LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Here are the first two principles of wisdom we have already learned:

1.      Let wisdom transcend all else

2.      Let wisdom be transmitted to you

Here’s what Proverbs 22:18 says about the next principle. “…for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart.”  The “them” of this verse are the truths of wisdom, and the principle we want to look at today is this – Let wisdom transform your heart.

As we discovered yesterday, there is an eternally significant difference between listening with your head and listening with your heart. When we listen with our head we simply have knowledge of a subject, but when we listen with the heart we allow the knowledge to transform our will which brings a change of nature, attitude, and action. The difference between those two types of listening is the difference between eternal death and eternal life. We are not saved by our knowledge, we are saved by our faith, and faith is an act of the will – the heart – not the head.

Solomon refers to the heart 69 times in Proverbs, and challenges us to listen to wisdom with our hearts so that we are transformed from the inside out. Here are a couple of examples:

     Proverbs 2:1-5   “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and  search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”

Notice the transcending value of wisdom in this passage, and the desire for the transmission of wisdom. Also notice that understanding and knowledge are the product of a transformed heart. When we take a step of faith to allow God to transform our heart, wisdom takes effect.

    Proverbs 3:1-6  :My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

These verses state the benefits of letting wisdom transform your heart, and they give us three things with which to measure the progress of the transformation that is taking place in our lives. They are:

1.      Trust in the Lord with all your heart

2.      Lean not on your own understanding

3.      In all your ways acknowledge Him

Think about those three things today and evaluate the progress of your spiritual transformation. Ask yourself these questions along with the others the Holy Spirit will ask you:

1.       Is my trust in God sufficient for every area of my life, or are there parts of my life where I must have God plus something else? God plus money? God plus possessions? God plus family and friends? God plus position and power? You get the point.

2.       Is my faith in God’s wisdom sufficient for every decision I must make, or do I need to see the end before I can take the first step? Am I limiting God’s work in my life by needing to see the results and figure out the process in my limited understanding?

3.       Is it my desire to see the glory of God in all areas of my life, or are there areas where I need to be acknowledged? Is my motivation for any area of my life to bring honor to myself?

Friends, evaluate these things carefully and prayerfully, and let wisdom transform your heart.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Monday, May 6, 2024

We are beginning an adventure this week that will help us become people of wisdom. How did you do with the assignment you had over the weekend? I hope you were disciplined and diligent to get it done. If not, go there now and start. It’s really important. We must reach the point in our spiritual lives that wisdom transcends the pursuit of all else. 

Today’s principle of wisdom is this: Pay attention

Proverbs 22:17  “And listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.”

We must let wisdom be transmitted to us. Sixteen times in the book of Proverbs we are told by Solomon to “listen”. I think you will agree with me that not listening is a problem in our lives. It is such a problem that it is destroying relationships and dividing churches. Consider these ways in which we don’t listen:

1.      We simply don’t hear what another person has said so we have to ask them to repeat it.

2.      We don’t hear what another person is saying and we don’t care to hear it so we don’t ask them to repeat it.

3.      We hear with our ears what another person is saying, and we may even give assent to it, but only to be polite. It does not really mean anything to us.

4.      We hear with our ears what another person is saying, but because we did not invite their input we ignore it.

5.      We ask for input from another person, hear what they have to say, but weigh its value by what we have predetermined to be our preferred outcome.

6.      We ask for input from another person, hear what they have to say, and agree to its value, but that agreement is simply to avoid hurting their feelings, and we do not intend to apply what they said to our lives.

7.      We ask for input from another person, but filter what they are saying through our misperceptions of the person or circumstances, leading us to misinterpret what was said and then blame that person for the outcome.

8.      We ask for input from another person, but don’t listen to the whole context of what they are saying, leading us to apply it out of context, and then blame that person for the outcome.

9.      We ask for input from another person, listen to it carefully, but break the confidence in which it was shared by telling it to someone else, and then blame the giver of the advice for the consequences.

10.  We ask for input from another person, listen carefully to what they are saying, then seek to apply any and all elements of Godly wisdom to our lives so that it changes us.

As you can see, and have maybe experienced, listening strategies # 2 – 9 cause serious, sometimes irreparable damage to relationships and churches. I know because it has happen to me.

I have had far too many situations in which people were not listening and then responded in an ungodly way. It weighs very heavily on me and has discouraged me. My heart has been wounded. But what hurts even more is knowing that I have not always listened either, and I have responded inappropriately. It seems that our desire to be heard takes priority over our desire to listen, and that is unwise.

Friends, let wisdom be transmitted to you. Learn to listen with your heart, and let it modify your will. Otherwise, Satan will diminish the glory of God in your life.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Friday, May 3, 2024

If you are tuned in to what is happening in the world, you know there is a noticeable decrease in wisdom. People are following political, social, economic, intellectual, and even spiritual trends without understanding the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

Wisdom is the proper application of truth. Therefore, for us to be wise we must have a knowledge of the truth. Not just knowledge, but knowledge based on absolute truth. And since God is the ONLY source of absolute truth, we can only be wise if our lives are grounded in the knowledge of God.

We need to become people of wisdom. So today we begin a journey to become wise.  We are using as the basis of our study a passage of God’s Word in Proverbs 22:17-21.

“Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?”

I have broken that passage down into 5 key points:

1.      Let wisdom transcend all else (v. 17a)

2.      Let wisdom be transmitted to you (v. 17b)

3.      Let wisdom transform your heart (v. 18a)

4.      Let wisdom transpose your speech (v. 18b)

5.      Let wisdom transfer your trust (v. 19)

We will take one of those points each day and look at it closely, beginning with “Let wisdom transcend all else.”  Here are some principles to get us started.

1.      Wisdom is the application of knowledge so that it affects actions

2.      Wisdom begins with the knowledge of God – Prov. 9:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

3.      The knowledge of God goes much deeper than just a knowledge of His actions, but to an understanding of His heart. We do not simply change our behavior so that it matches what we think God would do, but rather we allow God’s nature and character to change our heart so our actions are the life of Jesus being fleshed out in us as a loving response to God’s power in us.

4.      For this to happen, wisdom must be more important than anything else to our hearts – it must transcend all else.

So here’s your assignment as we get started. Read the first four chapters of Proverbs. As you do, take a couple of different colored highlighters and do this – with one color highlight all the verses that describe the consequences of not pursuing wisdom, and with the other color highlight all the verses that describe the benefits of pursuing wisdom. Then consider which way you want to live. Don’t just assume you know the answer right now – do the exercise to gain the growth. What this will do is touch into your heart, so that more than your mind is involved. Your decision will be an act of your will, and it will transform your heart so that Godly action results. When that happens you are gaining wisdom. Nothing in your life is more important than this development of character because it is the only part of our personal being that will stand in the presence of God someday.

Enjoy your study. Monday we will dive in to the principles of wisdom.  

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, May 2, 2024

So far in our study of life principles we learn from faith, we have discovered:

1.   God is working to increase faith

2.   Faith minimizes risk

3.   Faith makes a few powerful

4.   Faith results in commitment

Now today, let’s look at the final principle – Commitment and determination bring victory.

In the story of Jonathon and his armor-bearer we have been studying in 1 Samuel 14, the armor-bearer is so committed to God’s plan that he follows Jonathon up the side of a cliff, climbing rocks to the top. Jonathon has it easy: the armor-bearer has all the stuff. The young lad carrying the sword and shield and supplies has a much tougher climb, but he keeps up. We know this because when Jonathon gets to the top it says he started killing Philistines, and the armor-bearer was right behind him killing more.

What a great picture of the commitment that follows faith. It is quite the opposite of what we see from professional sports athletes these days. You know the type of player I mean – the ones who care more about their image, their health, their looks, and their wallets, and they put personal pursuits ahead of the team. What happened to loyalty? What happened to the commitment and dedication that results in a player playing through lack of attention, the lack of higher salaries, or even in pain, begging to get back in the game for the best of the team, and knowing that if they pushed themselves to the absolute limit of endurance there is a reward waiting. Oh, maybe the reward is not a game victory, but it will most certainly be a fame victory, and that fame will be for all the right reasons.

Now, how do we apply that to our spiritual journey of faith? The Body of Christ is, unfortunately, filled with spiritual well-wishers and whiners. People who wear the uniform of Christianity, but don’t participate at the team level with a heart of commitment and determination that produces victory. “Let the other guy beat me” and “Let the other guy take the ball from me” and “Please don’t hurt me” are the typical battle cries of the defeated and unfaithful.

What the body of Christ needs is more armor-bearers. No one knows his name, but he was determined to do his best and beyond for the glory and benefit of another. His faith made the insignificant powerful, and his commitment and dedication brought victory.

What area of your life right now is embarrassing you, or making you ashamed, or holding you in bondage, or causing you to give up and walk off the field before the game is over? Maybe it’s time to evaluate your commitment and dedication level. I bet you find that in that area you’re more committed to self than to God. Take care of that today – victory is assured.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The life principle we are reviewing today is this: Faith results in commitment.

As God works to build our faith, and we learn to trust Him in all circumstances, the product of that will be a deeper and stronger commitment to Him and His purpose. This commitment involves the following things:

1.   Denying self

2.   Taking up the cross

3.   Following Christ

These are huge issues when we seriously consider their implications and ramifications. To deny self means we must sacrifice our best for God’s best, which at times feels like the worst that could happen. Then, when we are feeling like we’ve lost something significant – our pride – we are told to pick up a burden, a cross, and carry it down a road that leads to more loss and death. Why would we want to do that?

The risks of that commitment should not be a huge factor because the benefits will be so overwhelming to us. What are the benefits of this level of commitment?

1.   Experiencing the Fulfillment of life – and realizing that fulfillment has nothing to do with the value we get from the temporary and the tangible but everything to do with our identification with God who is permanent and eternal.

2.   Discovering the Purpose of life – and realizing that it has nothing to do with the goals and agendas of the world’s system but everything to do with the glory of God.

3.   Experiencing the Power to live life – and realizing that it has nothing to do with what we have and what we know but has everything to do with Who we know and the hope that is in us because of our faith. That hope strengthens and preserves us no matter what the risk.

I know, we still seem to want material benefits, but go back a consider the incredible satisfaction of the ones God has provided. Can there be anything better?

Now, let me ask a very searching and revealing question about the depth of our commitment to God in faith. Consider this carefully before you answer.

Am I so convinced that my faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient for all things, and that my commitment to Him is so real, that I can say to Him at any time of any day, “Whatever you choose to do with my life is exactly the way I like it?”

One of my former elders, when asked about a task that he did not necessarily want to be involved in, responded this way: “Whatever way you do it is exactly the way I will like it.”  God has really impressed that statement on my heart as the one I need to be able to make to God in every circumstance. It will test my level of faith and commitment. Try it! Can you sit still and not get involved when God asks you to? Can God send you anywhere, for any purpose, and you will be totally satisfied, even if it results in loss or death, because you are accomplishing His purpose for His glory?

That’s the kind of faith God is trying to build in us.

Let Him.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Many of you are probably wondering how things turned out with Diane. Well, before I tell you, let’s discover the third principle  of faith – “Faith makes a few powerful.”

Sometimes it seems like the odds are stacked against us – maybe most of the time that’s true. How can one single mom fight all of city hall? In this tragic situation involving a young mom with seemingly no positive end for her, a few people came together in prayer and God’s power was released. So many things happened that are to the glory of God alone and are only realized through the prayer of people of faith. God provided a lawyer, and the right lawyer at that. God gave insight and wisdom to the court commissioner who heard the case. God moved everyone involved to a just conclusion. God was in control.

Diane got her kids back. Charges were dropped. Other than the memories in her own mind and in the hearts of the children, there is no record of what happened.

Diane’s faith and trust in the heart of God has grown, and so has ours. She is stronger, and so are we.

Now some of us might ask, “But what if she hadn’t gotten her kids back?” My answer is this – then we would still be in the process of trusting God for His victorious outcome. Why do temporary setbacks cause us to doubt the ongoing work of God to bring about the most glorious outcome? Why do we think the first opportunity for success is the best opportunity for God? Faith is tested and strengthened through patience and perseverance – that’s what makes it powerful!

Maybe you haven’t gotten your victory yet. Maybe your struggle continues. It is making you stronger if you will trust God’s heart.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Monday, April 29, 2024

As God increases our faith through our trials and circumstances, the second principle 0f faith is this, “Faith minimizes risk.”

Can you see that principle at work in Diane’s life from last week’s story? She saw the risk of losing her children and the risk of going to jail with a felony conviction only through the loving heart of her Father in heaven, and her risk was minimized. Oh, it will be extremely hard if those consequences are realized, especially since they are not deserved, but we must evaluate our understanding of God as we walk through the risk. If the worst happens, is not God still God? Is not God still in control? Is not God still working all things together for His good? Is there not still some Divine purpose to it all?

If your answer to any of those questions is “no”, then brace yourself – God is about to do something in your life to increase your faith. Why would he do that? Because He loves you and desires you to know the fullness of His love and grace. Paul says this in Philippians 3:10-11, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Probably the greatest book in the New Testament on suffering is First Peter. Here is a collection of verses for you to consider today as you grow in your faith so that the risks of this life are minimized because of your confidence in God’s heart.

“For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed…It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.”

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

There’s a lot to think about in all of that, but I would like us to make it our personal goal to react to suffering the way Peter describes and the way Diane models. Study these verses and apply them to your situation. Let the world see the hope of glory in our lives.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Friday, April 26, 2024

Yesterday we discovered the principle that God is increasing our faith through the circumstances of our lives. Let me tell you a heartbreaking story about an injustice that happened to a young single mom and the incredible statement of faith she made to me on the phone after it happened. We will call her Diane (not her real name).

I received a call one morning from a young mom. Her three children were removed from her home by social services, and she was being accused of physical and sexual child abuse. I will not give you the details, but a series of unfortunate and misinterpreted circumstances had left this young mom in a huge emotional hole.

But here’s the incredible part of the sad story – at the conclusion of our phone conversation she said this:

“Not many people get the privilege of learning to trust God by walking through a tough time like this. I consider it a blessing to be given the opportunity to learn to trust God in this way. Even if I have to go to jail for something I didn’t do, God has a purpose for it.”

WOW! What faith! It puts all our problems into perspective, doesn’t it? The $929 bill I would have in two weeks at the dentist to get a crown on a tooth that broke seemed trivial compared to Diane’s situation. Her statement of confidence in God’s heart for her is truly amazing. I praised God for her attitude as we prayed on the phone, and then I told her this: “When you can’t understand God’s ways, trust His heart.” She does!

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, April 25, 2024

In 1 Samuel chapters 13-14 we have the story of Jonathon as he steps out in faith to accomplish God’s purpose. Over the next few days I would like to discuss some principles of faith that we can learn from this story. You may want to take the time to read it before we move on.

Here’s principle #1 – God is working to increase faith.

One of my favorite Bible passages is found in 1 Peter chapter 1.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Verse seven teaches us that all the trials and troubles and interruptions of our normal routine are designed by God to prove the genuineness of our faith. I see several things in this testing process:

1. Our perspective is tested – We can rejoice in trials because we, through faith, are shielded by God’s power until He fulfills our salvation in His presence. When my perspective is not on God’s saving and keeping power, the trials offend me. When my perspective is on God’s saving and keeping power the trials commend me.

2. Our passion is tested – we love Him even though we do not see Him; we trust Him even when we don’t understand Him. The trials come to test our walk of faith so that it does not become a walk of sight.

3. Our patience is tested – we are receiving the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls. Can we endure the physical in the short term for the glory of the spiritual in the long term?

Spend some time today on these three points, and do some praising of God that He is working in your life to increase your faith so that it results in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Our desire should be to live a life of faith as described by this challenge written by a young African pastor which he had tacked to the wall of his hut.

“I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit Power. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

“My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

“I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

“My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

“I won’t give up, shut up, until have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me — my banner will be clear.“

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, April 24, 2024

For many years my wife and I have invited one or more of the grandchildren to spend a day with us each week so we get some alone time with them. We play games, do projects, have fun, and eat supper together.

I remember one day in particular. It was Liam’s turn, and after we finished the birdhouse painting, the Easter egg decorating, and the Swedish pancake supper, we sat down to play a game of attack Uno. After winning the first game, grandpa was already at Uno in the second game after playing his next to last card. Liam, whose hand was loaded with cards, was next to play. A slight smile started in the corner of his mouth as he reached for a card. The smile grew as he laid it on the discard pile. He spoke with excited enthusiasm and said, “I trade hands with grandpa!”

He couldn’t control himself any longer. He had just played a trade hands card and now only had one card in his hand while I sat there sorting through 20 of them. On the next turn around the table he played that last card and won the game. He laughed. He jumped. He showed off that contagious smile of his. His enthusiasm was abundant as he repeated the same phrase over and over again. “I did it! I did it!”

The story is not a perfect analogy of what happened on the cross, but it will suffice for my heart for a while. Hanging on the cross, Jesus traded hands with us. I had a losing hand which guaranteed my eternal defeat. Jesus had the winning hand. In the game, I would never have initiated the trade, but Jesus did. He took my losing hand as His own and gave me a winning hand I didn’t deserve. My trade with Liam was forced upon me, but Jesus traded willingly. He did it!

I am reminded of the four words at the end of the twenty-second Psalm which describes the crucifixion of Jesus.

HE HAS DONE IT!

Shout it. Jump around. Laugh with unspeakable joy. Jesus did it!  Jesus did it!

Isaiah 44:22-23  “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.  Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.”

HE HAS DONE IT!

Pastor John