Today’s Text:  Hosea 6:3 (ESV)  Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

True passion originated in the Bible. Our English word passion is the translation of the Greek word paskho, and is translated 39 times in the New Testament as suffering. That’s why the time of our Savior’s life between His arrest and His resurrection is called the passion of Christ.

So what does this mean for us today? Pressing on requires the courage to suffer for what one believes in. There is no true passion in a person’s life without the willingness to suffer as they press on to achieve what they believe in.

A rock-climber has a passion for reaching the top, which means they will suffer whatever physical pain and contortions of the body are necessary to accomplish it, all potentially based on a love for adrenaline and the belief that the meaning of life will be found in the view from the top.

A single mom has a passion to protect and raise her children in a safe environment, and will endure whatever financial and emotional suffering she must to see her children grow up strong and stable.

A football player has a passion to be the best at his position, and will endure whatever pain he must to recover from injury and play through pain to become the MVP of his league.

Passion always requires the courage to suffer for what one believes. It is the same in pressing on to know the Lord. We cannot claim to be passionate for Christ while living our lives in fear of rejection or retribution from the world. It is unreasonable to state that we are passionate for the Lord and press on to know Him through consistent prayer and Bible Study, using our busy schedules as an excuse. We dare not claim to be passionate for the souls of the lost while we hide our faith in public and seek to be accepted by our culture.

Passion always requires sacrifice. Passion always requires suffering. It is the nature of the word that originated with Christ, and is fulfilled in the context of Christ’s life in us. Pressing on to know Christ is our passion, because Christ’s passion was His love for us that He courageously expressed in His sacrifice for our sins. He suffered for us, so we who are His children willingly suffer for Him. He is our passion, and His passion becomes our life. We will press on to know Him no matter what it costs or how it hurts.

LifeLink Devotions for Friday, February 21, 2025

I have done some very foolish things in my life. Fortunately, none of them got me in serious trouble. But they could have. I remember one time in particular when I crashed a car because I was trying to show off. I ended up in the ditch with the car leaning against a tree. That was a costly mistake based on a foolish choice made spontaneously to try to impress people.

It bothers me how quickly we can move from reason to impulse, especially when the rewards of impulsive actions seem so appealing. But the Bible calls all such choices, foolish, and it calls the person making those choices a fool. That’s because wisdom rationally considers every choice in light of both immediate and future consequences. Impulse eliminates the consideration of the future.

Listen carefully to how King Solomon personifies folly as a seductive woman who cannot see beyond the immediate.

Proverbs 9:13-18  “The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.”

Here’s what Solomon warns us about the folly of impulsive behavior.

• Its temptation is loud and demands to be considered as valid.
• It offers immediate gratification without the need for knowledge of consequences.
• When followed, it reveals a person’s lack of common sense.
• The fool does not consider how others have failed and fallen from being foolish. Their pride tells them it can never happen to them.

My friends, as we draw to a close this study of the first nine chapters of Proverbs, which serve as an introduction to the individual bites of wisdom that follow, my prayer is that it has made you wiser and more alert to the deadly consequences of foolishness. I trust you have grown in your understanding of the value of following God’s wisdom, which is the foundation of all abundant life. I also believe that if God’s people, those born of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, would live wisely in this wicked world that more people would want what we have in Christ.

Control your impulses. Look beyond the pleasures of this world. Seek the wisdom of God and start where God tells you to start. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, February 20, 2025

I wonder how many people have died because of foolishness. It’s probably a lot.

One example from the Bible is a man named Abner. He was a military man who fought against David on behalf of King Saul. David had already been declared by God to be the future King of Israel, but Saul was fighting hard against God to keep his kingdom for himself.

In the middle of a battle, while fighting on the wrong side against David, Abner saw his defeat coming and fled. He was chased down by the brother of Joab, David’s commander-in-chief.

Abner killed his hunter, and as a result of his foolish choice to live outside of God’s purpose, he faced a foolish death himself. The story is in 2 Samuel chapter 3.

“Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.”

Hebron was a city of refuge where Abner would have been safe. But he was lured outside of the city gate by Joab, who killed him to avenge his brother’s death. Abner’s foolish death is an illustration of what it is like to have life ended by foolish choices.

Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus is our city of refuge, and yet many great, discerning men are going to die like fools because they will die just outside the gate of the city of refuge.”

Our wisdom verse for today is from Proverbs 9, verses10 and11.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”

Let me make one thing clear. This verse does not promise that God will make your life longer because you fear Him. What it says is this. “If you grow in wisdom that comes from knowing and fearing God, and apply His wisdom to your life, it will keep you from doing foolish things that get you killed.”

In the early church at Corinth, people were stepping outside of God’s wisdom and using the Lord’s Supper as a means of personal gratification. As a result, the Apostle Paul says, “That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” (1 Corinthians 11:30) That seems harsh, yet God’s standard has always been that we either live life by faith in Him according to His wisdom or we will suffer death. Not just eternal death, but maybe even premature physical death.

We would be wise to consider our level of fear of the Lord. Fear that produces awe and wonder at His majesty. Then to let that awe inspire us to learn from Him and apply what we learn to how we live so that we can fulfill the days He has ordained for us. May God challenge you to do that and bless you with the fulfillment of His plan for you.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, February 19, 2025

My paternal grandfather was an excellent baseball player. He played in a semi-pro league in the Midwest before being called by God into full-time ministry. As a young boy I remember him playing catch with me in the yard and telling me stories of how he used to pitch. He taught me how to throw my first curve ball. I never became a pitcher, but all his training developed my arm strength which proved valuable when I played center field. His love for baseball and his willingness to instruct me gave me a love for the game and I played for many years.  

There’s another element in all of this I haven’t mentioned yet. I had to be a willing learner. He could not have helped me if I had believed I was already good enough and didn’t need his help. Every time I would throw a ball that wouldn’t curve he would come over to me and show me the proper hand and elbow position to get it right. If I had rejected his correction I might not ever have been able to do it. If my pride had scoffed at his accomplishments and skill I would have been left without any of the valuable wisdom he possessed.

Proud people don’t accept correction, even though they may know the need it. Their response to advice is usually to get angry and blame others for finding fault in them. They may go into a silent shell in an attempt to emotionally manipulate others into being the ones to apologize. They focus on how their pride has been hurt rather than how they can become better.

The book of Proverbs speaks a lot about such people. They are called scoffers: arrogant and boastful mockers who deride others to improve their own sense of worth. Here’s what King Solomon says in Proverbs 9:8-9.

“Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”

How do you respond to correction or advice? I loved my grandpa. I’m glad I listened to him. I didn’t always listen well to advice or correction, but remembering how he helped me and increased my learning is a valuable lesson for me today to never stop taking advice. Never stop listening to correction. Never stop learning. Never end the pursuit of wisdom. Never ever ever let pride be allowed to protect our self-worth, but humbly accept what others are saying as wisdom that will help us grow up into the fullness of the measure of Christ in all wisdom.

Pastor John

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4s3h5mRD6cLV6ScXw2LJZB?si=5SIH3-_pS2qyXui3E1Xj2A

LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, February 18, 2025

When I was in sixth grade I found an old golf club in machine shed on the farm our family was visiting. It had a bamboo shaft and was called a Mashie. And it was left-handed, like me. I had seen golf on television and so I swung the club a few times, trying to imitate Sam Snead. I was hooked. I became convinced I wanted to be a golfer.

I knew we could never afford clubs or the green fees at the local course, but we lived north of town next to the church and there was a lot of space. I knew I could set up a small course with two or three holes, but what would I use for clubs. As I looked around the garage my ingenuity kicked in. There in the corner was a wooden croquet set. They were a little short, but they would be perfect. They even had their own pull cart. But every one of them had a flat end on both sides. If only one end was slanted.

I knew we still played that game and needed at least one end flat, but I figured both ends flat limited the mallet’s versatility. So, I took my dad’s power saber saw and cut off each one end of the four mallets at a different degree of slope to duplicate the loft of golf clubs. After smoothly sanding them, I was ready to test them.

They worked! I set up my holes and I was playing golf. I couldn’t wait to show my dad what I had done. You can imagine how that went.

Croquet mallets were not designed to be golf clubs. They may serve the purpose for a time, but they do not allow for the full development of golf skills. Plus, they become less effective at their original purpose because their balance is now goofy. The designer knew what He was doing when he applied the rules of physics to the creation of the croquet mallet needed to strike the ball correctly.

So it is with the world. The Designer knew what He was doing when He created the earth and everything in it. His infinite wisdom was used to design it all, and if we follow His wisdom it will be good for us. Listen to what King Solomon says inProverbs 8, verses 22 and 32.

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old…And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.”

The “me” in that verse is Wisdom. When God created the world He designed it all to reflect Who He is in all His infinite knowledge and power. Every day the sun would come up and then set again, so precisely that we set our clocks and calendars to it. Every star, planet, and moon held in perfect orbit with the exact amount of gravity and rotation. And that’s just a start. The wonder of the human body and the intricacies of the various systems required to keep it alive are beyond explanation. It is the wisdom of God that created and maintains it all.

So why do we think man has a better idea? Why do we try to reshape the original design to fit our desires? I think the best example of this is marriage. God’s wisdom built into all creation was that one man and one woman would join together and bear children, forming families that would continue to uphold and apply the wisdom of God. Yet today God’s wisdom has been sawn off in varying degrees in an attempt to fulfill an unintended purpose. What a slippery slope it has become.

My friends, if we want to be blessed by what God has given us, then we must use it all as He intended according to His wisdom. Otherwise we can never go back.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Monday, February 17, 2025

Have you seen the text on the endlines of the NFL endzones that reads “STOP HATE”? While that sounds good and admirable when applied to certain situations, it is not feasible or Biblical to stop all hate. Stopping all hate requires us to accept all forms of activity and eliminate any standard of righteousness. Hate is not the problem. What we choose to do with hate and how we choose to act in hate is what we need to address.

We have forgotten that God hates. We have been so intent on making everyone believe that God is only love and accepts everyone and everything as good that we forget that God hates anything that is opposed to His righteousness.

Proverbs 6:16-19  “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

God’s wisdom also tells us to hate what he hates. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:9 that we are to let love be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”  And in Revelation 2:6 Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for hating false teaching. “Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

From God’s perspective of absolute holiness and righteousness, everything that stands opposed to Him is to be hated. However, that does not mean we can hate the person who is trapped in unrighteous behavior. We must hate the sin that is causing their activity, but we must have God’s love towards the person who is trapped in it. I believe the reason for the “STOP HATE” slogan is because God’s people are not embracing those opposed to God and seeking to lead them to Jesus. It is our own activity of hate that stops people from seeing the love of God.

So take a moment and look at the list of seven things that God hates. It’s not a complete list of everything opposed to God but it is a good starting point. After reviewing the list, ask yourself two questions?

1. Are any of these things a consistent part of my life?
2. How am I responding to people who are guilty of these things?

As you purify your own heart before God, seek the abundance of His love that rescued you so it can flow out of you towards others that you tend to hate.

• haughty eyes,
• a lying tongue,
• hands that shed innocent blood,
• a heart that devises wicked plans,
• feet that make haste to run to evil,
• a false witness who breathes out lies,
• one who sows discord among brothers.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Friday, February 14, 2025

It’s Valentine’s Day, and our hearts are longing to express our love to someone and have them express love back to us. But what should love look like? According to Scripture, love starts with God sending His own Son to meet our need of redemption from sin. The principles of Christ’s love for us are to be the non-negotiable principles of our love that are to be fulfilled in marriage through the husband.

Sacrificial Love: Jesus demonstrated His love for the church through His ultimate sacrifice, giving His life on the cross for the salvation of humanity. Similarly, a husband’s love should be selfless and sacrificial, putting his wife’s needs and well-being above his own. This means being willing to make sacrifices, both big and small, to support and care for her.

Unconditional Love: Jesus’ love for the church is unconditional and unwavering, regardless of the church’s flaws and shortcomings. A husband’s love should also be steadfast and enduring, loving his wife through all circumstances and challenges, just as Christ loves His church without condition.

Nurturing Love: Jesus nurtures and cares for the church, helping it grow and flourish spiritually. In the same way, a husband should support his wife’s growth and well-being, encouraging her in her pursuits, dreams, and spiritual journey. This includes providing emotional, spiritual, and practical support.

Protective Love: Jesus is the protector of the church, guarding it against spiritual harm and guiding it with wisdom and love. A husband should also be a protector for his wife, safeguarding her physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This involves being attentive, considerate, and proactive in addressing any challenges or threats that may arise.

Forgiving Love: Jesus extends grace and forgiveness to the church, even when it falls short. A husband’s love should be characterized by grace and forgiveness, being willing to reconcile and move forward together after disagreements or mistakes.

Commitment: Jesus’ commitment to the church is eternal and unbreakable. A husband’s love should mirror this level of commitment, being faithful and dedicated to his wife through all seasons of life. This involves prioritizing the relationship and working together to overcome any obstacles.

By embodying these principles, a husband reflects the love of Jesus Christ for each of us, and glorifies God. In this way both lovers, husband and wife, can know what real love is.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, February 13, 2025

I can honestly say that I have never been lazy. At least not that I can remember. But according to my grandkids, who can trust the memory of someone so old.

Yet while I may not have had a tendency towards laziness, I was subject to procrastination. I know, it sounds like a justification for laziness but let me explain. I have ADHD, so I am easily distracted by something else to do, and the appeal of the new overwhelms the desire to complete what is currently in front of me. Procrastination. I remained busy, so I wasn’t lazy, but important things were set aside for the excitement of new things to do.

I think both laziness and my new name for laziness are a problem. King Solomon, in all of God’s wisdom, says this in Proverbs 6:6-11. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”

After reading that I feel somewhat better about my procrastination, even though I know it reduces my productivity. You see, laziness is a more pervasive lack of motivation to engage in activities, while procrastination is a temporary delay in action, often with the intention to complete the task later. I wasn’t lazy, just distracted by other work.

The wisdom of Solomon in today’s passage deals only with laziness and is worth some soul searching on our part. Are we self-motivated? Can we see what needs to be done and then do it? Do we choose rest over work even though we are well-rested? And finally, and most importantly for me, do we choose less important and less stressful work over what really needs to be done and then justify it with a new name like ADHD or procrastination?

So how can we know if we are lazy or just undisciplined? Here’s a distinction that might help. Laziness carries no guilt with it. There is no concern that the work isn’t getting done. The pleasures of rest or recreation don’t make us feel bad. Procrastination carries guilt, and it becomes heavier until the job is done.

If you are not feeling any guilt over work that needs to be accomplished, then today’s wisdom is for you. Get up and get to it! Like my dad always said when talking to me about a job that needed to be done, and I obviously wanted to do something else – “DO IT NOW!”

So get up, get to it, and get it done. NOW! Reject your sluggard ways and start working to provide for yourself.

Pastor John  

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, February 12, 2025

A wise old man named Samuel was known for his unwavering integrity, and people often sought his counsel in times of need.

One day, a young man named Daniel approached Samuel, troubled by the choices he had been making. He had fallen into the habit of spreading rumors and speaking ill of others, and as a result, he found himself entangled in conflicts and mistrust.

“Samuel,” Daniel said, “I don’t know how to find peace. My actions have led me down a path of trouble and unrest. How can I change my ways and find true happiness?”

Samuel nodded thoughtfully and invited Daniel to sit with him beneath a sprawling oak tree. “Daniel, you must keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life,” Samuel began, echoing the wisdom he had learned from the book of Proverbs. “The words you speak and the actions you take come from your heart. You must guard your heart and keep it in tune with God’s wisdom or the rest of your life will be a mess.”

“But how do I do that?” Daniel asked, eager to learn.

“First,” Samuel replied, “put away all the crooked speech and devious talk. Speak only truth and kindness, for your words have the power to build up or tear down. Let your eyes look directly forward at God’s goals for your life. Focus on what is good and true, and do not be swayed by distractions or temptations.”

Samuel continued, “Watch where you are going and where you choose to walk; God has promised to make your path straight. Before you act, consider the consequences and choose the path of righteousness. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”

Daniel listened intently, taking Samuel’s words to heart. He realized that true happiness and peace could only be found through living a life of obedience to God’s wisdom, and living it with integrity and kindness. From that day forward, he made a conscious effort to guard his heart, speak with honesty, and stay focused on God’s goals.

Over time, Daniel’s reputation began to change. People noticed his sincerity and the genuine kindness in his words. Conflicts diminished, and trust was restored. Daniel found that by following God’s wisdom, he not only brought peace to his own life but also became a source of light and inspiration for others in the village.

Does your life seem out of whack, filled with conflict and uncertainty. Follow the words of God’s wisdom in Proverbs 4:23-27 and your life will be filled with peace and joy.

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, February 11, 2025

God’s wisdom for today is from Proverbs 3:21-26.“My son, keep sound wisdom…Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”

In the quiet town of Serenity Springs, there lived a young woman named Emily. By day she was a cheerful and diligent teacher, loved by her students and admired by her colleagues. But by night, her mind became a battlefield of worries. She would lie awake in the darkness, her thoughts racing with fears about her future, her family, and the challenges she faced.

One particularly sleepless night, Emily found herself staring at the ceiling, her heart heavy with anxiety. She had tried everything to calm her mind – reading, meditating, even counting sheep – but nothing seemed to work. As the hours ticked by, her despair grew, and tears began to fill her eyes.

In her anguish, Emily remembered a piece of advice her grandmother had once given her: “When you feel lost and overwhelmed, turn to Jesus. He is always there, ready to offer you peace and guidance.”

Desperate for relief, Emily knelt beside her bed and clasped her hands in prayer. “Dear God,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “I feel so burdened by my worries. I’m sorry I have trusted my own wisdom to solve them. I want to trust you alone. Please help me find peace and to completely trust in Your plan for me.”

As she prayed, a sense of calm began to wash over her. She felt a comforting presence, as if a warm, gentle hand was resting on her shoulder. Emily took a deep breath and, for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to let go of her fears and place her trust in God.

That night, Emily drifted into a deep, restful sleep, her heart filled with a newfound sense of peace. In the days that followed, she continued to turn to God in prayer whenever her worries threatened to overwhelm her. She found solace in the scriptures, drawing strength from passages like Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Emily’s faith grew stronger, and she began to see her challenges in a new light. She realized that she didn’t have to face her worries alone; God was always with her, guiding her and offering her His infinite wisdom. With this newfound trust, Emily’s sleepless nights became a thing of the past, replaced by a deep sense of peace that carried her through even the most difficult moments.

May you also find such peace by trusting Jesus and living according to His wisdom.

Pastor John