LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, July 9, 2024

The final fundamental of a REAL church as described in Acts 2:42 is that the people are devoted to the breaking of bread. At first reading this may appear to simply mean that the church had lots of carry-in dinners, or what some call potlucks. I remember asking an older gentleman in the church I attended as a youth why it was called a potluck, and he said, “Because everyone brings a pot of food, and good luck finding anything worth eating.” I know people that still feel that way.

Yes, the early church did have fellowship dinners every week. That’s what Paul wrote the Corinthians about when he admonished them for the improper way in which they were conducting themselves at those dinners. But following that admonition, he gave them instructions about the real significance of those dinners – it was the communion service at the end of them that was to be reverenced. Paul says to them to not be devoted to the food but be devoted to the spiritual significance of the food – it represents Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.

John 6:32-35 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  “Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

I believe that it is essential for the REAL church to consistently celebrate the grace of salvation provided through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is equally important for the individual members of the Body of Christ to constantly reflect on the nature of their salvation and to live in humble gratitude for it. Being devoted to the breaking of bread means we are devoted to the joy of our salvation.

Because His Son, the Bread of Life, lives in us, the Father expresses His unending grace to us every day in every situation. He protects us, guards us, directs us, encourages us, and so much more.

But as wonderful as those daily expressions of God’s grace are, there is nothing that can compare with the wonder and emotion that should overwhelm us when we think of the cross of Jesus Christ and that He died personally for us! He paid the debt of our sin by becoming our sin and suffering the physical pain and death of the wrath of God against that sin. His love is amazing! His salvation is an indescribable gift! Nothing I will ever learn or experience will ever mean more to me than this – I am not my own anymore. I have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ and I am His eternally!

So for me, food takes on a new symbolism. Not just the communion bread and cup, but all food. Every time I eat anything, I will remember this – Jesus is the Bread of Life, and only He can completely nourish life. I will be devoted to the joy of my salvation.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Monday, July 8, 2024

In addition to being devoted to the teaching and application of the Word of God, the REAL church is also devoted to the fellowship. I often wondered why the verse in Acts 2:42 doesn’t just say that they were devoted to fellowship, but rather to “the” fellowship. What is it that makes the fellowship of the church distinct from all other forms of fellowship?

1 John 1:1-4  “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”

I believe the answer from this passage of Scripture is this – normal human relationships are strictly two-dimensional, on a horizontal plane only, and for that reason tend to be primarily self-centered. Relationships in the Body of Christ are three-dimensional, like a triangle, with a horizontal and a vertical plane. The vertical plane of our relationship to God in the power of the Holy Spirit is what sets “the fellowship” apart. Here are the reasons:

1.      Relationship with God is possible only through a humble surrender to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, of which we are all equally guilty.

2.      Having accepted God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us to produce the character of Jesus Christ.

3.      The character of Jesus Christ is to sacrifice self for the sake of others. Read carefully this powerful passage from Philippians 2: 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!

4.      Relationships on the horizontal plane take on a whole new context because of the humble spirit of Christ in each of us that puts others ahead of ourselves.

You see, within the church there is no favoritism or distinction between people. We do not determine value based on race, color, social status, financial status, or past sin. In Christ we all have the same value – His! Therefore, we make no distinctions between people and we fellowship equally with one another, or at least we should. We should be the model to the world of love and acceptance, of understanding and compassion, of healing and forgiveness. The world should be asking to be a part of “the fellowship” because it goes so far beyond anything they can find in themselves.

Unfortunately the world is not knocking down our doors to get into this fellowship, and the reason is that we aren’t modeling it to them very well. They see us fighting and bickering with one another, holding grudges and being unforgiving, and seeking our own benefit instead of the benefit of another. They hear us call it fellowship, but it looks no different then what they get in any other area of their secular life. What is the attraction in that?

Today, we need to honestly look at our relationships and determine why certain people are being excluded. If in any way it has to do with personal benefit, anger, frustration, personality clashes, vengeance, or any reason other than lack of opportunity, then we are in sin and are hurting the cause of Christ. Spend time reflecting on your fellowship with God through Jesus Christ and what makes that possible, then let that same spirit of humble surrender influence your relationships.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Friday, July 5, 2025

I am a reader of instructions. When I get anything new, I read the instructions before I attempt any assembly. When we get a new family game, I read the instructions so I know the rules. I like to know that things are being done right.

The church has been given an instruction manual called the Bible, and for the assembly to work it needs to be read and followed. If we are to be a REAL church, then according to the pattern set forth for us in the first ever REAL church, we must be people who are devoted to the Word of God. We must be devoted to personal study, small group study, and congregational preaching and teaching, and we must be devoted to the application of what we study.

2 Timothy 2:15  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

James 1:22  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”  

Jesus told this parable to emphasize the importance of putting what we know into practice.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

The REAL church is able to stand against the onslaught of the gates of hell because its foundation is the Word – Jesus Christ – and it is being built on the truth of the Word – the Bible.The REAL church is indwelt by the Word Himself. The individuals of the REAL church are indwelt by the Word Himself. The REAL church stands solidly against all the storms of society because the people of the church are devoted to living out the Word in every part of their lives.

When we know the truth, and do not do it, it is sin. James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” Being devoted to the teaching of the Word of God includes being devoted to the application of the truths we learn. Let’s be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, July 4, 2024

Have a wonderful Fourth of July as we celebrate our nation’s independence.

Celebrate your independence in Christ most of all.

Pray for our country, that every citizen and leader would return to the fundamental truths upon which our constitution was written.

Pray for the return of Jesus Christ to establish His eternal Kingdom.

Enjoy the fireworks.

Tomorrow we will return to our study of the four principles by which the real church can be identified.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, July 3, 2024

As time goes by and most things change, it is wise for us to realize that some things must not change. New technology and improved methods of production do not necessitate a change of purpose in most cases. Automobiles are certainly produced differently today than they were 75 years ago, but the basic purpose of the automobile has stayed the same. There may be more comfort and convenience in them today, but they still provide simple, basic transportation from point A to point B.

The same must be true about the church. Society has changed, and methods of ministry have certainly changed, but the basic purpose of church must not change, and the fundamental activities of church people must stay the same as when the church was established. We do not have the right or the privilege of laying a new foundation other than the one that has already been laid – Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 says – “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” We may build differently on that foundation, but in the REAL church the foundation never changes.

Our Scripture passage for today tells us there are four things that result from keeping Christ as the Foundation of the REAL church.

Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

1.      A devotion to the teaching of God’s Word

2.      A devotion to the fellowship of God’s people

3.      A devotion to the cross of Jesus Christ

4.      A devotion to prayer

Notice first of all that “they devoted themselves” to these things. Who were “they”? It was Pentecost, and the 125 faithful believers in the resurrected Christ were together in a prayer meeting. The Holy Spirit came upon them in fulfillment of Jesus’ promise, and Peter began to preach. As a result of his sermon, 3,000 people were saved, baptized, and added to the fellowship of the first REAL church. A total of 3,125 people now devoted themselves to the foundational principles of the church.

Notice that they devoted themselves. They were not asked to sign a document that stated their specific doctrinal position on any topic nor were they forced to obey a set of rules and regulations to conform their behavior. They simply responded to the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives to produce the character of Christ in them and they devoted themselves to the things that produce that character.

My friends, in response to an ever-changing world system, the church has been tempted to change its foundational principles to seemingly add more security. For some reason we feel safer surrounded by more rules and stricter control, but that is a deception of Satan to keep us from a walk of faith. Everything about the new church in Acts was about faith, and everything built on the foundation of faith will stand. There is nothing we can add to the four fundamentals of Acts 2:42 that will make the church more productive or more holy.

In the devotion to God’s Word comes an honest surrender to its teachings, producing holiness of lifestyle. In devotion to the fellowship of God’s people comes accountability for spiritual growth and production. In devotion to the breaking of bread comes a constant reminder of the death of Jesus Christ for our sins, which produces the humble spirit of unity. In devotion to prayer comes surrender to the authority of Jesus Christ over the church and a serving spirit of accomplishing His purpose.

Every aspect of church life is covered in these four fundamentals of the REAL church. But for it to work, we must devote ourselves to them. We must not be satisfied to just be able to state them, but rather we must live them. Let’s evaluate our lives today considering these four principles, and set a course of devotion to them, so we can truly have REAL church.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, July 2, 2024

In a previous ministry I organized a Foundation Team. This team of three men was responsible for keeping the spiritual foundation of our church focused on the non-negotiables so that any future decisions about ministry expansion would be in keeping with God’s purpose for the church. At one of our annual events this team gave a challenge to the congregation. They reminded us that we are all a royal priesthood, and we have all been called to be a part of the spiritual foundation of this ministry. We are a team, with Jesus Christ as the Head Coach, and the only way we will work together to accomplish the goals of the Coach is to be in communication with the Coach. We need to pray.

The one consistent theme of the REAL church in the book of Acts is prayer.

Acts 1:12-14  “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walkfrom the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying…They all joined together constantly in prayer…”

Acts 2:42  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Acts 4:24  “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.”

Acts 4:31  “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

Acts 6:3-4  “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

There are 29 more references to prayer in the book of Acts that show us the importance of it as a foundation to the spiritual vitality of a church. Stephen prayed while he was being stoned. Paul and Silas prayed while in prison. Peter prayed and was directed to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. The church earnestly prayed while Peter was in prison, and he was set free. The church prayed about sending out missionaries. Paul and Barnabas knew that prayer had to be the foundational activity of every church they planted.  

It is essential that prayer be the primary activity that captivates our involvement.  Here is my challenge to you:

1.      Choose a minimum of five minutes every day that you will commit to pray for the ministry of your church.

2.       Every day at that time, pray for the following things:

a.       That God would be glorified in everything we do and it would be consistently grounded on the truth of Scrpture.

b.       That every person who attends the church would be living out the Great Commandment in every part of their lives, loving God above all else, and loving each other with His love.

c.      That every person who attends the church would in some way fulfill the Great Commission by being a Holy Spirit empowered witness of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

d.       That every ministry of the church would accomplish two purposes: equipping each person to fulfill the first three objectives and providing an entrance point for unsaved people to meet Jesus.

Are you ready? I am! In prayer we surrender to the purpose of God, we are strengthened by the power of God, and we are supplied with the provision of God. The Holy Spirit has been given the church as His temple of residence, and when the foundation of our ministry is to fulfill that spiritual purpose, then God will provide all the rest that we need to do His work.

Come on; join the team. What time of the day will you choose to pray?

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Monday, July 1, 2024

In our last devotional we talked about the passion to accomplish the purpose of Christ – witnessing to the resurrection power of Jesus to bring eternal life to those who are dead in their sin. We saw people in Hebrews chapter eleven who passionately pursued God’s purpose at the risk of severe persecution and death. What motivated them to go to the limits of human endurance and beyond? The answer to that question is found in the next chapter of Hebrews. It says:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)

We have an example to follow; a model to mimic. He is Jesus, and he endured the shame and the pain of accomplishing God’s purpose because He knew the joy of the promise He had been given. Jesus did not falter in the time of fatigue because He had his heart fixed on the future, where God would restore Him and reward Him.

That is what the angels were saying to the apostles when they watched Jesus ascend into heaven to His place of reward.

Acts 1:9-11  “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Instead of fixing our eyes on the circumstances of the present, fix our hearts on the certainty of the promise of His return. Jesus is coming back, and when He does we will experience the fullness of joy and the perfection of life.

No matter how hard I try today, I will not be able to make life perfect. I will not be able to fix all my own problems, and certainly not any of yours. So if problems are a fact of life, why not let the cause of those problems be honoring to God? What on earth could I mean by that? Well, most of the problems that exist in my life are caused by my pursuit of my own agenda. That does not honor God. What honors God is the pursuit of His agenda. We have been told in Scripture that the pursuit of God’s purpose will separate us from the world and bring us trouble. Jesus said in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

If the problems that are in my life are primarily caused by my selfish pursuits, then what promise do I have for relief from those problems? But if the problems in my life are being caused by a world that is rejecting the stand I take for Jesus Christ, then the promises I have for relief from those problems are many:

1.      I have sufficient grace for each day to endure anything according to 2 Corinthians 9:8 and 12:9.

2.      Jesus has already overcome the world according to His own words in John 16:33.

3.      With Jesus in us we are already overcomers of the world according to 1 John 4:4.

4.      The glory and joy we will experience at the return of Jesus Christ cannot be compared to any of the suffering we are enduring today as Paul said in Romans 8:18.

Take some time to reflect on those verses, and discover the incredible freedom to live out the purpose of Jesus Christ when we have our eyes fixed on the right finish line. We are not running the race of the world, so do not look at the world’s finish lines. We are running the race that has been marked out for us by God, so let’s fix our eyes on the glory of God’s finish line. Jesus is waiting there to greet us.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotion for Friday, June 28, 2024

As we continue our study of the characteristics of a REAL church, we move from an emphasis on intake to outflow. For the last two days we have rejoiced in the presence and the power of Jesus Christ in us. Today the focus changes to the activity that is produced in us because of His presence and power. That activity is called witnessing.

Remember what Jesus said in Acts 1:8? “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Scary stuff isn’t it – to think that we are the witnesses to the reality of the presence and power of Jesus Christ to a world that in the majority does not accept Him. But that is the purpose for which God has left us on this earth following our conversion.

Let’s define what a witness is. The Greek word translated witness has a legal, historical, and ethical sense to it. Let me explain.

From a legal and historical position, a witness is one who has first-hand knowledge of event by having been a spectator of it, and is able to relate accurately what he knows to be true from that observation. In the book of Acts, when it came time to choose a twelfth Apostle to replace Judas, the requirements were that it had to be someone who had been a witness to the resurrection of Jesus. (Acts 1:21-22) That then becomes the basis for not only our qualification as a witness but also for the subject matter of our witnessing – it’s all about the resurrection of Jesus.

When we witness to another person who does not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the conversation must center on the one defining distinction of the Christian faith – the resurrection of Jesus. It’s liberating to think that all we have to talk about is the presence of Jesus. He is the risen Lord, and He lives within us. We are the witnesses to His resurrection. We don’t need to debate theology with people; we simply relate the resurrection power of His presence in us. Witnessing is not winning an argument or displaying superior knowledge. Witnessing is the outflow of the presence of Jesus Christ in us.

There is also an ethical sense to the word witness. There is a consistency and integrity to the witness, so that what they say is supported by how they act. In Thayer’s Greek Definitions of the New Testament he states that a witness is one who “after Christ’s example has proved the strength and genuineness of his faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death.” The word martus is the word from which we get the concept of a martyr – a person who is willing to die for what they believe.

There is a huge challenge for us in this. Are we willing to go to death to be a consistent witness to the resurrection presence and power of Jesus Christ in our lives? Are we willing to suffer any loss for the sake of gaining the glory of Christ’s physical presence because we are already living the reality of His spiritual presence?

In Hebrews 11 we find the description of faithful lives from the Old Testament. At the end there is a powerful statement. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.”

What a life changing statement – “none of them received what had been promised.” None of them had the resurrection presence and power of Jesus dwelling in them, and yet they stood the ethical test of what they believed. Yet we who are now the recipients of the promise, with the resurrection power of Jesus Christ living in us, seem to be avoiding any pain and suffering by avoiding being a witness. Something is wrong. Something needs to change.

We must spend today considering this truth – to be a witness is to be a martyr: maybe not in physical death, but certainly in worldly dependence. We have the presence and the power of the resurrected Christ abiding in us. Let us shout aloud, “Death to self. Death to the world. Christ is Alive! I am alive in Him!”

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, June 27, 2024

For many people knowledge is power. See if any of these statements ring especially true to you.

1.      The more we can know the more we can control.

2.      The more we know the more we can predetermine outcomes.

3.      Planning requires knowledge, and life requires planning.

4.      Uncertainty is the characteristic of an unprepared person, and preparedness requires knowledge.

5.      I have a need to know.

6.      Knowledge brings security, and security brings peace.

These statements all have elements of truth in them, but they are not statements of faith. They are statements that would define the Apostles following the resurrection.

Acts 1:6-8 “So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The people asked Jesus, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” But Jesus refused to give them that knowledge, and instead told them that they were about to receive enough power to live without that knowledge while at the same time fulfilling an eternal purpose.

We must apply this instruction to both our personal lives and the life of our church. We have become far too concerned with knowing the outcome of every situation in our lives and in our churches. We refuse to take steps of faith because we have been trained by the world to walk by sight. What’s even worse is that we don’t even take the time to hear the voice of God telling us which steps of faith to take because we are so busy trying to figure everything out in our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When asked the question about the timing of His plan to restore the kingdom, Jesus simply responded with “You don’t have a need to know, you only need the power to be my witnesses.” This power is promised – we will receive it. It is so complete that when it comes upon us, it fully accomplishes its purpose in us – we will be witnesses. It is so fulfilling in us that we never need to question our lack of knowledge about the completion of the purpose – we just keep doing the work the power has equipped us to do.

In REAL people and in the REAL church, knowledge does not produce power; the presence of God produces power. As individuals and as a church we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the fullness of God abides in us. We experience the presence of God, and we are equipped with the power of God to accomplish His eternal purpose of being witnesses to the resurrected Christ. We do not know the answer to how long we must wait for His return, but we do have the power to do His work until He does. By faith, let’s step out boldly to accomplish God’s purpose.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Life has been extremely busy lately. It seems like I always have something that is taking me away from just spending quality time with my wife. That’s why this week is so nice because we are on a long trip together.  In my old age I have realized something incredible – all I really want is her presence, and that’s all she ever wants from me. Just knowing she is always there for me is all I need to motivate every other aspect of my day. What is most meaningful and most memorable to me is her presence.

Just like it should be with our Lord.

When we get up every morning and plan our day, do we spend some time in the presence of the Lord, or do we need something special to happen during the day to think that God is present?

When we make our plans to go to church on Sunday, what are we really looking for? Special music? A special guest speaker? A special time of worship? A special attraction within the service like a drama or testimony? Or is the simple yet incredible presence of God sufficient?

In two New Testament passages the Apostle Paul makes a wonderful point about the Body of Christ  – wherever it is, God is present.

Colossians 1:27 “To the saints God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”

Wherever two or more of the saints are gathered in the Name of Jesus, God dwells there. But wait, there’s more. He’s not just present, He lives there. He is active and moving and working.  When two Christians come together for any purpose, God has an eternal investment in that moment.

WOW! That should change our perspective on fellowship and the church. It certainly should change our attitudes of me-ism: those attitudes that demand something special for ourselves for the event to have had any lasting impact or significance. What has happened to our relationship with God when we demand something bigger and better to prove its significance? What happened to the true test of maturity and security in a relationship – presence?

Denise has always desired my presence more than any activity.  I have learned the value of that. Take away all the trips and gifts and special events, but do not take away your presence from me.

Can we say that about our relationship with God? Can we honestly say to God, “Take away all of the music, all of the preaching, all of the ministries of the church, and all of the special events, but do not take away Your presence from me?”

That was David’s prayer following the confession of his sin of adultery in which he wanted something more special than what he already had. He said in Psalms 51:10-12, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Let this be true of us in our spiritual lives – there is nothing more special than God’s presence. That alone is what sustains us.

Pastor John