LifeLink Devotions

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 

Years ago a very good friend of mine went through a terrible hardship in his family. His daughter was diagnosed with cancer at age 18. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions that lasted for several years with ongoing issues even today. Numerous surgeries were performed, each one giving them hope that it would be the last, and then their hopes would be dashed by more complications. They literally felt the sentence of death in their hearts. They knew what it was to be at the end of their rope. They translated Paul’s phrase in our Scripture passage today “we despaired even of life” into a two-word statement – “this sucks.”  Please forgive the crudeness of how that sounds, but it’s true. Sometimes life hurts so bad that we can only look at it in despair. We are under such pressure that it is beyond our ability to endure, and certainly beyond our capacity to resolve.

But this family did not stay in that condition. They relied on the grace and comfort of God. They learned that in the experience of death, even if only in their hearts, there is the experience of the resurrection power of God who raises the dead. The same God who raised Jesus from a death caused by the compounded effect of all mankind’s sin can raise us from the individual sentence of death we are experiencing. Human logic dictates this truth. If it has been proven that a man can lift 250 pounds over his head, then it is entirely logical to assume that he can lift one pound over his head. Since God was able to raise Jesus from the dead, and the death of Jesus was caused by the total weight of all mankind’s sin, then it is logical to believe that God can easily raise one sinner from the dead.

That’s exactly what my friend’s family believed. Against all human logic and hopelessness, they trusted God to be their strength and courage to endure the hardship. Today they are the living examples of hardship-constructed character. The daughter is now married to a wonderful man of God who stood by her during all the years of her battle with cancer. My friend and his wife have learned what it means to trust God every day, and to use every hardship as an opportunity to rely on the God who raises the dead. They illustrate today’s truth that hardship produces trust in God. Smooth sailing results in self-trust. Rough waters cause us to turn to the Master and let Him handle the storm.

So whatever you are going through right now, stop trying to control it. Stop trying to fix it. Stop trying to change it. Just look at it and in whatever words are appropriate for you tell God that you “feel the sentence of death.”  Then trust Him completely to handle the situation and bring about an outcome that honors His name. Then you will be able to say with Paul, “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.” (2 Cor. 1:10) 

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Monday, February 12, 2024

 Introductory note: Last Friday we completed a study of encouragement. The last passage of Scripture I wanted to use on that subject is also the first passage I want to use to introduce our next study. You can see how they are connected when you read today’s verses.

Hebrews 12:4-7 “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” 

If the average person who calls himself a Christian was asked how he knows he is a son of God, he would probably not come up with the answer described in today’s Bible verses. Granted, it is not the only answer, but it is a significant one. In addition to the more common responses like “I obey God’s commands” (1 John 5:2), “I love the brothers and sisters in Christ” (1 John 3:10), and “I hate sin” (1 John 5:18), we should also be able to say that we know we are a child of God because He disciplines us. It may not be the first response we think of, but it is the only response that I can find that has encouragement connected with it.

Hardship is a universal fact of life. Everyone suffers in one way or another – sometimes in more than one way at the same time. But if we are going to be encouraged by the words of God that describe suffering as discipline, then we must consider the nature of our suffering. Not all suffering is discipline, because not all suffering is a struggle against sin. Some suffering is the result of sin. I see very clearly here that there are two types of Christians. First, there are those who continually struggle with sin and suffer the consequences of their sin while seeking the forgiveness of their Father. They understand grace, but they don’t experience victory. The second type of Christian is the one who continually struggles against sin. He also suffers consequences, but they are not as a result of his sin but rather his stand against sin. His hardships are caused by a sinful society that persecutes him for his faith.

The author of Hebrews tells us that both types of Christians are experiencing the discipline of God. The Christian who sins is rebuked by God because God loves him as a son and wants his behavior to change. This is corrective discipline. The Christian who struggles against sin and then suffers for it is also being disciplined. It is not corrective discipline but rather constructive discipline. His character is being constructed to be the character of Christ. Both types of discipline are for our good, and we must submit to them. Later on in this passage in Hebrews we read “God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Consider the maturing process that should occur in all Christian’s lives. As a father and a grandfather, I would not be satisfied if my children and their children stayed at the level of needing corrective discipline. As they grow and mature, there should be less correction and more construction of character. A much higher level of intimacy is achieved between parent and child when construction of character is being accomplished.

That is to be the model for our Christian walk as well. As we grow in our faith, there should be less sin to struggle with and more strength to struggle against sin. Then we will experience the depth of intimacy with Christ that He said is possible. Then we will understand the fullness and abundance of life that He promised. Do not be satisfied with sin. Do not consider it a necessary reality of human existence. You do not have to live with the consequences of sinful choices. You can grow up into a Christian who struggles against sin rather than with sin. You will still have to endure hardships, but they will not be ridden with guilt and shame. Sinful choices bring sinful consequences and shameful experiences. Sacred choices may result in painful consequences which the world intends to shame us, but we have One who has given us a model to follow. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (emphasis mine).

Be encouraged. If you are sinning and suffering for it, God is disciplining you because you are His child so that you can grow up. If you are struggling against sin and suffering for it, God is disciplining you as His son to make you just like His Son. Do not grow weary of the discipline. Do not lose heart. You are being trained to share in the holiness of God. That’s good!

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Friday, February 9, 2024

We all have days where we want to be left alone and just crash with no responsibilities. I am so thankful for today’s verse of Scripture because it tells us we are normal to feel unmotivated.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”

Paul makes it clear that there are two aspects to encouragement from God that are equally important in our lives. First, there is the encouragement that comes from knowing that we are eternally His and that the hope of eternity is always at work in our lives. On most days this is sufficient to keep us going. With our eyes fixed on the finish line and the rewards of glory in the presence of Jesus Christ, we press on. The knowledge of the love of God and His gift of grace to us motivate us to live faithfully in His service. But then with an understanding of human nature and its emotional instability, Paul asks God to encourage our hearts for the everyday routine. Looking at the eternal does not eliminate the need to deal with the immediate, and God knew we would need daily help with the immediate.

The word translated encourage in these verses literally means to call near. It is the same basic word that Jesus uses to describe the Holy Spirit when He told the disciples that he would send them a Comforter. When I go to bed at night and want to fully relax, I pull the comforter on our bed up close to my face and snuggle in.  I love the feeling of contentment and security it produces. But comforters are only able to do that when we draw them near to us. Looking at one from across the room never accomplishes that.

When we came to Christ for salvation, He sent the Comforter to wrap us up with the contentment and security of our eternal relationship with God. But our daily routines draw us out from under the comforter. The promise of glory in heaven is folded neatly on the bottom of the bed when we head out to tackle the necessary obligations of the day. Every once in a while we may take a look at the Comforter, and we may even long for the end of the day when we can crawl back under it and snuggle up. Sometimes we may even do that in the middle of the day. But most of the time we just look at the comforter from across the room. But looking at eternity from across the room doesn’t make life better. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could carry the comforter around with us all day, like Linus’ security blanket, so that we felt safe all the time? That’s exactly what God knew we would need, and He did it for everyone of His children. God did more than simply wrap us up with the Comforter – He made it possible for us to have the Comforter with us every moment of every day. The Comforter actually indwells us and is constantly encouraging us in our everyday routine. The eternal hope of glory became our daily help for the grind. We are encouraged by His presence to carry out every good deed and word. God provides comfort, contentment, and security for the immediate while we wait for the eternal. We have been granted constant nearness to God. 

Today is not one of those unmotivated days anymore. It is one of God’s days. With my eyes fixed on the finish line, I run the race that is set before me because the Author and Finisher of my faith is running right with me. His presence is not just the reward at the end of the race; it is the reality during the race. So take your eyes off of the eternal for a moment, and look at the immediate. You’ll see Jesus there giving you comfort, encouragement, contentment, and security. Keep running. Jesus will give you the strength.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Thursday, February 8, 2024

How can we encourage a person who has just shared their hurts, disappointments, and discouragements with us? We could tell them about our own struggle with some of those same issues and how we got through it. We could give examples of other people who have survived. We could try and refocus their attention on some other area of life that is showing signs of success. Or we could just sit and listen and comfort them with our friendship and understanding. One response that probably doesn’t get used very much or even considered in such times of suffering is to talk about the imminent return of Jesus Christ to take us to heaven. I wonder how people would respond to us if after intimately sharing their hurts and pains with us we said, “I understand, but Jesus may come back today.”  

At the church in Thessalonica there was much discouragement. Paul had been able to spend only three weeks with these new Christians when he planted this church. He had not had sufficient time to adequately disciple them to stand against the trials that would come because of their new faith. The people of the church were being persecuted by their own countrymen, some even to the point of death. Paul needed to get them some basic information that would strengthen them and encourage them to remain true to the faith. In his letter to them he reminds them of the quality of their faith. He tells them how encouraged he is by the reports of their faith and works. He sent Timothy to them to encourage them, and Timothy returned with a great report of their growth and commitment. He tells them how well they have done at imitating the example of his own life of perseverance and productivity for Christ. And yet Paul knows that there is still one thing necessary to truly encourage them and keep them from letting the hurts and pains of everyday life drag them down into despair. They must keep their hearts and minds focused on the return of Jesus Christ to take them to glory or the world would quickly smother them. The imminent return of Jesus Christ to rescue us from this world of sin and suffering is the one thing that truly gives us hope and encouragement to press on. And after telling them about Christ’s return, Paul says this:

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore encourage each other with these words.”

When I was spending time with my mother before she died, I observed this hope in her life. Not a day went by that she didn’t look for the return of Jesus. She wanted Him to come back and take all of us to glory together. Even as her body weakened and the reality of the day of her death approached, she didn’t stop looking for Jesus to return. The knowledge that all of life’s losses would be totally obliterated by the gain of glory kept her smiling and at peace right to the end. She was encouraged by the promise that Jesus was coming for her, and she was looking for Him. She was not looking for man’s solutions to earth’s problems. She was looking for Jesus. She prayed for healing so that she might live longer on the earth, but she was content in knowing that the ultimate healing is to live forever in glory. One of the songs she used to sing was, “To be with Him will crown it all.” She not only sang it, she lived it.

Maybe you and I have spent too much time trying to encourage others by looking for man’s solutions to earth’s problems. I think it’s time we add some new responses to our vocabulary that can be shared with hurting people. But these responses will only be an encouragement to others if we truly believe them and live them ourselves. Here are some ways to encourage others with the hope of the imminent return of Jesus. I’m sure you will be able to think of more. Don’t let Satan convince you that they are shallow or unfeeling or insensitive or that they lack true understanding and compassion. They are the greatest words of hope anyone can hear. Use them to strengthen your own faith, and then use them to encourage others.

• It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
• Because He lives we can face tomorrow.
• All this will seem so small when we see Jesus.
• Look at the present through the promise – Jesus is coming.
• And if Jesus comes back today why will this matter?

Let me close with the words of a great hymn written in 1955 by Jim Hill. Be encouraged by them and use them to encourage others.

“There is a coming day when no heartaches shall come-

No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye.

All is peace forever more on that happy golden shore.

What a day, glorious day that will be.

There’ll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,

No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there.

And forever I will be with the One who died for me.

What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,

And I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace.

When He takes me by His hand and leads me through the promised land,

What a day, glorious day that will be.”

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Some days it’s hard to get going. It’s easy to be convinced at the beginning of the day that the events of the day will produce a less than desirable end to the day. As a result of such emotional speculation, we struggle to even get started. “Why try?” becomes the predominant question that influences our decision-making process. We begin to wonder if anyone else has ever had to go through what we are currently experiencing, and if they did how did they survive and keep going. We start to believe that our situation is uniquely difficult and uniformly misunderstood by others. There is no one to whom we can relate or rely upon. We are alone to face the trouble, and no one seems to care. We might as well quit.

Sounds depressing, doesn’t it? But it is far too often true of our attitudes when times get tough.  Here’s a story that will help.

“One day I decided to quit. I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

“God”, I said. “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”

His answer surprised me. “Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”

“Yes”, I replied.

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

“In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.”

He said, “In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.”

He said, “Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant, but just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

He said to me, “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don’t compare yourself to others. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come.”
 
God said to me, “You will rise high.”

“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned.

“Yes.” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”

Romans 15:4-6 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Somewhere in God’s Word is the example of someone who struggled as you are. The Bible is full of stories of God’s faithfulness to bring His glory out of human tragedy. Search them out. Study them. Let your knowledge of God’s character as seen in His activity in other people’s lives encourage you to trust God to raise you up above your circumstances. Others have done it – so can you. God himself will encourage you and give you endurance to press on. Don’t quit. Keep trying. God has a glorious result planned, and if you stop now, you’ll miss it. It may seem like your life is covered in dirt and you can’t see through it. But let me tell you what I see from out here on this side of the dirt. I see God warming the dirt with the Son. I see God watering the dirt with the Spirit. And wait, I think I see a sprout poking through the dirt. It looks a lot like the top of your head, and any moment now you’re eyes are going to see God’s plan. Rise up, and rise as high as you can for the glory of God. You’ve been given a strong root system grounded in the Word of God. Trust it and rise as high as you can.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Acts 11:22-23 “News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”

The early church is in transition. God is moving the Jewish people out of their comfort zones by opening the door of the church to Gentiles. When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that Greeks and Romans were getting saved, they sent Barnabas to the city of Antioch to check on what was happening. The choice of Barnabas was significant. The Apostles could have sent someone with more theological training to evaluate the truth of what was happening. They could have sent someone with more authority who could have put a stop to any non-Jewish activity. But they chose the man who was known as an encourager. This indicates that the Apostles were not closed-minded about the church but were already convinced that this was a move of God. They wanted to send someone who would encourage these new believers and who could motivate them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch he was overwhelmed with the evidence of the grace of God. He was thrilled to see that God’s grace for salvation was being offered to the Gentiles, and he was overjoyed that the Jews in Antioch were accepting the Gentiles as joint-heirs with Christ of all things in eternity. There was no racial discrimination or religious secularization taking place. All people who came to Christ for salvation were considered equals in the church. What a marvelous testimony to the grace of God when all racial, cultural, social, and religious issues are removed as barriers to true fellowship. When the people of God who have met Jesus Christ as their Savior truly love and accept one another as equal members of the body of Christ it is the full manifestation of the grace of God. Barnabas experienced that at Antioch, and he was glad and encouraged the people to keep it up.

I want to encourage you to keep it up as well. Church can be a marvelous place of grace, where people, no matter who they are, can meet God as they are, and begin a journey of growth that begins with acceptance by everyone else. The church of Jesus Christ is to be a place where grace abounds. When there are needs, reach out and help. When people are hurting or rejoicing, join with them in their pain or their celebrations. Simple things mean so much when they are done in the grace of God.

One morning I received an email from a family our church had helped in a time of need. It expresses perfectly the way that grace heals, and it encourages us to keep modeling it to anyone and everyone. I have permission from the family to share this information with you. I have removed the names so that God gets all the glory.

“Dear Pastor John,

“I was checking mail this morning and realized once again how much love was poured out on our family.  I did not believe there was a church that still practiced this kind of Grace.  I was so hurt when we came to you, but I have been persuaded that there is hope.  I want you to know that I have caught a glimpse of the risen Savior through the love and support of his people.  God has not abandoned us.  For a while that is what I believed.  My husband and I are slowly coming out of our safe place and learning to trust again, only because our place of safety has changed.  We no longer need to trust in ourselves, but we can again put our trust in the Lord and lean on His people.  It was all of you just being you, consistently.  Thank You.”

WOW! If you’ve been tempted to think that your time, energy, gifts, and words of encouragement have no impact, then go back and read the letter again. God healed two people’s hearts through gifts of grace. You are being an encouragement to someone else and they see the risen Christ in you. Keep it up! Stay true to the Lord with all your heart and continue to model His grace. People are noticing.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Monday, February 5, 2024

Acts 4:32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”  

In contrast to the philosophy of most Americans today, this passage of Scripture stands out as one of the most incredible statements of commitment to the Lord in the entire Bible. The church of Jesus Christ is brand new. It is not popular. Its members are being persecuted. It would be acceptable in our minds for the people to go into hiding and protect what they have. It would be expedient for them to keep quiet about their faith and resume a traditional social lifestyle. After all, one’s personal faith should not become a point of contention with culture, should it? Why should what we believe about God interfere with our social and economic pursuits? Why would anyone ever intentionally put themselves at risk of persecution or poverty?

We have a powerful propensity for the pursuit of worldly prosperity. We may make contributions to a good cause, but only to the extent that it is affordable and doesn’t interfere with our personal economic goals. What a huge dissimilarity exists between our attitudes today and the actions of the early church. While we pursue economic security through investments, the early church sacrificed their possessions to meet the immediate needs of people. Now let me clarify – there is nothing wrong with being rich and secure, so long as we don’t put our trust in those riches to provide our security. Riches are a gift from God to be used for God’s purpose, not for self. We don’t have any indication that the people of the early church sold their only home or their only piece of land. In fact, the people who sold land and homes are described as having more than one. No one was asked to give up their only home. But those who had investments were not selfish with them and surrendered all of their value to the Lord when it became necessary so that God’s purpose could be accomplished.

It is in this context that we are introduced to a man named Joseph, who had been given a new name by the Apostles. They determined that there was a characteristic of this man’s life that was worthy of recognition, and they gave him a name that described who he was. They called him Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement. In him we see one of the ways in which we as Christ’s children are called to be an encouragement to others. Barnabas modeled for us how to encourage others by giving gifts to the Lord that will meet their needs. 

Barnabas was a part of a Christian community that understood and accepted God’s purpose for them – to boldly testify to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The early church believed that their number one priority was to tell the world about Jesus and not back down for any reason. All the believers were one in heart and mind about this. They knew their purpose and they determined to accomplish it at all cost.

That meant social rejection and persecution. Many lost their jobs. Many were financially insecure. But none were in need. Isn’t that incredible? There were no needy people among them. Every time a need was realized, someone who had plenty gave up what they had worked so hard to achieve so that the body of Christ could be cared for. Barnabas is singled out as the prime example of one of the people who used their resources in this way. I believe it’s because God wants us to realize what a ministry of encouragement this is. The first thing we need to know about encouragement is that it requires the availability of everything we own. If we are not willing to give up what we have for the sake of someone who has less, then our words of faith and encouragement are of no value.

Listen to what James the brother of Jesus says.  “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  Listen also to what the Apostle John says. “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” God places the highest priority on putting faith and love into action by encouraging others who are in need with sacrificial gifts of our resources.

Encouraging others begins with putting people’s needs ahead of our own personal financial goals and security. That is only possible if we truly trust God and believe that He will provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Let’s pursue His purpose and use whatever we have for His glory, trusting Him to provide for all of our needs as He uses us to provide encouragement to others while we meet their needs. Maybe then the church will experience the power of God as it did in Acts, and we will see people saved from their sin and death.  

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Friday, February 2, 2024

Read Job 16:1-5 

Do you have a “Why” brain, a “How” brain, or a “Who” brain? I am naturally a “How” brain. Since I was a small boy, I wanted to know how things worked. I loved taking things apart and putting them back together, trying to use all the pieces with no leftovers. Until God called me into the ministry, I was planning on being a doctor. Knowing how things worked and using all the pieces would have been very important. I still ask lots of questions whenever I’m at the hospital. My mind has a deep desire to know how things happen.

Some of you are “Why” brains. Do not confuse yourselves with people who are “Why use the brain” people. You are people who need to know why things happen the way they do. You may not care so much about how something works, but you certainly want to know why it should work. You are the people that need to have a purpose for everything. While I may be satisfied to know that something could work, you want to know why we should even try to make it work. And when something bad happens, your brain goes into overtime trying to figure out why it happened.

When God tested the faith of Job by allowing Satan to destroy everything of value in his life, Job went through a time of serious contemplation of his life. Even though he made it clear that He trusted the character of God, he still had some serious questions about the activity of God. At a time when he needed encouragement, his four closest friends showed up to show him sympathy and bring him comfort. Their grief was so overwhelming that they sat in silence with Job for seven days before anyone spoke a word to him. Then, following words of despair from Job, the three friends speak. The first friend to speak is Eliphaz, and he has a “Why” brain. He is convinced that Job’s suffering is the result of his sin, because the innocent never perish. He thinks the best way to comfort Job is to help him figure out why all these things have happened.

Bildad speaks next, and he has a “How” brain. The first word out of his mouth is “how”. He wants Job to know how to fix the problem. His diagnosis results in the prognosis of repentance. If Job repented of his sin, his life would start working out right again.

The third friend to speak is Zophar, and he has a “Who” brain that has been warped by pride. He wants Job to focus on God’s nature and character, but he does it in a condescending and judgmental way. He actually tells Job that if he really understood the deeper things of God he would realize that his sin has made him deserving of more judgment than what he has actually received. Eliphaz, the “Why” brained one, jumps in at this point and agrees, telling Job another reason why this has all happened: “You don’t fear God enough.” 

It is at this point that Job stops his friends from talking and tells them that they are miserable comforters. Job is frustrated that in his time of deep need his friends can do nothing but accuse him of wrong. If they were in a similar situation Job would be able to do the same thing, but he says he would never do that. Job understands that when we are hurting and hopeless, we don’t need reasons and fixes, we need healing and hope. Job says he would make sure his words were encouraging and comforting so they would bring relief. Job admits to his friends that his hope is gone, and that his heart needs healing. It is obvious that his friends didn’t hear what he said, because Bildad responds to Job by saying, “Look, here’s how it works. God punishes the wicked, so you must be wicked.” Both of the other friends agree, and Job is left to defend himself as a righteous man who understands God, and he succumbs to pride and reviews all of the ways he is a good man. It is time for the youngest friend Elihu to speak.

Elihu rebukes the other three friends for being “How” and “Why” brained. He warns them not to presume they have God figured out. Then he rebukes Job for pridefully defending himself and not being humble before God. He then asserts God’s justice, extols God’s greatness, and proclaims God’s majesty. Elihu has a true “Who” brain. But before we praise him too highly, God speaks and puts even Elihu in his place by saying that no man can truly understand the mind of God. When God is done speaking, Job repents of his pride and his heart is healed and his hope is restored.

So what is the point of all of this? If you want to be a true encourager of others, learn to comfort them with words that direct their attention to who God is. Forget the how and the why and focus on the WHO! The knowledge of God is our greatest comfort. Don’t try to figure out causes and solutions to their trials. Instead assure them that God is with them no matter what their circumstance, and He never fails. Here’s what Job admits when all is said and done:

“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without  knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (emphasis mine)

One purpose of God in our trials is so that we may see Him. When your friends need you, the best healing you can bring is the hope that comes from seeing God in all of His glory. Help them see Him. Become a person with a “who” brain and let the “who” be God!

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Thursday, February 1, 2024

I’m sure you have heard the old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”  I heard it a lot when I was growing up. I think it’s what motivates me to golf and fish and pursue the big one. When I golf, every par three is a potential big one. Fishing is the same with every cast. It’s most fun when someone is with me as we encourage one another to keep trying. Without the encouragement of another person, I fear we would soon stop trying.

Judges 20:19-23 “The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah.  The men of Israel went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah.  The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day.  But the men of Israel encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day.” 

If you want to fully understand the impact of today’s Scripture verse you will have to read the entire 20^th chapter of Judges from your Old Testament. In it you will discover that the tribe of Benjamin has joined forces with the people of Gibeah to fight against the rest of the tribes of Israel. Israel wants to destroy Gibeah because of the rape of a woman in their land. The Israelites have an army of 400,000 swordsmen, while the tribe of Benjamin has 26,000. It doesn’t seem like a fair fight. But God is about to teach a couple of incredible lessons to everyone involved. Let’s highlight them and then I’ll let the Holy Spirit magnify them in your heart and mind as you read the whole story.

1. Israel asked God which tribe should go up first to fight the Benjamites. In other words, the nation as a whole was so over-confident that they could easily win that they determined only one tribe should fight for them at a time. The tribe of Judah goes up and 22,000 of them are killed and the Benjamites win the day. The lesson: whenever we go out to fight the enemy, go with all your strength and don’t take the enemy for granted.
2. The next day Israel asks God if they should go up and fight again, but this time there is no mention of dividing the duties between the tribes. They were willing to go fight again with all their strength, but they were still going in their own strength depending on their numbers rather than God’s strategies. They took up the same positions that had led to defeat the day before. They may have had more strength, but they were not using God’s wisdom. They lost again.
3. The third day the tribes of Israel spent time in worship to God before they asked for permission to go and fight. They did not assume victory, and they did not rely on their own strength to fight. They turned in worship to God and gave the battle to Him. God promises to fight for them and give them the victory. God gives them a plan, they submit to the plan, and the plan works to perfection.

The battles we fight against our enemy Satan can only be won if they are fought in the strength of the Lord. Every situation in life is an opportunity to worship God and let Him give us a plan for victory. Every circumstance is designed by God to test our faith and our resolve to turn to Him rather than to our own strength and wisdom. The failures we experience are only true failures if we quit. They are steppingstones to success if we let God teach us to trust Him and listen to Him.

Tucked away in the middle of this story is a verse that challenges us with our role to encourage others who have just experienced failure. Following a huge loss that should have been a win, the men of Israel encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day.

Even those who had experienced the failure understood the importance of encouraging others. The very soldiers that had survived the tragic defeat were the ones who did not give up. They knew their cause was just. They knew they represented the Lord. They were not going to let one, or even two back-to-back losses keep them from trying again. They knew they had another chance to win, and they encouraged each other to go for it. They went right back to the point of defeat and took up their positions again. That’s not how we would usually respond. We may be encouraged to try again, but only if we can start fresh in a new place. But God wants us to go back to the point of failure and start there.

There may have been failures in your life that have made you run, seeking to start over in a new location. Don’t let it happen again. Go back to the point of failure and take up your position and do it right this time. Be encouraged to do it because this time might be the time God gives the enemy over into your hands. And if it’s not this time, then try again until you learn everything God wants you to learn to be a complete soldier of Christ. Be encouraged – God gives us the victory through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Judges 7:9-12  “During that night the LORD said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah  and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.”

Sometimes the circumstances of life are overwhelming. The odds seem to be stacked against us. Every piece of human logic and reason gives us no incentive to proceed. Everything points to defeat and loss. Giving up is the best option.

Gideon found himself in exactly that situation. The nation of Israel had been overrun by the Midianites and their allies for the last seven years. God had allowed this because of the sin of His people. Then God called Gideon to lead an army against the Midianites and restore Israel to its rightful place as rulers of the land. The task seemed overwhelming to him. He made lots of excuses to God as to why he would not be able to accomplish the task. He even doubted that God really cared. You can read about his fear and excuses in Judges 6:11-15.

Gideon is totally convinced he cannot do what God is asking him to do. But the angel of the Lord says this: “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” The English Standard translation of the Bible says, “You will strike down the Midianites as one man.” The Lord is saying to Gideon, “No matter what the odds look like from your perspective, for me it will be as if you are fighting only one man.” Gideon is almost convinced, and he brings an offering to the Lord and God demonstrates His power to him. You can read the rest of the story in Judges 6:17-40.

After Gideon is sure that God is with him, he gathers the armies of Israel – 32,000 men all together. But God makes it clear that He wants the nation of Israel to take no credit for what is about to happen. God wants the people to be totally dependant upon Him and to give Him all the glory for the success. He instructs Gideon to send soldiers home until only 300 men are left. These 300 would be the army that defeats the Midianites.

Now Gideon is afraid again. God understands his fear and provides an answer to it. He sends him down to the Midianite camp and says, “Listen and you will hear words that encourage you to carry out the mission.” When Gideon heard the dream of one of the soldiers and how the other soldier interpreted it, He worshipped God and carried out the plan. Gideon realized that his fears were foolish and He totally trusted God to accomplish His purpose. He woke up the army and implemented God’s plan, and God used the 300 soldiers to totally wipe out the enemy.

So what can we learn about encouragement from all of this? First, God understands our fears and our tendency to listen to human reason and logic. He knows we are bent on walking by sight and not by faith. But He does not leave us to the consequences of such living. Instead, He speaks to us words of encouragement to give us faith to fearlessly face the foe. He is constantly assuring us that He is with us and that we can live life from His perspective. Listen! You can hear Him right now giving you the assurance that everything will be fine if you trust Him.

Second, God knows we need visible evidence to substantiate what He is saying to us. Look around and you will see it. You will see God’s presence in other people who are going through more difficult circumstances than you are. You will hear it in people’s conversations as they discuss the power of God and what they have seen Him accomplish. You will be strengthened and encouraged by the stories of God’s victories in other people’s lives. You may even hear non-Christians telling of their respect for God because of what they saw happen in people’s lives. Listen! God is using other people to assure you that everything is in His control.

Third, God knows other people need to be encouraged and He has called us to be the ones speaking the words of encouragement to them. We need to hear more stories of God’s victories in people’s lives. We need to be willing to recognize what God is doing in us and then be bold enough to tell others what He has done.

Someone out there is being told by God right now to “listen, and afterward you will be encouraged to proceed.” Maybe you are the one to whom they will listen. Speak up! Tell your God stories! Praise Him publicly. There’s a Gideon out there who needs to hear and be encouraged.

Pastor John