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OCTOBER 20
COMMITMENT WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS
I can remember a Parent wanting their Child to Sing with our Gospel Group many years ago. The Parent, showed eagerness and interest, as well as did the Child at the chance to partake in such an experience. We were very active in travels and felt that this would be a worthy investment of our time. We looked forward to the opportunity to Mentor that dear young person.
One of our first adventures took us a good distance from home. The obvious was – that we were extremely late – getting home. The Young Person’s Parent was not happy, ‘I didn’t sign up for this!’ Unfortunately, that episode had to end because of the unwillingness of the Parent to understand the CALL OF MINISTRY. We learned fast, that not everyone would be willing to pay such a price of COMMITMENT.
They wanted COMMITMENT on their terms (Restrictions).
Since that experience, I have met many that wanted to ANSWER God’s Call. Yet, Their ANSWER came with RESTRICTIONS -‘I’ll go anywhere God wants me to go – as long as I’m back home at my bedtime – As long as the people speak English – And there has to be a Shopping Mall close by! I’ve heard all these statements and sadly they DISQUALIFY!
Matthew 8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, MASTER, I WILL FOLLOW THEE WHITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST.
Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (The Call will be rough/ emphasis mine)
Jesus speaks to the over-enthusiastic follower about the need to appreciate the COST in following Him. With the miracles associated with the ministry of Jesus, following Him might have seemed more ‘glamorous’ than it really was (Some just want the Limelight). Jesus was telling the TRUTH. Accommodations might be less than appealing and perhaps not satisfactory.
Jesus didn’t tell the man ‘No, you can’t follow Me.’ He told him the truth, without painting a glamorized version of what it was like to follow Him. ‘IT WON’T BE EASY!’ As a matter of fact, – there WILL BE MUCH that you will NOT LIKE! – Remember, ‘I TOLD YOU SO!’ Why did Jesus discourage these potential disciples?
Because He needs QUALITY – not QUANTITY! (Samuel Brengle).
2Chronicles 16:9: ‘The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.’
Yes, God wants men and women and He is hunting for them everywhere. However, just like the merchant, He has to pass by hundreds before He finds the right individuals. The Gospel Call must not be cheapened for those that pout and continue to want it their way.
The need is for:
COMMITMENT WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS
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OCTOBER 19
EVEN MEDICINE TAKES TIME
I chuckle sometimes when watching TV Commercials. The ads are so compelling. Like when you may have a headache and the ad says, ‘FAST ACTING,’ so for quick relief, you need to purchase this product! Order now and we’ll double the offer.
How fast can an aspirin actually work? Think for a moment . . . even medicine takes TIME to work. There is really no such thing as INSTANT RELIEF (in medication). Each dose of ‘whatever’ must be given time to activate and then work to relieve.
Imagine someone with a headache and they take two aspirin, and immediately they say, “Nothing happened! My head still hurts. This stuff is no good!” So they take three more. In five minutes this person says, “I’ve still got a headache!” So they take several more. WE KNOW THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING TO DO!
Soon this person is going to be in BIG trouble. You will want to step in and say, ‘Stop! You’re going to hurt yourself if you keep taking those aspirin!’ They might say back to you, ‘Yes, but I took the aspirin and nothing happened.’ Well, of course, you’re going to come back and say, ‘Well, you have to WAIT for the result. You’ve got to give the medicine some time!’
MANY PEOPLE TURN TO THE LORD – BUT ONLY FOR THE QUICK FIX
Psalm 27:14 WAIT ON THE LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD.
Even with The LORD, a person MUST learn to WAIT, and allow Him the chance to right your wrongs and to turn right-side up your up-side down world. Truth requires time to germinate. It may look like nothing is happening, but don’t try to force another way or interfere with what God wants to do.
Faith, in the Lord, sometimes means shutting up and letting God work while you are SILENT! Have patience while He works. Be careful in dealing with people. Don’t try to make that loved one take a whole bottle of spiritual medicine all at once. Lovingly give a dose of truth, and then back off and let God grow it. Give the medicine some time.
Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; BUT WAIT ON THE LORD, and he shall save thee.
Give God a chance by giving HIM some TIME . . . WAIT! . . . WAIT! . . . WAIT! . . . and after you WAIT . . . then WAIT . . . SOME MORE! Give God TIME!!! PLEASE UNDERSTAND – Some MIRACLES take time!
Remember, it is just like taking an aspirin – tell yourself:
EVEN MEDICINE TAKES TIME
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OCTOBER 18
QUITTERS NEVER WIN AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT
Have you given thought . . . that at the Great Day of Judgment . . . we will be judged for what we have done . . . and . . . maybe more importantly . . . for what we have left UNDONE? Neglected opportunities WILL BE taken into account. We knew to do the right thing but didn’t!
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Every time you are convinced of duty and yet resist that conviction and refuse to act in accordance with it, you become more and more helpless; you commit yourself more and more to the control of your iron-hearted master. Every fresh case renders you only the more fully a helpless slave. (Charles G. Finney)
Consider the Scriptural Account of Joshua who was mentored by Moses:
Joshua 11:15 As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; HE LEFT NOTHING UNDONE OF ALL THAT THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES.
Joshua left NOTHING UNDONE! Complete obedience leads to complete victory! Oh, to FINISH WELL this Life that the LORD has gifted us with . . . OH, TO FINISH WELL!
GENERAL OBSERVANCES:
‘They do the least who talk the most,
Whose good designs are all their boast.
Let words be few.
They do the most whose lives possess
The sterling stamp of righteousness;
For deeds are true.’ (Author Unknown)
The Great Missionary, David Livingstone, said, ‘Fear God and work hard. Anywhere, provided it be forward. I am resolved to continue doing my duty whatever it cost. I mean to open up the country of Africa or die in the attempt. I’ll find a path or make one.’
What joy there will be – should we close our life as Jesus – and be able to say, ‘IT IS FINISHED!’
IT’S TRUE:
QUITTERS NEVER WIN AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT
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OCTOBER 17
I NEED TO BE ALONE WITH GOD (NEVER MORE TRUE THAN TODAY)
‘In the clear light of eternity all things assume their right proportion. We have worked, we have slaved for duty, we have worn ourselves out in the service of humanity. That is good, that is noble; yet an inward voice will tell us in some silent hour that we should have worked better and served humanity better had we possessed the moral force to WITHDRAW AT TIMES FROM LIFE’S CROWDED AVENUES, had we firmly refused some of the thousand claims which pressed upon us in order that our speech and our action might have possessed MORE OF THE DIVINE, more of ‘SPIRIT AND OF LIFE.’ (Josephine Butler)
‘TO BE ALONE WITH GOD’ certainly a GOAL that should be pursued.
Mark 6:30 And THE APOSTLES GATHERED themselves together UNTO JESUS . . .
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, COME YE YOURSELVES APART INTO A DESERT PLACE, and REST A WHILE: for there were many coming and going, and they had NO LEISURE so much as to eat.
Mark 6:32 And they departed INTO A DESERT PLACE by ship privately.
The struggle to maintain a quiet time ALONE is great, and the godliest people are perhaps most aware of this tremendous struggle.
FACT: Satan OPPOSES A TRUE PRAYER LIFE more than any other spiritual activity.
Consider the following:
PRAYER will stop a man from SINNING and SINNING will stop a man from PRAYING!
Even though there is Spiritual opposition toward ALONE TIME . . . BE ENCOURAGED and UNDERSTAND that Devotion is possible even in the Busiest Life.
We may learn from our Lord’s life of toil. No one faced more INTERRUPTIONS than Jesus. No one was busier than Jesus. No one was fought by the devil more than Jesus. No one had the right to claim distractions as an excuse more than Jesus. Yet . . . He still found the TIME to be ALONE with His Father. He could be ALONE even in the midst of BUSYNESS!
TWO LESSONS FROM JESUS’ EXAMPLE
1. Jesus, being sinless, NEEDED ALONE TIME WITH HIS FATHER GOD – BUSYNESS WAS NEVER AN EXCUSE . . . FACT: TOO BUSY FOR GOD IS BEING TOO BUSY!!!
2. Jesus knew that His work was not SECULAR but SACRED.
With that in mind (think with me) – A Parent’s work is SACRED – A Sunday School teacher’s work is SACRED – Your Ministry is SACRED – Being a Christian is SACRED – ALL SACRED WORK NEEDS TO BE ENERGIZED BY THE SOURCE OF SACRED AND THAT IS GOD!
That’s why:
I NEED TO BE ALONE WITH GOD
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OCTOBER 16
A FAMILY BLESSING OR A FAMILY CURSE
The very statement, ‘I want to be just like you,’ certainly sounds appealing. It might even be somewhat flattering? I think it would be a very GOOD statement if the people to be followed or modeled after were GOOD EXAMPLES. I think it is a very BAD statement if the people to be followed or modeled after were very BAD EXAMPLES!
One has to look no further in the Scriptures than Genesis Chapter 4 to see A GENERATIONAL CURSE!
This Curse infected all of CAIN’S family line. Remember, Cain had killed his brother Abel. Cain’s, Bad Example, resulted in his kids and grandkids becoming WICKED!!!
In Genesis Chapter 5 we see the opposite taking place. We see A GENERATIONAL BLESSING! SETH (born after the death of Abel), would be a Godly Man and would Teach his family to Call upon the Lord. The results of Seth’s faithfulness would be that all of the kids and Grandkids would love the Lord. I do not think that this is only coincidental nor is it an accident.
Many children adopt THE WAYS OF THEIR PARENTS. Oh my, how important then is it . . . That parents be good role models? IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!
Double minded parents . . . half-hearted parents in dedication to the Lord . . . Parents who are extremely worldly in their affairs, business, and entertainment . . . These parents need to know that this type of behavior and lifestyle is extremely destructive.
Consider:
2Kings 17:13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your EVIL WAYS, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law WHICH I COMMANDED YOUR FATHERS, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
2Kings 17:14 Notwithstanding THEY WOULD NOT HEAR, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their FATHERS, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
What a TERRIBLE historical observation! A Family Legacy of UNGODLINESS!!!
This tragedy was multiplied exponentially by the fact that their children and grandchildren had followed in their footsteps. The same sad story is being reenacted in countless homes today.
THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!
Dear parent, dear grandparent, do not let this be your legacy! Teach your Family Line to love God with all their heart and might. SHOW them BY EXAMPLE. LIVE OUT the Christian life before them.
CHANGE THEIR DESTINY!
Change the CURSE to a BLESSING!
Teach them that their DESTINY is Heaven because HELL IS NOT AN OPTION!
Which Choice will it be?
A FAMILY BLESSING OR A FAMILY CURSE
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OCTOBER 15
JESUS IN LIFE – DEATH – AND IN BETWEEN
The Apostle Paul penned perhaps one of the Greatest Passages concerning HOPE and EXPECTATION.
READ FOR YOURSELF:
Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest EXPECTATION and my HOPE, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, WHETHER IT BE BY LIFE, OR BY DEATH.
Philippians 1:21 FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN.
‘EXPECTATION’ and ‘HOPE’ – These are words which CONNECT the heart to the Present and CONNECT the heart to the Future. No power can so light up the future – and throw over it – the hues of immortal beauty as childlike trust in God. The man who is living without EXPECTATION and HOPE is living only half a life, but the man who is living on FALSE EXPECTATIONS and FALSE HOPES is wasting life. (Parker)
THE BUSINESS OF MY LIFE IS CHRIST; my energy, my activity, my occupation, my interest, is all Christ. (C. J. Vaughan)
IN CHRIST WE HAVE . . .
* LOVE that can never be FATHOMED.
* LIFE that can NEVER DIE.
* RIGHTEOUSNESS that can never be TARNISHED.
* PEACE that can never be UNDERSTOOD.
* REST that can never be DISTURBED.
* JOY that can never be DIMINISHED.
* HOPE that can never be DISAPPOINTED.
* GLORY that can never be CLOUDED.
* LIGHT that can never be DARKENED.
* STRENGTH that can never be ENFEEBLED.
* HAPPINESS that can never be DEFILED.
* BEAUTY that can never be MARRED.
* RESOURCES that can never be EXHAUSTED.
* WISDOM that can never be BAFFLED. (Author Unknown)
FIRST: In ourselves, We are NOTHING. –
SECOND: In Christ, We are COMPLETE.
THIRD: We live now in HOPE and EXPECTATION –
Fourth: We die with HOPE and EXPECTATION!
FOCUS your LIFE upon CHRIST (A Christ Centered Life) –
JOURNEY with Christ in your Life (A Christ Lived Life) –
DIE with Christ in your life (A Christ Filled Eternity).
JESUS IN LIFE – DEATH – AND IN BETWEEN
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OCTOBER 14
REMEMBER, THIS IS YOUR JOB
I remember Preaching at a gathering of Gospel Music Singers. They held an annual RETREAT for the purpose of refreshing their souls for continued service in Ministry. I certainly applaud their efforts and willingness to do such a thing. The Lord, was dealing with my heart about a Message concerning, ‘STAYING FOCUSED ON OUR PURPOSE.’
I decided to BUILD A FIRE DEPARTMENT and it came time to call members from the crowd to be a part of the MFD (My Fire Department).
I began to assign duties:
DUTIES: I had a Chief, Assistant Chief, FireHouse Maintenance Supervisor. We had chores to do like – Caring for the Fire Truck – Washing the engine, Waxing the engine, Cleaning wheels on the engine, Cleaning Upholstery, Filling water holding tanks, Checking hoses, Repairing hoses, Cleaning windshield, and Checking Oil and fluids in the motor.
We had Firehouse duties – Sweeping, Mopping, Taking out trash, Dusting, Cleaning the pole, Polishing the pole, and Checking and changing light-bulbs.
We had Technical Services – Website, Phone connections, Electrical plugs, and etc.
We had Kitchen Duties . . . We had caring for Uniforms, etc.
I had all these people standing down front in the auditorium with me . . . I then asked this question: ‘WHAT IS YOUR JOB?’
One said, ‘I sweep,’ another said, ‘I mop,’. And on and on . . . I said, ‘BUT THAT’S NOT YOUR JOB!’ ‘That’s the job you gave me . . . Yes it is!’ . . . ‘THAT’S NOT YOUR JOB’ . . . ‘Yes it is!’
I meant to stir a little frustration and a little bewilderment . . . Then I said, ‘Each of you described your duty . . . Yes, that is your duty or chore . . . BUT THAT IS NOT YOUR JOB!
YOUR JOB IS TO PUT OUT FIRES!!! That’s your JOB!
We could change this and build a QUARTET – We could have duties such as – Manager, a Lead singer, an Alto, a Tenor, a Bass, and a Baritone singer. They could do duties such as Website, Product table, Produce music, Get trailer or Bus loaded, Take the calls, Manage the date book, Get the directions, Send the Bio of the group, Set up Equipment, Run the sound, Pay the bills, Call the radio stations, Call churches, Do the mailing, Organize the practice and such things as Organize and coordinate how to dress . . .
I ask, ‘What’s your job?’ – ‘Not what is your duty?’ Hopefully the answer will be, ‘MY JOB IS TO WIN SOULS TO JESUS!’
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
REMEMBER, THIS IS YOUR JOB
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OCTOBER 13
THE REMEDY FOR FAKE NEWS
William Bross (November 4, 1813 – January 27, 1890) was a great representative of American Journalism in the 1800’s. He was a co-founder of the successful Democratic Press Paper. The Democratic Press would later struggle to overcome some obstacles and would finally merge in 1858 into the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, creating The Press and Tribune.
Mr. Bross was a popular man speaking on occasion with the likes of Abraham Lincoln. He toured with then Vice President Schuyler Colfax. Mr. Bross also became the 16th Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois.
As EDITOR of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Mr. Bross, was asked Three Questions about how he obtained SUCCESS:
Question 1 – What maxims have had a strong influence on your life, and helped to your success?
His Answer: ‘The Proverbs of Solomon and other Scriptures. They were quoted a thousand times by my honored father, and caused an effort to do my duty each day, under a constant sense of obligation to my Saviour and fellow man.’
Proverbs 11:3 The INTEGRITY of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Question 2 – What do you consider essential elements of success for a young man entering upon such a profession as yours?
His Answer: ‘Sterling, unflinching INTEGRITY in all matters, public and private. Let everyone do his whole duty, both to God and man. Let him follow earnestly the teachings of the Scriptures and eschew infidelity in all its forms.’
Question 3 – What, in your observation, have been the chief causes of the numerous failures in the life of business and professional men?:
His Answer: ‘Want (lack) of INTEGRITY, careless of the truth, reckless in thought and expression, lack of trust in God, and a disregard of the teachings of His Holy Word, bad company, and bad morals in any of their many phases.’
Proverbs 19:1 Better is the poor that walketh in his INTEGRITY, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
This was JOURNALISM in the 1800’s — If these principles guided journalist today it would be:
THE REMEDY FOR FAKE NEWS
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OCTOBER 12
GREAT ENDINGS START WITH SMALL BEGINNINGS
Zechariah 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things?
When Satan tempts us to despise the day of small things, he shines as an outstanding liar because Satan does not despise the day of small things. Satan FEARS the day of SMALL THINGS in our life because he sees what great things God does in them and brings out of them. (Guzik)
‘God accepts your little works if they are done in faith in his dear Son. God will give success to your little works: God will educate you by your little works to do greater works; and your little works may call out others who shall do greater works by far than ever you shall be able to accomplish.’ (Spurgeon)
All of the above, can be seen in the life of David. His development, from Shepherd Boy to King, was a Journey from SMALL THINGS to GREAT THINGS! His Faithfulness in SMALL THINGS laid the foundation to becoming a RULER over GREAT THINGS! He went from a scrawny kid to a mighty warrior. A keeper of sheep became a leader of God’s people. David went from RAWNESS (Small things) to SKILLFULNESS (Great things). Ponder the following:
Psalm 78:72 So he fed them according to the INTEGRITY OF HIS HEART; and guided them by THE SKILLFULNESS OF HIS HANDS.
1Samuel 16:17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man THAT CAN PLAY WELL, and bring him to me.
1Samuel 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is CUNNING IN PLAYING, and A MIGHTY VALIANT MAN, and a MAN OF WAR, and PRUDENT IN MATTERS, and A COMELY PERSON, and THE LORD IS WITH HIM.
NOTICE THE PROGRESSION FROM SMALL THINGS TO GREAT THINGS –
David gave his TALENTS to God – God Through Him – Made a MASTER MUSICIAN!
David gave his FEARS to God – God Through Him – Made a VALIANT COURAGEOUS MAN!
David gave his PATRIOTISM to God – God Through Him – Made a MIGHTY WARRIOR!
David gave his MIND to God – God Through Him – Made a GREAT STATESMAN KING!
David gave his FASHION to God – God Through Him – Made a GENTLEMAN!
David gave his HEART to God – God Through Him – Made a MAN OF GOD!
We must never Despise (undervalue) our Small Beginnings. Never Undervalue the slow, early stages, of a Good Work. Faithfulness in the Small will lead to a Great and Final Success. We must remember that God’s Eye is on all the Stages of the Work. He knows and so should we:
GREAT ENDINGS START WITH SMALL BEGINNINGS
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OCTOBER 11
SIMPLE FACTS CONCERNING TEMPTATION
Let’s be very CLEAR: TEMPTATION IS NOT FROM GOD!!! The Bible says:
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am TEMPTED of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, NEITHER TEMPTETH HE ANY MAN: (The Scripture also says:)
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness TO BE TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL.
1. Temptation comes from the devil and it is designed to break your WALK WITH GOD. The closer you get to God – the more Satan wants to BREAK YOU . . . NOTICE:
* Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost when He was tempted of the devil – Luke 4:1-2
* Temptation often comes upon a man with its strongest power when he is NEAREST to God. Someone said, “The devil aims high.” He got one apostle to say that he did not even know Christ.”. He was successful with him . . . He will try to be successful with you as well.
2. Why does God allow temptation?
To answer that – we must realize that Temptation TESTS our WANTS and DESIRES:
James 1:14 But every man is TEMPTED, when he is drawn away of his OWN LUST, and enticed. (Pulled toward something that we desire – a desire for something other than God)
* Do we really WANT God and His Ways or do we WANT the World and Its’ Ways?
You will never really know that you have a grip on Christ, or that He has a grip on you, not until the devil TEMPTS you by using all of his force to attract you away from Jesus; then you feel the TUG of Christ’s right hand DRAWING you to Himself.
You will know then that you really LOVE GOD when you successfully CHOOSE GOD and RESIST THE DEVIL!
3. Temptation will REVEAL the TRUE YOU!
* It does for us what the storms do for the oaks— IT ROOTS US!
* It does what the fire does for the paintings on the porcelain—it makes them Permanent.
Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. (Archbishop Leighton)
SIMPLE FACTS CONCERNING TEMPTATION
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OCTOBER 10
HOT SOUP AND A COOL RAINBOW
The evening of this writing (2017) I had a tremendous awe inspiring moment with my Lovely Wife, Darlene. We went out for an evening meal and decided that we would take a seat at one of the outdoor tables. No one had opted to sit outside probably because of the evening rain and the cool breeze that the passing front had produced.
As we sat there in the beautiful outdoors . . . My Wife asked me a question . . . ‘You haven’t written your Devotion yet have you?’ My reply was, ‘No . . . not yet . . . But that’s okay . . . I’ve learned not to stress or get anxious about it . . . God will give it to me . . . I know He will.’
During my Prayer of Blessing over our food (hot soup, sandwich and salad, tea and lemonade), I thanked God for life and then I thanked Him for giving me the most Precious Lady to be my Wife . . . (I actually felt tears welling up) . . . I thanked God, because, I really am BLESSED! After the AMEN – IT HAPPENED! . . .
I had just talked to God and now God was going to talk to me (and of course my wife).
My Wife jumped up and said, ‘LOOK!’ . . . As I looked . . . We saw the most beautiful Rainbow in the sky. I have never witnessed a Rainbow with as many defined colors as this one had. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and then Purple! Crisp and very clear . . . I said, ‘We are Blessed!’
Genesis 9:13 I do set my BOW IN THE CLOUD, and it shall be for a token of A COVENANT between me and the earth.
The RAINBOW is a reminder of God’s Covenant of Grace! His PROMISE to never destroy the world again with a FLOOD. It is also a reminder of God’s Judgment and God’s Mercy.
Consider the record of Noah’s Flood as a history: a history having a twofold aspect—
1. An aspect of judgment, and
2. An aspect of mercy.
God sent a flood on the earth; God set the rainbow in the cloud for a token. The important thing is to know that the flood did not come of itself and that the rainbow did not come of itself, but all come straight and immediately from God Almighty (Who is Alive and Well).
The Rainbow is a reminder that God GOVERNS the world and all in it, and does not leave the world or mankind to go on of themselves and by themselves. GOD IS IN CONTROL!
God says, ‘I SET MY BOW IN THE CLOUD.’ Consider that in nature the CONTINUED APPEARANCE of the RAINBOW is dependent on the CONTINUED EXISTENCE of the CLOUD. Perhaps more accurately STORM CLOUDS.
The Storm Clouds do come . . . The storms threaten . . . But thank God . . . the Blessings do come as well . . . God comes with BLESSINGS . . . The storm will pass while God’s Mercy will LAST!
On this night We enjoyed:
HOT SOUP AND A COOL RAINBOW
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OCTOBER 9
THE CHEAP SHOT
Call me Old-Fashioned and I’m okay with that. Yes, I admit, I still enjoy an old black and white western. The Rifleman classics still rivet me to my seat for a solid 30 minutes. I know some will call it violence and perhaps it was . . . The reason I refer to it in this devotion is because of an observation that I gleaned from watching.
Such as:
There was always the belief that a man never shot another man in the back! That was considered a CHEAP SHOT . . . I guess because he never saw it coming or because he was defenseless at that moment. At any rate, the villain in this case, was labeled a COWARD.
In Football, at any level of play, there is the rule that protects the DEFENSELESS PLAYER from CHEAP SHOTS. Consider ‘A CHEAP SHOT’ AS FOUND IN THE BIBLE:
In Exodus 17, Moses and the Children of Israel fought the Amelekites and Moses declared the Name, JEHOVAH-NISSI (The Lord is Our Banner), and the Battle was won. Many, do not know that the Battle was started over – what I call – ‘A CHEAP SHOT!’
God tells Moses to remember this:
Deuteronomy 25:17 REMEMBER what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;
Deuteronomy 25:18 How he met thee by the way, and SMOTE THE HINDMOST OF THEE (attacked the back/ emphasis mine), even ALL THAT WERE FEEBLE BEHIND THEE, when thou wast FAINT AND WEARY; and HE FEARED NOT GOD.
Moses, a wise leader, placed the FEEBLE to the back of the pack for protection. Yet, these were the Victims of Amelek’s attack. He was too COWARD to face the front lines and chose to whip the Nursing Home Patients. A Sorry being? This is a REVELATION into how Satan works:
A FEEBLE person doesn’t have to be old . . . This could be a young person as well. A young teen holds his/her head down and then is targeted with a CHEAP SHOT by the devil. The predator, tells the teen, encouraging and seemingly loving words. They earn the child’s trust and then comes the injection of drugs. Once addicted, the child is then in bondage. Human Trafficking, sexual human trafficking, and other deplorable exploits.
Pornography has exploded because of these sorry violent perverted imitations of humanity that gave that child THE CHEAP SHOT. CHILDREN AND GROWN-UPS ARE BLINDSIDED RIGHT INTO SLAVERY . . .
Satan is a master of the CHEAP SHOT. He prays on the DISCOURAGED. He seeks the LONELY. He will tell them LIES . . . LIES THAT BAIT THEM INTO BONDAGE.
KNOW THIS – Satan does not care what it is that he does . . . Or what tool he uses . . . AS LONG AS HE GETS RESULTS. BE WEAK IN YOUR FAITH and you might be a target of:
THE CHEAP SHOT
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OCTOBER 8
THE CREATOR IN THE CREATED
I remember a time when little Jacob Lemons spoke to me and said, ‘Pastor Steve, did you know your brain is important? Your body can’t function without your brain!’ . . . He went on to say that, ‘I can use my brain and picture what I want to build with my Legos and then I just build it! I can build what I see in my brain’ (profound for a little boy). His words reminded me of:
Jeremiah 18:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Jeremiah 18:2 Arise, and GO DOWN TO THE POTTER’S HOUSE, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
Jeremiah 18:3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, HE WROUGHT A WORK ON THE WHEELS.
Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that HE MADE of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, AS SEEMED GOOD TO THE POTTER TO MAKE IT.
Jeremiah 18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Jeremiah 18:6 O house of Israel, CANNOT I DO WITH YOU AS THIS POTTER? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
THE POTTER BEGINS WITH A PLAN IN HIS MIND (HE THINKS ABOUT IT)
A potter is someone who works with clay. The potter, begins with a vision in his mind, of what he wants the vessel to look like, he will then begin to mold and shape the clay into the vessel that he has envisioned. At this point – The pot or vessel is still in the Potter (In His Mind).
After a period of time, the vessel will be finished, fashioned like the vision the potter had (in his brain as Jacob says). When finished with the vessel, observers could say that at this point in the process – The Potter is in the pot (The creator is in the created).
THE CREATOR WILL BE CLEARLY SEEN IN HIS CREATION
In His Mind HE HAS A VISION of what he wants us to be.
In His Mind is HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES.
We (the pot or clay) are IN THE POTTER (God).
We are in His Mind and He clearly has a Plan and a Design for what He wants us to be.
When we allow God to mold and shape our lives into what He wants us to be – it will be obvious that the Creator’s touch will be upon the object. The Potter (God) will be in the pot (us).
The longer I live, the more I realize, how much unlike Jesus I am. The more I read of the Bible, the more like Jesus I see I ought to be. In God’s mind is what He wants us to be.
When He’s finished may all see:
THE CREATOR IN THE CREATED
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OCTOBER 7
AN INVITE FROM A KING
I’ve had a few INVITATIONS given to me in my lifetime of which I’m grateful. Grateful, perhaps, because someone would even consider or THINK of me. That certainly makes a person feel better . . . Just to know . . . That someone cares that much to offer you an Invite.
Out of all the INVITATIONS I’ve ever received . . . none can compare to the INVITATION given to me by Jesus Christ . . . God’s Only Begotten Son.
Consider His INVITATION:
Matthew 11:28 COME UNTO ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST.
Matthew 11:29 TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, and LEARN OF ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS.
Matthew 11:30 For MY YOKE IS EASY, and MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.
1. WE ARE INVITED TO REST
He GIVES this REST, freely, to any and to all who will come into Him. He does not SELL IT (He GIVES it). He does not write a PRESCRIPTION for it (He GIVES it). Everything that becomes a BURDEN to us, should bring us to Christ, for RELIEF and for REST!
2. WE ARE INVITED TO SERVE
He says, ‘TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU.’ He knows we must go on living and doing. He knows life can be strenuous and overwhelming. Just as a YOKE eases the strain on the oxen that plow. HIS YOKE . . . EASES THE STRAIN OF LIFE! He says, ‘MY YOKE IS EASY.’
It will be easy to the WILLING MIND!
It will be easy to the SURRENDERED HEART!
It will be easy to the LOVING HEART!
3. WE ARE INVITED TO COME AND LEARN
He says, ‘LEARN OF ME.’ We have the opportunity to LEARN from the MASTER!
To learn of Christ means we must get close to Him. We must YOKE UP with Him. He will EASE OUR BURDENS . . . HE MAKES LIFE MORE TOLERABLE . . .
CONSIDER:
He will NOT FORCE it upon you . . .
He INVITES you to TAKE it!
AND You (MY FRIEND) have just received:
AN INVITE FROM A KING
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OCTOBER 6
GOD’S SECRET SERVICE AGENTS
Who are they? Where will we find these Special Agents? First, the Title indicates that they belong to God. They WALK with God and they TALK to God. They have SPECIAL ACCESS to GOD’S EAR and GOD’S PRESENCE. They are GOD’S SPECIAL AGENTS!
The second hint in the Title is that they are SECRET. Their work is usually done UNDERCOVER. Most will never know that ONE is in their midst. Only The Agent will know.
The third hint in the Title is SERVICE. These Special Ones offer a SERVICE that is absolutely VITAL and NECESSARY. We MUST have their SERVICES! No survival without it!
The Fourth hint is that they are AGENTS. As AMBASSADORS for Christ they REPRESENT God’s Kingdom and they WORK in God’s Kingdom.
These Special Agents are RESPONSIBLE for the most Souls being Saved!
These Special Agents are RESPONSIBLE for the most Problems being Solved!
These Special Agents are RESPONSIBLE for bringing AWAKENINGS TO CHURCHES!
These Special Agents are RESPONSIBLE for Supplying WORKERS for the Mission Field!
These Special Agents are RESPONSIBLE for Supplying MONEY for the Work of Ministry!
ARE YOU ONE OF THESE SPECIAL AGENTS? Some of you are and I know it . . .
THESE AGENTS ARE THE PRAYER WARRIORS!!! Warriors, on their knees, PRAYING and INTERCEDING, and bringing RESULTS! They usually do their work in SECRET:
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou PRAYEST, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, PRAY to thy Father which is IN SECRET; and thy Father which seeth IN SECRET shall reward thee openly.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently FOR YOU IN PRAYERS . . .
These great people of the earth today are the people who PRAY! I do not mean those who talk about prayer, or those who say they believe in prayer, or yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean these people who TAKE TIME AND PRAY! They’re everywhere and all about us! Do you know one of them? Are you one of them? You probably wouldn’t tell if you were???
GOD’S SECRET SERVICE AGENTS
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OCTOBER 5
I AM NOT THROUGH!
I stepped into the home of a Gentlemen . . . Who, had been quite ill . . . He seemed to be DISCOURAGED and had reached a point of GIVING UP THE FIGHT. I was there to PRAY for him . . . and as soon as I began PRAYING . . . I sensed a Word from the Holy Spirit: ‘ASK HIM?’ The Questions the Spirit of The Lord wanted me to ask were these:
‘IS GOD THROUGH WITH YOU?’. . . ‘DO YOU HAVE MORE WORK TO DO FOR THE LORD?
He looked me in the eye and said, ‘GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH ME and YES! . . . I HAVE MORE WORK TO DO FOR HIM!’
The Lord again spoke through me, ‘IF GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH YOU . . . THEN . . . YOU ARE NOT THROUGH!!!’
When you know that God is NOT THROUGH with you . . . You will also know that somehow God is going to work this out . . . YOU ALSO NOW HAVE A VALID REASON FOR YOUR HEALING!!! THAT MAN WAS INSTANTLY HEALED IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME!
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but THIS ONE THING I DO, forgetting those things which are behind, and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before,
Philippians 3:14 I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
1. STAY FOCUSED ON GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE!
2. THE DEVIL WANTS TO DISTRACT YOU AND GET YOU OFF THE COURSE THAT GOD HAS PLANNED FOR YOU!
3. GOD HAS SOMETHING HE WANTS YOU TO DO . . . DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THAT SOMETHING FOR SOMETHING LESSER . . . PRESS FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD!
4. FIND OUT WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO AND REFUSE TO BE DISTRACTED!
Know what it is that God wants you to do and do it with all your strength and might for His glory! PRAY. . . DEDICATE . . . COMMIT TO IT . . . MAKE UP YOUR MIND . . .
STAND AND DECLARE BOLDLY! – IF GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH ME . . . THEN:
I AM NOT THROUGH!
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OCTOBER 4
THAT DOESN’T AMOUNT TO A HILL OF BEANS
There is a passage of Scripture that tells about a man who would not back down. A man who stood his ground against the forces of evil. SHAMMAH, was one of David’s mighty men, who proved himself worthy, as he defended A FIELD OF LENTILS. That’s right! Shammah put his life on the line for A FIELD OF BEANS!
2Samuel 23:11 And after him was SHAMMAH the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was A PIECE OF GROUND FULL OF LENTILS: and the people fled from the Philistines.
2Samuel 23:12 BUT HE STOOD in the midst of the ground, AND DEFENDED IT, and slew the Philistines: and THE LORD WROUGHT A GREAT VICTORY.
There are times in everyone’s life, when they must make up their mind to STAND UP, and not back down. Do you have something – WORTH DEFENDING – because Satan is attacking it?
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to STEAL, and to KILL, and to DESTROY: I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY.
UNDERSTAND:
1. Satan is active in TAKING GROUND. He Steals – Kills – and Destroys!
2. Christians are active in GIVING UP GROUND . . . Satan doesn’t have to steal if we first SURRENDER! Surrendered Power is exactly what Adam and Eve gave to Satan.
3. WE MUST KNOW THERE ARE FIELDS OR GROUNDS WORTH FIGHTING FOR!
4. Christians are GIVING UP ground. They are deciding to flee rather than stand and fight.
5. There are fields WORTH defending! It seems that in every generation of Christians, there is some key ground that needs to be defended, that needs to be held. We MUST KNOW what to defend!
6. The Lord wants Christians to HOLD THEIR GROUND. He is looking for men and women who will take a stand and not back down. Shammah’s duty, was to defend a FOOD PRODUCING field. A Preacher should DEFEND the Pulpit because of the Bread of Life!
(A FOOD PRODUCING PLACE)
7. God is seeking Christians who will be BRAVE and COURAGEOUS! God is seeking Christians who will fight beyond weariness . . . God is seeking Christians who will stand when others flee . . . God is seeking Christians who are willing to GIVE THEIR ALL to serve Him.
Stand your ground and watch God give the VICTORY . . . STAND even when others say:
THAT DOESN’T AMOUNT TO A HILL OF BEANS
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OCTOBER 3
YOU PLUS GOD EQUAL A MAJORITY
I love to read about David’s Mighty Men and the Great Exploits that they achieved with God’s Help! The One I speak about today is ADINO the Eznite:
2Samuel 23:8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was ADINO THE EZNITE: he lift up his spear AGAINST EIGHT HUNDRED, whom he slew AT ONE TIME.
No question about it . . . He was a MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR. ONE man against the ODDS.
ONE MAN CONQUERING MANY . . . ONE MAN TRUSTING IN THE ONE TRUE GOD:
Joshua 23:10 ONE MAN of you shall CHASE A THOUSAND: for the LORD your God, HE IT IS THAT FIGHTETH FOR YOU, as he hath PROMISED you.
Joshua 23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, THAT YE LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD.
When we trust in God . . . It is God that gives us the VICTORY.
1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, WHICH GIVETH US THE VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Adino defeated 800. Elijah defeated 850. I’M ENCOURAGED BY THE WORD OF GOD:
Psalm 44:4 Thou art my King, O God: COMMAND DELIVERANCES for Jacob.
Psalm 44:5 THROUGH THEE WILL WE PUSH DOWN OUR ENEMIES: THROUGH THY NAME will we tread them under that rise up against us.
Psalm 44:6 For I WILL NOT TRUST IN MY BOW, neither shall MY SWORD save me.
Psalm 44:7 BUT THOU HAST SAVED US from our enemies . . .
Psalm 44:8 IN GOD we boast all the day long, and PRAISE THY NAME FOREVER. Selah.
Notice it is God that COMMANDS THE VICTORIES. It is through HIS NAME that we TREAD UPON THE SERPENTS . . . IT IS THROUGH HIM THAT WE WIN.
Notice, as well, that the Psalmist does not put his TRUST in his BOW or HIS SWORD. It doesn’t say he does not have them . . . It doesn’t say that he does not use them in the fight . . . It says that he does not TRUST THEM to bring the VICTORY . . . HE PLACES HIS TRUST FULLY IN GOD FOR THE VICTORY!
YOU PLUS GOD EQUAL A MAJORITY
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OCTOBER 2
WHAT DOES FAITHFULNESS LOOK LIKE?
I love to read the stories of King David and his MIGHTY MEN. These were men who started with humble beginnings and grew into Mighty Warriors for God. Each of their lives are amazing and encouraging. They’re the epitome of FAITHFULNESS –
CONSIDER ELEAZER:
2Samuel 23:9 And after him was ELEAZER the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the THREE MIGHTY MEN WITH DAVID, when they DEFIED THE PHILISTINES that were there gathered together to battle, and THE MEN OF ISRAEL WERE GONE AWAY:
2Samuel 23:10 HE AROSE, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and HIS HAND CLAVE UNTO THE SWORD: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
ELEAZER defeated an enemy army all by himself! When it says, ‘HIS HAND CLAVE UNTO THE SWORD,’ it means – they had to pry his fingers off of the sword to get it free. He was a DEDICATED MAN OF GOD and he was truly a PICTURE OF FAITHFULNESS!
ELEAZER (L – E – A – ZER) stood ALONE (abandoned by the other men). . . His was a SOLITARY STAND . . . He stood until VICTORY WAS WON! He was a tremendous example to believers of today. He stood when no one else stood with him. He did what was right!
Spurgeon said, ‘Solitary prowess is expected of believers. I hope we may breed in this place a race of men and women who know the truth, and know also what the Lord claims at their hands, and are resolved, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to war a good warfare for their Lord whether others will stand at their side or no.’
The day for MIGHTY MEN AND WOMEN – HEROIC MEN AND WOMEN for God – HAS NOT ENDED. ‘The TRIUMPH of the church as a whole DEPENDS upon the PERSONAL VICTORY of every Christian. In other words, YOUR VICTORY, your life, your personal testimony, are important to the cause of God today.
Dare to be an Eleazar, and go forth and smite the Philistines alone; you will soon find that there are others in the house who have concealed their sentiments, but when they see, you coming forward, they will be openly on the Lord’s side . . . Many are undecided, let them see a brave man, and he will be the standard-bearer around whom they will rally.” (Spurgeon).
‘VICTORY for the church on the whole world-front DEPENDS upon VICTORY IN YOUR LIFE AND MINE!’ (Redpath)
The Church is starving for FAITHFULNESS today! Only you and I can provide that much needed FAITHFULNESS. Only you and I can offer a defined answer to the question:
WHAT DOES FAITHFULNESS LOOK LIKE?
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OCTOBER 1
CONTAGIOUS COMFORT
The Apostle Paul was very close to a young man named Titus, in fact, he called Titus his own son, in the faith. No doubt, this meant that Paul had led Titus, to a Saving Faith, in Jesus Christ:
Titus 1:4 To Titus, MINE OWN SON AFTER THE COMMON FAITH: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Paul had MINISTERED to Titus . . . Paul had MENTORED Titus . . . Paul (much later in his life) would need a MUCH NEEDED VISIT from Titus. This is what I call, RECIPROCATING BLESSINGS (reaping what you have sown – Galatians 6:7). Titus would later Minister to Paul!
2Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that COMFORTETH those that are cast down, COMFORTED US BY THE COMING OF TITUS . . .
Years of Ministry can certainly strain even the Strongest of Christians. The Apostle Paul was a Champion of Champions. He, however, was not exempt from needing COMFORT and CONSOLATION. Titus, would eventually grow into maturity, and be qualified to minister to the one who had ministered to him. It amazes me as to how this works:
The Student becomes the Teacher. The Learner becomes the Learned. The one helped becomes the helper.
Titus assured Paul that his ministry (Paul’s) was very effective and worthwhile. His time and investment in the people had not been wasted. This was very COMFORTING for Paul to hear:
2Corinthians 7:7 And NOT BY HIS COMING ONLY, but by THE CONSOLATION wherewith HE WAS COMFORTED IN YOU, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I REJOICED THE MORE.
While Titus, was reassuring Paul and encouraging him, something else happened.
First, his reassuring of Paul came because the Church was actually listening to Paul’s teaching and implementing his instructions. Paul’s Ministry was effective!
Second, Titus as a Minister needed to see these positive results himself. Imagine how discouraging it would have been for him to see that Paul’s Ministry had failed. Titus was also COMFORTED because of his findings:
2Corinthians 7:13 Therefore we were COMFORTED in your COMFORT: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because HIS SPIRIT WAS REFRESHED BY YOU ALL.
3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Everyone in Ministry needs Refreshing, Comforting, and Consolation. Great comfort is always found in the RESULTS of people doing what they’ve been taught.
Encouragement spreads by:
CONTAGIOUS COMFORT
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