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TITLE: Take It Down
DATE: January 31, 2019 TEXT: John 5: 29 – ESV - But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Over the years my church buildings have undergone a great many inspections. · There were inspections to see if our heating system could make it another year. (It couldn’t) · There were inspections made before, during and after a building program. · There were inspections on the roof, the bell tower, our playground and our made-in-Germany stained glass windows. · We had inspections on our school kitchen to make sure it was up-to-snuff and sanitary. (It was.) That being said, I never pastored a congregation which had to endure a government inspection as difficult as that endured by a Chinese Congregation this past November. Now before I go any further, I should share that this was not an underground illegal house church. No, this church was a congregation which had always, to the best of their ability, cooperated with the government. Unfortunately, this inspection left them knowing that level of past cooperation was no longer good enough. The inspection team, made up of about 30 representatives from the government, covered the facilities with a fine-toothed comb. Eventually they stopped in front of the pulpit and pointed to a plaque on the wall…a plaque listing the 10 Commandments. After a brief discussion among themselves, the inspectors rendered a verdict: “This must be removed.” Interestingly enough, the group had decided the entire plaque didn’t have to go. Indeed, they decreed nine of the Commandments could stay. The group wanted to see only one Commandment removed. Now my question to you is this: Do you think the Chinese authorities were concerned about marriage, or stealing, or good reputations or envy? They were not. They weren’t even interested in keeping God’s Name holy or remembering the Sabbath . Nope, the only Commandment those folks wanted to see taken down was the First. You remember, the one about not having any other gods before the Triune Lord; the one from which all the rest derive their authority. Explaining the official policy one commentator said, “In other words, religious citizens must first worship the Communist Party – and then, only after they have done that do they have permission to worship their God.” The congregation’s leaders were shocked by what they were told. Now they were left with a decision. Do they follow the government ruling and witness to the Savior as they are able, or do they defy the government, leave the Commandments as they are and run the risk of being shut down and having their leaders arrested? The text above tells what the apostles did almost 2,000 years ago. In China, last November, one Congregation took down the plaque. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, be with church leaders who must make difficult decisions under persecution. Grant them courage and wisdom. Above all, first and foremost, may every believer obey You rather than men. This I ask in the Savior’s Name. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Michael Foust for Christian Headlines on January 9, 20 . Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/china-bans-one-of-the-ten-commandments-as-part-of-national-policy.html The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html
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TITLE: Friend or Foe
DATE: January 30, 2019 TEXT: Matthew 28:20 (ESV) - 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Yesterday the devotion was about a Major Summerford. Although the story was a great one, I don’t know if Summerford was real or manufactured. In contrast I have no doubts about a Croatian music teacher by the name of Frane Selak. What follows is real and not made up. Ready? Here are some of the high points (or low points) of his life.):
In 2003, Frane won $1,110,000 in the lottery. So does the Lord love Frane, or not? Is Frane blessed or cursed? And, as long as I’m asking, let me broaden the question to include you… your friends…. your family….the folks at the Chevy plants which closed down just before Christmas…the teens who feel nobody will ever love him… the junior high student who really does study, but fails the test and feels stupid… the hard-working executive who keeps getting passed over… the farmer whose fields were flattened by hail when his neighbors came through just fine… For almost all of us there are the moments when we look to heaven and ask, “Lord, why me? What have I done to deserve this?” These are questions which have an answer. These things come your way because you are a sinner living in a sinful world. Understand, it’s not that you commit sin “A” and directly receive punishment “B”. It doesn't work that way. Sinful people have sad and sorrowful things happen to them. Which is why you need a Savior. Jesus is humanity’s Hope. He is our only hope. Do you want out of this veil of tears? Look to Jesus. Do you need forgiveness (and who doesn't) Jesus is the answer. Look to Jesus. See the sinless Savior who suffered so you wouldn’t have to. See Him being rejected by His own nation, religious leaders and government, so you would be accepted into heaven. See Him live in poverty so you could be rich eternally. See Him die so you might live. He is the answer to the question: does God love me? Absolutely. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are times that circumstances and situations can weigh us down. At such times we often wonder if we are all alone. The manger, the cross and the empty tomb are our assurances that we will never be alone. The risen Redeemer has forgiven our sins and is with us even in the worst of times. In His Name we pray. Amen. The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Are You Loved?
DATE: January 29, 2019 TEXT: John 9: 1-3 – ESV - As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him The question I put to you is this: “Does God love you? Indeed, does God even like you? It probably shouldn’t take you a long time to share your answer; after all, it isn’t a trick question. Does God love you? Does God wish to bless you or does He have it in for you? It’s not an entirely foolish question. In World War I, there was a British officer by the name of Major Summerford. In February of 1918, as he was crossing a Flanders’ bridge, a flash of lightning knocked him off his horse. The horse was instantly killed. Summerford was spared, although he was paralyzed from the waist down. If you had been Summerford would you say God loved you? I mean, after all, you hadn’t been killed like your horse…or would you say the Lord didn’t love you because you had been hit by lightning and were partially paralyzed? Summerford’s story continues. The officer’s disability caused him to be released from service and he retired to Canada’s Vancouver Island. One day, 1924 was the year, as a partially rehabilitated Summerford was fishing from the banks of a river, lightning hit the tree under which he was sitting. The tree was shattered by the bolt. And Summerford… Summerford’s right side was paralyzed. Now, would that second lightning strike make you wonder if God loves you? It took almost two years of therapy before the-human-lightning rod, Major Summerford was strong enough, mobile enough to take regular strolls through the neighborhood parks. Summerford was taking such a constitutional when, on a summer’s day in 1930, another lightning bolt found him. He was paralyzed until the day he died two years later. If you had been Summerford during those days, how would you have answered a reporter who asked, “After three shots of lightning, do you think God loves you?” What would you have said? Now I really ought to leave the story of Major Sommerford, but I simply have to tell you the rest. Four years after Summerford’s burial a great storm rolled over the town… lightning was everywhere. Not even their cemeteries had been spared. Indeed. One memorial stone had been struck and destroyed. I don’t need to tell you it belonged to Major Summerford. Now I have to be honest, I don’t know if the story of Major Summerford is true or not. My research has brought forth people who are willing to argue for and against his reality. I can tell you almost every person I know, sooner or later, has felt like a Summerford. They have felt the Lord has no use for them… and maybe even has it in for them. If you have ever felt that way, may I point to the nameless blind man who was healed by the Savior. Now there was a man who could easily have felt abandoned by the Lord. But that was not the case. God used the man’s blindness to show God’s love, not His displeasure, with this man. Now it is true the Lord has turned His back on Someone in history. But it happened only once when Jesus was left alone on the cross, carrying our sins, dying to rescue us. And now, we who have seen the depth of Gods love, rejoice in the risen Redeemer Whose life, suffering, death and resurrection answers the question once and for all: Yes, God loves you. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord for my doubts, I repent; for Your love I rejoice. In the Name of the Savior I pray. Amen. The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Dying and Living
DATE: January 28, 2019 TEXT: Philippians 2:6-8 ESV - Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Back when I was in the congregation, I used to do a children’s sermon. A children’s sermon is a short message designed to teach the children the Sunday’s message on a level which they can understand. It was great fun because you almost never knew what the children were going to do or say. I say “almost never” because there was one question which they always answered the same way. When I said to them, “What did Jesus do for you?”, without hesitation they always answered, “Jesus died for me.” It was a wonderful answer, a blessed answer, a Spirit-given answer. There is nothing wrong with that answer. It might be the very answer you would give. But you should know the Evangelists report Jesus did more than die for humanity. When I ask, “What did Jesus do for you?”, you might also want to add, “Jesus said ‘no’ to temptation for me.” You can say that, because it’s true. You see, Jesus also lived for you. And that living for you included being tempted by the devil. Most certainly you remember the most famous of Jesus’ temptation-days, don’t you? But the day Jesus resisted Satan’s three-fold temptations was not one-of-a-kind. Every day for the rest of His life, Jesus said, “No” to temptations. When the devil offered Him something good if Jesus would only do something bad, our Redeemer said, ”No.” Jesus lived for you and every time, at every opportunity, without exception, He said, “No” to the temptation of the devil, of the world.
But Jesus did say, ‘no.’
Jesus always did what was right so His heavenly Father might do something which was unbelievably, unexpectedly, undeservedly wonderful.’ From cradle to cross and every day in between, Jesus did what was right, what was necessary, so you could be forgiven. Jesus did what we couldn’t so we might be saved. Did Jesus die for you? He did. But He also lived for you. Which is why we do the same for Him. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I stumble and fall. I have weaknesses and shortcomings. I commit sins and transgressions. All of these things Jesus was never allowed to do. For His perfection which saves me I offer thanks and praise. In His Name I rejoice. Amen. The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: All Of It
DATE: January 27, 2019 TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – ESV - Finally, then, brothers,[a] we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. Some time ago I read an anecdote told about the chief accountant of one of the wealthiest men who ever lived: John D. Rockefeller, Sr. Now if you have never heard, Mr. Rockefeller was a very smart, very shrewd, incredibly ruthless individual. He, along with his wealth, proved to be most fascinating for the press and the newsreels of his day. You can get some idea of his attitude toward money and stuff from a little anecdote which is supposed to have come from one such interview. The reporter began by asking, “Mr. Rockefeller, you’ve got a great deal of money. Can you tell me, just how much money is enough?” John D is said to have replied: "That’s easy. It’s just a little bit more than you have." Well, the time eventually came when Mr. Rockefeller left this veil of tears. As his vast estate was being distributed, another reporter had a question for the estate’s chief accountant. He asked, "The world knows John D. was an immensely wealthy man. What everyone really wants to know is: “Just how much money did he leave behind?’” Without a moment’s hesitation, the accountant answered, “All of it!" Amazing! That’s exactly the same amount that I am going to leave behind when I move on. It’s the same amount you are going to leave behind, too. We go, the stuff remains. That is a truth which cannot be denied. Which is why Jesus wants you to know having money and stuff is OK as long as it doesn’t displace God from your heart. That’s right, there’s nothing wrong with stuff. But don’t, not for a moment, think that being rich in money and stuff can be a suitable substitute for being rich in your relationship with the Savior. Don’t trick yourself into believing that all the stuff you have collected here will be with you in heaven or hell. Money, my friends, is not the root of all evil. Love of money, love of stuff, love of anything which displaces God, which overshadows the Savior; which overpowers His grace; which overrides His plans and His life-giving intentions for you, is the root, trunk, branches and leaves of all evil. If you doubt me, read the Scripture, look at your neighbors, watch tonight’s evening news. Take a close look at the rich, the powerful, the famous and ask, “Do these who own everything this world can offer, seem to be permanently, completely happy? Do their children seem stable and secure?” Understand, I am not even asking whether the rich and famous have found anything more valuable for eternity… I’m asking about the right here and the right now. Which is why we give thanks the Holy Spirit has called us away from the sinful folly of following money, stuff, anything which says it can substitute, supplant and supersede the Savior; from any lifestyle which says God is content with our leftovers. We give thanks the Holy Spirit has taken us to Bethlehem’s hay-strewn manger, Calvary’s bloodied cross and the Savior’s open grave. There we have been given a faith that believes on God’s Son Who took our place under the law so we might have a place in heaven; Who resisted Satan’s temptations so we might be given Divine redemption; Who died so we might live; Who lives so we might never die. He deserves our best, our first fruits of thanks… never the leftovers. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Jesus came to earth and gave His all for my salvation. May His praise always be first in my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Do Good, Get Good
DATE: January 26, 2019 TEXT: Hebrews 13:16 – ESV - 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. It should have been a simple day, a day like any other for James Smith and the three inmates on the roadside cleanup crew he was supervising. The three were serving time at the prison in Bladen County, North Carolina. They were involved in a program which allowed them to put in community service hours and have their jail time reduced. It should have been a simple day; indeed it was a regular day until James began to stumble. Eventually he fell into a ditch. The three inmates under his supervision didn’t immediately know the seriousness of his condition. They ran to his side and quickly found… James didn’t have the ability to answer any questions which were put before him. It should have been a simple day, but for the three inmates, things had suddenly become complicated. On the one hand, they could take the weapon of their supervisor and hit the road. It they had any kind of luck at all they would be able to put considerable mileage between their overseer and themselves before anyone noticed they were gone. Or… they could do the right thing… you know, “The Golden Rule”, the “Good Samaritan” thing. The fact ‘that I’m writing about these three men gives you a pretty good clue as to what they did. Yes, it’s true, the inmates stayed…and in short order:
As their guard was still in the hospital recovering, the three inmates received the Sheriff Department’s Life-Saving Award. As part of the presentation, the Sheriff, Jim McViker, said, “It goes to show, if you treat people right, they’ll return the favor and treat you right, and that’s exactly what [these men] have done here.” Now, before I go any further in this Devo I need to tell you, I agree with the Sheriff, and I’m very glad these inmates did the right thing; I am glad they got their Guard to safety… and I’m glad that their good-deed-doing may well show up again, you know, after they have been released and are on the streets looking for a job and trying to fit in with society. But, you need to know, Sheriff McViker was wrong. People don’t always return what they have received. As proof of what I’m saying, I hold out the Savior.. He was born in Bethlehem to save the world, but Herod tried to kill Him. He healed people of their diseases and restored a few back to life. He taught people what it really means to have faith and He called people away from going-through-the-motions religion. But that’s not all. He fed their bodies and their souls. He pointed people to a different way of living, and a blessed hope after they died. It was all good…and for Jesus goodness He was beaten whipped, struck, crowned with thorns, nailed to a coss and murdered. Jesus gave His best, His all and humankind murdered Him. No, we humans don’t always do the right thing… thankfully the risen, ever-living Savor continues to love; continues to show His grace and continues to call and save once lost and sinful souls. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I give thanks that the forces of evil could not stop You from completing the Father’s plan to save sinners. May I do all I can to avoid sin and invite others to see the Savior in Whose Name I pray. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by The GoodNewsNetwork on January 5, 2019 . Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/instead-of-running-these-inmates-rush-to-aid-their-supervisor-who-collapsed-from-stroke-along-a-roadside/#.XDTk5NfAXlM.email The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: A Rare Value
DATE: January 25, 2019 TEXT: Is 53: 2b-3 – ESV - he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected[b] by men, a man of sorrows[c] and acquainted with[d] grief;[ and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. The Federal Government has been known to make mistakes. Yes, it’s true. You may not want to believe that about Uncle Sam, but he has, upon occasion, messed up. And some of those mistakes have been, how can I say it without seeming to be judgmental… ah, how about this: … some of those mistakes have been beauties, both costly and foolish. But this devo speaks of a mistake which was neither costly or foolish. Indeed, since it involves a penny, it is as cheap a mistake as the Feds are ever likely to make. Here’s the story. It was World War II and copper, the stuff of pennies, was being used to make shell casings and telephone wire and other important necessities of war. That’s why, in 1943, the government decided to mint all pennies out of iron, not copper. And they did just that. The Government minted millions upon millions of those iron pennies. That came off without a hitch. The problem was, down deep in their stamping machines, a few copper penny blanks were hiding out. During the minting process, those copper blanks became copper pennies. And the mint didn’t catch the mistake. So there you have it… millions of iron pennies and, maybe, 20 copper pennies were minted with that 1943 date. Over the years a few of those copper pennies have surfaced… Including one found by a Massachusetts teen-age boy when he paid for his school lunch. The enterprising lad tried to trade his penny to Henry Ford for a new car. That didn’t work. He contacted the U.S. Mint to see if they wanted to buy the coin. The Treasury department said, :Coin? What coin?” Even today they insist no such coin has ever been struck. Well, the coin had been struck, and now that the teen-aged owner has grown old and died. His coin, the most famous coin ever accidentally minted in the US, is going to be auctioned off. Best guess: that penny is going to be sold for $1.7 million dollars. After reading that story, I simply had to check the pennies in my pocket. Nope, nothing valuable here. Then I checked my change jar. Nothing there, either. Then I considered checking our 5-gallon jug which has a ton of pennies.(I may do that later.) The truth is, I may have had one of those 1943 copper pennies… but I never knew it nor did I know how valuable it was. Less than five have been found… that means 15 may still be out there… just waiting to make some observing soul pretty rich. But most of us aren’t observing souls. Indeed, most of us, seeing a penny on the ground don’t stop and bend over to pick it up. Why? The effort isn’t worth it…not for a penny… Which is the way a great many people have felt about Jesus. He is the Saver of lost souls; the Bringer of forgiveness; the Friend of the lonely; the Conqueror of death and Strength for those who are weak. And, unlike that penny, He is absolutely unique, a One-of-a-kind. He makes those who count Him as Redeemer rich beyond relief… and those who choose to ignore Him; sadly, they remain unnecessarily spiritually poor forever. Which leads me to say, “If you do see Jesus as your Redeemer, value Him.” THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me see and appreciate the value of Jesus Who has saved me from my sins. In His Name I ask it. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Stephanie Valera for Geek.com on January 8, 2019 . Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.geek.com/culture/rare-penny-found-in-boys-lunch-money-could-fetch-up-to-1-7-million-in-auction-1768904/ The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: What is “X”?
DATE: January 24, 2019 TEXT: Isaiah 5: 20-21 – ESV - Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! When I first heard the story told by Abraham Lincoln, it was about a dog. In doing some investigation for this devotion, I found out the story Lincoln told revolved around a calf… not a dog. So, coming down through the corridors of history, here is the story the way Abe told it: The boy was asked, “If we call your calf’s tail, a leg… how many legs will your calf have? Knowing his math, the boy almost instantly replied, ”Sir, in that case, my calf would have five legs.” To which he received the reply: “That is incorrect. The calf would still have four legs. Calling a tail a leg does not make it so.” There is little doubt that the OT prophet Isaiah would have understood Abe’s point. Isaiah clearly saw a time when people would get mighty confused… a time when good would be evil and evil would be praised. The Apostle Paul also had understanding into the mind of sinful humankind. In the first chapter of his book to the church in Rome, Paul said, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools… (ESV vs, 21-22) And if you are wondering, “What’s got Paul all worked up?”, I’m obliged to tell you. I think Paul got a prophetic insight into a tweet which came out of the office of the Mayor of New York. It reads, “To all trans and non-binary New Yorkers: We see you, hear you, and respect you. Starting in 2019, all New Yorkers will be able to change their gender on their birth certificate to M, F or X – without a doctor’s note.” Yup, you can be whatever you want to be… including “X.” And to accomplish this miracle of legality, you don’t need a parent’s letter; you don’t need a Physician’s explanation; you don’t need to check things out with your spouse. In the language of Larry, the Cable Guy, “All you got to do is ‘get ‘er done.” Larry would be joined by Abraham the President, Isaiah the Prophet and Paul the Apostle, who would agree saying, “Calling a calf’s tail, ‘a leg’ doesn’t make it so.” And if all the Mayors of all our cities; and all the Governors of all our states use up the paper from forests of trees to write legislation backing up their opinions… they will still be wrong. AND, They will be countered by the simple truth of Scripture. In those pages we meet the Triune God Who speaks the truth rather than trying to do an end run around it. In Scripture, God’s truth says, humankind is lost and condemned. BUT, the Lord, in His love for damned humanity has decided He will provide a path out of hell for those who, having acknowledged their disobedience to their Creator, follow His Son. With Holy Spirit given faith in Jesus Who has taken our place under the law, resisted Satan’s temptations and defeated death so we can be saved. THE PRAYER: Lord, I have to confess that things are getting just a little bit weird down here. Rather than being confused by the foolishness of man, help me rely on what You have decided is right and best. Forgive my sins, strengthen my faith, and allow me to see clearly the difference between Your right and man’s wrong. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Peter Heck for Illinois Family Action. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2019/01/what-can-a-christian-do-when-up-is-down-right-is-wrong-regressive-is-progressive-boy-is-girl/ The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Helping Out
DATE: January 23, 2019 TEXT: Ephesians 2:8-9 - (ESV) - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. I do not have an I-phone; nor do I have an I-pad, or an “I” anything else. I suppose it’s because I enjoy working with products from American companies like Samsung. On the other hand, I certainly can understand why some folks love their “I-stuff.” “What kind of folks?”, do I hear you ask. Well, folks like 20-year-old Amanda Antonio. On New Year’s Day Amanda was driving in Tampa, Fl. when she was cut off by another driver. She careened off Interstate 4 and ended up, trapped and upside down, and sinking in a water-filled ditch Amanda confesses she ‘began to panic.’ Then she realized she only had so much time to do something positive. She reached for her phone, but her phone couldn’t’ be located. Quickly she used her Apple watch to find her Apple phone which was now underwater. She tried making a call. It was a “no-go.” Amanda rubbed the excess moisture off on the car’s upholstery and her Apple Phone sprang into life. First she got her exact location from Google maps and. second, she called 911. The conversation was a desperate one. Amanda reported, "There's water coming in the car and I can't get out. I'm freezing." She added the water was up to her chest and soon afterward, it had reached up to her neck. Just about the time she confessed she was going to be holding her breath, her vehicle was spotted by Deputy Ryan Cooper. Later on, during a television interview, she thanked Ryan and her other rescuers for being so prompt….. Politely they thanked her for the kind words, AND then they turned around and said, “Amanda absolutely saved her own life that night.” Well, I’m certainly not going to argue with the Deputy’s assessment of the situation. On the other hand, Amanda wouldn’t have gotten very far if it hadn’t been for her trusty I phone and she’d still be holding her breath if it hadn’t been for Officer Cooper. The physical saving of Amanda was sort of a group effort. Most certainly, that is not the way it is when it comes to any person’s spiritual rescue from the evil big-three: sin, death and devil. No person can contribute anything to his own rescue, since, speaking honestly, each of us is already spiritually dead and stone cold. All of which means if anyone is being rescued from the damnation resulting from sin, it is because the Triune God has made it be so. Consider:
PRAYER: Dear Lord, it seems about the only thing we can do for ourselves is get into deeper trouble. Grant that we may see the danger of sin and avoid it. This I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Luike Roney for Newser on January 5, 2019. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: http://www.newser.com/story/269448/apple-watch-iphone-and-google-maps-aid-in-womans-rescue.html?utm_source=share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=def The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: An Unmade Call
DATE: January 22, 2019 TEXT: Psalm 32:1 ESV - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Some people have asked what I thought about Sunday’s football game for the NFC Championship last Sunday. I told them that:
That’s when my friends sort of put their heads down and with a very quiet voice confessed, they really didn’t want my opinion on the game as much as they wanted it on the referees. After a bit of prodding they narrowed it down and said they wanted my thoughts on one call which was not made in the fourth quarter. Yup, you heard that right. They wanted my opinion about a call which wasn’t made. In as simple a way as I can, let me explain what happened… or what didn’t happen at the game. The score was tied with 1:45 left to play. The Saints had the ball in the Rams territory. A pass was thrown but the Saints receiver was hit long before the pass ever got to him… That is called “pass interference.” Pass interference is a bad thing which carries a big penalty. But there was more. The Saints receiver was clobbered in his helmet by the helmet of the fellow from the Rams’ team. Which is also a really big penalty. If either penalty had been called the Saints, would probably have been Superbowl bound. But neither call was made and the Rams won the game in overtime. Yes, the Rams won the game because, and I am not questioning the integrity or honesty of anyone here, it appears the referees turned “a blind eye” to some pretty blatant fouls. Generally speaking turning a blind eye to something is not a good thing. On Sunday that was certainly the case as…
As the all-knowing, all-seeing Triune God He is aware of every sin we will ever commit. But because of the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus; because of the faith which has been placed within us by the Holy Spirit, our sins which were like scarlet, shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18) Because of this change, as 2 Corinthians 5:19a says, “ in Christ God reconciled the world to himself and did not count our trespasses against us.” THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that You have provided a means by which I can be forgiven and saved. Now I may forgive others as You have forgiven me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Alexandria Hein for Fox News on January 21, 2019. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.foxnews.com/health/louisiana-eye-doctor-offers-free-exams-for-nfl-refs-after-saints-crushing-loss The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Christ and Christians
DATE: January 21, 2019 TEXT: Matthew 5:16 - (ESV) - 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Recently I received a letter from a man criticizing Christians, especially the TV evangelist Christians. He said he had watched a TV preacher say the Lord would give him whatever he wanted if he FIRST gave his ministry a seed offering. And the man asked, ““Why do I have to bribe God “If God has the power to do something nice, why doesn’t He just do it?” He sat in irritated astonishment as various preachers hawked their special soap, special oils, special water, special prayer cloths, special incense, special dirt taken from Jerusalem and he thought, “This sounds like an 1800’s snake-oil salesman.” Folks I’ll tell you what I’ve got here. I’ve got an elixir, healing balm, a balsam which will treat every pain, subdue every problem. Taken regularly it will drive away your ills and make the sun shine. It has been given to the crowned heads of Europe and distributed to the masses by the fakirs of India. It is useful for men, for women, for children and pets. This miraculous distillate will remove corns, warts, bunions and boils. It will amaze, uplift, perfect and purify all which is wrong and prevent much of what might go wrong.” Yes, I can understand why he felt Jesus and His church have nothing to offer. In his letter he said, “He’d run into Christians who were as mean, as nasty, as gossipy, as nosy, as foolish, as wrong as any unbeliever he’d ever met. Now I wish I could argue with him, but I couldn’t. What I can say is this: “Yes, you may have met some nasty Christians. I’m not surprised: Christians are sinners. As long as we live in this world, we will remain sinners with all the shortcomings and failings sin brings with it. Still, there are many believers who try to witness to the Holy Spirit’s transforming power in their lives. Yes, Christians can be disappointing. They can be blah, bland and boring, but Jesus is not. It is a great mistake to look at a pastor in a pulpit or the people in the pews and think they are cut from the same bolt of cloth as is the Christ. The best, the very best, the one-in-ten-million best of us is a fourth-rate, pale, poorly made imitation of the Lord Jesus Who lived His life so you might be forgiven and saved. On our best days we can be phonies, fakes and frauds, but Jesus is real. So is the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit Who transformed the disciples from cowards to courageous, committed Christians; Who saved their souls from sin and Satan, wishes to do the same for this present world. The same Holy Spirit Who gave birth to the church in this world, wishes to give birth to faith in every human heart. The same Holy Spirit Who comforts believers in their loss; Who removes the fear of death from their lives; Who gives hope for each day and peace for each night, wishes to do the same for every sinner in the world. Still unsure? I can understand. But even if you are unsure of everything else in this world, you can be sure of the love of Jesus. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let the world’s unbelievers look past our flaws, foibles and fallings and see the Savior Who rescues and transforms sinners. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by . Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: You Don’t Belong Here
DATE: January 20, 2019 TEXT: James 4:7 (ESV) -7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. And John 10:10 – “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus)came that they may have life and have it abundantly. It could happen. Not that it would happen a lot… but it could happen. I’m referring to a case of mistaken identity. The story begins in Waterboro, Maine when a man came home and found a surprised stranger sitting in his home. Actually the man had done more than “sit” around the house. He had made himself at home… eating food out of the refrigerator; taking a shower; even borrowing some of the man’s clothes. Now the supposedly surprised guest, his name is Derek Tarbox, apologized. He confessed he thought he was at his friend’s home. He apologized for the inconvenience, and then he asked the homeowner to take him to his friend’s home. The homeowner agreed and dropped Derek off. It was only when the homeowner returned that he saw
The homeowner called the police and found out that Derek had stolen two cars that day and crashed the second one in the woods. He had walked to the home and concocted his great lie…and then he had the backbone to ask the unsuspecting homeowner to drive him to the home of some relatives. When Mr. Tarbox was arrested he was still wearing the clothes he had borrowed Now you have to stand n awe of the bravado, the impudence, the audacity of Mr. Tarbox. As near as I can tell he had no problem inserting himself into just about any situation or any place. Just like the devil. Did you ever notice that when the devil approaches Eve in the Garden of Eden, He doesn’t seem at all embarrassed or out of place? He doesn't approach Eve and say, “Excuse me, ma’am, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a little matter I’d like to talk over with you.” Nope, he just jumps in as if he owns the joint… as if he belongs. And that’s the point. He doesn't own the place and he doesn’t belong. Like Mr. Tarbox, he s a thief and as Jesus says in John 10:10 – “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. So, what shall we do when the devil, or Mr. Tarbox shows up? James 4 gives us the answer. We resist him. We say this is Jesus Christ territory. We tell him, he doesn't’ belong here. Just think of what this world would be like if Eve had done the to the snake. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us recognize Your voice and follow You. This we ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written for FindLaw by Lisa M. Schaffer, Esq. on December 27, 2018 Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://blogs.findlaw.com/legally_weird/2018/12/homeowner-tricked-into-giving-burglar-a-car-ride.html#more The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Politically Incorrect,
DATE: January 19, 2019 TEXT: Acts 4: 11-12 – ESV – This Jesus[a] is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.[b] 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.” Of all the statements in the Bible which today are considered to be politically incorrect, the disciples’ words must be ranked close to the top. This is what they said: “Salvation is only found in Jesus; there is no Name other than His which saves. “ To our age which takes inordinate pride in its open-mindedness, these exclusive statements are unbearable, unacceptable and insupportable. The confession of faith made by Peter and John is more offensive to today’s unbelieving ear than they were when they first were spoken. Jesus alone can save. Modern man may concede there is the possibility of a ‘supreme being’ out there, somewhere, but for any religion to say it has a complete lock on understanding and interpreting that Being seems obnoxious and abhorrent.” “Nobody”, they maintain, “can claim to have a monopoly on god. No religion can say it is in exclusive possession of truth.” Open-minded, modern man feels he has been given a moral responsibility, a personal directive, a driven imperative to rescue Christians from their deluded, intolerant way of thinking. With an enthusiasm and a level of commitment which might be commendable in any other endeavor, these folks are dedicated to bringing darkness where Jesus has brought light; confusion where Jesus has bestowed certainty and a great, grey unknown to the Lord’s bright knowledge of salvation.
2,000 years ago the religious leaders at the time of Jesus’ resurrection desired to push the living Lord Jesus back into His tomb. They were not the last and they are not alone in wishing to shut down the Savior and reseal His grave. Today the world is trying to create a world without Jesus. Tell me what this world will look like if they succeed? Will children act with greater civility, morality and integrity? Without Christ will husbands love their wives more deeply and will wives find greater security? Tell me… what will this world look like after Christ has been removed? If the world doesn't have a real answer to those questions, and they don’t, let me ask one more… Suppose Peter and John were right; suppose the risen and living Lord Jesus IS the only Person Who can save; His blood the only way to forgiveness, His empty tomb the only sure hope of joyful eternity? If Peter and John were right, what then?” If they are right, and they are, then we need to hold fast to the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. End of Reading THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may be faithful to the Savior Who remained faithful to the work of saving me. Grant me the ability to point people unerringly to the Redeemer and the forgiveness which He brings. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Shocked and Surprised
DATE: January 18, 2019 TEXT: Ephesians 2: -19 ESV - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. When you are in a position of authority, there are jobs which you look forward to doing and other jobs which you hope will never come your way. I have to believe a recent letter from Monsignor Michael Meyers to parents of students at Saint James Catholic School in Torrance, California, fit into the second category. In part, this is what he wrote: "I want to assure you that the investigation has disclosed that, notwithstanding this misappropriation, no student or program at St. James has suffered any loss of educational resources, opportunities, or innovations,….In sum, the education of your children has not and will not be affected by these events." Of course you may not know what events Monsignor Meyers was referring to. Let me bring you up to speed. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper spent 29-years as the Principal of St. James school. Sister Lana Chang had been an 8th grade teacher for two decades and the school’s Assistant Principal for the last few years. Both retired at the end of the 2018 school year and their books of the school were checked as standard operating procedure. What they found was over the years the Sisters had siphoned off at least $500,000…. TO FINANCE THEIR GAMBLING TRIPS TO Las Vegas. Yes, that’s half-a-million dollars. In his letter, Monsignor Meyers added, “They and their Order pray that you have not lost trust or faith in the educators and administrators of the school.” Well, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I have lost some faith here. Here’s why. I was raised in an Irish-Catholic neighborhood and there was a nunnery across the street from us. It was normal to see the Sisters walking down our block and we were always taught to be respectful in our greeting. In their black-and-white habits they seemed to be very special. And these two high-rolling sisters have made the sisterhood seem not so special. Having pointed that accusing finger at some good, albeit sinful, Christians, I wonder how many times my language, my lifestyle, my habits have upset others? I wonder how many times others have taken a look at me and said, “So, is that really the way the followers of Jesus are to behave? Is that what it means to have your sins forgiven?” All of which means I am going to have to try harder to show how the sacrifice of the Savior creates a new heart and an individual ready to produce good works. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for the many times I have been less than a sterling follower of the Savior my deepest regret and apology. Now I pray You will grant me the ability to offer a positive witness to Him Who has saved me with His lifeblood as the price. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by . Christopher Coble, Esq. on December 11, 2018 for Find Law. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://blogs.findlaw.com/legally_weird/2018/12/2-nuns-funnel-500000-from-catholic-school-to-fund-vegas-gambling-vacations.html#more The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: One Of A Kind
DATE: January 17, 2019 TEXT: Revelation 1: 4-7 – ESV - John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the sevenfold Spirita before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. Jesus is the Christ. He is not a Christ; he is not one of many Christs, He is One-of-a-kind and is the only Name which can save. If I were to ask you who was the greatest President some of you would say ‘George Washington.’ No doubt about it, Washington, would be a great choice. But you would still have to admit there are other choices which could be put forth quite logically. There is no agreement when it comes to the topic of who is the world’s greatest President. If I were to ask historians who was been the world’s greatest general, I would get many answers. No doubt Alexander the Great would be listed near the top. But I wonder, would Napoleon be able to beat him out? How about Caesar, or Rommel, or Patton?
In answer to that question One Name, and only one Name, the Name Jesus Christ is brought up for consideration. Who will challenge Him? Go to any religion and ask, “Do you have someone in your faith who can save you from your sin?” Mohammed made no such claim, neither did the Buddha. Jesus is one-of-a-kind. Jesus is the one-of-a-kind Fulfiller of ancient prophecies; He is one-of-a-kind in His resurrection from the dead. He is the one-of-a-kind Conqueror of sin; He is the one-of-a-kind defeater of death. Having seen what Jesus had done, Peter was unafraid to tell the world, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 12) John did not hesitate to say it was Jesus Who loves us and has redeemed us through the shedding of His blood. AND if you don’t believe John now, you canmost certainly believe the day is coming when the One-of-a-kind Savior will return and you will see for yourself. On that day you wall know Jesus the One-of-a-kind Redeemer AND Judge.. There you have it, Daily Devotioneers. Either Jesus is Who He says He is or He must be a Fake, a Fraud, a Phony, a Liar. There can be no middle ground. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world would prefer to believe there are many different roads to heaven. They may believe as they wish, but I know that there is salvation in no one else other than Jesus. He is One-of-a-kind in what He has done to save me. May I worship and praise and thank and serve Him. In His Name I pray. Amen The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Crime and Punishment
DATE: January 16, 2019 TEXT: Ezekiel 18: 30-32 ESV - 30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.[d] 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” Years ago, I heard of a warden who was responsible for restoring order at a State Penitentiary which had been taken over by the inmates. One of the punishments he used was one which was tried-and-true. That punishment was putting the bad guys in solitary and feeding them bread and water. The problem was, the inmates started bragging about their days of punishment to show just how tough they were. You can almost hear them, “Two weeks on bread and water? That’s child’s play. I did four weeks on seeded-rye bread and water. Now that’s punishment!” Well, that new warden ended all that bragging, by giving a punishment which matched a crime. If the felons wished to behave like little children, he would treat them that way. From that time on, misbehavior would be marked by time in the solitary and a diet of canned baby food. It didn’t take too long for the bragging to stop. Now the reason I remembered all that was because of the punishment a judge recently gave to David Berry Junior. Now if that name is unfamiliar to you let me enlighten. David Berry is part of a gang of 14 poachers who have, in the last three years, killed hundreds of bucks in eleven counties in Missouri. This they did for the deer heads of trophy bucks. The hides and meat were left to rot. Now Berry Jr. has been sentenced to one year in jail for his part in the family-gang of poachers. That part of the sentence was expected… what came next, was not. The Judge also ordered Barry Junior to watch the movie Bambi… once a month for entire year of his incarceration. It was a decision the reporter applauded… just before he suggested: that Berry Junior also be fed venison three times a day for his entire year in the clink. Now all this got me wondering,,, :Do you think the Lord does the same thing for us and our sins? If He does, what kind of punishment will He award to those who are guilty of taking His Name in vain or theft, or adultery or not remembering the Sabbath Day? And if He does give us punishments which match the crime, do the angels in heaven get a kick out of watching us go through some really silly penalties? After doing some reading in Ezekiiel 18, I found an answer to my questions. That there is punishment for our sin is a given. That the Lord knows and is aware of that punishment is also taken for granted. But here is where it gets interesting…. The Lord is far more interested in the Holy Spirit turning you away from your sin and living a life which honors the Savior and shows to the world what a change Jesus can make in the heart of a sinner. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord I commit many sins, all of which are deserving of punishment. Truly I rejoice that I have a Savior Whose great and gracious sacrifice has forgiven those sins so I might be welcomed into paradise. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Lisa M. Schaffer, Esq. on December 18, 2018 for Find Law. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://blogs.findlaw.com/legally_weird/2018/12/deer-poacher-ordered-to-watch-bambi-12-times.html#more The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Big Gifts
DATE: January 15, 2019 TEXT: Luke 6:32-33 -ESV - “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. Washington State Social Worker, Alan Naiman, died of cancer last year at the age of 63. Just a few of the facts you might want to know about Alan would be Alan had never married, nor had he ever had a child of his own. He was a good worker, sometimes laboring at three jobs at a time. He saved the money he earned, as well as the money he inherited. In order to save that money Alan was incredibly… and the next word you would use would be determined by how you felt about him… If you liked Alan, you would say, “Alan was incredibly thrifty.” If you didn’t like Alan, you would say “Alan was really, really, cheap.” Then you would add,
No matter how you felt about Alan, you had to be impressed by the fact that when he died he left a fortune of over $11 million dollars. Now here is where I think things got interesting. Although Alan had never had children of his own, he loved kids… especially those who “fell through the cracks” of society’s caring programs. Having lived his entire life with a brother who was developmentally disabled, Naiman wanted to assist those children to whom life had been most unfair. That’s why Alan left:
To sum up the benevolent giving of Alan, I find myself looking at the passage above. Alan didn’t give to those who could give back to him… or those who would love him. He gave after he had passed away, and he offered his gifts to needy people who never knew him. You know, unless I miss my guess, that is the kind of follower Jesus is looking for. He wants His elect to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned and in general be ‘good Samaritans’ to the entire world. And just why would we do this?”, we wonder? We do it because He asked us, too. We do it to follow His example. We love because He first loved us. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, our Savior came into this world and through His life did all which was necessary for me to receive His gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. For this I give thanks and ask the ability to reflect His love into the lives of others Who are as of this moment, lost. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by .the Newser editors for Newser on December 28, 2018 Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: http://www.newser.com/story/269195/social-worker-patched-shoes-with-duct-tape-left-11m.html The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Thanks Always
DATE: January 14, 2019 TEXT: Psalm 106:1 – ESV - Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Now thank we all our God.
Seriously.
But a 30-Years-War was not the only cross Martin Rinkart had to carry.
In spite of this, in spite of all he had suffered; in spite of his pain and loss, Martin Rinkart managed to write these words: 1. Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who from our mother's arms Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. Now thank we all our God. Do you understand, Rinkart wasn’t thanking God FOR a 30-Years-War; he was giving thanks for a God who took people through that war. Rinkart wasn’t thanking God FOR a plague which wiped out and ripped apart families; he was giving thanks for a Savior Who would take all who believed on Him to a place where every plague and each pestilence has been eradicated. I’m sure, when Rinkart did funeral 3,999, that worn out old pastor must have wondered if there would ever be an end to the sufferings. Then, as one of Christ’s redeemed, he would have remembered, and relied upon the promise of Revelation (21:4) where it says Jesus “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I do not know what will come my way in this New Year. Grant that I, in all circumstances, may give thanks to you for my Savior. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by . Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Changed
DATE: January 13, 2019 TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - (ESV) - 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Most of you have seen the movie Titanic. If you have not seen the blockbuster movie Titanic, then you most certainly will have seen some television specials about that sunken, unsinkable ship. In both the movie, and the specials, it’s pretty obvious no expense is spared telling the story of the ship and her passengers. In the movie the carpets matched those of the ship, the woodworkings and plates are all accurate. But the Director forgot to tell the spiritual side of the sinking. What? You never thought of the spiritual side of the sinking? I am not surprised. Nobody ever mentions the spiritual side. About the only story which ever gets told is that of the musicians on the deck playing, “Nearer My God To Thee.” But there is more. That “spiritual more” is told in the lists of the survivors. Let me tell you what I mean: You know that Scripture declares anyone who is in Jesus is a new person. The old is gone; the new has come. That was certainly the case with the folks on the Titanic. Consider, one after another, time after time, men, Christian men, motivated by the love which Jesus had shown them, looked at their wives and said, "I love you" and put them into a lifeboat. They were fully aware that they would never see them again. Not in this life. Paul’s words, “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself” were not just words. They were a mandate, a call to action. One after another, time after time, fathers, Christian men, motivated by the love of Jesus, patted their children's heads in blessing and with a prayer, placed them into a boat to be rescued. What does that mean in practical terms? It means this: on the Titanic, nine women were saved for every man. And without Jesus? In 1996, a boat carrying thousands of passengers sank off the shores of Indonesia. Like the Titanic, hundreds died. Like the Titanic, there were not enough lifeboats. But without faith in Christ, without this example of care and compassion, women and children were pushed aside so the men could be spared. Christ made a difference It is the kind of difference the kind of change which ought to be seen in every Christian. We who have seen the Savior allow Himself to be arrested tried, beaten lied about and condemned are changed at His display of heavenly grace. WE KNOW He has given this gift of Himself so we might be moved from damnation to salvation; from hell to heaven. And to those who are forgiven and believe, THOSE CHANGES ARE ENOUGH. They are everything. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks the Holy Spirit Who has called me to faith. May these faith-based changes in my life glorify, and point people to the Savior. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.; The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Praise Him
DATE: January 12, 2019 TEXT: Isaiah 52: 2b-4 – ESV - he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised, and we esteemed him not The average cashier’s salary at Wal-Mart is just a little Over $9.00 an hour. Remember that number; it will be important later on. John Lopez, Jr. is 19-years old and he is a cashier at the Wal-Mart in Princeton, Texas. The time of which I speak was right before Christmas and many of the Wal-Mart patrons were finishing their holyday shopping and laying in provisions that would allow them to produce feasts fit for a king. It goes without saying there were lines at all the checkout stands…including that of John Lopez, Jr. Then occurred an event which would make his line even longer. A woman at the front of the line had put all her grocery items on the belt to be scanned. As the last of them had crossed to the bagger, the register showed a total of $110.00. The lady knew she didn’t have that kind of cash, and she began to panic… in a very embarrassed, and loud, sort of way. What happened next was reported by Laci Simms, another shopper who was in that same line. Later on this is what she wrote about what she had seen:“I just witnessed this ‘kid’ pay for a cart of merchandise for a woman in obvious distress about her inability to pay. She was a few people ahead of us and when she had trouble paying her bill, he stepped in and told her if she’d wait, he would pay her total. Ya’ll, it was $110 dollars!” CALCULATION TIME: $110.00 BILL DIVIDED BY $10.00/HOUR = 11 HOURS OF WORK! Laci took John’s picture and posted it on Facebook. Along with the photo she wrote “If you have never had the pleasure of going through John’s checkout line at the Princeton Wal-Mart, please seek him out on your next visit. He is always singing, upbeat, courteous, joyful and efficient. He just renewed my faith in humanity and the generation we are raising! Everyone share this so the world knows what a blessing John is to our community!” Well, apparently a lot of people had been impressed with John in the past… and they added their comments. One of those folks who recognized John was so moved, he decided to give people the opportunity to thank John. He began a GoFundMe page in a desire to raise $1,000. Before the page was completed, it had raised $34,000.00. But things don’t always work out that way. People aren’t always thanked for the good they do. More than 2,000 years ago God’s Son entered this world to seek and save the lost. He worked with God’s people of the promise as He fulfilled the role of Messiah. He healed the sick; forgave repentant sinners; resurrected the dead, taught multitudes about God’s grace and fed thousands with a few loaves of bread and fish. Nobody took His picture; nobody sang of His glory on Facebook; nobody set up a GoFundMe page for Him. What they did do was call Him names; lie about Him;, whip Him, spit on Him, give Him some illegal trials and nail Him to a cross where He died carrying the sins of humankind. All this Jesus suffered so our debt, the debt we couldn’t pay on our own, would be de wiped out. All this He endured so we might be forgiven and saved. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may in the life I lead and the things I say, pointing to the Redeemer Who has offered Himself as my saving Substitute. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by McKinley Corbley for Good News Network on December 27, 2018. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/community-raises-30k-to-thank-19-year-old-walmart-cashier-in-texas/ The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: The Cure
DATE: January 11, 2019 TEXT: Mt 11: 2-6 (ESV) - 2Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepersa are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” The news article said that Jennie-O was recalling more than 164,000 pounds of ground turkey. Now Pamela and I usually buy our turkeys in the 18--to-24 lb. range. So, if my calculations are correct Jennie-O is recalling 8,200 of my Thanksgiving turkeys. I don’t know how many cubic feet would be taken up by 8,200 turkeys, but I know that I wouldn’t be able to get them all into my Buick. The news article said that Jennie-O was recalling more the 164,000 pounds of ground turkey because people were getting sick from salmonella poisoning. Now I didn’t know much about salmonella, so I looked that up, too. The internet said salmonella poisoning is really nasty but most people get well on their own, only a few have to be hospitalized and far fewer die from the illness. That agreed with the facts I had been told. But just how big is the salmonella bacteria? I looked that up too…. And I still don’t know. They gave me all kinds of information using symbols I never had seen before. The best I could do is say: the salmonella bacterium is v-e-r-y small and weighs v-e-r-y little. So, in summary, here’s what the article said: SOMETHING UNSEEABLE HAS CORRUPTED SOMETHING VERY BIG AND THE END RESULT IS PEOPLE ARE GETTING VERY SICK. Like sin. Think about it. Adam and Eve were living in the perfection of the Garden of Eden. The snake comes in and through him the devil conveys an encouragement to sin. It wasn’t a big sin as far as people measure sin nowadays. No one was murdered; nobody had their nest egg stolen; nobody was tricked. The first sin was one bite by Eve; one bite by Adam. But what a change those nibbles introduced into the world. Indeed, the entire universe was sickened. Sorrow, sadness sickness; pain, problems, pestilence, plague and death. That which had once been very good, no longer was. Like the salmonella bacteria, sin had made a change for the worse. The greatest difference between salmonella and sin is people usually get better from their bouts with salmonella. That is not the situation with sin. Scripture is clear: the wages of sin is death; it is plain when it relates the soul which sins will die; the wages of sin is death; there is not a just man on the earth who always does good and never sins. No sin has corrupted this planet and us as well. Which is why we need a Savior. We need a Savior Who is powerful enough to defeat death with a call and send Satan back to his home turf. We need a Savior, Who can put things right. Which is why we need Jesus. Thank God we have Him, ‘ THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for a Savior Who has done all which was necessary to conquer my sins and give me salvation May others soon know of what He has done to save them from their transgressions. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by .the AP for MPR on editors for Newser on December 23, 2018 Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/12/23/jennieo-recalls-more-than-164000-pounds-of-ground-turkey The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Bad Debts
DATE: January 10, 2019 TEXT: Isaiah 53:2-12 - - For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ... Here, my friends, is the bad news:
Here my friends is the good news. You know, this is where the Long Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers or Gene Autry are supposed come riding up and offer their services. This is when Superman and Iron Man are supposed to stroll in and ask if they might provide any assistance. Well, instead of the Lone Ranger and Ironman,. the heroes on duty are the folks from RIP Medical Debt out of Rye, New York.. What RIP does is this:
In the four years RIP has been in existence, it has erased more than 475 million dollars of debt for more than 250,000 people. Right now RIP is trying to raise $50,000 to buy $50 million in medical debts owed by veterans. We wish them well. You may have noticed, as I shared the story of RIP, that there were many similarities between the work that they are doing and what our Savior accomplished. Just two of those similarities would be:
There is, however, one, very great difference between Jesus and RIP. The folks at RIP are using money to pay off the earthly , temporal debts of others. On the other hand Jesus is paying off the spiritual debts of the entire world. This He s doing, not with gold or silver, but with His holy precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. This He has done so we might be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness’s innocence and blessedness. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, even the smallest of sins have me owing a debt I cannot pay. Grant that I may appreciate the Savior Who sacrificed Himself to win my forgiveness and grant me the gift of eternal life. In His Name I ask it. Amen. . Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one carried by Mary Eschfor the AP on December 26,2018. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/good-news/secret-santas-charity-buys-and-erases-past-due-medical-debt/ar-BBRqVAC The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: From Frying Pan Into the Fire
DATE: January 9, 2019 TEXT: 1 John 1: 8-9 (ESV) - 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 31-year-old Allen Lewis of Grassy Creek, Kentucky, is a smart guy. True, he hadn’t been smart enough to avoid being convicted for various crimes in Greenup County; and he hadn’t been smart enough to avoid capture and conviction in Morgan County. But Allen was smart enough to know that, having completed his sentence in Greenup, he would, if he could, not repeat the experience in Morgan County. So smart guy Allen Lewis began to plan his escape. The chance to make a getaway presented itself when a transport officer moved Allen from Greenup to temporary housing in Rowan County. As soon as a cell became available at his next location Allen would be moved again. At any rate, as they drove down the road, Allen started squirming and sliding around, acting as if he just wasn’t able to get himself comfortable. Allen said his handcuffs had cut off circulation and seemed to be too tight. Being a caring sort of fellow, the transport officer pulled over to see what he could do. When the officer unlocked one of his handcuffs Allen made his move. After a considerable struggle, Lewis managed to break free. Quickly he went off road and managed to make it to another highway where he tried to flag down some passing motorist, so he could hitch a ride. As he waited with his thumb out, Allen Lewis congratulated himself for being a pretty smart guy. Allen felt really good when a motorist slowed down, pulled over and asked about his welfare. Pretty soon, Allen Lewis was on his way to freedom. Or so he thought. The truth is, the man who picked him up was a campus officer from Moorehead State University. He had spotted Mr. Lewis’ other handcuff and, rather than taking the escapee to freedom, he was transporting him to the nearest jail. And, as of this writing, that is where not-as-smart-as-he-thought-he-was guy Allen Lewis is waiting. Only now, he has added an escape charge to his other run-ins with the law. Although I have never met Mr. Lewis, I have met a lot of folks like him. Maybe you have, too. They are, for the most part, good people, nice folk. True, they have done their fair share of sinning, but they pride themselves on being smart folk who are pretty sure they can take care of all those sins by themselves. Usually they follow a progression…
According to John and our passage above, that kind of thinking just doesn’t do the job. No, if we are to be forgiven it is only going to happen with an acknowledgment of our transgressions and then, complete reliance upon Jesus’ substitution which has won forgiveness for this world. In other words, we may be smart but on our own we’re not smart enough to escape punishment; we may be good, but we’re not good enough to escape penalty. We need the Savior Who takes away the sins of the world. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that, because of my Savior, You are merciful to me a sinner. In Jesus’ Name I give thanks. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Newser Editors on December 21, 2019 . Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: http://www.newser.com/story/268952/escaped-inmates-rotten-luck-he-hitches-ride-with-officer.html The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html TITLE: Winners or Losers
DATE: January 8, 2018 TEXT: Jer. 29:11-13 (ESV) - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Lucky, or unlucky? That’s the question. Is the following person lucky? There are many who would say, “Yes.” Here’s why….
Now that prize of $25,000-per-year certainly doesn’t make the winner the luckiest, or richest, lottery winner of 2018. On the other hand, an extra $25,000 a year is nothing to sneeze at or ignore…or forget about. Which apparently is what happened. You see, the winner of that lottery had one year to claim his prize. The person who bought that ticket in Michigan did not do so. As a result, his prize winnings have been given to the State’s School Aid Fund. Which is why many would agree when I say, “This individual is incredibly unlucky. Now it would be great if this fellow was one-of-a-kind. It would be great, but he isn’t one-of-a-kind. His story, on a religious level, is constantly being repeated. Here’s what I mean. 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ ,God’ Son, came into this world to be our Savior. It was a job He did extraordinarily well. He fulfilled the law and the prophecies made about the Messiah. He rejected the temptations of Satan and the world, and then He carried our sins to the cross, where He died for us. His third-day resurrection from the dead proves His work has been accepted and now all who are brought to faith in Him are saved. Which makes believers very blessed. Sadly, there are many millions of people out there who remain unaware and unbelieving. From the Lord’s perspective, everything is in place for them to be forgiven and saved. Unfortunately, without Holy Spirit given faith this wonderful “prize” of eternal life remains unclaimed. Which makes unbelievers very much to be pitied and leads me to say:
It seems to me that would be the least I could do to help the Lord turn a lost soul into a saved recipient of salvation. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I pray for all those who are unsaved. May the Holy Spirit’s work on them be effective in 2019… and may I do all I can so the lost might become saved and those in darkness could be brought into the light. In Jesus Name I ask it. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Ben Hooper for the UPI on December 26, 2018. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: www.upi.com/Odd_News/2018/12/26/25000-a-year-lifetime-lottery-prize-about-to-expire/6991545847724/#ixzz5azZTmJlB The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html |
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