The Big Comeback
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Posted:Jun 30, 2014 2:47 am
Last Updated:Jun 30, 2014 2:49 am 6769 Views
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Read: 1 John 1
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Bible in a Year:
Job 17-19; Acts 10:1-23
Chad Pennington is a former American football player who has suffered multiple career-threatening injuries. Twice, his injuries forced him to endure surgery, months of physical therapy, and weeks of training to get back onto the field. Yet, both times he not only returned to playing but he also excelled at such a high level that he was named Comeback Player of the Year in the National Football League. For Pennington, his efforts were an expression of his determination to return to football.
Spiritually, when sin and failure break our relationship with God and sideline our service, determination alone is not what restores us to rightness with God and usefulness in His kingdom. When we are sidelined because of sin, the path to a comeback is confession as well. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
For us to be able to recover from our spiritual failings, we are absolutely dependent on the One who gave Himself for us. And that gives us hope. Christ, who died for us, loves us with an everlasting love and will respond with grace as we confess our faults to Him. Through confession, we can find His gracious restorationâthe greatest of all comebacks.
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Confession is the path that leads to restoration.
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Do No Harm
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Posted:Jun 27, 2014 4:29 am
Last Updated:Jun 27, 2014 4:30 am 6703 Views
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Read: Romans 13:8-10
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10
Bible in a Year:
Job 8-10; Acts 8:26-40
Many consider the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates as the father of Western medicine. He understood the importance of following moral principles in the practice of medicine, and is credited with writing the Hippocratic Oath, which still serves as an ethical guide for today's medical doctors. One key concept of the oath is to do no harm. It implies that a physician will do only what he thinks will benefit his patients.
The principle of doing no harm extends to our relationships with others in everyday life. In fact, benevolence is central to New Testament teaching about loving others. In reflecting on the law of God, Paul sees that love is the intent behind many biblical commands: Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Rom. 13:10).
Each day as we follow Jesus Christ our Savior, we are faced with choices that will affect the lives of others. When we choose a course of action, we should ask ourselves, Does this reflect Christ's concern for others, or am I only concerned for myself? Such a sensitivity demonstrates the love of Christ that seeks to heal the broken and help those in need.
Lord, I admit that it is easy to be consumed with my
own wants and needs. Thank You that You showed
us how to be concerned for others too. Help me
to follow Your example in caring for others.
Caring for the burdens of others helps us to forget about our own.
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Roadside Assistance
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Posted:Jun 26, 2014 5:18 am
Last Updated:Jun 26, 2014 5:21 am 6972 Views
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Read: Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Bible in a Year:
Job 5-7; Acts 8:1-25
An acquaintance of mine was hunting with friends near Balmoral, the country estate of the queen of England. As they walked, he twisted his ankle so badly that he couldn't go on, so he told his friends to continue and he would wait by the side of the road.
As he sat there, a car came down the road, slowed, and stopped. The woman driving rolled the window down and asked if he was okay. He explained and said he was waiting for his friends to return. She said, Get in; I'll take you back to where you are staying. He limped to the car and opened the door only to realize that it was Queen Elizabeth!
As shocking as receiving help from the queen of England may be, we have an offer of help that is even more astounding. The Creator-God of the universe descends into our world, sees our trouble, and offers to marshal His resources to help us. As the psalmist confidently affirms, God is . . . a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1).
Our Savior helps by giving us grace to endure, His Word to sustain us, friends to encourage and pray for us, and the confidence that He will ultimately work it all together for our spiritual good.
Next time you feel stranded along life's road, look for your Helper.
Lord, I'm thankful that when I experience trouble
You are waiting and wanting to help. Teach
me to look to You and to rest in Your kind and
loving care until You deliver me safely home.
Rejoice! Your God is a helping King!
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Wisdom from Above
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Posted:Jun 25, 2014 7:55 am
Last Updated:Apr 27, 2024 10:20 am 6950 Views
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Read: 1 Samuel 24:1-10
The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable.
âJames 3:17
Bible in a Year:
Job 3-4; Acts 7:44-60
If Kiera Wilmot had performed her experiment during her high school science class, it might have earned her an A. But instead she was charged with causing an explosion. Although she had planned to have her teacher approve the experiment, her classmates persuaded her to perform it outside the classroom. When she mixed chemicals inside a plastic bottle, it exploded and she unintentionally unsettled some fellow students.
The Old Testament tells the story of another case of peer pressure. David and his men were hiding from Saul in a cave when Saul entered (1 Sam. 24). Davidâs companions suggested that God had delivered Saul to them, and they urged David to kill him (vv.4,10). If David killed Saul, they thought they could stop hiding and David could become king. But David refused to harm Saul because he was âthe Lordâs anointedâ (v.6).
People in our lives may sometimes suggest we do what seems most gratifying or practical in the moment. But there is a difference between worldly and spiritual wisdom (1 Cor. 2:6-7). Wisdom from above âis first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercyâ (James 3:17). When others are urging us to take a certain course of action, we can invite God to influence our response.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold oâer my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
One is truly wise who gains his wisdom from above.
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Veins Of Gold
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Posted:Jun 24, 2014 6:05 am
Last Updated:Jun 25, 2014 7:55 am 6974 Views
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Read: Romans 6:1-14
If we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. âRomans 6:5
Bible in a Year:
Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43
While visiting the charming Cotswold area of England, I purchased some bone china mugs as souvenirs. I used them carefully, but eventually one fell into the sink and shattered. I thought about that mug recently when I learned about the Japanese art of Kintsugi.
Usually when something breaks we are happy to repair it enough to make it functional again. But several hundred years ago, a Japanese artist decided he would make broken china beautiful. So he started using golden resin to hold the fragments together. Pieces repaired by using his method have intricate veins of gold.
Early in the human story, sin entered the world (Gen. 3). Theologians refer to the event as âthe fall.â The inevitable result is brokenness. Life is painful because we keep getting hurt and hurting others with our sharp, jagged edges. But God doesnât want us to stay broken, and His repair work turns our brokenness into beauty.
Like a Kintsugi artist, God repairs us. But He uses something more precious than goldâthe blood of His . Instead of having veins of gold, we are united by the very veins of Christ. âWe have been united together in the likeness of His deathâ (Rom. 6:5). Nothing is more beautiful than that.
He shed His blood, poured out His life;
He gave His all at Calvary;
Oh what can we give in return
For love so rich, so full, so free?
The price of our freedom from sin was paid by Jesusâ blood.
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Restored By The Master
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Posted:Jun 23, 2014 3:45 am
Last Updated:Jun 24, 2014 6:05 am 9459 Views
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Read: Colossians 3:8-17
[You] have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. âColossians 3:10
Bible in a Year:
Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21
Over the centuries, many attempts have been made to restore damaged and time-worn masterpieces of art. While some of these efforts have skillfully preserved the original work of artists, others have actually damaged many works of genius, including ancient Greek statues and at least two paintings by da Vinci.
In Paulâs letter to the Christians at Colosse, he described a restoration process that is impossible in the world of art. Itâs a restoration of Godâs people. Paul wrote, âYou have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created himâ (Col. 3:9-10). This is no attempt at renovating the work of a deceased artist. It is a spiritual renewal from the living God who created us and gave us new life in His , Jesus Christ. His forgiveness brightens the colors of our lives while His grace sharpens the lines of His purpose for us.
The canvas of our lives is in the skilled hands of our Lord who knows who and what He designed us to be. No matter how sin-damaged and dirty we may be, there is hope for renewal and restoration. The Master Artist is alive and at work within us.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing.
Jesus specializes in restoration.
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Forgotten Memories
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Posted:Jun 20, 2014 3:38 am
Last Updated:Jun 23, 2014 3:45 am 13871 Views
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Read: Psalm 103:1-8
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
Psalm 103:2
Bible in a Year:
Esther 1-2; Acts 5:1-21
Recently, a friend from my youth emailed me a picture of our junior high track team. The grainy black-and-white snapshot showed a vaguely familiar group of teens with our two coaches. I was instantly swept back in time to happy memories of running the mile and the half-mile in track meets. Yet even as I enjoyed remembering those days, I found myself thinking about how easily I had forgotten them and moved on to other things.
As we make our way on the journey of life, it is easy to forget places, people, and events that have been important to us along the way. Time passes, yesterday fades, and we become obsessed with the concerns of the moment. When this happens, we can also forget just how good God has been to us. Perhaps that is why David remembered as he wrote, Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits
(Ps. 103:1-2).
Never is this remembrance more needed than when the heartaches of life crowd in on us. When we are feeling overwhelmed and forgotten, it's important to recall all that He has done for us. In remembering, we find the encouragement to trust Him in the present and for the future.
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Remembering God's faithfulness in the past strengthens us for the future.
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Meet Shrek
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Posted:Jun 19, 2014 4:53 am
Last Updated:Jun 19, 2014 4:54 am 16443 Views
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Read: Ezekiel 34:11-16
I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. —Ezekiel 34:11
Bible in a Year:
Nehemiah 12-13; Acts 4:23-37
Shrek was a renegade sheep. He went missing from his flock and remained lost for 6 years. The person who found him living in a cave on a high and rugged place in New Zealand didn’t recognize him as a sheep. “He looked like some biblical creature,” he said. In a way, he was. Shrek was a picture of what happens to sheep who become separated from their shepherd.
Shrek had to be carried down the mountain because his fleece was so heavy (60 lbs or 27 kg) that he couldn’t walk down on his own. To relieve Shrek of the weight of his waywardness, he was turned upside down so that he would remain still and not be harmed when the shearer removed his heavy fleece.
Shrek’s story illustrates the metaphor Jesus used when He called Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), and when God referred to His people as His flock (Ezek. 34:31). Like Shrek, we do not make good choices when we’re on our own, and we become weighed down with the consequences (Ezek. 33:10). To relieve us of the weight, we may have to be on our backs for a time. When we end up in this position, it is good to remain still and trust the Good Shepherd to do His work without hurting us.
The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine forever.
God’s training is designed to grow us in faith.
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Smile!
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Posted:Jun 18, 2014 2:37 am
Last Updated:Jun 18, 2014 2:38 am 16555 Views
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Read: Numbers 6:22-27
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. Numbers 6:25
Bible in a Year:
Nehemiah 10-11; Acts 4:1-22
A recent study that I read concluded that smiling can be good for your health. Research shows that smiling slows down the heart and reduces stress.
But smiling isn't just good for you; a genuine smile blesses those on the receiving end as well. Without saying a word, it can tell others that you like them and that you are pleased with them. A smile can hug someone with love without giving them even the slightest touch.
Life does not always give us a reason to smile. But when we see a heartfelt smile on a âs face or through aged wrinkles, our hearts are encouraged.
Smiles are also a hint of the image of God in us. In the ancient blessing recorded in the book of Numbers we get an indication that God smiles: The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace (Num. 6:25-26). Those words are a Hebrew idiom for the favor of God on a persons life, asking God to smile on His .
So today, remember that you are loved by God, and that He is pleased to be gracious to you and to shine His face upon you.
Lord, may my life be so pleasing to You that You are
pleased to have Your face shine on me. And as You
graciously smile on my life, may I find someone
today with whom I can share Your love through a smile.
Your smile could be a message of cheer from God to a needy soul.
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The Light Of The Lamb
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Posted:Jun 17, 2014 3:39 am
Last Updated:Jun 17, 2014 3:42 am 16750 Views
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Read: Revelation 21:14-27
The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. Revelation 21:23
Bible in a Year:
Nehemiah 7-9; Acts 3
For countless generations people have looked to the sun and moon to light the day and the night. Whether illuminating our path or providing the life-giving radiance for fruitful crops and the nutrients our bodies need, the sun and moon are part of God's marvelous provision of light. The book of Genesis tells us that God gave the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night (Gen. 1:16).
But someday God will provide a different kind of illumination. Of the eternal heavenly city, John writes: The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light (Rev. 21:23). Interestingly, the word translated light here is more accurately rendered lamp. Christ in His glorified state will be the spiritual lamp that lights up that joyous new world.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He is also the source of spiritual illumination that makes those who follow Him the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). But in eternity He will be the Lamp that lights our way (Rev. 21:23). What a thrill it will be one day to live in the light of the Lamb!
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide
The light of the world is Jesus;
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide
The light of the world is Jesus.
The Light of the world knows no power failure.
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