LifeLink Devotional
Friday, October 27, 2017
Psalms 110:1 – 3 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle.

The 110th Psalm is what we call a “Messianic” Psalm – it is a prophecy of the coming Messiah named Jesus. While He was on this earth, Jesus quoted from this Psalm to prove to the Jewish religious leaders that the Messiah would be the Son of God and not just some political hero. (see Matthew 22:42-46) In fact, this Psalm seems to indicate that the Messiah would have very little if anything to do with political and social reformation. His Messianic work would be spiritual in nature, and His followers should have the same focus.

The LORD, who is Almighty God the Father or JHWH (Jehovah), says to the Messiah, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Notice the roles assigned in this command.

• The Messiah is heir to the throne, but JHWH is still on the throne.
• The LORD’s role is to bring all the political and social systems of the world to a point of submission to the Messiah.
• It is only after the Father has completed His work in the world that the Messiah is handed the scepter of rule.
• One day the Father will command the armies of heaven to follow the Messiah into the final battle that will usher in the new kingdom. Until then the Messiah and His followers are not involved in fighting political battles.
• The Messiah’s responsibility is to build the church – the kingdom of heaven – not fight the enemies in the earthly kingdoms.

This is so very critical for the followers of Jesus Christ to understand. When Jesus Christ gave us our commission as His followers, it was not to go and change the world and prepare it for the coming of the Messiah. That is the Father’s job alone. His commission to us was this – “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Our mission, in full partnership with the Messiah and under His authority, is to make disciples.

When the Messiah left this earth to take His place at the right hand of the Father, He sent us the Holy Spirit who indwells us and equips us to accomplish the Messiah’s mission. The role of the third Person of the Triune God is to produce in us the life of Jesus Christ so that we are His representatives in enemy territory.

As His ambassadors, we have been given the authority to take the message of His kingdom to the nations of the world. Our mission? Tell them the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.

It is not our mission to change the political structure of the nations. It is not our mission to change the laws of the nations. It is not our mission to overthrow the enemies of the Messiah. That is God’s mission. Our mission is to live out the love of Jesus and His forgiveness for sin and share that message with others. When we do, the Father will rescue them from the kingdom of darkness and place them into the kingdom of His Son whom He loves. (Colossians 1:12-14)

My friends, the day is coming when we will be called to follow the Messiah into battle. But until that day arrives, we have but one task – witness. We will all do it in different ways, but we must do it. Every activity of our lives must be permeated with prayers for people to see the love of Jesus in us. Every day there are sinners who cross our paths – people who are headed into a Christ-less eternity of suffering. As they pass us, do they see Jesus? Are they given a glimpse of hope? Are our lives being lived in such a way that they are drawn to the Messiah?

Leave the fighting of the enemies of God to God. He can handle it. Our role is to show the enemies of God how to be friends with God through the grace of God found in Jesus Christ.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Psalms 109:4  In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

When you’ve been hurt by someone, do you believe in getting even? Is your first response to seek revenge? Do you justify it by calling it justice? These are piercing questions, and maybe just a little too personal, but it is an issue we must deal with.

Some people believe that revenge can be sweet. In fact, I found a web site called Revenge Lady. She has written the Rules for Revenge. I share these with you with the goal of showing how often our thoughts and actions do reflect God’s steadfast love. Please remember that none of these rules are Biblical, and I am most definitely not advocating or endorsing any of them.

REVENGE LADY’S RULES

1. Get mad….then get even.  It’s justice, plain and simple.
2. Revenge is healthy. Don’t listen to those mealy mouths who tell you otherwise.  You’re teaching people to behave better.  At the same time, you’re getting icky poisonous feelings out of your system once and for all.  What could be healthier?
3. Remember, Karma is a good thing.  Be sure everyone gets his or hers…in this lifetime. You’re helping to bring the scales of justice back into balance and restore order to the universe.
4. Revenge is excellent self-therapy. It’s far cheaper than a therapist and much healthier than pigging out on a box of donuts.
5. The punishment should always fit the crime. In other words, don’t go nuclear over something trivial.
6. Always aim your revenge where it hurts the most.  Go right for the jugular.
7. Let your creativity blossom.  Don’t go for clichés like slashing tires. Yawn. Be original. Enjoy yourself. Give your mark an experience they’ll never ever forget.
8. Don’t break the law.
9. If you must do something you’re not proud of, be sure to cover your tracks well.
10. Have fun. If you can end up laughing at the jerk who wronged you, you’re well on your way to being over it.
11. Once revenge is consummated, move on. It’s over.

How sad it is that people actually choose to live by these rules and justify it based on the philosophy of self-preservation and self-protection.

As God’s people we live by a different philosophy – self-sacrifice. King David models that in today’s Psalm.

Was he emotionally charged over the injustice of people’s attacks against his life?

Absolutely!

Did he have all kinds of ideas in mind as to how those people could and should pay for their actions?

Certainly!

But he directed all of those responses to the Keeper of his soul. When he could have been a man of action and sought revenge, he became a man of prayer. His confidence in God’s justice overwhelmed his own desires for human justice. His trust in God’s preservation and protection blew away his own desires for self-preservation and self-protection. His admission of weakness and need before God facilitated the delivering power of God in his life. His faith in the unfailing love and faithfulness of God allowed him to stand strong and wait for God to act.

Your emotional responses to pain, suffering, hurt, and injustice are not wrong. Your desire for justice is not wrong. But it is wrong for you to respond to those feelings and desires with any form of action against another person that is motivated by revenge. Taking any action to accomplish our own understanding of justice is contrary to trust in God.

The correct response is to pray. God has it all under control, and while He comforts and cares for you, He corrects those who are wrong. We can all learn from King David, and in the worst of times become people of prayer. It shows whom we really trust.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Psalms 108:1 My heart is steadfast, O God.

When I was a young boy, Bible verse memorization was a must in our family and church. To this day when I am preaching or even conversing with people, the Holy Spirit will bring to my mind verses I had learned at a young age that fit the current situation. I can even remember the circumstances under which I first learned that verse.

For example, I remember the plaque that was on the wall of our home for as long as I can remember. It was a plaster cast of an open Bible, and in raised letters across the pages was this verse – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

 Because of that verse, the word steadfast has always fascinated me. When I started reading the 108th Psalm, I couldn’t get past verse one. There’s that word steadfast in the translation I was reading. I got to thinking about what that really means for my life today.

Several years ago I was working with a friend on a barn. We were up in the rafters installing a hoist, and the only way to reach the mounting position was to walk across a 2” x 6” board that had been laid between the rafters. That wasn’t so bad, because I could hang on to the rafters as I walked, until I reached the place in the barn where the roof was raised, and there were no more rafters to hang on to.

In front of me was a 10 foot span bridged by a board less than six inches wide, and I had to walk across it to reach our job site. My fear of heights kicked in big time. I was frozen. My friend began to laugh. He came around me and casually walked across the span while I stood clinging to the last rafter. I thought about my options, and every one of them ended with me falling 12 feet to the concrete floor below.

I imagined kneeling down and crawling on all fours. I thought about sitting down and straddling the board and scooting along. Nothing gave me any comfort.

My friend said to me, Just imagine the board is on the ground. Would you be able to walk across it then?

I knew I could, because falling wouldn’t hurt. I would stand up straight and walk with confidence. I would trust my balance. I could trust the board because he had just walked across it, so I stood up straight, took my eyes off of the floor, focused on the finish line ten feet away, and took off. I was like a gymnast on a balance beam…NOT! I think I covered that span in about three steps, all without breathing.

We finished the work and it was time to go back. When I got to that span again, I stopped. But this time I didn’t freeze. I was still scared, but I remembered the last time I had been in this position. I stood up straight, fixed my eyes on the rafter ten feet away, and walked across. I hated every minute of that experience, but I learned two valuable lessons:

1. The way to conquer fear is to face it head on standing straight and strong. The Hebrew word translated steadfast in Psalm 108:1 means “to be erect and stand perpendicular.” Being steadfast means to stand up straight and strong. Whatever life throws at us, and whatever our fears, our hearts are to be steadfast in Christ.

2. Experience produces steadfastness. When you face a trial, difficulty, or fearful situation for the first time, try to recognize God’s training tactics in it. He is using that experience to prepare you for something He wants you to do. He wants you to be ready to stand up straight and strong. He is teaching you to be steadfast.

Recently I spent some time with a young couple who have been through the most fearful and heartbreaking experience I can imagine. They told me how God taught them to stand straight and strong. Then they told me that they are going to purposefully put themselves back into that situation again because they are now equipped to be steadfast and use their experience for God’s glory.

I cried. I rejoiced. I was blessed. You see, not many people choose to purposefully walk the plank. Not many people are that steadfast.

Are you?

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Psalms 107:2, 8 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love.

The 107^th Psalm is a marvelous testimony to God’s redeeming love that rescues us from sin. Every person who has been saved from their sin is given reason to praise the Lord for His unfailing love. That’s because every saved person can relate to one of the sinful scenarios that is presented here.

The first group of people described are those who have no purpose in life, and wander aimlessly hoping to find satisfaction somewhere.

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.(vs. 4-5)

But God rescues them. He gives them direction. He fills them with good things that satisfy.

He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle…he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.(vs. 7,9)

Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love that redeems us from a purposeless and unfulfilling life.

The second group of people described are those who are in the prison of guilt and shame because of their sin. They are depressed and in despair because they have no hope of forgiveness. They are captives of their own choices.

Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.(vs. 10-11)

But God sets them free. The power of His love expressed in His unconditional forgiveness of sins breaks their chains and opens the doors of their prisons.

He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.(vs. 14, 16)

Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love that redeems us from the consequences of our sin and restores our hope.

The third group of people described are those who have become fools because of the consistency of their selfish choices. They are so self-absorbed and self-serving that they have lost the ability to make wise decisions about anything in life, including the need to eat and stay healthy. Their pursuit of sin to produce pleasure has become an addiction and has taken them to the doorway of death.

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.(vs. 17-18)

But God sends forth the truth of His Word and heals them. The desires of sin are destroyed, and the water of life springs up from within them and redeems them from the grave.

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.(vs. 20)

Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love that redeems us from the addictions of sin and gives us eternal life.

The last group of people described are those who are simply living according to the standards and pursuits of the world’s system. They appear average in every way. They are involved in business. They hold good jobs. They are responsible citizens. But they are overwhelmed by their inability to control the outcomes of their lives. They feel helpless. They are at the mercy of forces beyond their control. They blame the economy, the government, and society for all that is going wrong with their plans. They have put their faith and trust in the system, rather than in the Savior, and they are reeling like drunken men, and they are at their wit’s end. They have no peace. Their desire to find security has left them more vulnerable than ever.

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters…They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits’ end. (vs. 24-27)

But God comes and calms the storms of life. He brings peace and security. He gives us rest in a preferred haven.

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. (vs. 29-30)

Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love that redeems us from discontent and fear and fills us with peace.

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor (group 1). He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners (group 2) and recovery of sight for the blind (group 3), to release the oppressed (group 4), to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Let the redeemed of the Lord who now know His favor say this – “Thank you, Jesus, for your unfailing love!”

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Monday, October 23, 2017

Psalms 106:2  Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?

Here’s a lifelong challenge – try to keep an accurate and up-to-date list of the mighty acts of God on your behalf.

Here’s an even greater challenge – try to fully declare the praise of His mightiest act: your salvation.

I find that the times I come closest to fully declaring the praise of my Savior is during a worship service that celebrates the Lord’s Supper. I remember one specific service in our church several years ago. I was again overwhelmed during that service with the wonder of my salvation.

We sang about the glory of God and His holiness, and then entered into our communion service by singing The Old Rugged Cross. I was brought to tears of brokenness and rejoicing that Jesus had died to save me from my sins.

Then, our youth drama team performed a mime to the song Watch the Lamb. I couldn’t look at the cross being carried in. I was not deserving of His gift of love, and I was again overwhelmed with His grace. While partaking of the bread and the cup in memory of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the words of the song When I Survey the Wondrous Cross that was being sung again brought me to tears. I hesitated before eating the bread and drinking the cup as the Holy Spirit moved me to a deeper level of appreciation and gratitude for what Jesus did.

At that point, I had to stand up and lead the congregation in prayer. With broken voice and tears flowing down my face, all I could say was “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I could not find words to express the magnitude of love and gratitude I was feeling.

Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?

With one tongue and one voice I cannot fully express the splendor of salvation from sin. I am reminded of the old hymn entitled O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, which is Charles Wesley’s confession that he too cannot fully declare the praise that God deserves. Read the words of this song carefully and seek to fully praise the mighty act of God that provided your salvation.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

I wonder how many people participate in communion services and for them it is nothing more than a routine experience that has little or no significance to them? Has church become routine to you, or do you still get overwhelmed with the joy of your salvation when you consider the sacrifice of Jesus for your sins on the cross of Calvary?

The Psalmist’s admission that there are not enough words to fully declare the praises of the Lord is not our justification for silence. Praise Him with the words you have, and then pray for a thousand more.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Psalms 105:43 – 45 He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.

Before you begin reading this devotional, please read the entire 105^th Psalm. In case you don’t have your Bible with you, here is a link. It will only take about than three minutes, but it is important. https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/psa/105/1/s_583001

Now, here are a couple of thoughts for you to ponder today.

First, This Psalm was written about 450 years after the events it describes. The events were significant enough that the author had learned them in great detail. It was highly unlikely that he had a copy of the books of Genesis and Exodus in his personal library. He had committed them to memory during his childhood as he was taught by one of the rabbis.

Compare that to our situation today. Most of us own multiple copies of the entire Word of God, but how many of us could give from memory the specific details of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt? Why is it that the study of God’s Word is such a low priority for us?

Second, consider the attitude of the writer towards the events. Everything he expresses is a positive statement of God’s faithfulness to His promises. He even has a totally positive attitude towards the people of Israel, whom we know, through the reading of the historical record, had lots of serious issues and needed constant discipline and correction. But the author’s focus was on the character of God and not the failure of people. I’ve discovered that if my eyes are turned upon Jesus, and I’m looking fully in His wonderful face, that the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. We can choose to have a positive attitude.

Here’s a cute story I heard from a former missionary from our church. A woman woke one morning to discover only three hairs on her head. “Oh good,” she exclaimed, “Braiding my hair will be easy today.” And she had a very good day. She awoke the next day to find only two hairs on her head. “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle.” And she had a wonderful day. She awoke the next morning to discover only one hair on her head. “Great! I can be a little girl again and wear a pony tail.” And she had a fun, fun day. She awoke the next morning to discover no hair on her head. “Yippee! I don’t have to fix my hair today.” Attitude is everything.

Finally, I am very blessed by the conclusion of this Psalm. Several phrases jumped out at me and hit me where I needed to be hit.

He brought out his people… Whatever wilderness you are wandering right now, God will bring you out.

He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy. The people came out of their difficulties with shouts of rejoicing. When God delivers, He delivers us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, so we are able to fully rejoice in what He has done rather than dwell on what was wrong. God takes us from pity parties to praise parties.

He gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for… God bestows immeasurable grace upon those He delivers. Someday we too will inherit what we did not toil for. Jesus did the work of redemption on the cross. Jesus is doing the work of preparing our mansions in heaven. We did nothing to fall heir to the inheritance of eternal life and the glory of God’s presence in heaven.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

That they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Based on all of God’s great work on our behalf, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, with the life-changing principles of God’s law written on our hearts. As a result, we are motivated to obey Him and serve Him – not to earn anything more, but because we have already received every spiritual blessing from God on high.

Hallelujah!

So, study God’s Word. Adjust your attitude. Shout for joy. Serve your Savior.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional
Wednesday, October 17, 2017

Psalms 104:1 – 3, 31 Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works.

Shortly after hurricanes Katrina and Rita ripped into the Gulf Coast, I was in Theriot, Louisiana, working at a church out on one of the bayous. We had adopted this church as our sister church and provided assistance to them in the rebuilding process. There were so many homes that need to be raised off the ground and built up on pillars to be protected from the hurricane flood waters. The bayou is slowly sinking. Estimates are that in 30 years it will be totally under water and uninhabitable.

In the meantime, people are doing everything they can to make their homes safe from the waters so they can continue to harvest shrimp, crabs, and oysters from the sea so that you and I can enjoy eating at Red Lobster.

Looking at these raised up houses is fascinating. Large telephone poles are sunk deep into the ground into concrete, with 10 to 15 feet of pole exposed above the ground. Large beams are bolted to the tops of the poles to form the supports necessary for the floor joists. The house is built on top of these great beams. Each house becomes an upper chamber rising out of the water.

Now take that mental picture, and expand it to encompass the whole earth. Imagine poles coming out of the oceans of the world and extending to the farthest reaches of the universe. Then picture the size of the beams necessary to connect those poles to form the supports upon which the upper chambers of heaven will be built. This is the imagery the Psalmist gives us today to help us understand the splendor and majesty of God.

As you read through this Psalm you should be awestruck with the splendor of God’s creation and His sovereign control over it.

• The canopy of space is but His tent, and above that are His upper chambers where He dwells.
• The clouds of the sky are but His chariots.
• He controls all the water supply for the earth. He took the waters of the great flood and assigned them to the great underground aquifers that continue to flow and sustain all life (vs. 6-12).
• Where the mountains are so high that they cannot be watered from beneath, He waters them from His upper chambers (vs. 13).
• He provides food for all living creatures (vs. 14-23 and vs. 27).

Yet while knowing that everything in this world is currently corrupted by sin and disintegrating into death, God’s glory endures and He will restore His creation to its intended glory in the coming kingdom, and He will rejoice over it (vs. 31 – May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works).

We have a choice today and every day – to live on ground level or to climb into the upper chambers of God’s presence. The most minute detail of life is under the control of our loving Father in heaven. The waters of worry can never flood us out again (vs. 9 – You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.) Every need is supplied (vs. 13 – the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.) He fills us with joy (wine that gladdens the heart of man), He improves our attitudes (oil to make his face shine), and He gives us peace through the promises of His Word (and bread that sustains his heart).

The challenge is to praise Him for His works even when it seems everything is at work against us. We can do that if we forget not His benefits by meditating on Him and not on our situation. But that’s hard, isn’t it? It takes work, but the reward is worth the effort.

This should be our goal each day – I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. (vs. 33-34)

Meditate on the splendor and majesty of God and on His wondrous works. Then you will be able to sing to the Lord in all areas of your life for as long as you live. You will be dwelling in the upper chambers of the Lord, safe from the storms and floods of life.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional
Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Psalms 103:1 – 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Several years ago, when I went through the Psalms devotionally for the first time, I gave everyone an assignment. It was to spend one week and daily read and study the 103rd Psalm. I did this for two reasons. First, we tend to rush over the benefits of being children of God, so I wanted to emphasize the importance of remembering all that God has done and is doing for us. Second, it was deer hunting week and I was on vacation so I wouldn’t be writing a daily devotional.

God taught me a lot that week ten years ago while I sat on the tree stand waiting for the deer to come by. I learned some valuable truths that have become a permanent part of my spiritual walk with the Lord. Let me share with you one important lesson that God taught me the first day of that week, and it has stuck with me.

As I sat in a tree early that morning, I began to remember all the benefits of being a child of God. The words “forget not” captivated my mind. I thought about another passage of Scripture that talks about forgetting. It’s in Philippians 3:13 – 14 where Paul writes, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

I began to think about the difference between forgetting some things and not forgetting others. I came to a simple solution – I am to forget everything that is of the flesh and not forget anything that is of the Spirit of God.

But why?

That was an easy answer for me – only the things of God are to our benefit.

Think back with me to a time that for some of us was very long ago. Go back to fourth grade for a moment, and try to remember what happened in your life at that time. Can you think of any special or meaningful events? You may come up with one or two, but overall you probably can’t remember much.
What’s the reason we can remember some things and not others? Well, it’s because we assign a personal value to every event of our lives. We make a determination of each event’s significance and importance, and within the context of that value assignment we either choose to remember it or forget it.

For example, I remember only one thing about fourth grade. We moved to a new town in April of that year, and I had to start a new school with one month to go. I only remember the playground, because it was there that I gave value to an event that would cause me to remember it until now. Two of my new classmates, both girls, would chase me around that playground until they caught me, and then they would give me a kiss on the cheek. I felt accepted. I determined to always remember the benefit of that event.

Now, the big point of application. Every event of our lives has been recorded in the incredible memory bank of our brains. We may not be able to recall it, but it’s there none the less. Apart from a mental disorder, the reason we cannot recall it is because of the value we placed upon it when it happened.

When Paul says that he will forget everything that was behind him from his past, he is saying that he will assign it a new value – a value of “0”.
Look at his words: But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ… (Philippians 3:7 – 8)

So what I must decide for myself, and you for yourself, is this: what value have I assigned to the things of this world, and what value do I assign to the things of God? Those things of minimal value will be forgotten. The things we treasure will be remembered.

I can’t remember the names of the girls on the playground. I can vaguely remember the playground. I know the story more than I remember the event. But since fourth grade I have discovered the incredible value of being accepted by Jesus Christ. I will never forget His benefits. All that the world offers is nothing compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

So when Satan comes and tempts with something he says has value, I still get to determine its real value for me. I choose to assign those things a value of “0”. I choose to assign the things of God a value of “10” on a scale of “10”. Now I can forget what is behind, and forget not His benefits, and press on toward the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.

You can do that, too.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Monday, October 16, 2017

Psalms 102:18 – 20  Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.”

Everyone gets discouraged occasionally. Left unresolved, it can lead some to get downright downcast, leading to despair, depression, and despondency. We naturally, because of our human nature, gravitate towards hopelessness.

In those times of severe hopelessness, tragedy may strike. How hopeless life must have appeared in May of 2007 for the 25-year old mother in Texas who hung her four children and then herself. A broken relationship, abuse, restraining orders, and the worries of surviving a potential financial crisis, all may have compounded into a bleak outlook on life that justified the ending of life.

Contrast that tragedy with the prayer of an afflicted man who is also nearly hopeless. Psalm 102 is written by one who is in severe pain and fainting from the afflictions of life. He has health issues, deep discouragement issues, and serious doubt issues about God. Yet in the midst of his despair, when life is changing for the worst, he remembers one eternal truth that shines light at the end of his tragic tunnel – But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever. (vs. 12)

Have you ever noticed how often we use the word but in our everyday conversations? Most people I know use the word to argue from the positive to the negative.

• It’s sunny now, but it will probably rain.
• I’m feeling good now, but I bet it won’t last.
• I got all the bills paid this month, but I wonder what will happen next month.

On and on we go in our periods of pessimism. But the man writing this Psalm uses the word but to argue from the negative to the positive.

Life stinks, BUT God is still on the throne and in control.

Then, because he chooses to look at life from God’s perspective, he writes these words of encouragement for all of us:

“The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.”

The eternal God, who sits on the throne and governs all things, sees every need that we have. He hears the groans we utter under the bondage of our circumstances. He provides for a way to escape the condemnation of death. His ultimate provision for everything that seeks to destroy our lives is this – He sent His Son Jesus as our one and only hope.

Billions of people are living under the condemnation of death. You have neighbors and friends who are living in various stages of hopelessness. Maybe you are attempting to survive a crisis in your own strength and slowly slipping into serious despair. If only there was a truth that would heal and restore.

Good news! There is. God looked down from His holy sanctuary and saw our need. Then, with compassion, mercy, and grace, He sent Jesus to meet our need and give us hope.

Once we see the healing power of Jesus, the Psalmist encourages us to write the message of Jesus Christ into the everyday language of our lives so that future generations will praise the Lord. Verse 21 says, “that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise…”

The power of Jesus to save lives from the prison of sin and death is not to be experienced and then preserved: it is to be experienced and then professed.

We will all meet numerous individuals today who need Jesus. Instead of asking, “Who will tell them” we should be asking, “How will I tell them?”

God has heard the groans of the prisoners. Have we, and are we prepared to give them hope?

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional
Friday, October 13, 2017

Psalms 101:2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—

When Denise decides it’s time to do some redecorating or painting, I’m the touch-up guy. My main job is to put the paint on the ceiling edges. In painting terms it’s called “cutting in.”

I seem to have a very steady hand for jobs like that, and I generally don’t need to use tape. But it seems uncharacteristic to most people’s perceptions of me. If I were using a roller or a big brush on the middle sections of the wall, I would get careless and sloppy, and paint would spatter and spray. Not so around the edges, where the wall and ceiling meet. Much more care is needed there, because any mistake will be obvious. It seems I really like being that careful. If even a single bristle of the brush touches the white ceiling, it will leave an ugly mark.

I remember the last time I painted and put the final touches on all the edges. In the morning, I inspected what I had done. It was pretty good, but right along the ceiling line there were spots where the new paint was slightly on the ceiling, and the line between wall and ceiling was not perfectly straight. I didn’t like it.

I think my life is a lot like that wall. For the sake of the analogy, let’s assume God is my ceiling. When I’m in the middle of my life, I can get sloppy and careless, and it probably won’t show.

Now be careful; I am not advocating carelessness, but it is the reality of our lives. We have big, open spaces of normal where we tend to get comfortable and careless. We move quickly from one thing to the next, and with just a few extra brush strokes or another pass of the roller we cover any mistakes we made, blending one area into another. Pretty soon our whole life appears to be consistent, except for that edge between wall and ceiling. That edge always shows us who we really are.

When I paint, no matter how careful I am, my color always seems to obscure some of the pure white of the ceiling. In my life, it’s when I’m at the edge of God’s perfection that my imperfections become the most obvious.
It seems to me that there are three responses we can adopt:

1. Stay away from the edges. Live life in the middle of the wall where it’s easy to blend and cover mistakes and sin. Get sloppy. Be careless. No one will know, because with a quick pass of the roller anything can be made to look like it was never there.

2. Put tape over the edges before you get near them with paint. Just cover up God’s color so that your color doesn’t bleed into His. Then, when you’ve lived your life, in your color, right to the edge, you can pull off the tape and look at the beautiful contrast between your life and God’s.

3. Paint your wall the same color as the ceiling.

There really is only one choice, you know. #3. When decorating a house this may not be the preferred way, because we want the attention to be drawn to the walls. We want the color to highlight the decorating choices we have made. We want our walls to represent our preferences and personality.

But when coloring a life, it is not our only goal to not have sloppy edges, but to let the life of God become the focal point. Our lives are to be the house of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit. If we would just paint our walls the same color as the ceiling, we would never have to worry about the edges.

The rooms of our lives can still be decorated with the adornments of our personality and passions, but they must be accentuated by the color of God all over the walls.

When you come to my house, don’t look too closely at the edges – I’m not proud of all of them.

I hope I never have to give you the same warning about my life.

Pastor John