Embarrassing Moments
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Posted:Nov 12, 2013 2:30 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2024 1:41 am 10565 Views
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Read: John 8:1-11
Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” —John 8:11
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 51-52; Hebrews 9
The flashing lights of the police car drew my attention to a motorist who had been pulled over for a traffic violation. As the officer, ticket book in hand, walked back to his car, I could clearly see the embarrassed driver sitting helplessly behind the wheel of her car. With her hands, she attempted to block her face from the view of passersby—hoping to hide her identity. Her actions were a reminder to me of how embarrassing it can be when we are exposed by our choices and their consequences.
When a guilty woman was brought before Jesus and her immorality was exposed, the crowd did more than just watch. They called for her condemnation, but Jesus showed mercy. The only One with the right to judge sin responded to her failure with compassion. After dispatching her accusers, “Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’” (John 8:11). His compassion reminds us of His forgiving grace, and His command to her points to His great desire that we live in the joy of that grace. Both elements show the depth of Christ’s concern for us when we stumble and fall.
Even in our most embarrassing moments of failure, we can cry out to Him and find that His grace is truly amazing.
Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
Jesus alone can supply the grace we need for each trial we face.
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Disaster Diaries
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Posted:Nov 11, 2013 1:32 am
Last Updated:Nov 13, 2013 2:02 am 9844 Views
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Read: Lamentations 3:19-33
His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22-23
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 50; Hebrews 8
Yves Congar was just 10 years old when World War I began and the French town where he lived was invaded by the German army. His mother encouraged him to keep a diary, and what resulted was a lucid description of a military occupation, complete with written narrative and colored sketches. His diary recorded a disaster from a ’s perspective. What he witnessed had such a profound effect on him that he felt called to bring others the hope of Christ.
Centuries earlier the prophet Jeremiah was an eyewitness to the invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. He wrote down his observations in his “diary”—the book of Lamentations. Despite these distressing times, the prophet found hope in the heart of God. He wrote: “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (3:22-23).
At various times, we may experience or witness disasters that feel like hostile forces entering our lives. But these times of trouble do not last forever. And, like Jeremiah, our most sustaining hope is to reflect upon the faithfulness and provision of our heavenly Father. The Lord’s compassions are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great!
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The Blessing Of Giving
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Posted:Nov 8, 2013 2:57 am
Last Updated:Nov 15, 2013 2:51 am 10122 Views
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Read: Mark 12:38-44
It is more blessed to give than to receive. —Acts 20:35
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 43-45; Hebrews 5
It made no sense for a widow to donate her last few coins to a corrupt institution in Jerusalem, where scribes who were dependent on those gifts “devour[ed] widows’ houses” (Mark 12:40). But in that woman’s act, Jesus saw a moving display of the proper attitude toward money (vv.41-44).
Gordon Cosby, while serving as pastor of the Church of the Saviour in Washington, DC, tells of a widow whose income was barely adequate to feed and clothe her six . Yet every week she faithfully placed $4 in the offering plate. A deacon suggested that Cosby go to her and assure her that she could use the money instead for her family’s benefit.
Cosby followed the deacon’s advice—to his regret. “You are trying to take away the last thing that gives me dignity and meaning,” she said. She had learned a key to giving: It can benefit the giver more than the receiver. Yes, those in poverty need financial help. But the need to give may be as important as the need to receive.
The act of giving reminds us that we live by the grace of God—like the birds and the flowers. Those creations don’t worry about their future; neither should we. Giving offers us a way to express our confidence that God will care for us just as He cares for the sparrow and lily (Matt. 6:25-34).
Whatever, Lord, we lend to Thee,
Repaid a thousand-fold will be;
Then gladly will we give to Thee,
Who givest all—who givest all.
We disarm the power of money by giving it away.
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The Blessing Of Giving
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Posted:Nov 8, 2013 2:57 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2024 1:41 am 9302 Views
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Read: Mark 12:38-44
It is more blessed to give than to receive. —Acts 20:35
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 43-45; Hebrews 5
It made no sense for a widow to donate her last few coins to a corrupt institution in Jerusalem, where scribes who were dependent on those gifts “devour[ed] widows’ houses” (Mark 12:40). But in that woman’s act, Jesus saw a moving display of the proper attitude toward money (vv.41-44).
Gordon Cosby, while serving as pastor of the Church of the Saviour in Washington, DC, tells of a widow whose income was barely adequate to feed and clothe her six . Yet every week she faithfully placed $4 in the offering plate. A deacon suggested that Cosby go to her and assure her that she could use the money instead for her family’s benefit.
Cosby followed the deacon’s advice—to his regret. “You are trying to take away the last thing that gives me dignity and meaning,” she said. She had learned a key to giving: It can benefit the giver more than the receiver. Yes, those in poverty need financial help. But the need to give may be as important as the need to receive.
The act of giving reminds us that we live by the grace of God—like the birds and the flowers. Those creations don’t worry about their future; neither should we. Giving offers us a way to express our confidence that God will care for us just as He cares for the sparrow and lily (Matt. 6:25-34).
Whatever, Lord, we lend to Thee,
Repaid a thousand-fold will be;
Then gladly will we give to Thee,
Who givest all—who givest all.
We disarm the power of money by giving it away.
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Two Victories
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Posted:Nov 7, 2013 1:35 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2024 1:41 am 8950 Views
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Read: 2 Samuel 5.17-25
David inquired of the Lord. —2 Samuel 5.19
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 40-42; Hebrews 4
King David was up against a familiar foe. Years before as a young shepherd boy, he had faced down Goliath, the top Philistine warrior, by killing him with a well-placed stone(1 Sam. 17. Now David was king of Israel, and here come the Philistines again! They heard he was king, and they decided to attack 2 Sam. 5.17.
What do we do first when trouble is on the way? We could panic. We could plan. Or we could first do what David did—pray. “David inquired of the Lord” (v.19), and God guided the king.
David had to fight two battles with the Philistines—one at Baal Perazim and one at the Valley of Rephaim. It was a good thing he consulted God, because in these two battles there were two different strategies. In the first one, God won the battle with His power alone: “The Lord has broken through,” David recorded (v.20). For the next one, God gave David an action plan, and when he carried it out, the Israelites won (vv.23-25).
Each day we face many challenges. Although there is no one-size-fits-all answer, our first action should always be to consult God. As He guides us, we can have confidence in Him. Then, whether the victory comes through His miraculous intervention or through His guidance, all the glory goes to God.
Not to the strong is the battle,
Not to the swift is the race;
Yet to the true and the faithful
Victory is promised through grace.
To stand up to any challenge, spend time on your knees.
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A Season For Everything
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Posted:Nov 6, 2013 2:33 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2024 1:41 am 8821 Views
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Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To everything there is a season. —Ecclesiastes 3:1
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 37-39; Hebrews 3
In the 1960s, the folk-rock band The Byrds popularized the song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” It climbed to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and gained worldwide popularity. People seemed captivated by the lyrics. Interestingly, though, except for the last line, those lyrics are from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes.
“To everything there is a season,” proclaims the writer of Ecclesiastes, “a time for every purpose under heaven” (3:1). He then lists some of the seasons in human experience: birth and death, gain and loss, tears and laughter, mourning and dancing. Just as the seasons in nature change, so do the seasons in our lives. Our circumstances never stay the same for long.
Sometimes we welcome change in our lives. But often it is difficult, especially when it involves sorrow and loss. Yet even then we can be thankful that God does not change. “I am the Lord,” He said through the prophet Malachi, “I do not change” (Mal. 3:6).
Because God remains the same, we can rely on Him through the shifting seasons of life. His presence is always with us
(Ps. 48.1, His peace has the power to guard our hearts
(Phil. 4, and His love provides security for our souls
(Rom. 8.39.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
God’s unchanging nature is our security during seasons of change.
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Good-Behavior Rewards
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Posted:Nov 5, 2013 1:31 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2024 1:42 am 8754 Views
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Read: 2 Corinthians 5:1-11
We make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing to [God].
—2 Corinthians 5:9
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 34-36; Hebrews 2
In a ’s ministry in my church, we hand out cards to the when we notice their good behavior. They collect the cards and receive prizes for the good choices they’ve made. We are trying to reinforce good behavior rather than focusing on bad behavior.
When one leader handed a card to 11-year-old Tyree, he responded, “No, thanks. I don’t need one; I want to behave well, and I don’t need a reward for that.” For him, doing the right thing was its own reward. He definitely has good values ingrained in him, and he wants to live them out—prize or not.
As believers in Jesus, we will receive rewards one day. Second Corinthians 5:10 says that everyone will “receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” But to get a reward should not be our motivation for right living. Neither is it to earn salvation. Living out of love for God and pleasing Him should be our heart’s desire.
When we love God, we make it our aim to please Him who first loved us (1 John 4.19 and to serve Him with pure motives
(Prov. 16:2; 1 Cor. 4:5. The best reward will be to be with Him!
In all I think and say and do,
I long, O God, to honor You;
But may my highest motive be
To love the Christ who died for me.
Our desire to please God is our highest motive for obeying H
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Leap The Wall
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Posted:Nov 4, 2013 3:18 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2024 1:42 am 8676 Views
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Read: Romans 12:14-21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. —Proverbs 25:21
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 32-33; Hebrews 1
Sgt. Richard Kirkland was a Confederate soldier in the US Civil War (1861–1865). When the Union’s failed charge at Marye’s Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg left wounded soldiers abandoned in no-man’s land, Kirkland got permission to help them. Collecting canteens, he leaped the stone wall and bent over the first soldier to lend assistance. At great personal risk, the “Angel of Marye’s Heights” extended the mercy of Christ to enemy soldiers.
While few of us will face an enemy on the battlefield, those who suffer can be found all around us—people struggling against loneliness, loss, health issues, and sin. Their cries, muted by our many distractions, plead for mercy and comfort, for hope and help.
Kirkland’s example of Christlike compassion put action to Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44). Paul expanded on that theme when he quotes Proverbs 25:21, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink” (Rom. 12:20). “Do not be overcome by evil,” he instructed us, “but overcome evil with good” (v.21).
Paul’s challenge compels us to emulate Sgt. Kirkland. Today is the day for us to “leap the wall” of safety to lend comfort from God to those in need.
Father, give me the courage to reach out to those
I may not want to reach. Show Your love
through me in ways that will bring glory to You
and true peace in my corner of the world.
Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not.
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Leap The Wall
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Posted:Nov 4, 2013 3:18 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2024 1:42 am 8601 Views
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Read: Romans 12:14-21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. —Proverbs 25:21
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 32-33; Hebrews 1
Sgt. Richard Kirkland was a Confederate soldier in the US Civil War (1861–1865). When the Union’s failed charge at Marye’s Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg left wounded soldiers abandoned in no-man’s land, Kirkland got permission to help them. Collecting canteens, he leaped the stone wall and bent over the first soldier to lend assistance. At great personal risk, the “Angel of Marye’s Heights” extended the mercy of Christ to enemy soldiers.
While few of us will face an enemy on the battlefield, those who suffer can be found all around us—people struggling against loneliness, loss, health issues, and sin. Their cries, muted by our many distractions, plead for mercy and comfort, for hope and help.
Kirkland’s example of Christlike compassion put action to Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44). Paul expanded on that theme when he quotes Proverbs 25:21, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink” (Rom. 12:20). “Do not be overcome by evil,” he instructed us, “but overcome evil with good” (v.21).
Paul’s challenge compels us to emulate Sgt. Kirkland. Today is the day for us to “leap the wall” of safety to lend comfort from God to those in need.
Father, give me the courage to reach out to those
I may not want to reach. Show Your love
through me in ways that will bring glory to You
and true peace in my corner of the world.
Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not.
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Loved To Love
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Posted:Nov 1, 2013 2:34 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2024 1:42 am 8827 Views
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Read: Deuteronomy 10:12-22
What does the Lord your God require of you, but . . . to walk in all His ways and to love Him. —Deuteronomy 10:12
Bible in a Year:
Jeremiah 24-26; Titus 2
“A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” I saw this quotation, attributed to the Wizard of Oz, on a wall plaque in a gift shop.
The Wizard of Oz may be a good story, but it’s not a reliable source of spiritual information. God said something quite different. According to Him, the greatest commandment is to love—to love Him first and then others (Mark 12:29-31). Scripture says nothing about expecting to be loved in return. In fact, Jesus stated the opposite in His most famous sermon: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:11-12).
When it comes to love, the important thing we need to know is this: All love starts with God (1 John 4:19). As Moses told the Israelites, God delighted in them to love them (Deut. 10:15), and because of that they were to love others, even strangers (v.19). God’s intent is that the people who receive His love will become the conduit of His love to others.
Apart from God—who Himself is love—none of us could truly love or be loved (1 John 4.7-8.
“Love seeketh not her own,” and so
He did not stay as God above,
But chose a manger and a cross
To show that He was Love.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
—1 John 4:8
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