it is easy to become anxious about it.

We long for peace and stability. We wish for an environment where our children can grow up without fear. We want them to have greater opportunities than we have had. However, wishing and hoping will not make it so. How can we have confidence in spite of the troubles and difficulties we experience?

The answer to this question is that we cannot place our confidence in money and things. They are as uncertain as the circumstances we face. Rather, the answer is found in whom we place our confidence. The book of Psalms says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:1-2 NIV)

This Psalm mentions three kinds of troubles. One kind of trouble is brought on by natural disasters. We have little control over earthquakes, wildfires, floods and droughts. We may suffer loss as a result of them.

A second kind of turmoil is political. “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall…” (Psalm 46:6 NIV) Most of us have little say in government policy, yet we are affected by decisions that rulers make. We often experience hardship because of their choices.

A third kind of trouble is brought by war and conflict. Almost always there is a war being fought somewhere in our world. These conflicts may affect us directly or indirectly, but we are rarely free from their influence.

When we think about these things it is easy to become discouraged. It is easy to fret and worry. Yet, the Psalm continues, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10 NIV) In all the trouble and turmoil which we experience God is the one constant upon whom we can rely. Another Psalm says, “In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:5-6 NIV)

As it says in another place, “Come near to God and he will come near to you…” (James 4:8 NIV) If we put our hope in God and obey His will, He will deliver us from all our troubles.

There are some who say that everything we do has already been determined. We are mere puppets going through life following a path which someone else decided for us long ago. Perhaps one reason some people think this way is it removes responsibility. If our lives are predetermined, then how can we be held responsible for the things we do? If we have no choice, the praise or blame falls on the One who made us this way and caused our behavior.

The truth is that we confront choices every day. And, they are real choices. No one makes us turn right instead of left. We choose our own path. While it is true that God knows ahead of time what we will do, He does not force us to do it. He lets us choose whether we will serve Him or not.

The corollary to having choice is that we are responsible and accountable for the choices we make. Time after time the Bible tells us that God will judge us according to what we have done.

This raises another question. If we are free to choose our own way and will be held accountable for our choices, how can we know what the right choices are? How can we know which decisions are pleasing to God? The Apostle Paul writes, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross.” (Philippians 3:17-18 NIV)

Paul says that there are two categories of people: those who live according to the pattern he gave, and enemies of the cross. We can say that we believe in God; we might boast that our families are wealthy and influential; we can even wear the name of Christ. But none of these things matter if we don’t live according to the pattern. To reject the pattern is to reject the cross; it is to show enmity toward what God has done to rescue us from eternal condemnation.

What is the example or pattern that Paul writes about? He referred to it in the same letter when he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:21 NIV) Then, he expands on this when he says, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:1-5 NIV)

What choices do we make? Do we choose to be like Christ? Do we choose to put the interests of others ahead of our own? Do we choose to be like-minded and be one in spirit and purpose with others who follow Christ? Do we choose to put our own ambition aside?