MY SAVIOR AND MY GOD

Psalm 42:5
Why am I discouraged?
Why so sad? I will
put my hope in God!
I will praise him again —
my Savior and my God!



I read a story about an elderly widow eager to serve Christ, but because of her advanced age she was restricted from certain activities. She prayed about her situation and realized that she could bring a blessing to others by playing the piano. She advertised, "Pianist will play hymns by phone for those who are sick and downhearted – the service is free." When people called, she’d ask, "What hymn would you like to hear?" Within a few months, her free service had brought cheer and encouragement to several hundred people. Sounds too silly to be true, doesn't it? Nevertheless, it is true! Praise the Lord for those gifts you have and the use those very gifts, no matter how small, to serve the Lord. You'll be encouraged along with the others that are impacted by your service and blessings.

THE SWEET LIFE

Ephesians 5:2
Live a life filled with love for
others, following the example of
Christ, who loved you and gave
himself as a sacrifice to take
away your sins. And God was
pleased, because that sacrifice
was like sweet perfume to him.



The Order of the Mustard Seed, founded by the Austrian noble Count Zinzendorf, has three guiding principles: 1. be kind to all people; 2. seek their welfare; and 3. win them to Christ. Count Zinzendorf began to love the Lord at age six, and lived day after day in fellowship and communion with Christ. He had given his entire life and possessions to the work of Jesus Christ. Zinzendorf's life fulfilled the standards set by Ephesians 5:2 of a pleasing life before God. In that, we can easily surmise that the Count's life deserves the comparison of a sweet perfume to God the Father. Set a goal for yourself to have your life be like a sweet perfume to the Lord.

GOOD DEEDS

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is only one God
and one Mediator who can
reconcile God and people.
He is the man Christ Jesus.



With all the different religions that the world offers, it's no wonder that people often find themselves confused about what to believe. Every religion claims they are the right one, but the Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” From the beginning, there has been only one God. That sole God came down from heaven and became a man to save men from sin and to reconcile with man. It was God who had to reach down to man for man to be lifted up and saved. "Religion" is man’s feeble effort to try and reach up to God – which explains why religions differ on how to obtain God’s approval, with a common denominator of performing good works to get into heaven. Truth be told, good works alone cannot get you into heaven. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 that, “God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” It is only through the God the Son that we have a mediator to God the Father. Only through His supernatural help are we able to have a way to heaven. There are no other options.

THE NEED FOR VALUES

Genesis 1:27
So God created people
in his own image; God
patterned them after
himself; male and
female he created them.



One late night (or should I say very early morning) after writing devotionals, I went to bed with the television on. While I was falling asleep, there was a reality show that featured a wedding between two teenage girls, with both sets of parents giving their full consent to the marriage. I thought to myself about how family values are being shattered before our very eyes. This is what the Apostle Paul wrote about in Romans 1:26-28, “That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved. When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.” The penalty for the rejection of God's values is really steep. Don't leave God out of your life, but rather have God at the center of your life so that you might truly be in the likeness of the Creator.

OPEN YOUR MIND

John 19:6
When they saw him, the leading priests
and Temple guards began shouting,
"Crucify! Crucify!" "You crucify him,"
Pilate said. "I find him not guilty."



Jesus was crucified even though He was never found guilty of any of the crimes that He was accused of. The hordes shouted for a verdict led by the Jewish leaders that wanted Jesus dead because they wouldn’t accept that He was the Son of God. The Apostle Paul was at one point in his life the main killer and prosecutor of early church Christians, but upon personally encountering Jesus while traveling to Damascus, he became a key preacher of the Gospel thereafter. Paul wrote in Romans 9:1-5, “In the presence of Christ, I speak with utter truthfulness – I do not lie and my conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm that what I am saying is true. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed – cut off from Christ! – if that would save them… He made covenants with them and gave his law to them. They have the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Their ancestors were great people of God, and Christ himself was a Jew as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” Do not be like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, but rather be open and accepting of the gift of truth. Open your minds to His possibilities!

RESPECT AND REVERENCE

Psalm 93:3-4
The mighty oceans have roared, O LORD.
The mighty oceans roar like thunder;
the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore.
But mightier than the violent raging of the seas,
mightier than the breakers on the shore —
the LORD above is mightier than these!



King Frederick the Great was making folly of the Lord Jesus at a dinner and he had everyone laughing when suddenly the great General Von Zealand stood up and said, “Sire, you know I have not feared death. I have fought and won 38 battles for you. I am an old man; I shall soon have to go into the presence of One Greater than thou, the mighty God who saved me from my sin, the Lord Jesus Christ whom you are blaspheming against.” With a trembling and apologetic voice, King Frederick said, “General, I beg your pardon. I beg your pardon! I beg your pardon!” Our Lord Jesus is God and He is mighty. A full respect and reverence towards Him is required. Know it and practice it.

HANDLING DEPRESSION

Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything
on earth. My health may fail,
and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength
of my heart; He is mine forever.



Depression will attack you when you're burdened with problems and you feel like you’re all alone. It can be enslaving and people in this kind of situation will sometimes go to great measures to find escape. It could be drugs, alcohol or even shopping, but the sad reality is that those "solutions" don't make the real problem go away. Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, admits his burden and dipping emotional state in verse 2 when he sang, “But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.” We later find that Asaph was reassured of God's security and refuge. The more that we desire God, the stronger we become in times of trials and problems because He becomes the center strength of your heart. Have God at your core and when your down days arrive you'll find yourself content in His peace rather than depressed within your emotions.

INHERIT RICHES

Numbers 18:20
And the LORD said to Aaron,
"You priests will receive no
inheritance of land or share
of property among the people
of Israel. I am your
inheritance and your share."



According to 1 Peter 2:9, Christians are peculiar because they, "Are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." This means that as priests of God we become an heir not only to blessings here on earth, but also of the possessions God owns in heaven. Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:24, "I say to myself, The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" David said Psalm 16:5, "Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine." Our riches are untouchable because God's economy is not affected by the economic crisis and meltdowns of this world. Rejoice in knowing that He is our inheritance!

BRING JOY TO YOUR LIFE

Psalm 40:8
I take joy in doing your
will, my God, for your law
is written on my heart.



David ran from the pursuits of King Saul for nearly twenty years. On several occasions, he had opportunities to kill Saul, but David understood the principle not harming God’s anointed leader. Regardless of Saul's wrong doings, David understood that blessings come only from the Lord, as well as vengeance. The joy of doing God’s will isn’t based upon the good things happening in one's life, but rather upon following the instructions of the Word of God. David said, “Your law is written in my heart,” and in Psalm 119:11 he said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Doing the will of God leaves the sin out of our lives and brings the joy into our lives. It's definitely worth doing.

DO THE RIGHT THING

Matthew 3:15
But Jesus said, "It must
be done, because we must do
everything that is right."
So then John baptized him.



The Bible goes silent about Jesus’ life after the incident where Joseph and Mary found the young Jesus teaching in the temple. Jesus told them in Luke 2:49, "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house." The last words about the young Savior are found in Luke 2:52, "So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him." Even from the time that Jesus was a young boy He set about doing the right things. He didn't make excuses, nor did He use His authority to exempt himself from the processes of earthly life. In a modern context, these principles were used by General Montgomery (UK) as he began his command in North Africa to rescue the allied forces, he said, "My commands are to be carried out; Orders no longer form the basis for discussion, but for action." As history would tell, Montgomery delivered victories in battle after battle. Likewise, when we do what’s right and obey God’s exact instructions as found in His Word, our victory is certain and the battle is won.

BE DEDICATED

1 Corinthians 4:10
Our dedication to Christ
makes us look like fools.



Worldly principles are totally different from the ways of God. To the world, in order to have something you be a "go-getter". Another famed principle is if someone treats you badly, you have the right get "even". In contrast, Jesus’ principles are starkly different: “To have, you give.” Luke 6:29 teaches, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.” It reminds me of John Wanamaker's description of a trip to see a Chinese mission he’d been supporting. Wanamaker saw an old man plowing a field with an old plow drawn by a young man. He asked the elder why the young man was pulling the plow and the old man replied that, “The church needed to build a steeple so that people could see the church from a distance. The money was not enough to build the steeple. The son had said, ‘Let us sell one of our oxen to finish the steeple and I will take the yoke of the ox we sell.’” To the world, this would be considered utter foolishness, but Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” Be dedicated to Christ and don’t worry about looking like a fool. His ways are not the ways of man.

NOWHERE TO HIDE

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation
can hide from him.
Everything is naked and
exposed before his eyes.
This is the God to whom
we must explain all
that we have done.



We can deny the existence of God and try to live as if God doesn't exist, but even atheists can be heard mumbling, “I don’t believe in God and God knows it.” It reminds me of a silly story about a college student that didn't study for a final exam just before the Christmas break. At the top of the exam he handed in he wrote, “Only God knows the answers to these questions. Merry Christmas!” Well, the professor graded all the papers and wrote this note to the snarky student: “God gets 100. You get a zero. Happy New Year!” The day will come where everything you’ve ever done will be judged by the all-knowing God. You can, however, get your judgment day off to a good start if you ask for His forgiveness and let Him cleanse you of your sins. He’ll refresh your mind and erase all your sins as far as the east is from the west. After all, because God knows everything, He also knows exactly what you need.

THE LORD WILL PROVIDE

Genesis 22:14
Abraham named the place
"The LORD Will Provide."



Charles Spurgeon once told one of his struggling students, “If you had gone up as you came down, you would have come down as you went up.” Humility means recognizing who you are and who God is. Abraham humbled himself when God asked for his son to be offered. Isaac, Abraham’s only son, was to be the seedling of God’s promise to make Abraham the father of many nations – and God was asking that Abraham offer Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah. While it was certainly a difficult decision and path, Abraham still knew who God was in his life. The mountain was a God-given place for Abraham to tread and we need to be just like Abraham, heading up onto the mountain on what would appear to be a dead-end road, but knowing that God’s provisions are still waiting for us.

GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

Acts 20:24
But my life is worth nothing
unless I use it for doing
the work assigned me by the
Lord Jesus — the work of
telling others the Good News
about God's wonderful
kindness and love.



This is an excerpt from Brian Keith Moore's autobiography “The Room”:

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. One wall covered with small index card files. A sense of wonder and curiosity, mixed with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files. Some brought joy and sweet memories, others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. Files named "Friends I have betrayed", "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Laughed At", "Things I Have Yelled At My Brothers and Sisters", "Things I Have Done in Anger", and "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". Could it be possible that I had time in my 17 years to write each of these thousands or millions of cards? "Songs I Have Listened To", "Lustful Thoughts". No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room!" I saw the file bore, "People I Shared the Gospel With". It’s newer, almost unused. I began to weep.

Two months later, Brian died in a car accident. Other than sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, our lives are worth nothing. Get your priorities straight so you don’t live a useless life.

GIVING IT YOUR ALL

Luke 21:1-4
While Jesus was in the Temple,
he watched the rich people putting
their gifts into the collection box.
Then a poor widow came by and dropped
in two pennies. "I assure you," he said,
"this poor widow has given more than all
the rest of them. For they have given a
tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor
as she is, has given everything she has."



Regarding giving, Christianity is about giving everything you have – just like when Jesus gave His life for all of us on the cross. In Acts 2:45, the first century Christians, “sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need.” Acts 4:34-35 teaches us that, “there was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need.” Today, Jesus is watching us from His throne and He knows who is giving their all, and He knows who's putting everything possible into the kingdom. Ultimately, the rewards and blessings for giving everything you have are absolutely priceless.

MONEY MONEY MONEY

1 Timothy 6:17
Tell those who are rich in this world
not to be proud and not to trust in
their money, which will soon be gone.
But their trust should be in the
living God, who richly gives us
all we need for our enjoyment.



Ray O. Jones said that the dollar bill actually speaks and that when it speaks it says:

You hold me in your hand and call me yours.
Yet may I not as well call you mine.
See how easily I rule you?
To gain me, you would all but die.

I am invaluable as rain, essential as water.
Without me, men and institutions would die.
Yet I do not hold the power of life for them;
I am futile without the stamp of your desire.

I go nowhere unless you send me.
I keep strange company.
For me, men mock, love, and scorn character.
Yet, I am appointed to the service of saints,
to give education to the growing mind and
food to the starving bodies of the poor.

My power is terrific.
Handle me carefully and wisely,
lest you become my servant,
rather than I yours.

Money is a wonderful servant, but a truly awful master. Ultimately, you've got to personally trust the living God and not your riches because it's impossible to serve two masters. Think about it, if you're caught up in the pursuit of money, riches and power, you're really a slave and your master is money. Flip it around so that your master is God and your servant is money.

A BADGE OF HONOR

2 Timothy 1:12
And that is why I am suffering
here in prison. But I am not
ashamed of it, for I know the one
in whom I trust, and I am sure
that he is able to guard what
I have entrusted to him until
the day of his return.



The Apostle Paul was imprisoned because he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I think it is fair to say that it is a great privilege for one to go through pain and suffering brought about by their service unto the Lord. During pain and suffering there are moments of complete identification with Jesus Christ who himself walked upon a path much worse than the one we tread. John 15:20 tells us that Jesus taught, "Do you remember what I told you? ‘A servant is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you!" Just serve the Lord despite any anguish because your blood, sweat and tears become a true badge of honor.

IMPECCABLE

Isaiah 38:17
Yes, it was good for me
to suffer this anguish, for you
have rescued me from death
and have forgiven all my sins.



History tells us that the most ancient set of laws is the Code of Hammurabi from the King of Babylon (c. 1728-1686 BC). The code divides the population into three classes: gentlemen, citizens, and slaves. Generally, gentlemen would enjoy many special privileges, but if one would commit an offense, that person would be punished more severely than members of the citizens or slaves. As Christians, we are the children of God, with the gifting of many privileges and promises by our Lord. When we are corrected through suffering and hardship, it can be argued under the Code of Hammurabi that the punishment be more severe because of our position as children of God. Behave and walk as a child of God should. If you really think it through, you're a member of a royal family and your behavior should be impeccable.

WHENEVER IT BREAKS

1 Peter 1:9
Your reward for trusting
him will be the salvation
of your souls.



I'd read about a monastery in Portugal sitting atop a 3,000 foot cliff that's reachable only by a basket with a single rope and pulley. Visitors to the monastery ride in the basket, pulled up to the cliff by several strong men. One tourist visiting the site noticed that the rope was old and a bit worn, prompting him to ask, "So how often do you change the rope?" The monk in charge said, "Whenever it breaks." I guess it takes some real faith just to get to this monastery! What's your faith like? How sure are you about your religion? Can you fully trust your religion to bring you to heaven and to save you from hell? The Apostle Peter said that your reward in trusting Jesus will be the salvation of your soul from hell. Here’s the best part - it’s 100% guaranteed and you don't have to worry about old ropes breaking while you're in a basket.

OBSTACLES TO HEAVEN

1 Corinthians 9:22
When I am with those who are oppressed,
I share their oppression so that
I might bring them to Christ.
Yes, I try to find common ground with
everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.



Mahatma Gandhi said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” I heard that Gandhi also said, “I should have been a Christian if not for the Christians.” Often, the biggest hindrance of Christianity is the Christians themselves. We set up standards making it difficult for people to know of and believe in Jesus Christ. We scare people with our own personal preferences in music, musical instruments and even the manner of worship in the church. The very people that we want to reach end up excluded and sometimes even scared to come to the feet of Christ. We need to stand with conviction in upholding the truth of Christ and decrease our personal preferences for the salvation of the lost. After all, the common ground is bringing the unsaved to Christ.

VICTORY IN JESUS

John 5:24
I assure you, those who listen
to my message and believe in God
who sent me have eternal life.
They will never be condemned
for their sins, but they have
already passed from death into life.



Death can arguably be called the greatest enemy of man. Voltaire the Incomparable Infidel told his doctor while on his deathbed, “I am abandoned by God and man. I will give you half of what I am worth, if you will give me six months of life.” The doctor replied, “Sir, you could not live six more weeks.” Voltaire said, “Then I shall go to hell, and you will go with me.” Misery must truly love company! If only Voltaire had realized that death was already conquered by the Jesus on the cross. The Word of God testifies in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 that, “When this (death) happens – when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die – then at last the Scriptures will come true: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?’ For sin is the sting that results in death and the law gives sin its power - Thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! We can enjoy life and not be scared of death if our trust is in Jesus.” You see, with Jesus Christ we have victory because we get to go from death unto life. You just have to sincerely make the choice to be in Christ and your greatest enemy becomes nothing more than a dog who's bark is worse than it's bite.

WHAT CAN WASH AWAY MY SINS

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.



Supreme Court records tell us that Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, in a 1998 dissenting opinion said that the, “Scrutiny of another's trash is contrary to commonly accepted notions of civilized behavior. A search of trash, like a search of the bedroom, can relate intimate details about health and personal hygiene... as well as financial and professional status, political affiliations and inclinations, private thoughts, personal relationships and romantic interests.” God would love to clean out all the garbage that we've personally accumulated in our lives. However, because of the free will He has granted us, He won’t intrude on our right to choose what we accumulate, whether or not it may or may not be garbage. You have to choose to take out your own trash and He’ll be just and faithful to cleanse us from all the dirt that's left behind with the blood of the Lamb. It's your choice and He'll faithfully be there for you when you make your decision. All you have to do is decide and choose.

SEXUAL TEMPTATIONS

1 Corinthians 10:13
But remember that the temptations
that come into your life are no
different from what others experience.
And God is faithful. He will keep
the temptation from becoming so strong
that you can't stand up against it.
When you are tempted, he will
show you a way out so that
you will not give in to it.



Here’s a silly anecdote for you: The head of a dormitory was giving instructions to the dorm residents informing them that the, “Male students are not allowed into female dorms, and female students are not allowed into male dorm rooms. Anybody caught breaking this rule will be fined $20 the first time. The second time you will be fined $60. A third time will cost you a fine of $180. Any questions?" A male student quipped, "How much for a season pass?" It's certainly a comedic statement, but in all seriousness, rule are meant to be obeyed and not to be violated. God's rules even have the sovereignty of His throne. That said, during times of fleshly temptation, you need to remember that God is faithful to show you a way out. If you are faithful and obedient when following Him, the way out that He provides will be obvious and easy to see.

I AM IN TROUBLE

Isaiah 38:14
Delirious, I chattered like
a swallow or a crane, and then
I moaned like a mourning dove.
My eyes grew tired of
looking to heaven for help.
I am in trouble, Lord. Help me!



Have you ever been in such deep trouble that you felt it might be the end of everything? King Hezekiah of the Old Testament was in the prime of his life when he became deathly sick. His power, popularity, money and everything else under his power were useless and couldn’t bring healing. He was tired and dying, and he had exhausted everything he possessed to get better. He realized that the only One who'd be able to heal and lead him out of his troubles was the Lord. You might have everything going in your life at the moment, and you may even feel that you don’t need God right now, but you really ought to start thanking Him for all the blessings you have because the time may come that you’ll go through what King Hezekiah experienced. God will again be the only one left to help you after you exhaust all of your possibilities. If you're a believer you shouldn't be afraid because He'll always be there for you in your time of need.

MOVIN' ON UP

Philippians 3:14
I strain to reach the end
of the race and receive
the prize for which God,
through Christ Jesus,
is calling us up to heaven.



One of my all time favorite hymns is Higher Ground which was written in 1892 by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

I’m pressing on the upward way,
new heights I’m gaining every day;
still praying as I’m onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
where doubts arise and fears dismay;
though some may dwell where those abound,
my prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-2, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.” There's really not much more to add. If you're a believer in Christ, you're heaven bound and heading upward to higher ground.