PLEASE NOTE: The following devotion is written with a sense of humor. It is not my intention to insult Florida or any of its wild pets. In truth, some of my best friends are Floridians. Really. In Him,  PK

TITLE: Alligators
DATE:  July 31, 2019
TEXT:. 1 Peter 5:8-9 - ESV - 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Buddy Ackerman is 75-years-old and he lives in Florida. Because he has done so for a while he has leaned the tricks of successfully living in a very hot, very humid state.

1. Natives know that if you have a dog that needs exercise the best time of day to do that is early in the morning.

That’s the reason why Buddy had his daughter’s golden retriever on a leash and was walking the dog  around his condominium.

1. Natives know that if you have some water around it has the ability to mask the presence  of an alligator approximately ½ inch smaller than the diameter of the pond.

Which is why Buddy was not entirely surprised that as they went by retention pond, an 8-foot beast sprang from the water and chomped down on the dog’s leg.

1. Natives know that since an alligator attack might happen in the most unexpected places you should always be prepared to defend yourself of your loved ones.

Which is why Buddy gave a yank on the dog’s leash. When that didn’t free the pet, Buddy went seamlessly into the second stage of his survival skills: he ran up to the alligator and kicked it in the snout until the gator left go and went back to its lair.

1. The final rule that natives know is this: they should commit to memory the phone number of FFWCCNAH. For those of you who don’t know, those are the initials for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline.

Which is why, when Buddy Ackerman got home, he, and the uninjured dog called that number and they found a more viable home for the beast, that is, the alligator.
​
Now you may have noticed, unless you skip the Bible passages at the top of our devotions, that Peter does not talk about alligators seeking someone to devour. It is my belief that if Peter had been raised in Egypt he might have come close by talking about crocodiles. Lions, alligators, crocs, the devil the world’s temptations...it doesn’t make any difference... they attack when you’re not expecting them.,

 Which is why St. Peter told us to be prepared (1 Pt 3:115). More than that he tells us how: He says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...””

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, truly the world waits and is ready to pounce. Help me be prepared to defend my faith and the beliefs of those around me. Grant me wisdom beyond my own so I may respond in a way the Spirit can use to touch hearts. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://rare.us/rare-animals/florida-man-fights-alligator-dog/and the article written by .Robb Fox
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

PLEASE NOTE: The following devotion is written with a sense of humor. It is not my intention to insult Florida or any of its wild pets. In truth, some of my best friends are Floridians. Really. In Him,  PK

TITLE: Alligators
DATE:  July 31, 2019
TEXT:. 1 Peter 5:8-9 - ESV - 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Buddy Ackerman is 75-years-old and he lives in Florida. Because he has done so for a while he has leaned the tricks of successfully living in a very hot, very humid state.

1. Natives know that if you have a dog that needs exercise the best time of day to do that is early in the morning.

That’s the reason why Buddy had his daughter’s golden retriever on a leash and was walking the dog  around his condominium.

1. Natives know that if you have some water around it has the ability to mask the presence  of an alligator approximately ½ inch smaller than the diameter of the pond.

Which is why Buddy was not entirely surprised that as they went by retention pond, an 8-foot beast sprang from the water and chomped down on the dog’s leg.
​

1. Natives know that since an alligator attack might happen in the most unexpected places you should always be prepared to defend yourself of your loved ones.

Which is why Buddy gave a yank on the dog’s leash. When that didn’t free the pet, Buddy went seamlessly into the second stage of his survival skills: he ran up to the alligator and kicked it in the snout until the gator left go and went back to its lair.

1. The final rule that natives know is this: they should commit to memory the phone number of FFWCCNAH. For those of you who don’t know, those are the initials for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline.

Which is why, when Buddy Ackerman got home, he, and the uninjured dog called that number and they found a more viable home for the beast, that is, the alligator.

Now you may have noticed, unless you skip the Bible passages at the top of our devotions, that Peter does not talk about alligators seeking someone to devour. It is my belief that if Peter had been raised in Egypt he might have come close by talking about crocodiles. Lions, alligators, crocs, the devil the world’s temptations...it doesn’t make any difference... they attack when you’re not expecting them.,

 Which is why St. Peter told us to be prepared (1 Pt 3:115). More than that he tells us how: He says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...””

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, truly the world waits and is ready to pounce. Help me be prepared to defend my faith and the beliefs of those around me. Grant me wisdom beyond my own so I may respond in a way the Spirit can use to touch hearts. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://rare.us/rare-animals/florida-man-fights-alligator-dog/and the article written by .Robb Fox
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Amendment #1
DATE:  July 30, 2019
TEXT: Matthew 18:16-18- ESV -  But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[f] in heaven.

Have you heard of SB 360?
Most people I know haven’t. Goodness, I hadn’t even heard of it until recently.

Sb360 stands for (California) Senate Bill 360. This was a bill which was introduced by Senator Hill on February 20, 2019. SB 360 had already passed the California Senate by a 30-4 vote. It then went to the Assembly's Public Safety Committee for consideration.

Now I know I have not told you the intent and purpose of SB360. That has been deliberate. I wanted to get some of the busy work done before I share that SB 360 was designed to have Clergy report all kinds of child abuse.

Now your pastor can tell you that he already has to do just that. If he knows, or even suspicions, something in a child’s personal life is wrong, the clergyman is required to take it to the authorities.

The only exception to that rule is when the Pastor or Priest receives that information as part of the process of Confession and Absolution. That’s because any time something is revealed in the Confessional, it must remain unshared. Period. No exceptions.

Unless SB 360 would have passed. In that case the exception of the Confessional would have been removed and the Clergy in such a situation would have to decide if they would obey God rather than man.
​
It would appear that California was prepared to go head-to-head with the church. They were confident; they had a cause which made sense to the public and they didn’t have to say when other sins might be brought into the sphere of mandatory reporting.  
​
It looked like a lost cause. It seemed as if there were no hope. That is until the Pacific Justice Institute–Center for Public Policy charged into the battle. The Pacific Justice Institute sent a long letter to the Assembly.

In that letter the Pacific Justice Institute said something like, ”Don’t know if any of you are acquainted with the Document known as the 1st Amendment to our Constitution. We bring it up because by its vote the California Senate has indicated they are unaware of said document. So, just as a refresher, here it is:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

On July 8th, the Public Safety Committee said the bill has some first Amendment concerns.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, it seems the battle between the Kingdoms of Power and Grace is beginning. Raise up leaders who will recognize Your laws as well as the laws of the land. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.,

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://onenewsnow.com/church/2019/07/11/horrific-bill-put-on-hold and the article written by .
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE:  Getting Around
DATE:  July 29, 2019
TEXT: Mark 2: 10b – 12 – ESV -  he said to the paralytic— I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

It was 2009 and Philip Pavone’s Pawn Shop had a problem.

No, Philip’s difficulty was not the screwy kind of problem the TV pawnshops always seem to be having. His problem was a very simple, very common difficulty. Philip had run out of floor space and he needed to make room for more inventory.

​
Looking around he realized that he had been carrying some motorized wheelchairs for some time. So he did what seemed to be logical, albeit not profitable. Philip called the paper and offered the chairs to the public for free.
Two weeks produced sixty letters in response to his offer.
Many, if not most, said their insurance didn’t help much and when the bill for a chair was somewhere  between $4,000 and $40,000, they simply couldn’t cough up the cash.
But it got worse
As the letters kept coming in, Philip says he realized just “how many people out there were suffering. It was unbelievable….Some of the people writing to me hadn’t left their homes for months, even years at a time. Many were elderly and had no one to help them.”
That’s when Philip decided to do something.

1. The first thing he did was buy, repair and give away four more wheelchairs. When he picked up the chairs he found them being stored in basements, garages, attics and closets.
2. The second thing he tried was encouraging people to donate their chairs.
3. When Philip received a donated chair he repaired it and handed it out. Always Philip does his best to pair the needs of the individuals with the abilities of the chair.  
4. Lastly, around the holydays Philip gives out 100 chairs and scooters in  one day. Recepients of a chair include a Holocaust survivor, a World War II veteran, a woman in her 20s with a rare degenerative disease, a number of patients at local nursing homes and children.

All-in-all it is an impressive and a most efficient process. The only one I know which is better is what Jesus does to help. Imagine the best humankind can do, and take that up a whole bunch of notches.

The disciples are afraid, Jesus doesn’t hand out life preservers, He stills the storm. Jairus’ daughter is ill and dies. Jesus doesn’t send a Hallmark card… He wakes her up from her sleep. The thief on the cross asks to be remembered, Jesus doesn’t help him down from the cross, He gives the man eternal life.

Now I don’t now what you need but the Lord does, and I’m pretty sure He will respond in a better way than you might not expect.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, grant that I may rejoice in what You have done for me, and look with gladness on what You are doing right now. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this addresshttps://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/gift-of-mobility-pawn-shop-in-connecticut/ : and the article written by the Good News Network
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Do It Yourself
DATE:  July 28, 2019
TEXT:. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV - He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Christ is risen. He is risen,indeed.

Most of us have followed programs on the DIY television channel.

For those of you who haven’t been watching anything on DIY and are shaking your heads in ignorance, DIY stands for Do It Yourself. The channel is dedicated to sharing programs which tell the average, untalented and unskilled John and Jane how to do all kinds of things which would normally be beyond their skill level.

So far I have not seen them build a space telescope, or show people how to do open-heart surgery, but just about everything else is free game for the DIY channel. Oh, there is one other thing DIY hasn’t done....

It hasn’t shown people how to create their very own counterfeit money.

They might want to consider doing so, because, apparently, there is a need. Two weeks ago a 20-year-old German woman walked into an auto dealer in Kaiserlautern. She was interested in making a purchase, and to help her do so she had a paper bag which contained 50 and 100 euro notes, which amounted to $16,830 in U.S. currency.

From what I’ve said, so far in this devotion, you know, you just know that she made these bills herself. And so she did...and she did a very bad job of it. Here are some of her mistakes.

1. She printed them on regular paper which has a totally different look and feel than the real stuff.


2. She used an ink-jet printer which as we all know will smudge and bleed if it gets wet

Now the women did get her wish, albeit it was slightly modified. She did leave the auto dealership in a new car... a police car. When the officers investigated her apartment they found she had another $15,000 in fake bills.

Which all goes to prove, no matter what the DIY network may say, there are some things you can’t do yourself.

After Adam and Eve sinned, they looked at each other and they knew there was no way they could make things right between themselves and God.

Ever since that day humankind has been  asking themselves, “How can I get myself back in God’s good graces?” And the answer everyone must realize is this: you can’t. You’re not good enough, smart enough, perfect enough, consistent enough to wipe away your sins.

Which is why we need the Savior. Jesus did all which we could not. In His life, suffering, death and wonderful resurrection He invested Himself completely in our forgiveness and eternal life.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that my Savior has resisted temptation, fulfilled the law and conquered death By Your grace may others see the wonders of Your love. In Jesus’ Name., Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://www.newser.com/story/277995/woman-enters-car-dealership-with-16k-in-home-made-bills.htmland the article written by .
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Holding the Rope
DATE:  July 27, 2019
TEXT: - Psalms 56:3-4 ESV - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

 Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.

Years ago I saw a cartoon. In this particular cartoon, the bad guy was stuck on a cliff. On his own he couldn’t’ go up, and that left him looking at a v – e – r – y long drop down. Thankfully a life-saving rope was lowered down to him.  He grabbed hold ad started to climb. Surprisingly, he got nowhere. He kept climbing, and more rope kept getting passed though his hands.

That’s when they showed the very top of the cliff. There was the good guy, and there was the rope. The only problem was this rope wasn’t attached to anything. The good guy watched as the bad guy kept climbing. He had to climb as fast as he could just to stay where he was.

And then, eventually, there was no more rope. The bad guy looked at the camera, gave a little wave and plunged out of sight. The only consolation was this: in the next scene he showed up undamaged and unscathed.

But that was a cartoon and cartoons have little similarity to real life.

Take for example the website which was set up in Colorado which allowed state employees to report cases of abuse and neglect. It went live for a while, but then someone noticed there had been a mistake made in the original set up. A correction was made, a new site went up and state personnel started using it.

At least most did. Some never heard about the change. Some kept using the old site. Some kept registering problems but nobody in an official capacity was reading the messages. That went on for four years, until the mistake was accidentally found.

In short, it was found that nobody was holding the other end of the rope.

I am pleased to report that the State of Colorado has addressed the 321 emails which were posted on the bogus site and they are working with the five cases which called for an emergency response.
As one of the people from the Office of Children, Youth and Families said, “it's of great concern that we had five that did not reach the level of attention they needed in a timely way....We wish we would have been able to identify these earlier but we did not know this email even existed."

Thankfully the oversight has been corrected and, in Colorado, somebody is holding the rope for children who are in difficult situations.

Which leads me to ask: “Who is holding the rope for you?

There  are more than a few people who trust the government to solve their problems and offer them the help they need. There are folks who trust their bank account; their influential friends, their own smarts.

Sadly, each of these human institutions have human limitations. They may hold the rope for a while, but eventually their grip grows week and the person who trusted them will go tumbling

Truly, if you are going to have a reliable Individual holding your rope, I would encourage you to look to Jesus. The Savior Who gave His life to redeem yours,  He has shown His commitment, His strength, His faithfulness.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me realize Your faithfulness far surpasses anything anyone else can attempt to offer. In that realization let me trust you completely and always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: and the article written by Arden Dier for Newser  on July 16, 2019. See the post at: https://www.newser.com/story/277861/5-child-neglect-cases-missed-due-to-unchecked-email.html?utm_source=share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=def
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Really Important
DATE:  July 26, 2019
TEXT:.John 8:31-32 – ESV - So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.

In the last year or so two stories, in some respects remarkably similar, have made it into the news.

1. . The first story comes from Algansee Township in Michigan where Tyler Frye, under the influence of liquor, drove his truck into the back of an Amish buggy. The adults in the buggy were ejected and taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Their three children, aged 6, 4 and 2 were pronounced dead on the scene.
2. The second story which made it into the local news comes from St. Francois County in Missouri. A Mennonite family was on their way to pick blueberries at a nearby farm when a pickup truck slammed into their horse drawn carriage. According to the Officer-on-Duty, the truck went over the top of the buggy and destroyed it. The two parents inside were injured and rushed to the hospital, as were two of their children. Their third child was killed outright.

​

Now it would be wonderful if those stories were unique.

By that I mean, wouldn’t it be great if they never happened before, and nothing like them would ever happen again. Sadly, I am afraid would only be wishful thinking. As long as we have wooden horse-drawn carriages and large metal trucks occupying the same lanes of traffic those tragic stories will continue to be repeated.

Of course, the entire problem is resolved if the Amish and their Mennonite cousins don’t take their buggies out on the road. No buggies means no buggy accidents.

So, why don’t they do it? They know those terrible, tragic stories better than we do?

They don’t do it because those buggies represent an important part of their beliefs.” No, for the Amish and the Mennonite those buggies are going to stay and be cherished.

Which got me to wondering... “Is anything in my belief system so important that I would risk the lives of my family before I would give it up?” After some serious thinking I concluded, “Indeed, there are things which are that important.
My list would include, but not be limited to....

• John 3:26 – ESV - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

• Romans 6:23   -  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Ephesians 6:23 - 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.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are battles in this world which must be fought. Help us discern that which is important from that which is not. We especially ask this gift for our children and grandchildren who will live in a different age and a harder age for Christians than ours. This I pray in  Jesus’ Name. Amen.  

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to these addresses” https://www.newser.com/story/276268/driver-charged-in-wreck-that-killed-3-amish-children.html and https://www.newser.com/story/277704/mennonite-carriage-literally-destroyed-in-missouri-crash.html
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Condemning Sin
DATE:  July 25, 2019
TEXT:. James 5: 19-20 ESV -  19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
​
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.

Not so long ago a lady asked me about church discipline, the Office of the Keys and why the church goes after sinners to make them feel ‘second rate.’

 That day I spent considerable time tying to convince her that the church goes after unrepented of sin, and not the sinner.  I tried to help her understand that while the Lord wants repentant hearts, He also wants His people to have a clear conscience and be able to hold up they heads. Using a number of illustrations, I did my best to answer her questions.

When I finished I saw from the expression on her face that I had failed miserably.

When she said, “Well, it’s OK, Pastor, I really wasn’t all that bothered by the question”, I knew just how far I had missed giving her a truly satisfactory answer. I also promised myself that I would, if I ever had the chance, try again.

A recent story in the news offers me that chance. The story began with the Congolese Minister of Health explaining how, for the first time, in the person of a pastor who had toured the worst area of Ebola infestation, the illness had been brought back on a packed bus to the 2,000,000-citizen regional capital of Goma.

He also told how travelers on the bus who had been exposed to the virus had gone their ways exposing even more people.
The last part of the Minister’s Report was designed to calm the fears of the public. He told how:

1. The pastor had been quickly taken from the city and placed in an Ebola treatment camp.
2. The bus passengers had all been located and vaccinated.
3. The people the passengers had visited were also treated
4. He concluded by saying he was quite confident in his belief that the virus had been successfully contained.

All this the government had done (1)to help those who had the disease and (2) to stop the illness from spreading.

Those are exactly the same reasons the church takes a stand against unrepented of sin. Anyone who reads the Scripture knows there are sins a Christian can remain involved with which will jeopardize his relationship with the Lord, and rob him of the hope of heaven. These sins which God condemns  we must also condemn. This we do in the hope that it will bring about a repentant heart.

But there is another reason we condemn sin.

If we let a damning sin go unchallenged, it is natural for others to think such wrongful action is acceptable. In such a way the sin spreads, just like a virus. The church challenges ongoing sins, because we love the Savior and wish to share His blood-bought forgiveness with all.  

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, all of us are sinners, but, by Your grace, we are repentant and forgiven sinners. Help us restore those amongst us who are unable to recognize the danger of their transgressions and lead them to the Christ who offers forgiveness and hope. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. 

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: and the article written by .the Editors of Newser on July 15, 2019. Your may see the article hereL https://www.newser.com/story/277804/first-ebola-case-confirmed-in-city-of-2m.html
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Nones
DATE:  July 24, 2019
TEXT:. Luke 23:39-43 – “ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?] We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
​
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.

What a difference a decade makes.

According to Eastern Illinois University professor Ryan P. Burg, in 2008 the religious group, the Nones, were 22.2% of our population, By 2018 that number had risen to 29.5%. Now if a church had posted those figures over the same period of time there would be great  rejoicing. But the fact is no church has managed to do that and every state except one shows an increase in the Nones’ numbers. (In case you’re curious, the state with a drop in Nones was South Dakota.)

Now it is possible that you may never have heard of the Nones before. If so that’s a shame, because one-out-of-every-ten of your neighbors belongs to that group.

Which is why we ask “What do they believe and why?” Actually, we really need to ask, “What DON’T they believe and “WHY don’t they believe?” The first question is easy., “What don’t they believe?”. Well, they don’t believe any of the stuff the church teaches. They don’t believe in the doctrines, in sin, in our need for a Savior, in heaven hell, judgment and forgiveness.

In short, the Nones don’t believe in None of that?

And if you would like to know just what it is they don’t believe the surveys will tell you:

1. 60% say they sincerely question religious teachings. They’re not going to believe anything without a reason... and most churches don’t give reasons other than “Because I say so.”
2. The second- reason shared by 49% of the Nones says they disagree with the positions taken by churches on social and political issues,
3. 41% say they don’t believe in God; 37%  consider religion irrelevant and
4. 34% don’t like religious leaders.

Now it is quite possible that you have some Nones in your family. If so, you agonize and pray for the soul of your beloved and lost friend or relative. You ask the Holy Spirit to open their eyes so they may see the truth of the Lord as clearly as you do.

If that accurately describes your situation, I can only tell you that the Lord is on your side, He Who sent His Son into the world to provide salvation for sinners is still reaching out to save.
This you know.

What you may not know is this: in the history of the world there have been many times when a large percentage of the population turned their backs on God. When the Psalmist said, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God” he wasn’t speaking about one or two people.

Yes, people often deny the Lord and His love,

But the time will come when they will also look death in the face

That’s when their bravado will fall away. It is also when the Holy Spirit will do some of His finest work. If you doubt me, then talk to the thief on the cross. From that place of death he gave up being a Nones and clearly saw forgiveness of sins and salvation  in the Christ.

He was not the first; he will not be the last.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that the hearts of those who cannot see you may be opened. May they see Jesus standing and asking for admittance In His Name Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: and the article written by . Mikaela  b Matthews for Christian Headlines on July 15, 2019. The article is here: https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/mikaela-matthews/religious-nones-fastest-growing-group-in-the-u-s-3-states-see-rise-in-evangelicals.html
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Got It
DATE:  July 23, 2019
TEXT:. Philippians 2:  5-8 - ESV - Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.

Some people “got it”, and some people don’t.

As far as I know, there is no way to measure or predict if a person has “got it.’ About all you can do is wait until the proper time and see. The right circumstances and situations will quickly separate those who “got it” from those who don’t.

Daily Devotioners, I am proud to introduce you to Derrick Byrd, a 20-year-old Washington State man who, most definitely has “got it.” Let me explain...

Recently a fire broke out at the family home in Aberdeen. There were seven family members inside. Derrick took up his station under a window and caught his 6-year-old nephews Junior, and 3-year-old Rory who jumped.

Next at the second-floor window was 8-year-old niece, Mercedes. Derrick called for her to jump, but she hesitated. Mercedes began calling her uncle’s name, but she couldn’t take that leap of faith to safety.

That’s when Derrick showed he’s “got it.”

He says, “"I wasn't going to let my niece die." He says he bolted up the steps, "pushed through the fire," found Mercedes, covered her face with his shirt, and then "carried her out as fast as I could." A local police officer commented, ”He forced entry back into the residence even though it was fully involved with flames at that time."

Derrick, Junior, and Mercedes were airlifted from the scene and were treated for serious burns. Our hero received care for having suffered second- and third-degree burns on his face, back, and arms. When asked whether he had any regrets, Derrick says, ”I'd do it again.... "I don't care. ... I'd run back in there and do it again, even if I got burnt worse or died."
That’s a young man who has “got it.”
Now this is where I point out that if Derrick has “got it”, your Savior, Jesus has “GOT IT.”Consider:

1. While Derrick was saving his beloved family members, Jesus left heaven and was born as one of us. Rather than encountering gratitude He was despised by the religious and political leadership and harassed by the pillars of the community. Yet He came to save us.
2. While Derrick didn’t know that he would be burned or suffer to save his family, Jesus knew. He knew He would be despised, rejected, a Man of sorrows Who would suffer greatly so we might be healed.
3.  Lastly, Derrick had every hope of saving His life. Jesus had no such expectation. The Redeemer knew His life would end ona Roman cross outside Jerusalem. It was a sacrifice, so complete, so total, so effective there has never been anything “LIKE IT.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we certainly didn’t deserve a Savior who was willing to give as completely as Jesus did. For His suffering, sacrifice and death I offer my thanks and praise. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: and the article written by .Jenn Gdman for Newser n July 9, 2019 See the article at: https://www.newser.com/story/277552/hero-uncle-after-fire-i-wasnt-going-to-let-my-niece-die.html
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: A Bad Place
DATE:  July 22, 2019
TEXT:. Matthew 23:37  - ESV -  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.

During all of our travels Pam and I have had our hosts warn us, “This is the part of the city you don’t want to be in after dark.”

Sometimes that location encompasses a very small area; other times the undesirability factor can cover most of the community. One such nightmare of a city is Buenaventura, Columbia. In 2014, Human Rights Watch described Buenaventura as Colombia's most dangerous city, one "dominated by powerful criminal groups.” Since 2014 things haven’t gotten any better.

Indeed, they have become worse. During the first five-months of 2018 the homicide rate in this 400,000 member city was 31. Thus year, during the same period of time, more than 51 people have been murdered... some in the most gruesome of ways.

Many of the law-abiding citizens of Buenaventura have become discouraged. When they’re asked if there is any hope, they shrug their shoulders. When someone inquires,’ “What can make things different?”; they shake their heads in sorrow and sadness.

I am pleased to tell you that there is one man in Buenaventura who has not succumbed to desolation and the feeling that Satan is unconquerable.

That man is Ruben Dario Montoya and he is the Bishop of the city.

It is his plan to enter into a helicopter (supplied by the Columbian Navy) and from a position high over the city streets anoint the town with holy water and at the same time pronounce an exorcism prayer.
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Monsignor Montoya says,” We have to drive the devil out of Buenaventura, to see if we can restore the peace and tranquility that our city has lost due to so many crimes, acts of corruption, and with so much evil and drug trafficking that invades our port."

Now I don’t know if an exorcism of an entire city is going to work and bring about those positive changes. I do know that Montoya’s on the right path. Our Savior, in His lament over Jerusalem indicated that things might have gone differently if they had been willing to receive Him.

Jeremiah  18:8 seems to say the same thing. Read and see. The Lord said, “and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.”

The Lord Jesus gave His life so we might have forgiveness and life eternal... but He also died so our lives might find peace, contentment and joy right here. That’s what the Monsignor is trying to bring about. By God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s power, may the devil be banished, at least for a while from Buenaventura.... .

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, truly You are all-powerful; and You are the Lord. Today we pray for cities all around the world which are unsafe. May Christians do all they can to establish Your grace and peace in those places. This I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: and the article written by .Ardren Dier for Newwser on July 1, 2019. See the article at: https://www.newser.com/story/277662/entire-city-to-undergo-exorcism-via-helicopter.html?utm_source=share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=def
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: No Secrets
DATE:  July 21, 2019
TEXT: 1 John 5:20 – ESV -  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.

Just about the smartest and most powerful man I ever met was General John (Jack) Vessey. General Vessey served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for  President Reagan from 1982 to 1985. It was always my intention to ask him a particular question but somehow I always managed to forget.

The important question I forgot?

That’s simple: I wanted to know what is at Area 51 in the Anargosa valley in Nevada. I figured I had to ask General Vessey because anytime I asked someone I knew who worked at Area 51, they refused to give me a straight answer.

Goodness, they never gave me any kind of answer as to what they did or what happened there. Now I’m not talking about Area 51 which is part of Edward’s Air Force Base; and I’m not referring to all of the experimental aircraft which gets tested out there.
Everybody knows about those things. What I wanted to know is this: did Aliens crash there and has America’s technology been based on reverse engineering based on an alien spacecraft?

Apparently I’m not the only one who is looking for an answer to those questions.
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Right now there is a Facebook page which is calling for volunteers to come together in September and force their way in and bring to light all the deep, dark secrets Area 51 has kept hidden for over half-a-century.

Now you might think this is all a joke, and for many people it is.

BUT there are people who are seriously supportive of breaking into the top-secret military facility. As of this writing over 415,000 people have replied to the Facebook page and said they would be there. Another 426,000 said “they’re interested.”
As I think about it, I guess every earthly government has its secrets.

There are scandals they wish to cover; errors in judgment they want to keep hidden. Corruption, lust for power, traitors, embezzlement, spies and betrayal are all part and parcel of our sinful shameful human condition.

In contrast to the secrecy of our earthly governments, we acknowledge the immortal, Triune God. His laws are simple and easy to understand.  His punishments are just and His forgiveness, when it is offered, is complete.

Most importantly, He freely has shared His Son to win our salvation. Jesus is a gift no other government can offer.   He is a gift we are encouraged to share.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that You not only desire all people to be saved, You have in Your Son, made salvation possible. May the world see and acknowledge Your great grace. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

 natures. s://www.newser.com/story/277715/storm-area-51-415k-people-rsvp-yes.html?utm_source=share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=def
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Alone
DATE:  July 20, 2019
TEXT:  1 Corinthians 5:10  - ESV -1\0 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
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Over the years I have met many famous and important people. Some had educational degrees behind their name, others had titles in front of their names. In one form or another all were acclaimed or despised by the public.

But there will come a time when the public and the government’s opinion  will not count. Of course I speak about the day when all earthly claims on us will end and we will be standing alone before our Creator and our final judgment.
Let me illustrate.

On March 15, 1989 Zita, the last empress of Austria and the last queen of Hungary, died. Zita was buried, as had so many of the Hapsburgs who preceded her in death, in the royal crypt in Vienna. In the age of computers, and moon landings, the ancient rituals of her burial might seem out of place.

This is what happened: when the procession arrived at the church, someone knocked on the door. From inside the crypt, one of the monks asked who was there. The procession officially answered, "Zita, Empress of Austria, Queen of Hungary and of Bohemia, Princess of Bourbon-Parma." They were denied admittance.

A second time someone knocked. "Who is there?" "Empress Zita," was the answer. The door remained locked. There came yet a third knock. "Who is there?" "Zita, a poor sinner," was the answer. Only then was the procession allowed to enter.
In death, the empress had become a simple, sinful soul before her Lord.

It makes little difference if you are Hannibal, Alexander, Tamerlane or Schwarzkopf, the day will come when the armies will be gone, and the Generals will stand before their Creator. The riches of a Midas, Caesar, Rockefeller and Gates will no longer make a difference in the Divine balance sheets.

On that day every person will be alone, and only one thing will matter: was Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord. If He is, we will have rendered a life of thanksgiving to Him. We will do so not because we have to, but because we cannot help ourselves.

Sadly, most people put far more effort into rendering unto Caesar than they do God.

 Not so long ago, I talked to a lapsed individual at church. When I asked, "Why do you forget the Lord, when you would never forget to pay your taxes?" His reply was simply: "Well, pastor, I guess it's because the Lord doesn't push as hard as the government does."

Well, maybe the Lord figures that He shouldn't have to push so hard - not after He's seen His Son on the cross. So, the next time Jesus says to me, "Will you recognize God's claim upon you?", I will say, "Dear Lord, with joy!"

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, forgive me for worrying more about tax rates and traffic laws than I do about the spiritual condition of my friends and family. Help me to make a proper rendering. In Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE:  Real Trust
DATE:  July 19, 2019
TEXT:. Ps 143:8 – ESV -   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,  for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
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Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.

Most Christians do not hesitate to say they have faith in the Redeemer. Like the Psalmist they pray that He would direct the way they should go. The question is, if He does that, do they have the faith to follow the Lord’ directive.
It all has to do with the level of trust a person has.

Let me explain.

During the time Alexander the Great was on his conquest of Asia Minor, he felt dangerously ill. Fearing the anger of the army if Alexander should die, all of the doctors refused to treat him. Only the physician, Philip the Acarnanian, was willing to risk seeing what he could do to help.

While the medicine was being prepared, Alexander received a letter from an enemy of the doctor. The letter said the physician had been bribed by the Persian King to poison him.

Without showing the epistle to anyone, Alexander read it and slipped it under his pillow. When the doctor entered the tent with the medicine, Alexander took the cup, and, at the same time, handed the physician the scathing letter.

Many times in the past, Alexander had spoken words of confidence concerning the doctor. Now, he translated those words into action. While the doctor was still reading the accusation against him, Alexander calmly drank the Doctor's special medicine. His trust was not unfounded.

After three days, a healthy Alexander appeared before his army.

There is no doubt that most of us say we trust Jesus. So we should.

He Who was pure enough to keep the law; Who was faithful enough to keep His promises; Who was gracious enough to save us from our sins at the cost of His own life, has earned that trust.

During times of relative peace and contentment, our trust level remains secure. But, when troubles arise in our lives, so do doubts. We wonder: “Does God care about me? Is He interested in me? Has He forgotten me? Is He punishing me? Will He deliver me?” Satan is trying to drive a wedge of doubt between us and the Savior. He wants to undermine our words of trust so they are never translated into action.

It is especially during those times of terror and trouble that we must turn to the Savior and quote, “"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Then, having really placed our trust in the Lord we can be at peace.

Jesus, our Divine Intermediary has heard us and conveyed our need to our loving, and all-caring Father for resolution in His time.

If we do that we will be able to understand what Jesus meant when He said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust God. Trust Me.”

THE PRAYER: : Dear Lord, teach us to REALLY trust You.  This kind of faith I pray for in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Escape Or Success
DATE:  July 18, 2019
TEXT:  - 1 Peter 3:15  - ESV -  but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
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Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.

Lutherans are very proud of Brother Martin’s resounding, ‘HERE I STAND.’

Most of us like to believe, or have tried to convince ourselves that give them same situation, the same set of circumstances, we would do the same thing.

The truth is, given a choice between life and death, most folks will opt for safety and not success. If you are looking for an example, not so distant Russian history will provide it.

Go back in time to when Premier Nikita Khrushchev was speaking before the Supreme Soviet. At that time, the late Premier, Josef Stalin, had fallen from grace, and his successor was being severely critical of his old boss.

While Khrushchev was still speaking, someone from the audience sent up an anonymous note which read, "And what were you doing when Stalin committed all these atrocities?"

Khrushchev stopped, gave a scowl and then shouted, “I demand to know, who is the person who has sent up this note?" Not a single person stirred. Khrushchev continued, "I'll give the author one minute to stand up!" The seconds ticked off. Still no one moved.

Only after the minute had ticked off did the Premier say, "I'll tell you what I was doing. I was doing exactly what the writer of this note was doing--exactly nothing! I was afraid to be counted!"

Each day of His life, our Savior stood up to be counted.

Jesus was counted when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness. He was counted when He rejected the crown the crowd wished to give Him. He was counted when the sins of the entire world were laid upon His shoulders in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was counted when He remained on the cross rather than coming down as the mockers had encouraged.

Every time Jesus had a choice between escape or success, He chose success.

It was, of course, not His success about which He was concerned. Everything He did was accomplished so that His Father might be glorified. Every difficult deed was accomplished so we might be successfully forgiven of our sins and successfully enter into heaven.

Now, having seen His example, I know what to do. When a difficult choice arises in my life; when the Savior says to me, “What will it be escape or success?”, I will reply, “Father, let me glorify Your Name.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, there have been many times in my life when I have chosen the path of escape rather than success. Grant me courage and trust to know that You will be by my side in a life of witness. Let me glorify the Father’s Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: The Darkness
DATE:  July 17, 2019
TEXT:. John 12:35-36 – ESV- So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.
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How dark can dark be? In truth, I don’t.
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But I know somebody, a man by the name of Borja, who has a pretty good idea. He had been involved in the struggle for Ecuadorian democracy. When the military cracked down, Borja that was his name, had been arrested.

Without trial, they threw him into a cold, windowless dungeon.

The solitary light bulb, that had provided light a long time ago, had been smashed. For three days he endured a timeless darkness which has been known to drive people mad. Just when the situation seemed unbearable, the huge steel door of his cell opened, and someone crept into the darkness. Borja heard the person working on something in the opposite corner. Without saying a word, the figure crept out, closed the door, and disappeared.

Minutes later the cell suddenly blazed with light.

Someone, perhaps at the risk of his own life, had connected electricity to the light fixture. "From that moment," explained Borja, who later became President of Ecuador, "my imprisonment had hope because at least I could see."
That was a man who could understand darkness in a way that I cannot.

I have personally met another man, a Christian pastor, who was kept so long in solitary confinement his jailors had been able to convince him he was the last Christian left in world. He, too, lived through a darkness I can only imagine.

When Jesus, the Light of the world, came to this earth, He was surrounded by darkness. Back then, there were countless individuals who were stumbling blindly through the night. They were totally unaware of the blackness in which they were living. To save them from a darkness that would never end, Jesus, at the cost of His life, entered humanity’s dark cell.

 He died to bring salvation’s light to humanity. It is that Light and hope which He would have us share with friends, family and co-workers who remain in the dark. The clock is ticking. The time will soon come when it will be too late for them to see their Savior.

That is why Jesus wants us to be assistants to the Holy Spirit and bring hope to those who are angry and alone, frightened and frustrated. "Do you know how dark, dark can be?" No, we don't, and we don't want anybody else to know, either.

THE PRAYER Dear Lord Jesus, for the hope You have given me, I give thanks. Use me to do all I can, when I can, to share Your light with others. In Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: One Way
DATE:  July 16, 2019
TEXT: John 14:6  - ESV - 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Way back when, I listened to commercials for all kinds of products. They advertised everything from dog food to laundry detergent. The only thing they had in common was the ending. As a last thought the ad would say, “Remember, accept no substitutions.”

“Accept no substitutions.” That is what Jesus was saying when He announced that He was “the Way, the Truth and the Life.’“ He wanted the world to know that while there would be many false messiahs, He was the only Redeemer Who could rebuild the bridge between earth and heaven; the only One Who could forgive the sins of lost and condemned souls; Who could promise eternal life in paradise to all who believe.

Accept no substitutions. In some things, of course, no substitutions are possible. That is a lesson I learned a long time ago.
Need an illustration? Come with me back in time to grade school. On this particular day all of the students were called into the gym, grade by grade. There we were asked to roll up our sleeves to receive a shot. Some of the students who had just received said shot were crying. More than a few waiting in line for the needle were also howling and a few were sitting down lest they faint.

At the far end of the gym were gathered many of our mothers. At first we thought they had come to rescue us. But no such luck. They were smiling, grinning, laughing as their children got their shot of vaccine which had been developed by Dr. Jonas Salk and his team of scientists..

We children didn’t understand much about polio, but our parents did. They had seen the faces of friends, family classmates who were going to spend their lives in the artificial breathers called iron lungs. They had seen the closed swimming pools and theaters.
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Because of what they had seen; they were overjoyed that their children were going to be protected. Not a single mom said, “I’m going to wait for a substitution vaccine. Nobody suggested, “I think our family will wait until the serum is in a different color.” No one suggested that the medicine should be delivered in a candy bar rather or a sugar cube.
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This medicine was going to save us and everyone was thankful for this modern day miracle.

On a spiritual level, Jesus came into this world to be for sinful souls the medicine which would save all who believe. This medicine was not discovered in a laboratory. It did not come from a medical team working long hours at a university. This medicine has no generic equivalent.

This absolutely, totally unique medicine is nothing less than the precious blood of the Savior.

His blood, shed upon Calvary's cross, is the serum that saves lost souls and heals wounded hearts. Knowing that Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life, Christians throughout the world, pray for those people who, although they would never second-guess a doctor’s prescription, continue to second-guess God.

We point to all who are sick in their sins, that not all medicines are the same and not all saviors are equal. We pray that they may hear, what Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am the only Way to the Father.’

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus send Your Spirit upon a world that still thinks it can improve upon Your sacrifice. Let them repent and see clearly that You are the Way to eternal life. In Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Lonely
DATE:  July 15, 2019
TEXT: Matthew 28:20b _ ESV   And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. 
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While there must be some people who like to be alone, I haven’t met many of them. The truth is most people like to have someone, some friend, they believe is in their corner. Which takes me to the place in this devo where I can introduce you to Robert Devereux, aka, the Earl of Essex.

Devereux was a bachelor, a man who was greatly admired by many, and some say loved by a Queen. That would be Queen Elizabeth the first of England. Whether or not the two were in love, I cannot say. I can tell you that once, in a moment of great generosity, she gave him a ring and said, "If ever you are in trouble, send this ring to me and your request will be granted."

The promise, made by a monarch, was far more valuable than the stone.

As their story unfolds, in time they quarreled. In anger she struck him and he left England. When he finally returned, he was arrested, charged with treason and sentenced to death. At first Devereux was too proud to appeal to the queen for mercy. Eventually, the loneliness of his cell, and the fear of dying took its toll.

As the time for execution drew near, he sent the ring to the queen.

The message, and ring, was entrusted to a countess. But, because this countess was angry with, and jealous of, the queen, she kept the ring to herself. The message went undelivered, and the sorrowful Earl was executed alone!

To be sure, there are great differences between the Earl of Essex and the Christ of the Cross. The Earl died for his indiscretions; while innocent Jesus went to Calvary for that which we have done wrong. While the Earl had a ring which should have procured his release; Jesus’ freedom would have meant eternal imprisonment for us in hell.

Nevertheless, both the Earl, and the Christ, betrayed by those they thought were friends, faced death alone. By the grace of God, and through the blood of Jesus, a lonely death is one agony that Christians shall never have to face.

After His resurrection on the third day; after His appearances to hundreds wherein our Lord showed that the grave is not the end; even as He ascended into heaven, our Savior said, “I am with you always.”

The Christian imprisoned for his faith has a Savior Who says, “I am with you always”, and he finds strength. The person dying of cancer, can rely on those same words. ” The senior citizen who has outlived both friends and family hears the Lord whisper, “I am with you.” It is a joy to all who believe.

It is a joy to hear the Lord say, “Because of me, sorrowful souls never have to feel alone.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I don’t know where life is going to take me. I do know that wherever I go, You are there. I especially pray for those who feel alone. Comfort them with Your love and presence. In Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: The Look
DATE:  July 14, 2019
TEXT: Luke 22:61-62 – ESV = And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Are you acquainted with The Look?

I am. I first met that look when it came from my father. A blacksmith by trade, and a Christian in life, he tried his best to be faithful and fair. In respect, we children tried to do right - most of the time. On those times we messed up, we could judge the severity of our sin by his actions.

A loud voice was a minor infraction. When he called us by our full names (“KENNETH RICHARD KLAUS”) we were in deep trouble. But when he gave us The Look, we knew we had royally goofed up.

Getting a spanking was better than getting “The Look” Getting grounded was better than The Look Having privileges taken away was preferable over The Look. The Look said we had disappointed dad. The Look said that we hadn’t really gotten all the messages that he had been trying to teach us. “
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The look” said we had hurt him so deeply that he had no words to express his sadness.

Retuning to Scripture, you should know the disciple Peter got “The Look,.”

Not from his father, but from His Savior. At that very moment, Jesus had a great many things on His mind and heart. Our Lord was in the final hours of His life. He was currently in the High Priest’s house awaiting the trumped up trials that would lead to His death on the cross. In a few moments he would be beaten, spit upon and before the day was over He would be dead.

Jesus should not have had to worry about a disciple who was denying Him out in the courtyard.

But, and it is a wonderful thing, Jesus was concerned about that single, weak disciple.

He was concerned about Peter, even as He is concerned about each of us. Jesus may have been carrying the world’s sins, but He was also thinking of Peter’s sins….and yours….and mine.

Because Jesus cared is why Peter got The Look. And it was The Look of the Savior which touched Peter’s soul. It was The Look of the Savior that sent Peter out in tears. It was The Look  of the Savior that set Peter on the road which led to repentance, apostlehood, martyrdom and salvation.

No, Jesus didn’t say anything to me. And I pray He never is so disappointed in me that He gives me The Look. I didn’t like The Look,  from my dad. I know I won’t like it from Jesus.

Which means, as Luther says, I will try to recognize my duty to “thank, praise, serve and obey Him.”

THE PRAYER Dear Lord Jesus, You have done so much for me, that it is right that my life should always serve and never disappoint You. Grant me the grace to do so with faithfulness. In Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Two Plans
DATE:  July 13, 2019
TEXT:. 1 Timothy 2:4  - ESV - 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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It was several centuries ago when a curious, and deadly plague appeared in a village in Lithuania.

The disease was “curious” because, as soon as an individual contracted the plague he, or she, would, almost immediately fall into a deep, almost deathlike, coma. It was a state from which a great percentage of the victims never emerged. Indeed, the vast majority of the afflicted died within a 24-hour period of time. I say ‘the vast majority died’, because, occasionally, inexplicably, unexpectedly, a hardy soul would recover and very quickly be restored to the full bloom of health.

Unfortunately,  in the 1700’s, medical technology just wasn’t all that advanced .and it was difficult to determine if a person was living or dead. Which explains how one person was buried in, but revived from that coma like state.

The town was horrified by what had happened and had a town meeting with only one question on the agenda: ‘How can we make sure such a tragedy will never, ever, happen again?’

After considerable discussion and deep deliberation the town agreed they would, from that moment on, put food and water into the casket next to the person being buried. Further, they would  add a tube which would extend from the casket up to the surface. This tube would offer fresh air and a means by which the seemingly dead individual, might call for help from above.

These expensive changes were accepted by most everybody. Most everybody.

There were a few who came up with an  alternative. There was a group of townspeople, a small and vocal faction who  put forth an alternative proposal, a far less expensive procedure. This group suggested every casket be equipped with a foot-long spike, a spike which would be mounted on the coffin’s lid, directly over the heart of the person who was supposed to be dead. When the casket top was closed, the spike would put an end to any possibility of someone being buried alive.

Amazing, isn’t it: two totally different solutions were for the same problem. In the face of a tragedy, one group was willing to do anything and everything necessary to provide people with a chance to live and another group who only wanted to make sure everybody stayed dead.

Now you may think I invented that story. I can only assure you, if it is invented, I didn’t do it.

More importantly, the Lord created a  variation on that story.

On the one side of the struggle there is Satan. He, with his demonic henchmen, are dedicated to the task of making sure you are really, eternally, spiritually dead. To that end they have developed the tools, and the skills, to make sure that when you breathe your last, you will be a goner for all eternity.

If you’re spiritually dead right now, and by that I mean, if Jesus is not your Savior, they’re glad of it. And, if you’re not dead, they stand eager and ready to nudge you along toward the direction of doubt and disbelief.

In complete contrast to the devil’s forces and the sinister principalities of darkness stands the Triune God of Christianity. Father, Son and Holy Ghost. He, along with His loyal angels, has shown that He is willing to pay the price, pay any price, even the price of the Savior’s life, to make sure that when you die, you will bypass hell and begin an eternity of joy and happiness in heaven.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that the lost can be saved and hearts of stone may be softened by the salvation message of the Savior. In Jesus Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: No Need
DATE:  July 12, 2019
TEXT:. Eccl 7:20 - ESV - Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
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In the 1800’s there was a fisherman who worked Plymouth Sound.

The sun had almost set when he saw a sailor on a neighboring boat stumble and go over the side. Knowing Arthur, that was the sinking sailor’s name, had a reputation for drinking, the fisherman waited to see if everything would be OK. When he saw  no struggling, no swimming, he jumped into his dingy and rowed to the spot where Arthur had gone overboard.

Truth be told, it was more by God’s grace than by skill, that enabled the rescuer to grab a hold of Arthur’s arm and drag the drunken man to safety.
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Realizing this was hardly the time for a temperance lecture, the rescuer got liquor-logged Arthur back to his own bunk. Then, having made his semi-conscious compatriot as comfortable as possible, the fisherman rowed back to his boat.

The next morning the rescuer rowed back to see how Arthur the floundering fisherman was doing.

From a distance the rescuer gave a hail, but Arthur, who was standing on the deck of his ship gave no answer. Twice more the rescuer called out and both times his greeting was met with silence. Finally, when he was close enough to carry on a normal conversation, he said, “Arthur, how are you?”

Arthur answered with a grunt: “What do you care?” “

“Well, I care a great deal, considering I saved your life last night.” “You did no such thing” said the hung-over sailor, peppering his comments with some nautically creative cursing. “I’m fine today; I was fine last night, and I don’t need nobody like you thinking you have to save me.” Thus ended the conversation.  The rescuer rowed away, he reflected upon Arthur’s dark attitude and his equally dark future.

Shaking his head, he concluded, “How sad, it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Tragically, there are many people who, like Arthur, don’t want anyone to talk to them about their condition. They think they’re fine today and they hope they will be equally fine tomorrow. And that’s the catch.

Although they may think they’re all right, they’re not. Their day of death is marked on the calendar; their day of judgment is just down the road a piece and without Jesus they’re afraid. They may not want to face that fact; they may choose to deny that fact; they may grumble and curse at anyone who reminds them of that truth, but their denial and oaths don’t change anything.

What changes things is Jesus Christ. At the beginning of time humankind’s disobedience invited sin, Satan and death into our lives. The Lord knew only His Son had the ability to live a perfect life; only His Son could resist Satan’s suggestions toward sin; only His Son could defeat death.

God wants you to know  His Son, Jesus came to earth as the offspring  of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and His entire life was spent doing all that you couldn’t. So you might be saved, Jesus was maligned and misunderstood by those who should have welcomed and worshiped Him. So you might be forgiven, innocent Jesus was denied, betrayed, beaten, whipped and crucified. God wants you to know that before His Son died, He was saddled with the weight and punishment of your sins.

All this God has done because He didn’t want ”things to be that way.”  

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord for planning our salvation, we give thanks. Now, let those who think they have no need of a Redeemer be touched by the reality of their sin. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
 
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Nasty Believers
DATE:  July 11, 2019
TEXT: Proverbs 3:19-20  - ESV - The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
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She began the conversation by telling me that all men were slippery, slimy, scummy snakes who couldn’t be trusted or depended on. With tears she poured out the frustration of years of dating and being dumped, of listening to lines which proved to be scams; of commitments made and broken.

When I asked, “Where do your meet these disappointing heartbreakers?”, she replied: “Bars.”

It was right about then an old country-western song started to run through my brain. Maybe you remember it, “Lookin’ for love in all the wrong places.” Although there are exceptions to the rule, I suggested that bellying up to the bar was probably not the best place in the world to find the true and trustworthy love of her life.

Now this is the point where cynics challenge the quality of Christians in the world. That say stuff like, “And I suppose, pastor, you’re going to say, ‘Go to church. You can do better in church. Well, pastor, if that’s what you’re going to say, let me tell you that the people in churches can be cruel and critical; malicious, mean, miserable, malevolent and maligning. They can be….”

And that’s when I have to say, “Folks, hold on, hold on. Yes, I was going to suggest people might try finding love in a church; but probably not for the reason they think”

All of us know people who go to church are imperfect.

We all know church folks are filled with all the flaws which are common to the rest of humanity. On the other hand, they know they are sinners; they know they need to improve; they know they are in dire need of forgiveness and they know the Person Who can give them that forgiveness.

No, I’ll still take my chances in finding eternal and temporal love-in a church. And, as long as I’m on the subject, let me add: “When asked to find a true motivator for lasting love, I think I’ll rely on the Holy Spirit rather than distilled spirits. I’d still say go to a Christian church.

Go to church and meet the Triune God Go to church and get to know Him Whose love can change your life, your destiny, your future and so much more.

That’s what the beloved Apostle John was trying to say when he wrote(1 John 3:1): “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God.”

Now I don’t know if my reading of those words conveyed the awe, the admiration, the amazement and astonishment John felt when he first wrote them, but I am almost positive all of those things were there. And they ought to be there now.

We have been rescued from a sad life and eternal damnation because God’s Son sacrificed Himself for us. Jesus fulfilled the laws which we had regularly broken and  the Savior has ransomed us from the slavery of Satan.

To acknowledge the perfect love of the Lord is about as wise as I’ll ever get. Maybe you, too.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may always acknowledge Your superiority in every area imaginable. As one of Your redeemed children may I acknowledge your love which is told  to me in Scripture and lived out in the family of faith. This I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Changed by Love
DATE:  July 10, 2019
TEXT:. Lamentations 3:22-23 – ESV -The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

A number of years ago a long-term study was conducted by Johns Hopkins University.

A professor had his graduate students interview and investigate the background of 200 boys who were growing up in poverty. Then, on the basis of the information, the students were asked to predict the future of those boys. The College students predicted 90% of those 12-to-16-year old lads were going to spend serous time in jail. As I said this was a long-term study.

It was ‘long term’ because, twenty-five years later, the University sent researchers into the area to re-interview those boys who had now grown into men. The study wanted to see if the predictions had been accurate.

Of the 180 who could be found, only four had spent any time in jail. The researchers were amazed.

When they tried to determine how their predictions could have been so wrong, a pattern emerged. One after another of the now grown-up boys said, “Well, there was this teacher…..” One after another of the boys talked about how they had been touched by the same teacher. The researchers had to know, “Is this teacher still alive?” Well, yes, she was. She was alive and living by herself in a retirement home.

Eagerly they went to her and asked, “What did you do that left such an impact on so many boys who seemed destined for a bad life?” The teacher thought, and finally said, ”All I tried to do was truly love my students.”

 That’s the story. Now, here’s the question: do you think that story is real; Can love change things?”
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Over the years I’ve noticed that people who have a strong negative answer to that question have never experienced a lasting love. Many times they come from homes which had been broken up after weeks, months, years of continuous parental anger and argument. Others had been the object of their classmates’ cruel comments, the center of unrelenting disrespect, derision and disdain. More than a few had gone through their teen-age years feeling unaccepted, unappreciated, and unacknowledged. Shunned by many, they found solace in the close companionship of a single, special friend; a single, special friend, who ended up betraying their secrets, making fun of them behind their backs, and deserting them at the earliest possible opportunity.

Can love change people and their destinies? Some people are sure it can’t. If you believe love can’t change people, and destinies, it is probably not because you don’t want to believe it. On the contrary, you, want to believe. You just can’t. You’ve been hurt too often; wounded too frequently; let down too far to risk yourself again.

Which is why I point you to the Gospels... four short books which tell of God’s Son,  our Savior. Listen to Him; think about what He had to say and look at what He has done. Look and believe: God’s love can change anything in this world and the next.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord for making changes, wonderful changes in my present and future I give thanks. Now let me share that wonderful news with others who don’t believe Your love can change things. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Rejoicing
TEXT:. 1 Thess 5:16 -  ESV – Rejoice evermore.
DATE:  July 9, 2019

Here’s the question: “What’s the shortest verse in the Bible?” Most will say it is  “Jesus wept” and the real scholars will tell me it is the 35th verse of the 11th chapter of John.

But suppose I asked: “In the Greek Bible what is the shortest verse”, not more than a handful will say it is 1 Thessalonians 5:16:, :”rejoice evermore.” What a wonderful sermon those two short verses might make. Jesus wept so we might rejoice evermore.

It’s true, you know.
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 When Jesus was born in a Bethlehem stable, He cried. He wept at the suffering caused by sin; He wept when death came to a friend; He cried at the destruction He saw coming to a beloved city and; He cried out upon the cross as He died to remove the sinful spots of disobedience from our souls. Jesus wept, so His people, so we might rejoice evermore.

• Truly, we can rejoice evermore because our sins are taken away by His sacrifice.
• We can rejoice evermore because we know that with Him as our crucified, risen and ever-living Savior we will never be alone.
• We can rejoice evermore because we know that our friends and family members who have died in the Lord are not lost.
• We can rejoice evermore because we know that there is a great, unending reunion in heaven.
• We can rejoice evermore because we know Judgment Day is going to come and when it comes we will be with our Redeemer in paradise.

Which takes me to the next question. Describe your congregation in one word. I can wit. Put it here:

_______________________  Now while you are thinking about it I can tell you quite a number of years ago NEWSWEEK asked, “What should heaven have?”, 74% of the respondents said there should be JOY. Just as many people said LAUGHTER should be in paradise... and only 26% said things should be serious.

So what did you put in the blank? Did you put “My church is A REJOICING church or a JOYFUL church? I know that if I asked you to describe your local Christian churches, “Rejoicing evermore” might not be among the first words you would use to describe them. People NOT in the church are convinced we are SERIOUS and BORING.

So, here’s something to think about, “Look at the Gospels and you’ll see it was usually Jesus’ critics and His opponents who were dead serious. The demons Jesus encountered, challenged, and expelled were downright miserable. But Jesus’ followers: well, they really did rejoice. The church frequently quotes an old church father who said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” That’s true… but it’s also true the joy of God’s saved people has always been the magnet of the church. Sadly, we hardly ever hear about Christian joy anymore. And that is a great sorrow.

Far better, because of the Savior’s sacrifice and glorious resurrection to “rejoice evermore.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks. For Your Love, Your forgiveness, Your blessings, Your strength, Your victory. I always give thanks. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html

TITLE: Not Big Enough
DATE:  July 8, 2019
TEXT: James 2: 18-22 - ESV -   someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 

On January 12, 1888, it was unseasonably warm in South Dakota.

Children went to school without coats, hats or mittens. By the end of the day the temperature had dropped and snow began to fall and blow. One farmer went to the school house to pick up his three children aged 9, 11 and 17.

He had just gotten them situated in the wagon and was ready to get in himself when the horses, reacting to the blizzard bolted and got away. Hours later, miles further, the farmer found his children.

The older girl stood by the frozen bodies of her brother and sister.

Heartbroken, she collapsed into her father’s arms. Later, when she was  composed she told her father how she had tried to take her big, heavy coat and wrap it around all of them. Then, with sadness, she whispered, “But the coat wasn’t big enough.”
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My dear friends, in this world there are a lot of things which aren’t big enough.

In its honesty, the U.S. Declaration of Independence goes only so far in its claims. Nowhere does it promise happiness. The biggest coat it can hold out is a willingness to pursue happiness. In truth, no matter how big a government might get, it will never be big enough to cover the sins of its citizenry; nor can it bring salvation and bestow contentment upon all its people.

Still, ‘it’s not big enough’ can never be said about the love of the Lord.

God’s love is big enough when His children rebel; His love was big enough to transform murdering Moses into the leader of the Exodus. God’s love was big enough to repeatedly call the wandering Children of Israel back to faithfulness.

In the New Testament His love was big enough to patiently teach the confused and misunderstanding disciples. And today God’s love remains big enough to embrace the entire world… which includes you and me.

The Savior’s love which resisted the devil’s temptations; which endured unfair accusations; which suffered physical abuse; which kept Him on His cross and brought resurrection strength, is big enough to remove our sins and cover this world.
Today Jesus’ love sends the Holy Spirit into this world. Repent, believe, be saved. Why? Because it would be a terrible thing if only the devil’s believed in Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, all kinds of groups, companies, products and governments say they have a coat big enough to cover your needs, wants and desires. Help us recognize their shortcomings and acknowledge the Lord’s power and authority begins where theirs ends. This I ask in the Savior’s Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html