Daily Devotions

Monday, March 09, 2009

Current Study: A to Z         

Today’s Topic: Kindness

Today’s Scripture:  Titus 3:4-7  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Yesterday as I drove home from south Dakota, I was listening to a Christian radio station out of the Twin cities. In between two of the songs the voice of a phone caller to the station was heard. She told a story of kindness. She had been praying for days that God would reveal Himself to her in a meaningful and undeniable way. That day, one her way to work, she noticed a tire on her car going flat. She stopped by the auto shop to have it repaired. When the mechanic came back with her keys he told her that there would be no charge. He said that he had gotten in her car to drive it into the shop and noticed that she was listening to a Christian radio station. He felt the Lord saying to him to pay for the tire repair himself, which he did. She was overwhelmed. God had revealed Himself to her at a time when she was starting to doubt Him even more. Just when she thought things were getting worse, God showed up.

As Paul writes to his pastoral trainee named Titus, he tells him how bad things are for all of us. He says, At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. In another place, writing to the people at Colossae he says, Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of  your evil behavior. Can it get any worse than that. Our sin made us the enemy of God and completely alienated us from Him. Our sin put us in a position of deserving the wrath of God. But instead of revealing Himself to us in wrath, God chose to reveal Himself to us through kindness.

Here is the central theme of Christianity. When we were in a place of hopelessness because we were unable to do anything to change our condition, God determined to change our condition for us. When everything we were stood opposed to the holy nature of God, and we were by nature the objects of His wrath (Eph. 2:3), His mercy took over. He poured out His love on us through the gift of His Son Jesus Christ and has given us eternal life. We could do nothing to earn it. It was totally His kindness that conquered our condition.

A couple of weeks ago I made a huge blunder in one of my sermons. It happens to all pastors occasionally. This time it caused quite an uproar. I made a statement, that while theologically correct, had very little foundation in the context of that sermon from which to be made. It appeared, from the statement, that I was negating the love of God. It appeared that I was directing people to approach witnessing from a standpoint condemnation and judgment, rather than from the mercy and grace of God. I am doing neither. I made a huge mistake by including that particular theological truth into a sermon without providing proper time to unpack it for our understanding. If you were one of the people offended by my statement, I sincerely apologize and ask for your forgiveness. It is the kindness and love of God that provides us with the opportunity for salvation. It is His mercy that saves us.

It is the example of God in His treatment of His enemies that becomes the foundation for our treatment of people. The wisest man ever to live – King Solomon – knew well how to win people, especially enemies. He said, If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Centuries later, in his letter to the church at Rome, after quoting this saying of Solomon, said, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. In these words, and in the example of Christ, we find the foundation for the sharing of our faith – kindness. Acts of kindness to people will open their hearts to Christ. Our enemies need to see the love and kindness of God. It is His kindness that draws people to Himself, and His kindness has only one dispenser – YOU!

We have a strong tendency to be judgmental. We seem to take some kind of pleasure or find some kind of personal fulfillment in condemning the activities, behaviors, and even appearances of others. If God, who alone is holy and has every right to condemn, chooses to be kind, then shouldn’t we? Read carefully these words from Paul in Romans 2. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

Do you see it? It’s right there at the end. God’s kindness leads us to repentance. That is to be the basis for our ministry to others who need Christ. We are to be kind. I can’t wait to hear some of your stories of how that has worked for you. I can’t wait to hear how this truth changes some of your lives. Let the kindness and love of God show up in your life. People will get saved.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Current Study: A to Z         

Today’s Topic: Inexpressible Joy

Today’s Scripture:  1 Peter 1:6-9  So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are filled with a glorious, inexpressible joy. Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Yesterday my wife and I, along with many others, attended a very special birthday party. It was the first birthday of a little girl named Geneva. She is a dream. If you’ve never heard about her, you’ve got to read her story. Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/genevajoyselvig and check it out. Many of you already know that she is the daughter of our worship minister at church.

This little girl has had a huge impact on literally hundreds or even thousands of people around the world. Her birth defect has been the instrument God has used to touch many people’s lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has taught us many lessons about faith. Her life has been used to show us all the reality of what Peter says in today’s Scripture passage. I wonder if her parents knew the significance of the middle name they chose for her, and how the truth of that word would be revealed in their lives? Her middle name is Joy.

If the only reality of joy was the cultural and circumstantial reality of happiness, we would all be extremely depressed. Happiness is not joy. Happiness is an emotion that responds to positive input. When things go right, we are happy. When things go bad, we are sad. But joy isn’t an emotion. Joy is capable of producing emotion, but joy is not emotion. Joy is the product of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Savior. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Our relationship with Christ is eternal, being kept secure by the power of God (see 1 Peter 1:5).  Therefore, joy is permanent, not contingent upon circumstances. But I wonder how many times we have really experienced the inexpressible joy spoken of in Scripture?

It actually happens to me quite often. You can tell when I’m experiencing it by the uncontrollable tears streaming down my face. It happens most often when I thinking, speaking, or looking at the subject of salvation. Several weeks ago I broke down during a worship service while we were singing the song, “My Jesus, I love Thee.” I was overwhelmed with an inexpressible joy that caused my mouth to stop working and my eyes to start pumping. I was filled with the joy of my salvation.

Just recently Geneva’s dad graduated from the leadership training program we have at our church. He sat in that weekly class for two-and-a-half years. I watched him grow in his faith through the last year of the class as we processed Little G’s life and circumstances. We shed tears. But those tears came from a different motivation as the year went by. I watched her dad cry when the discussion turned to the wonder of God’s grace. I cried with him as we considered the people who had come to salvation – people who had seen the faith of two parents go through seemingly insurmountable circumstances with the joy of the Lord as their strength. I watched as the inexpressible joy of salvation overwhelmed their heartache. They were not always happy, but the joy of the Lord was evident.

This devotional today will get far too long if I try to share with you all the ways that the first nine verses Peter’s first letter have impacted my life. I simply want to challenge you to consider this. Life is tough. Most of the time it just plain stinks. The economy is going down the tubes. Our jobs are threatened. Our families are stressed. Friends have forsaken us. Words we have said have been used against us. Our cars and boats break down. Our retirement funds are being wiped out. Where do we turn to find any relief from the heartache?

Let me remind you that your relief is not found in happiness. If you are unhappy it is probably because your focus is on the condition of your circumstances and not the condition of your heart. It’s necessary to go through these trials, so that God can test and strengthen our faith. The trials are tests of trust. The tough times are portals to praise. And the joy that you will experience when you begin to praise Him for your salvation is not even the fullness of joy. Peter says there is more wonderful joy ahead. Every trial brings greater joy, until one day all trials will be gone, and we will experience the fullness of joy in the presence of our Lord.

So the next time a circumstance robs you of happiness, remember that in Christ nothing can steal your joy. It just takes a change of perspective. Rise above your clouds, and be thrilled with the glory of the Son. He has saved you, and you are His forever. Culture can change but it can’t change that. Circumstances can change but they can’t change that. Christ is unchangeable, and you can’t change that. Christ is your constant. Rejoice – and let the joy of your salvation become inexpressible.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Current Study: A to Z         

Today’s Topic: What Will You Inherit?

Today’s Scripture:  1 Peter 1:3-5 All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him.

I wonder what we’ll find when we get there? On Friday morning I will be picking my brother up at the Minneapolis airport and travelling by car to my dad’s house in South Dakota. My youngest brother will already have been there done his part. We were hoping to all be there together but his schedule changed. Our reason for going is simple, yet hard. We have to help dad go through everything in his house and prepare for a sale. He’s selling his house and going to be moving into a more manageable apartment. We’re going to help him sort through everything so we know what items will stay in the family and not get sold. It will be a work-filled weekend, but it will be great to review the heritage that we have been given by being a part of a family that loves and serves the Lord.

When the weekend is over, we’ll have some idea of what we are going to inherit one day. An inheritance can be pretty exciting. A couple of weeks ago I was told a story about an inheritance that completely refreshed my trust in God’s provision. My wife and I were talking to a former pastor’s wife who has been a widow for 18 years now. She was telling us that when her husband died, she was left with only $2000 in the bank after his funeral. Her social security income would not cover all of her expenses. Then she received a phone call from a lawyer. One of her uncles had died, and he had not left a will. After going through all of probate, it was determined that she and several other relatives would receive equal shares of the estate. It was a large estate. She now lives in a beautiful assisted living facility in the Twin Cities. She is quite comfortable. God gave her an inheritance that supplied all of her needs and more. Her faithful service in the ministry where very little was assigned to retirement benefits was rewarded.

Our faithful service in ministry to the King will also be rewarded with an incredible inheritance some day. We don’t have the privilege of travelling there early to get a glimpse of what we will receive, but we can believe it will be magnificent. We have been made joint heirs with Jesus of all that is in eternity for all of eternity. Imagine how much that is. If the city in which we will live has streets of gold, imagine what our mansions will be like. If the homes built for us to live in are paid for completely from the resources of glory, and we get an equal share of all of those resources, imagine how much that is. Now before we get too carried away, we are bordering on self-centered theology here. Our hope of reward is not to be our primary motivation for ministry. However, the knowledge of a reward is certainly a part of the gift of salvation that does motivate us. We have an inheritance coming, and it’s far more than any rich uncle could ever give us.

It’s not wrong to look ahead to the hope of glory and the priceless inheritance God has reserved for His children. In fact, it’s wrong not to. When we stop looking ahead we begin looking around. I love to look around when I’m driving. It drives my wife nuts. She knows that you usually end up going where you’re looking. How many times has she had to verbally correct a steering error because the car is moving in the direction of my eyes? The same is true of our spiritual lives. The more we look ahead, and keep our eyes fixed on the finish line of glory and the inheritance waiting for us there, the less time we will spend looking around at what the world offers as alternatives. Looking ahead keeps us fixed on our goal. Looking at the dead deer in the ditch just might lead to us becoming his decomposition buddy. It certainly puts us at risk.

No earthly substitute can be found for the inheritance that awaits us in glory. No retirement fund beats the eternal one. No earthly purchase can match your heavenly purpose. The prophet Isaiah says, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”  The risk of taking our eyes off of the final inheritance in heaven is that we will settle for mediocrity now. That’s what happened to the church at Laodicea.  Look at what Jesus says to them. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich.”  They were ineffective in ministry because they were invested in what the world could offer them.

The same will happen to us if we don’t keep investing in the eternal kingdom. Where your treasure is, that’s where your heart will be. It’s time we started building bigger investments into our eternal inheritance. The stock we buy in the God’s Kingdom will never crash.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Current Study: A to Z         

Today’s Topic: Heart Healthy

Today’s Scripture:  2 Corinthians 4:16  Therefore we do not lose heart…

My heart is heavy, but it remains healthy. The heaviness is being caused by a disease. It’s not a new disease, but just a new form of an old one. I am trying to fight it off, and because my heart is healthy I believe I am succeeding, but my heart is heavy because of the vast numbers of people  the disease is affecting. It is highly contagious, especially to those who have weakened immune systems. Unfortunately, there are huge numbers of people with those weakened immune systems and they are not only susceptible to the disease, but are already suffering from it. That’s what makes my heart so heavy.

The disease has taken on many forms through the years, so it has become increasingly difficult to diagnose. In its early stages it was generally diagnosed as liberalism. As the disease progressed and mutated it became identifiable by symptoms like legalism and permissiveness. I know those sound like conflicting symptoms, but that’s exactly why this disease has been so hard to specifically diagnose. Other symptoms developed as time passed. The disease affected people’s ability to understand and accept truth as truth. It “opened their minds” to new definitions of what everyone used to call sin. In the church, it produced an overwhelming need for social acceptance. That has resulted in symptoms of emotionalism and secularism. In an attempt to appear to have healthy hearts, those affected by the disease have united with others in so-called “faith communities” based on socially accepted similarities. In order to do so, they have had to deny that there is any real need for distinguishing truth from error.  In its most recent stages the disease has progressed by giving rise to social conscience at the expense of sound doctrine. The very truths of God’s nature and character have been rewritten to become acceptable and understandable to modern man. Only the characteristics of God that result in temporal benefit to mankind are emphasized. The disease has succeeded in its evil purpose – the destruction of the truth of God and the hardening of the heart of man.

So what is this terrible disease? It is so simple yet so profound. It is the same disease that split the angels of heaven. It is the same disease that separated man from God in the first place. It is the same disease that destroys the hearts of people today. It is pride. Its single most recognizable symptom is self-centered living. It is deadly when left untreated. It is destroying churches who think that they exist to please people. It is destroying people who think that God exists to satisfy them. But there is a cure. And it is possible to restore one’s immune system to fight it off in the future. The cure is Jesus Christ, and the correction of the immune system is accomplished through a commitment to the truth.  While the disease has progressed to a point of deep infiltration into the church, and can be labeled as pandemic, I believe it is possible to save individuals from its infectious consequences. It will require us to take a stand that will not be popular, but we are not seeking popularity. We recognize that as one of the symptoms of the disease. We will be persecuted for our stand, but our stand is based on truth that results in healthy hearts.

The Apostle Paul wrote about this disease way back in the first century when he sent a letter to his friends at the church in Corinth. These words have helped me to resolve to stand strong with a healthy heart. I know they have strengthened my immune system so I can fight off the disease. I hope they do the same for you.

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Monday, March 02, 2009

Current Study: A to Z         

Today’s Topic: Grappling with Giants

Today’s Scripture:  1 Samuel 17:4   Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was a giant of a man, measuring over nine feet tall! 

I met an inspirational family yesterday. They visited our church for the very first time. I first saw them after they had already carried their son into the church in his specially designed wheel chair. It reminded me again of the URGENT need we have to get out of the building we are in and into a ministry center that is fully accessible to all people seeking to connect to God. It renewed my passion to pray for God’s resources to pour in on us and for our current building to sell. But that’s not what inspired me about this family.

I only know a short version of the story as told to me by their friends who invited them to church. When he was 22 months old, their son had a heart attack from a birth defect, and he nearly died. His brain was starved for oxygen and has been permanently damaged. He will never grow intellectually. He has almost no physical function. He will never run and play like other boys. He will never reach out and initiate a hug with his parents. He will never really know anything about love or relationship with others. Yet to watch these parents was inspirational. He is their son, and they love him unconditionally. And now they are searching for a place to connect with others who through faith understand that God is in control and can help them face their difficulties head on and come out shining with His glory.

What inspired me most about them was their attitudes. They were not pouting in self-pity. They were not cowering in the corner of fear and doubt. They were being courageous. They were facing this giant of a problem head on. Yet in the few moments I spent with them it was obvious that they were searching for spiritual meaning to it all. They needed hope that surpassed their abilities. They knew there was still something missing in their lives, and their previous spiritual backgrounds had not offered them any real answers. They were looking for the truth that would help them conquer their giants. That truth is found only by faith in Jesus Christ and in the absolute control of God to bring about His good and His glory for those who love Him.

Giants are constantly stepping out of the ranks of life and challenging us. They appear at the most inopportune times. They come from the most unsuspecting places. It’s a fact of life that nothing stays the same for very long. It’s also true that life moves in the direction of disaster and destruction, and unless we look at life with spiritual eyes we will only see giants to big to overcome. That’s what the nation of Israel saw when they saw Goliath. This giant of a man stepped out of the ranks of ordinary army life and challenged the Israelite army. Their first and biggest mistake was to let the giant set the rules for combat. They let the giant control them. They were scared when they should have been strategizing for success. For forty days they would go out and line up to fight only to fall back in fearful retreat at the sight of the giant. They knew what they wanted to do, but they gave the giant permission to stand in their way. Giants do that to us all the time.

Then one day a young man named David comes to the battle front. He has experience with giants. He has faith in God that conquers the fear of giants. He has fought hand-to-hand combat with bears and lions and been victorious. He wonders how one man can stand in the way of God’s army. He lays aside all of man’s armor that had been given to him, and he steps out with nothing but a sling and five smooth stones. Nothing, that is, but his faith in his great and mighty God. When the giant stands over him and verbally reduces him to nothing, David responds with the words of faith, not fear. He says, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD Almighty—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”  Goliath moves forward. David runs to meet him. He slings a stone and slays the giant. There is no giant that can stand in defiance of God. They will all fall just as Goliath did.

We all have giants in our lives. They may not look like giants to others, but they are to us. Every giant is a test. You have two possible responses – fear or faith. You’re going to battle some violent opposition; you might be tempted to retreat. But keep in mind, God is with you. You’ll face overwhelming odds; you’ll be incredibly outnumbered. Fear would be your natural inclination. But keep in mind, God is with you. This fight may not be over in ten minutes or ten weeks; there may be no quick solution. If you think it’s taking too long, keep in mind, God is with you. In the words of Moses who challenged Joshua to lead the people in to the land of giants, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6)

The choice of how you respond to the giants in your life is yours. You can let the giant dictate the rules of engagement and hold power over you; or you can stand against the giant and overcome him with the word of the Lord. Grappling with giants doesn’t sound like fun, nor is it easy when done in our own strength. But we never have to fight in our own strength. Don’t let the giant convince you that he is greater than God. Don’t give in to the giant’s demands. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you! We are more than conqueror’s through Him – Jesus Christ – who loves us!

Pastor John