LifeLink Devotions for Friday, November 8, 2024

How many times a day do you use the word “but”? Probably many more than you realize. It is one of the most influential words in our vocabulary. It has the power to kindle a fire of fear while extinguishing the flames of faith. It is a word of transition from assurance to apprehension. It creates compromise rather than confirmation. It results in reconsideration rather than risk.

This one word spread negativity throughout the nation of Israel and impeded their progress when they should have positively accepted the invitation of God to invade.

Numbers 13:27-31 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large…” Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”

Two times in the story ten spurious spies argue from fear rather than faith and convince the people of Israel to doubt God’s direction. To their credit, the spies did report that the blessings of the land were incredible. They brought back exceptional fruit. To their culpability, they were convinced that the personal risk was far too great for the material benefit. They had forgotten that the foundation of God’s promise to them was not material blessing but spiritual blessing. Their focus shifted from God’s covenant promise that they would be a blessing to all the other nations of the world to the personal benefits that they should receive for their obedience. They did what any of us would do when our focus shifts from God’s purpose to man’s perspective – they saw only man’s power and not God’s omnipotence and they became afraid. From their human vantage point, they saw insurmountable obstacles. From a vantage point of faith, they could have seen opportunities for God’s intervention.

The fear that overcame them was so powerful that they began to assume facts not already in evidence. Take a look closely at Numbers 13:33 – “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”  It was one thing for them to admit an insecurity about their own stature and status, but it was totally wrong of them to believe that they knew what the inhabitants of the land were thinking about them. In fact, if they were still thinking with a mind of faith, they would have remembered the promise of God when He said, “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.”  God had already promised to make the very people of whom they were afraid to be afraid of them and conquer them.

This story has so many applications to our lives today. We use “buts” to renegotiate God’s purpose for our lives. We use “buts” to validate our personal desires and ambitions. We use “buts” to reduce personal risk. We use “buts” to defend our fears. We use “buts” to justify our insecurities. We have shifted our focus from the spiritual to the material, and we have embellished the facts to defend our position. We must admit that in areas of our lives we are walking by the sight of man’s perspective rather than by faith in God’s promises. I pray that God will use these insights to challenge a particular area in your life today and that you will become a Joshua or Caleb and proclaim with bold faith, “we can certainly do it!”

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Have you ever regretted saying something because the wrong person heard it? I’m sure we all have. But is the regret caused only by the consequence? If so, then there is a heart problem that must be addressed. If we feel regret and shame only when we are caught, then there is a purity issue in our character. This kind of shame is indicative of a person who is self-focused. They feel guilt only when the consequences of their actions are detrimental to their personal image, status, or agenda. This person’s morals are situational and not Godly. There is a need for humbling and brokenness before a righteous and holy God.

Miriam and Aaron had become such people. They were gifted by God to serve alongside Moses. They had demonstrated God’s presence and power in their lives by the performing of miracles and the speaking of prophetic truth. Yet they were not getting the recognition that Moses was, and jealousy invaded their hearts.

Numbers 12:1-2 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this.

What an incredibly powerful and convicting statement – “And the LORD heard this.”  

It is obvious that their attack on Moses was not really about his new wife. What correlation is there between a Cushite wife and their desire to be recognized as people through whom God also spoke? Obviously there is none, unless they were thinking that being the recognized spokesperson for God gave Moses an exemption for moral purity, and they desired that. I do not believe that is accurate, but I do believe that there have been spiritual leaders who have believed this and have lived that way, much to the embarrassment and dishonoring of God.

No, it is obvious that the attack of Miriam and Aaron on Moses was about recognition. In the previous chapter there were 70 additional people who were empowered with the Holy Spirit to assist Moses in the leading of Israel. Aaron has not really been mentioned since the production of the golden calf by his own hands. Miriam has been silent since the day of deliverance from the Red Sea. Both are still qualified and capable of serving, and probably were doing so, but they were jealous of the recognition that others, especially Moses, were getting. God’s anger burns against them, and there will be punishment.

The desire for personal recognition is a deadly trap of Satan, and we must guard our hearts against it. Jealousy has no place in the heart of the Christian or the Church. When Miriam is punished as the instigator of this attack, God’s punishment is swift and serious – leprosy. When Aaron repents for their sin, God demonstrates His grace and forgiveness by providing a path of restoration. But within the context of that plan God reveals the seriousness of a jealous heart with the analogy of the punishment. He compares what Miriam did to what a daughter does to her father by disgracing him with her behavior. Jealousy is disrespect for the authority of God, and it disgraces His Name and His people.

Let’s take seriously the warning against jealousy, and let’s learn to live in the contentment of serving God humbly. No matter what your position in the body of Christ, take to heart the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, November 5, 2024

In the United States this is presidential election day. I have a word of God’s wisdom for all of us who are followers of the Eternal King Jesus Christ. It comes from God’s Holy Word in 1 Timothy chapter 2.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”

It is embarrassing to watch Christians behave just like the world. We complain about, criticize, and condemn those disagree with our political positions. It contradicts everything the Lord teaches us about the attitudes we should have and how to act towards those who we consider wrong.

GOD SAYS:

1. Pray for them.
2. Give thanks for them.
3. When you are thankful you will live peaceful and quiet lives.
4. Your life will be marked by godliness and dignity.
5. This is what pleases God.
6. This is what God uses to draw more people to salvation.

I want to challenge you with this. We do NOT pray for our leaders so they will do things our way so we can live peaceful and quiet lives. We do NOT pray for our leaders so we can be godly and dignified. Peace, quiet, godliness, and dignity are NOT the responsibility of the government. They are the product of a thankful heart that trusts God as the Sovereign Ruler of all, including politicians who are opposed to Him. When we are thankful that God has granted them their authority to accomplish His bigger plan, then we can live peacefully and quietly because we are pleasing God. We can live godly even when we are opposed because our confidence is in Him not in man. We can be dignified, which is something the world needs to see rather than the anger and emotional outbursts that seem to come from us. And people will be drawn to Christ when they see us live thankfully.

My friends, guard your hearts. Guard your tongues. Be thankful no matter the outcome of the election. Jesus Christ is on the throne, and all these things are preparing the world for His return.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Monday, November 4, 2024

Obstacles to faith abound. There seems to be a common obstacle to faith in the heroes of the Bible. Whether we are studying the life of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Nehemiah, Mary, Peter, or Paul, just to name a few, there is a particular element of a growing faith that is emphasized over and over by God as He teaches His children to trust Him. It is what separates the faith of the followers of God from all other so-called faiths. Simply stated it is this: nothing is impossible with God!

Numbers 11:21-23 But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?” The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’S arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”

As we grow in our faith in God, we discover that God works in two main arenas to meet our needs and accomplish His purpose:

1.      He miraculously employs and empowers the resources that are visible to us; and

2.      He miraculously employs and empowers the resources that are invisible to us.

Earlier in the chapter from which we just read God specifically addressed the concerns of Moses that the burden of leadership was too great for one man, and He employed and empowered 70 men to come along side of Moses and help him manage the nation. Those resources were visible to Moses, but he needed a faith adjustment to see them. Maybe the burdens you are carrying today are unnecessary, and you simply need to ask God to provide you with a resource that is available to you. It is amazing what we can see when we change our focus from self to service. His Spirit will open our eyes when the decision is made to see God’s plan rather than our problems.

Sometimes, and I believe more often than we realize, God employs and empowers the invisible to accomplish the humanly impossible. In this story of Moses, God promises to feed two million people (600,000 men on foot figures out to around 2,000,000 when counting the women and children) with meat for a month. Moses knows that there is no way to do that based on their current resources. They do not have enough cattle and sheep to make that happen. But God’s arm is not too short to reach out and meet the need of anyone or any church. By the power of the wind, which He controls, He brought enough birds from the sea to cover the ground to a depth of 3 feet for a distance of 15 miles in every direction from the camp. The people gathered 60 bushels of birds each and had far more than they needed to be fed meat for a month.

What area of your life is lacking because you believe the only solution is based on your resources? Is God’s arm too short? NO! Do you believe that He can provide? YES! He has promised to meet your every need according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Start moving forward. Step outside the camp of your comfort.  Walk a day’s journey if necessary and gather up what God will bring you to accomplish His glory.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, October 31, 2024

How do you get your day started? Every day is a new adventure as we journey toward the promised land of eternity, and every day we need to prepare for what might happen on that journey.

Today in our study of faith we move into the Old Testament book of Numbers as Moses and the Israelites prepare to set out on their journey to the Promised Land. All the law has been given and the people have been instructed in the ways of the Lord. The tribes are organized into their marching formation and the Ark of the Covenant was carried at the front of the line to lead the way.

Numbers 10:35-36 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, O LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” Whenever it came to rest, he said, Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel.”

There are some very simple yet practical applications from this for our lives. First, each day as we awaken and plan our daily activities, the Presence of God should be at the top of the list. Moses says, “Rise up, O LORD!” As we mentioned in our last devotional, if God’s Presence does not go with us, then we could just as well stay in bed for the day because there will be nothing accomplished of any value or meaning. Let every day of our lives be started with a devotional time of prayer and the study of God’s Word, seeking His Presence and direction.

Second, be prepared to march whenever and wherever God tells us to. Each day is an exciting new adventure as we follow the glory of the Lord. The Israelites saw the pillar of cloud and of fire, and knew precisely when it was time to move because it would rise up from the Ark of the Covenant and direct them where to go. We have been given the indwelling fire of the Holy Spirit who accomplishes the same purpose in our lives. It is through a prepared heart of prayer and Bible study that the voice of the Holy Spirit is heard and we can get moving.

Third, set out on each daily adventure with the confidence of God’s protection. Moses’ prayer for the beginning of every leg of their journey was the same: “Take care of whatever is ahead.” What a great way for each of us to start our daily walk with God. Moses prayed, as we should, that we would follow the Lord because we trust His Presence to provide us security and protection. We must ask God to go before us and show us His way. We can move into each new day with confidence in His power and protection so that we can accomplish His purpose.

Fourth, end each day with faith in God’s abiding presence. In those times of rest and inactivity, whether it be just the sleep of the overnight or the extended days of unemployment, sickness, or discouragement, invite the abiding Presence of God to sustain you. He will!

Take these four simple lessons and apply them to your life. They will enhance your understanding of the Presence of God.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, October 30, 2024

 As we progress through our study of faith, I am convinced that in general we do not understand that everything in life is to be about God’s glory. But Moses makes a statement in Exodus chapter thirty-three that strongly identifies the need to reach that level of mature faith. Moses says in verses fifteen and sixteen.  “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.  How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

Moses admits to God that life is meaningless and has no purpose unless God’s Presence is visible to everyone. Unless other people can see the reality of God through His Presence in their lives, Moses says that they might as well not proceed with life. The Presence of God is the one thing that distinguished the followers of God from all other people on the earth.

WOW! What a deep well into which we should sink our buckets.  I trust that the Holy Spirit motivates you to spend some time pulling up more living water. Let me start the process by focusing on this aspect of Moses’ statements: the single identifying mark of a Christian is to be the visible Presence of God in their life, and the single identifying mark of a church that is truly following God is to be the Presence of God in its people.

We have allowed the influence of the world to change our methods of identification. We have moved from being identified by His Presence to wanting to be identified by the fulfilled promises. We have looked hard for those promises that personally benefit us, and if we can see them fulfilled in us then we can be identified as followers of God. Prosperity resulting in big bank accounts and lots of expensive toys shows the Presence of God in our lives, doesn’t it? Big buildings show the Presence of God in a church, don’t they? Why is it necessary to place a humanly tangible product on the Presence of God to prove that God is present? Aren’t the unsaved equally or more wealthy than the saved? Aren’t the buildings of the cults and unrepentant churches bigger and better than those of the saved? Why do we insist on competing for recognition at the world’s level?

So how is the Presence of God seen in people and in the church? It is not through the physical manifestations of God’s power, although that may accompany His presence. It is through the spiritual manifestations of God’s character in the lives of His followers. It is through people who live with merciful and compassionate hearts. When Moses asked God to reveal His Presence to him in Exodus 33:18, God responded this way in verse 19 – And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”  When God did this, and Moses saw His glory, Moses heard these words from God as He passed by – “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” 

There are the identifying marks of the Presence of God in our lives and our churches – compassion, grace, patience, love, faithfulness, and forgiveness. And when you draw living water from the well of God’s Presence, your life will be identified by those same traits. 

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Yesterday the challenge was to be people like Moses who are truly known to God by our reputation and character and find favor in His sight. Today the challenge is to be people like Moses who seek to know God fully.

Exodus 33:13-14 “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Notice how Moses begins this dialogue with God: he builds upon what God has already said about him. “If you are pleased with me, then let me know you better.” Now we must be careful not to fall into the misinterpretation of this statement as some have. We do not earn the knowledge of God by doing all the good works necessary to please Him. Quite the contrary! God and Moses had a relationship based on faith, not works. But because of his faith in God and the loving relationship that had been established based on that faith, Moses’ character was changed and he responded to God by serving Him obediently. Works are always the result of faith, never the means to it.

When Moses realized that the character development that was taking place in his life pleased God, he wanted to be sure that he would continue to live in the favor of the Lord. I think far too many of us are content with where we are right now and don’t really care if we ever know more about God or experience more of God’s power. Such spiritual growth may threaten the lifestyle choices we make. But Moses wanted everything from God that was available to him, so he asked for it. 

It is important that God see the true condition of our hearts in the asking. As a father, I am most blessed with my children and grandchildren when they ask me for something. It represents a heart of trust and humble dependence: trust in the loving supply of the father and humble acceptance of one’s own inability to provide totally for self. This is how God views our asking Him to supply our needs and reveal His nature.

Moses also understood that if God would reveal His ways to him, he would be better able to understand His nature and character. That is how we evaluate each other in our relationships, and that is how we truly know another person. That is the way we are to know God. Many of us have limited understanding of the fullness of God’s presence because we are still doing too much in our own strength and wisdom. We must step back and ask God to show us His way of doing it, and then we will begin to truly know His heart.

In response to Moses’ request, God gives him two promises:

1.      “My Presence will go with you.” This is the Hebrew word “face”. Those who seek to know God will be blessed with the favor of God’s face shining upon them. Those who seek self will have the face of God turned against them (Ps. 34:16)

2.      “I will give you rest.” Seeking to know God in the fullness of His nature and character brings peace to our lives because of the faith and trust that grows out of that knowledge.

Seek God. Seek His face. Ask Him to reveal His ways to you so that you may truly know His character. Then you will find rest.

Pastor John