LifeLink Devotions for Friday, June 14, 2024

Yesterday we looked at the first of three principles for spiritual success found in this Bible verse:

Proverbs 24:5-6  “A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.”

Our first principle was this – we must be determined to be a success.

Here are the other two principles.

2.      Surround yourself with spiritual protectors – the Holy Spirit will direct us to people who can encourage us, teach us, train us, and fight for us. Get to know these people intimately. Trust them. Serve them. Develop a common goal and commit to its accomplishment. Study each other’s strengths and weaknesses so you can stand by them no matter what the opposition is. Let’s become a team.

3.      Study the opponent. Even though we have developed a game plan under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the people that are on our team, we must be aware of what the opponent is going to do to try to stop God’s plan. We must discover where he is and how he will try to stop us, and then run where he isn’t. Then, as we get stronger and more confident in God’s power to protect us, we can start running where the opponent is, and make him run away. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

It’s a great moment in a football game when the offense decides it is time to run at the strength of the defense because they have worn them down and are determined to overwhelm them. It’s also a great moment in a Christian’s life when they are able do the same. 

Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

It is not the size of the church, or the money in the bank that make the Body of Christ spiritually powerful; it is the name of the LORD our God. Find in Him all the strength you need for any battle today, because “greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, June 12, 2024

There’s one more wisdom principle for us to apply from King Solomon if we are going to build a life of meaning and purpose. It’s found in Proverbs 24:3-4.

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

After laying the foundation of salvation, and establishing our house firmly on that foundation through understanding of how and by whom we were saved, we furnish the inside of the house with rare and beautiful treasures by growing in our knowledge of God and His purpose.

We are all guilty of furnishing areas of our lives with the inferior quality goods that come from the world. Why? We have available to us all the riches of God in Christ Jesus to furnish every room in our house. It’s time to start a little summer clean-up project and remodeling. Check out all the rooms in your spiritual house. Are they furnished with the eternal riches of God’s grace or the cheap imitations of a failing world system? Check out these verses:

Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” 

Ephesians 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

So, how is your house inspection going? I know I have a couple of rooms that need work. I’d better get at it. The Building Inspector could come today.

Pastor John

LifeLink  Devotions for Thursday, June 13, 2024

Small football players fascinate me. One of the greatest running backs of our era didn’t think anyone in the National Football League would give him a chance because he was too small to succeed. But the Dallas Cowboys liked what they saw in his heart and gave him a chance. For fifteen years he was the model of sportsmanship and success. Here’s what Emmit Smith accomplished:

He was rookie of the year, three-time rushing champion, three-time Super Bowl champion and once was the Super Bowl MVP. He also held or still holds eight different
NFL records. 

What it is that makes a 5’9”, 180-pound running back have any kind of a chance against 6’5”, 275-pound defensive lineman? There is only one answer – wisdom and guidance.

Proverbs 24:5-6  “A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.”

First of all, he surrounded himself with a bunch of 6’5”, 300-pound offensive lineman to run interference against the huge, headhunting defensive guys. He was made strong and earned victory because of the many advisors that he had – from coaches teaching him what to look for in defensive alignments to other players making a path for him on which to stay safe.

Secondly, he filled himself up with as much knowledge of his opponent as possible, so that when he came into the game situation he was able to adjust his running to what he recognized the defense would try to do. His eyes were always alert to the location of every opponent, and he avoided being hurt by running where they weren’t.

There are some great spiritual lessons for us in this that can be applied to how we run the race that has been marked out for us by God. Here’s one of those lessons for today.

Fill yourself with the determination to be a spiritual success, which is really a product of the filling of the Holy Spirit. It is an act of our will to surrender to the will of God and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish that purpose. We must make it our priority to be spiritually successful.

When we walk in the Spirit of God, we are promised victory over the desires of the flesh. However, we must be determined to put to death those ungodly desires that disrupt our fellowship with Jesus. We must be determined.

Several years ago a song was released by Tim Shepherd that really spoke to my heart. It was entitled “I Am Determined.” I pray the lyrics will motivate you to be determined to live for the Lord.

Darkness around me, sorrow surrounds me
Though there be trials, still I can sing
For I have this treasure – My God reigns within me
And I am determined to live for the King

Hell’s gates are trembling from our prayers ascending Darkness is crumbling from praises we sing
Our Sovereign, Victorious is marching before us
And we are determined to live for the King

When I am weary – I’ll look to His face
And when I am tempted
I’ll trust in His grace —
Yes, I’ll trust in His grace —–

I am determined to be invincible
‘Til He has finished His purpose in me
And nothing shall shake me
For He’ll never forsake me

And I am determined – I am determined — I am determined to live for My King

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, June 12, 2024

There’s one more wisdom principle for us to apply from King Solomon if we are going to build a life of meaning and purpose. It’s found in Proverbs 24:3-4.

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

After laying the foundation of salvation, and establishing our house firmly on that foundation through understanding of how and by whom we were saved, we furnish the inside of the house with rare and beautiful treasures by growing in our knowledge of God and His purpose.

We are all guilty of furnishing areas of our lives with the inferior quality goods that come from the world. Why? We have available to us all the riches of God in Christ Jesus to furnish every room in our house. It’s time to start a little summer clean-up project and remodeling. Check out all the rooms in your spiritual house. Are they furnished with the eternal riches of God’s grace or the cheap imitations of a failing world system? Check out these verses:

Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” 

Ephesians 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

So, how is your house inspection going? I know I have a couple of rooms that need work. I’d better get at it. The Building Inspector could come today.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, June 12, 2024

There’s one more wisdom principle for us to apply from King Solomon if we are going to build a life of meaning and purpose. It’s found in Proverbs 24:3-4.

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

After laying the foundation of salvation, and establishing our house firmly on that foundation through understanding of how and by whom we were saved, we furnish the inside of the house with rare and beautiful treasures by growing in our knowledge of God and His purpose.

We are all guilty of furnishing areas of our lives with the inferior quality goods that come from the world. Why? We have available to us all the riches of God in Christ Jesus to furnish every room in our house. It’s time to start a little summer clean-up project and remodeling. Check out all the rooms in your spiritual house. Are they furnished with the eternal riches of God’s grace or the cheap imitations of a failing world system? Check out these verses:

Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” 

Ephesians 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

So, how is your house inspection going? I know I have a couple of rooms that need work. I’d better get at it. The Building Inspector could come today.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, June 12, 2024

Everyone desires a life of purpose and meaning, and there are lots of building plans being promoted  in the world. Which plan should we follow?

King Solomon, the wisest of all human builders, discovered that a life built on God’s wisdom is the only one that makes sense. Yesterday we determined that for a life to be built well it must have a good foundation, and the only foundation that withstands all the storms of life is Jesus Christ.

The second thing that is necessary in building a house is for it to be established, and understanding is the building material. In other words, everything built on top of the foundation must be connected to the foundation and use materials that remain strong and unmovable in the storms of life. Notice in the following to passages of Scripture how life is established through our understanding of God:

Colossians 1:9-11 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,”

Colossians 2:2-4 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”

The more we come to understand our great salvation and the God who provided it, the stronger our house becomes. That is why a daily study of God’s Word is so important to our spiritual vitality. But it cannot stop with just understanding it. We must also do what we understand. James 3:3 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  It’s not enough to have all the building materials delivered to the construction site. Let’s pound some nails!

Tomorrow we will look at one more wisdom principle for building a solid life.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Monday, June 10, 2024

All my life I have loved tools. I have trouble walking through a hardware store and not picking up a new tool and trying to justify why I need it. I think my love for tools comes from a couple of childhood memories about my grandfather, Gunnar Gabrielson, who lived in Cleveland, Ohio. I loved to go down to the basement and look at his tools. I don’t ever remember seeing a power tool, just the old-fashioned hand tools. But what beautiful work he would do with those tools. He was a skilled craftsman. In fact, he designed and built the first ever sewing machine cabinet for the White Sewing Machine Company. It is on display in a museum in Cleveland. 

The major difference between my love for tools and my grandfather’s love for tools is that he knew how to use them well. He was careful and precise about everything he did. I do not understand those concepts. I am the proverbial bull in a china closet. I have tried to discipline myself to be careful, and I have accomplished some nice projects, but they are always flawed in some way, and it is always traceable to my lack of patience and carefulness, and to my pride that says I know just enough to do the job, when in fact I lack the wisdom to do the job well.

In today’s wisdom verses, Solomon uses the analogy of building a house to reveal to us the wisdom necessary for building a real life.

Proverbs 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

In this wisdom we see a natural progression of spiritual growth. Today would be a good day for us to evaluate our progress in building the house of our lives. Maybe there’s a project that needs to be completed before the Building Inspector arrives.

The first thing that is necessary in building a real life is the fear of the Lord. Solomon says that “by wisdom a house is built.” Earlier he stated that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” There is a common foundation under every spiritual house – Jesus Christ. That foundation is only available to those who have come face to face with God and recognized their hopeless and worthless condition considering His awesome perfection and holiness. “Woe is me, I am undone,” says the prophet Isaiah. From that condition of fear comes a faith in the mercy and grace of God to forgive, and in repentance we choose to build our house on Jesus Christ.

If we are going to be wise “life builders” we must have a firm foundation, and there is only one – Jesus Christ. Before you start thinking about what the house of your life will look like, make sure the foundation is properly in place.

Tomorrow we will look at some more life-building wisdom.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Friday, June 7, 2024

Let’s continue our discussion on the use of alcoholic beverages by looking at another wisdom passage from Proverbs.

Proverbs 23:29-35  “Who has woe? Who has sorrow?  Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”

Here are some more principles we must apply to our decision about drinking.

1.      The consequences of drinking too much are severe – woe, sorrow, strife, complaints, bruises, and bloodshot eyes. Who needs any of those things? Just pick up any newspaper and you don’t have to read very far before you come to a story of an accident, a fight, an assault, a divorce, or a death that is the direct result of alcohol. We must consider carefully the consequences, not only for ourselves, but also in the lives of others around us. I say this especially to you parents and grandparents – what you may choose to do only in moderation may cause your children to become excessive.

2.      We each must carefully evaluate our heart and ask some tough questions that we are ready to answer honestly. The Proverbs 23:29-35 passage tells us what those questions should be:

a.      Do I have an increasing curiosity about alcoholic beverages? Do we linger over the beverage, and want to try more and different kinds? Be careful, curiosity killed the cat, and we don’t have 9 lives to give. We have only one life to give, and I choose to give it to the glory of God.

b.      Do I find myself desiring alcohol because of the temporary benefits it provides? Do I use it to relieve pain or to produce pleasure in any way? Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup. Why should alcohol be the escape from the problems of life, or the producer of pleasure in life? When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” Doesn’t this reveal a heart condition that needs the healing touch of Jesus? The Apostle John says, “Love not the world, neither the things in the world…for these shall all pass away.” On what does your heart truly depend for peace and hope?

c.      Do I find myself enjoying the taste? Proverbs says to be careful when it goes down smoothly! Just because we like it doesn’t make it beneficial or right. If that argument was valid, then let’s use it for other things we like as well, like sex. Sex is right only in the context of marriage, and when that purity is maintained it honors God.  Each of us must determine in what context drinking is right and honoring to God.

There is so much more that could be said from other passages of Scripture concerning our responsibility to honor God in everything – especially in the care of our temple of the Holy Spirit and our privilege to reflect the love and grace of Jesus to others. But I want us to consider carefully the three questions above and evaluate our choices regarding this issue. When you make your choice, make it in prayer before the throne of God, and make sure that your choice doesn’t in any way dishonor Him or exalt yourself over Him in any way. He is Lord, and is there any worldly sacrifice too great to make for our King?

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, June 6, 2024

As we continue our study on God’s wisdom specifically related to moral integrity, we come to one of the most divisive and destructive arguments in the local church today. What position do we take on the use of alcoholic beverages. Is drinking a sin, or is just drunkenness the sin? Should we or shouldn’t we use them? If we believe it’s ok to drink in moderation, what constitutes moderation? Do we have any responsibility to God or to others when we make our decision? These are all questions that are asked and argued by all of us from the young in Christ to the mature.

I am going out on a very thin limb to address this topic today, and trust that our hearts will be open to hearing the voice of God. Please carefully consider everything that is said here before jumping to any conclusions.

First, the Bible does not call drinking a sin. I address this issue first because it is the issue that I believe causes the biggest problem in teaching others a true Biblical position on this subject. It is wrong to call something a sin that God has not called sin. When we try to conform another person’s behavior through untruth that we have called truth, we create rebellion in the other person against all truth. When our children grow to an age of understanding truth for themselves, they may reject what we have said because we tried to manipulate them into a certain type of behavior. Let’s just tell them the truth. Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine, and we know it was alcoholic wine because the host of the party said so. (John 2:9-10)

Having said that, there are some very strong statements in Scripture about the use of alcoholic beverages, and several of them are right here in Proverbs.

Proverbs 23:19-21  “Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”

This is what the Scriptures teach.

1.      It is not wise to join with those who drink too much, because it will lead to laziness and poverty.

2.      Choosing not to join with them will keep our hearts on the right path. Everything about our relationship with Jesus Christ begins in the heart. Wanting to join with those who drink too much shows heart dependence on the world and not on God. The key to understanding this is the word “join.” Why would we who are joined to Christ have any need or desire to seek acceptance and approval from the world by joining with them?

There is more we will address tomorrow. But for today, consider carefully the reason you believe what you believe about the use of alcohol. It is a decision that reveals your moral integrity. You may not drink so you will appear morally superior to others, which is sin. Or you may drink because you don’t care about being morally pure. But those are not the only two options. You may drink or not drink because you are striving to honor and glorify God by being thankful in all things. That’s the choice to make – to be morally pure because by choosing to honor God in everything you have a clear conscience.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, June 5, 2024

I love to go to restaurants that have a buffet. Oriental-style buffets are my favorite, because I can easily justify eating a lot because the food is better for me – lots of meat and vegetables and I can limit the carbohydrate intake. If a little is good for me, then a lot is better for me.

Today we shift gears in our study of wisdom for living to the issue of moral integrity. But what does eating a lot of food have to do with my moral purity? Why should the quantity of food I eat be a subject of moral importance? Today’s Scripture passage has something to say about my food attitude.

Proverbs 23:1-3 “When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”

First, I think gluttony applies to a much broader base of indulgences than just food. In fact, gluttony is a heart condition that results in the constant pursuit of more and better in any area of our fleshly life: more food, more money, more recreation, better house, better car, etc., etc. You have probably heard the term used this way in the statement, “He is a glutton for punishment.”  Gluttony is an attitude that seeks self-satisfaction. That makes it a moral issue.

Secondly, because we are susceptible to self-satisfaction, we are in danger of being manipulated and deceived by those whom we give the power to influence our lives. Notice in the Scripture passage what is happening:

1.      The warnings are directed at those who sit down to dinner with a person of influence and renown. Don’t be a name-dropper. Don’t take pride in whom you know or whom you have met. All such behavior is an attempt to increase our own status in someone’s eyes and make us look better to them. Such behavior is motivated by self-satisfaction.

2.      The food that has been prepared has an ulterior motive other than just nourishment – it is meant to deceive and influence. We become easily influenced by the status and value we allow to be placed on our lives by people and things. “Note well,” it says, “what is before you.” Look deeply into your heart and determine if there is any motive of self-satisfaction or self-advancement in what you are doing. If there is, put it to death. And if the motive of the person who is providing you with the food, or any other resource in life, is to manipulate you in any way, don’t let it happen. Never let your friendship or loyalty be bought.

People of moral integrity are people who cannot be influenced to change their position on issues of truth. We must not give people or possessions the power to influence our position in Christ. No person or possession can ultimately provide us with anything of eternal value in God’s Kingdom. All they can give us is a momentary and fleeting reward to a need for self-satisfaction. Only what comes from God is good and perfect according to James chapter one.

The challenge for us is to live each day loving God above all else, especially self. Only then will we be stable, strong, unshakable and unmovable. Only then will we resist the selfish need to sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate. Only then will we be living with moral integrity.

Pastor John