Category: Daily Devotional

Date published: 17-03-2016 How can a good and loving God allow all of this pain and suffering? I stood silently, alone in the hospital room, watching my baby breathe with my hand carefully placed on his back, hoping to feel his heart still beating. His breathing was frighteningly shallow and his skin was an eerie bluish grey. He had been unconscious for what seemed like an eternity. My clothes were soaked with his blood and waste, and the smell was almost as overwhelming as the pain in my heart. As the doctors prepared for emergency surgery, they placed him in my arms, and I cradled him close to my chest. He was filthy, but I didn’t care. He was my son. Nothing was going to keep me from holding him tight, as I sang over him in the suffering and waiting. When the doctors took him from my arms, the reality struck me that I was spattered in his innocent blood. The full weight of Calvary hit me in that moment. It was both crushing and freeing at the same time. I had understood the facts of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, accepted His free gift of salvation, and surrendered my life to His Lordship years before. But, today I was speechless as I endured the “privilege” that most people will never experience of literally being covered in the innocent blood of my beloved son. There is a depth of the gospel that is incomprehensible until you have experienced such a thing. It seared into my soul how great the Father’s love must be for us, that He would allow His beloved only Son to endure such undeserved suffering, spill His innocent blood to cover our filth and shame, and draw us near to Himself. There was no person in this world for whom I would have even considered trading my son’s life. He is my Beloved. How great the Father’s love must be for us. My son survived his brush with death. But, the experience awakened me to the reality that whenever tragedy strikes, we often forget the suffering Jesus endured for our sakes. We get angry when life is painful and forget that nothing we will ever endure could even begin to compare to His suffering on the cross of Calvary. We forget that God lovingly and willingly offered His Son to suffer the punishment for our sins, spill His precious innocent blood, and die in our place… and Jesus lovingly and willingly accepted the task. We often forget that much of our pain comes from the consequences of our own sinful and rebellious choices, and all of our pain is the result of mankind’s rejection of God. It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden, when God offered mankind a life free of pain and suffering, but mankind wanted a life free of God, instead. Mankind chose to rebel against God, and pain and suffering was the consequence. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NKJV). But God, in His infinite mercy, had compassion on us and rescued us from our self condemnation: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:6-9 NKJV). In the shadow of the cross, it is hard to condemn God for allowing us to suffer. We come to Him covered in our own filth, and He cradles us to His chest, holds us tight, and sings over us in our suffering and waiting. In the light of our salvation, it is even harder for us to comprehend how great the Father’s love for us must truly be.

Date Published: 18-03-2016 Imagine facing the worst event of your life, knowing exactly what is coming and how very difficult it will be. Now imagine, while struggling through that dark moment, helping a friend and a foe in one selfless move. It is hard to fathom, but it happened and is well documented. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had been betrayed with a kiss and was being led away into the night to stand a mockery of a trial. In his best effort to protect his Messiah, Peter pulled his sword and severed an ear from the head of a soldier. Then Jesus made a highly unpredictable move. He touched and healed the man’s ear! When Jesus restored the ear of that soldier, He changed the lives of two men forever. Of course, being the man of compassion that He was, Jesus certainly saw this soldier suffering and in agony from such a brutal wound. Even though the soldier was a ‘bad guy’, the love and compassion of Jesus reached beyond what the man was doing to the fact that he was hurting and needed healing. When I was a child, I could not understand why Jesus would help someone who was there with the intention of hurting Him. I knew I could never be as loving and forgiving as Jesus and was not certain I wanted to try. As an adult, I am thankful for the grace and mercy He extends to me when I am the bad guy. Another man’s future was changed that night. Jesus courageously rescued Peter that night. There Peter stood, bloody weapon in his hand, somewhat frustrated that he had missed his mark … the soldier’s head. Yet, his pride was perhaps somewhat pacified by the fact that he had made a notable statement of his allegiance to the Lord. He was more than willing to fight to protect Jesus. In the moment between landing the blow and Jesus restoring the ear, Peter realized the consequences he would have to pay for that action. He probably saw what Jesus did for him the instant it happened. When Jesus healed the soldier’s ear, the evidence that would have supported prosecution for the attempted murder of an officer of the law vanished. There would be no argument in court against Peter regarding that incident. He was acquitted before he was accused! Much in the same way Peter did that night, I commit a punishable offense, yet Jesus steps in and rescues me. It is after I have done the damage that I see His action on my behalf has removed the evidence against me. My slate has been cleared. In Lamentations 3: 21-23 the Bible says, Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I hear Jesus’ voice ringing in my head and heart, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” Here I stand, undeserving, wrong, yet loved completely. He reaches out with compassion and mercy to heal and deliver me. His acts of love and compassion effectively restore and renew me. When I am called to step up to the Judge’s bench, there will be no evidence to hold against me … “Just as if I had never sinned.” He declares me “NOT GUILTY!”

Date published: 19-03-2016 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15, NLT) As the world grows darker in sin, we must find time to trim our wicks and fill our lamps with oil. We are to be light to the world and salt to the earth. But have we lost our flavor? If we are well seasoned in the Word and we maintain our prayer life, we will be making an obvious difference. It takes soaking up the Word of God daily for the words that flow from our lips to be a sweet savor, an encouraging word to the hearer. It is so easy to become dull and bland without those times of refreshing in God’s presence. Nobody likes plain ‘ole, plain ‘ole anything. Many times, even a good steak needs some seasoning salt, a little garlic, butter, or steak sauce while it is marinating on the grill. The flavor of the meat is greatly enhanced. And so it is with us. When our lives reflect Christ, it will be evident after we have spent time with Him, because we will manifest His glory. The light will shine brightly for all to see. People need to see Christ in us, the hope of glory, for them to want Him. Who wants what we have if we are not positive, and not full of joy and peace? I hear some Christians who always speak negatively. They are worrying all the time, and they are sad and gloomy. I think they must be lacking in some quality Bible study time, prayer, and church fellowship. We want those who do not know Him to say, “I know there is something different about you” or ask, “Why are you so happy?” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear them say, “I want whatever it is that you have”? I remember that I said those very words more than 29 years ago. I gave my heart to the Lord while watching The 700 Club. I went to visit a local church. The people there were singing and clapping, and some even danced in the aisle to the songs. I was overwhelmed. I had always attended a very traditional church while growing up, and I felt no enthusiasm or joy in it at all. I recall listening to the message intently; I had blocked out everything and had focused intently on the preacher as he spoke. I sat on the edge of my seat like I was at a long-awaited concert. At the close of the service, I remember a lady asking me if I wanted to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I didn’t even know what she was talking about, but I said, “Whatever you people have, I want it!” I was gloriously filled that very evening and spoke in tongues. My life was changed forever, and I have felt the joy ever since. We can share the things we have learned by being salt and light with other believers so that they can enjoy their Christian walk and be better witnesses. It is important to remember that we are not offering a “religion” to anyone. We are telling them about a relationship with a loving, living Savior who can transform their lives and not only give them the gift of eternal life, but also the abundant life while here on planet earth. Jesus wants to add some seasoning to a bland spiritual life. Got your lamps filled with oil? Follow me! Let’s shine our lights and pour out some salt on those who need to taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. (Psalm 34:8, NKJV)

Date published: 20-03-2016 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: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2: 1-8 (NIV) I really wannabe a servant and have a servant’s heart. I do. It is just that so very often my flesh goes into overdrive and the servant’s heart is left behind in the dust of my pride. Recently the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me with conviction as I found myself in a situation where I had to choose to have a servant’s heart. A woman, who is a somewhat regular customer, came into the pharmacy where I work as a pharmacist. She is not a particularly nice person and has the attitude that others owe her something. She was my “sandpaper person” for the day. We all have ‘sandpaper’ people in our lives–those whose very presence irritates something within us and rubs us the wrong way. One of the purposes of sandpaper is to remove impurities from the exterior of a piece of wood so that it can be painted or stained. The sandpapering process is difficult, even painful, yet necessary to produce a beautifully finished piece of wood. It quickly became clear to me that the Holy Spirit was up to something in my heart. This woman walked up to the counter where I stood and began giving me orders. It went something like this. “You need to fax up to the doctor’s office and get them to refill my medicine. You get to work on that and I’ll be back after I see the doctor.” There was no ‘please’ or ‘would you?’ or ‘thank you.’ Just commands. Immediately I bristled and thought, “Don’t you come in here giving me orders. I’m not your slave.” Thankfully I kept my mouth closed, which is a huge step forward for me in comparison with what might have happened just a few years ago! Instantly the Holy Spirit hit me with such a wave of conviction that I nearly fell backward. He brought to mind parts of the verses from Philippians 2 that instruct us how to have a servant’s heart. Paul says that we are to have the same love for others that Jesus had for us. He goes on to exhort us to “do nothing out of vain conceit,” “in humility consider others better than yourself,” and “take the nature of a servant.” “But, Jesus,” I thought, “she doesn’t deserve to be considered better than me. She treats others so poorly.” It was then I was reminded that in no way did I deserve what Jesus did for me when He humbled Himself and came to earth to die on the cross for me. Yes, I wannabe a woman with a servant’s heart like Jesus. Thankfully, He stands ready to enable me to serve others, but also to forgive me when I fail to have that servant’s heart.  On that day, I was reminded that the true measure of servanthood and humility is evidenced by how one reacts when someone treats you like a servant. Lord, help me have a servant’s heart–a heart like Jesus!

In the famous children’s novel, Alice in Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts is an interesting character. Overseeing the kingdom with the King of Hearts, she changes from pleasant to enraged every other minute. At the slightest offense, she shouts, “Off with their heads!” It seems ordering executions is one of her hobbies. However, as the story goes, very few were actually beheaded. The kind King of Hearts quietly pardoned many of his subjects while his foul-tempered wife wasn’t looking. This story makes me wonder about how people see God. Do they view Him as a quick-to-judge King who enjoys shelling out punishment like the Queen of Hearts? Or do they see Him as the kind King of Hearts pardoning the offenses of His subjects? The Apostle Paul asked, “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” It’s hard to determine exactly how people form their opinion of God – maybe they had a hard father or a moody mother. If those cases, you can almost understand a misguided view of God since our earthly parents are sometimes the only example we have – right or wrong. When I was growing up, I had a friend who was raised in a very strict Christian home. She often wanted to spend the night at my house because our rules were quite different and she could do what she wanted without consequence. Years later, when we were in college and I had become a Christian, we bumped into each other and I was very excited to share my new-found faith with her. To my surprise, she had abandoned her beliefs. She explained that if God was as hard as her parents made Him out to be, she’d rather spend this lifetime enjoying herself. I didn’t know the harsh “God” she spoke of, so I left our conversation very sad. The God I met and fell in love with was a King of Hearts. Despite all my failures and extreme sins, He pardoned me. And the more realization I had of how much He actually pardoned, the more I loved Him and wanted to serve Him. “[When] we were foolish and disobedient, we were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But when God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” (Titus 3:3-5) If I were to compare someone to the Queen of Hearts, it sure wouldn’t be God. I’ve yet to hear Him say, “Off with their heads!” His kindness is generous and His love is unfailing. “God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) However, if I were to reject His kindness and remain hard-hearted, there would come a day when instead of standing before the King of Hearts, I would have to give an account before the Judge of Hearts. And in His righteous judgment, He would have to declare me guilty and cast me from His presence. What a sad day that would be! Some have said, “If God is so kind, then why would He send people to hell?” These are mistaken… Because God is kind, He provided a way for people to AVOID hell and eternal separation from Him. He is the King of Hearts and “…with undeserved kindness, He declares that we [who put our trust in Him now] to be righteous. And He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty of our sins.” (Romans 3:24) There was a penalty. But there was also a payment. When the order should have been, “Off with their heads!” – a new and superior order was made: “Restore them to Me!” The King spoke it, and the Word was fulfilled. Not based on anything we have or have not done, His grace covers a multitude of sin. “For if we are saved by God’s kindness, then it is not by our good works. For in that case, God’s wonderful kindness would not be what it really is — free and undeserved” (Romans 11:6). He is the King of kindness and for that reason, He is also the King of my heart.

Date published: 21-03-2016 I was living up North several years ago when I first heard the phrase, “He Is Risen; He Is Risen Indeed!” The pastor loved to say the first part, He Is Risen, and wait with a big smile on his face for the congregation to finish the statement. (He Is Risen Indeed.) This was a favorite ritual every Easter Sunday morning. Why did the pastor like saying it? I guess He knew it would fit with the sermon that day. He was sort of priming the pump, so to speak, for what was to come. Then a wonderfully, well organized, properly prepared sermon on the death and resurrection of Christ would soon follow. Previous to this were three or four songs from the hymnal such as He Lives, He Arose, At Calvary, and At The Cross. It was the only Sunday we would sing these songs, so sing we did. We sang loudly and with a lot of heart. I remember as a child that everyone wore fancy clothes on that day. It was the only Sunday that all the kids had new white shoes and pretty hats. Some of the girls even wore white gloves. Several of the moms and dads had a flower on their suits or dresses. An excitement was in the atmosphere. We knew an Easter egg hunt for all the children would begin after the service. There would be lots of beautifully colored hard boiled eggs, jelly beans inside plastic eggs, hard candy coated marshmallow eggs, and a very special large chocolate covered candy egg. At home I had a wonderful Easter basket filled with lots of candy and gum waiting for me too. It marked the coming of spring. Pastel colors were everywhere. Flowers were blooming and the air was much warmer than a few weeks ago. It was such a happy time. Now, I am older and I know Easter Sunday in a much different way. I now realize Easter is about death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus the Son of God was born so that one day He would die. He chose to become the sacrifice for your sins and mine. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 NIV). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NIV). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9 NIV). It’s so wonderful. By faith we simply believe in the great price that was paid for us. We sinned, Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins, and on the third day rose from the grave. He is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us. He paid a very high price. He gave His life. He suffered so that we can live forever with God. If we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are saved. There is no condemnation for the things we have done. And with each mistake we now make, forgiveness is still ours to receive. The tomb where Jesus was buried and from where He rose was left empty. Only the grave clothes were left behind. Because of His great love for us, and the power of God living in us, we too will one day be caught up with Him in the air. “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4: 17). Jesus is coming again for those of us who have asked Him to forgive us our sins. We are waiting for that day when the heavens will open and we will meet Him in the skies. So you see, Easter isn’t at all about Easter baskets full of candy, pretty clothes, or spring flowers. It’s about an empty tomb. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!