Get Out and Vote!

I heard an excellent sermon on voting yesterday.  Pastor Cynthia Church, of the Georgetown, Ohio church of the Nazarene shared it in the morning service, and  I wanted to share it with you...

How Do We Please God with Our Vote?

Cynthia Church

As Christians, our desire is to know God’s will so that we will live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way.  Living as citizens of the earthly kingdoms we belong to, we know we are to

·        Obey the civil authorities as those appointed by God

·        Pray for those in leadership that we might live godly and peaceful lives

·        Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s

·        In our country we have the opportunity to vote.

So the Big Question is, "How do we please God with our vote?"

1.      First of all I believe that we are to take our opportunity to vote.

Jesus told the Pharisees to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to render unto God what is God.

In our country we have a representative form of government.

We elect, by our individual votes, those who are to represent us in governing our country and determining the laws by which we are all to live.

In our form of government, rendering to Caesar includes the responsibility of the ballot box

Jesus also told us that we are to be the salt of the earth

Believers are to influence the world around them as salt does food

Matt. 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

He told us we are the light of the world

Believers are to light up the path of righteousness just as light does a physical pathway

Matt. 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Through our vote, we can choose people and policies that influence the world toward goodness, godliness, light, and the glory of God.

This little light of mine can shine in a small way and join with other lights to influence a whole nation

With our vote, we can speak up

Proverbs 31

⁸ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.

You get to vote for the representatives who will either defend or attack those who cannot speak for themselves; for the destitute; for the poor and needy

It is too late to register to vote in this election, but may I encourage you to make this the very last election that you do not vote in?

Some people will tell me that they do not register to vote because that might make them eligible to serve jury duty.

We cannot, or should not, as Christians, avoid our responsibility to do good just because it is going to cost us something

Especially when we consider the men and women who served their country and some died in order that this right to vote was established and preserved for you

So we Christians should take every opportunity to vote to influence our country toward godliness, mercy, peace and justice

Proverbs 29:2 says: “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Government policies can allow behavior, restrict behavior or promote behavior.

We can influence that with our vote.

And when we go into that voting booth, we need to go in as Christians- not as members of a political party.

It is fine to belong to a party, but your allegiance to God is a higher allegiance than your allegiance to your party or faction

2.      So how do you vote according to Biblical guidelines?

You don’t vote selfishly- you love your neighbor as yourself.

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.”― Alexander Fraser Tytler

And please, don’t vote ignorantly- know what your candidate stands for and don’t take his or her political opponent’s word for it!

Voting for candidates

·        First, let me say that seldom is there going to be an ideal candidate especially where moral character is involved. The choice might be which candidate is the lesser evil

·        Secondly, especially with candidates who will be serving in Washington DC, you need to take into account the platform of the national party.

You may really like a candidate, but he would add to a national majority that would enact something that is un-Biblical.

You may have reservations about a candidate, but their party’s platform includes some very valuable legislation. That must go into your evaluation

In my opinion, one of the most important, if not the most important, criteria you need to find out about is the candidate’s status on abortion.

Let me say that if you have had an abortion or encouraged someone to have an abortion or voted for a pro-abortion candidate, there is forgiveness and grace in Jesus. But let me just as clearly state that abortion is a particularly heinous form of murder.

When God listed His Top Ten Issues in the form of the 10 Commandments, protecting innocent life was listed sixth.

“Guess which ones didn’t make the top 10 list? Poverty, immigration, healthcare, the economy, energy, education, taxation or global warming. That is not to say these things aren’t important. We are just to keep them in order, just as God does. If you truly want and desire to use your vote to honor God, then you have to put His priorities at the forefront of your mind and heart.” Liz Lemery Joy

·        Proverbs 6:17- God hates hands that shed innocent blood. There is nothing more innocent than an unborn baby
Deuteronomy 30:19 God has set before us life and death, he instructed us to choose life, so that we and our children may live.
Psalm 139:16 God’s eyes see that unformed body of that baby. It is not just a blob of cells, or flesh. In God’s eyes He has already ordained that baby’s days in the book of life.

·        Leviticus 17:14 Life is in the blood. That means where there is blood, there is life. To take a baby at any stage is to take a life

Also- what is their stance of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Assisted suicide is legal in Washington DC, Colorado, Oregon, Hawaii, Washington, Vermont, California, one county in New Mexico, and is de facto legal in Montana. (Wikipedia)

Saying: What one generation tolerates the next embraces.

With health care costs skyrocketing, it is a smaller and smaller step from assisted suicide to forced euthanasia or withholding care from elderly, handicapped or undesirables

The next thing to look at is where they stand on issues of morality

Isaiah 5

²⁰ Woe to those who call evil good
    and good evil,
who put darkness for light
    and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
    and sweet for bitter.

Another of the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

The Lord puts a high priority on sexual purity and the formation of families. Does your candidate do the same? Do their views on the use of our body’s sexual possibilities line up with the Creator’s? Or do they line up with the imaginations of fallen creation?

A quick Google search returned a list of 63 genders/sexes!

Another thing to consider is personal mind-set of the candidate.

Prov 6

¹⁶ There are six things the Lord hates,
    seven that are detestable to him:
¹⁷         haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸         a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
¹⁹         a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Ronald Reagan once famously said that some of the scariest words are ‘Hello, I am from the government and I am here to help you.”

Take note of proud and arrogant candidates with haughty eyes who think they know what is best for you, who think government needs to take control over your life. Is the candidate haughty or humble?

Many politicians have perfected the art of having a lying tongue. They say one thing to get elected knowing perfectly well that they have no intentions of following through with their promises

Does the candidate have a reputation for honesty?

And while few if any politicians have actually shed innocent blood, many have been willing accomplices in promoting abortion, euthanasia or in misusing our nation’s military or failing to support our law enforcement or looking the other way when wrongdoers cause others harm.

Does your candidate have a heart that devises wicked schemes? What schemers some politicians are! I can’t think that anyone truly was fooled by the scheming that accompanied the Kavanaugh hearings

And what are the goals of your candidate? Do they line up better with what God would want or what Satan would advocate?

Someone described feet that run to evil as a feeding frenzy of sharks. What happens when someone has fallen victim to a downfall of some sort? Do  they rush in to pile on and try to wring some political advantage for themselves? Or do they seek healing and restoration?

And if you want examples of false witnesses, watch those campaign ads!

We have another name for stirring up conflict. We call it the politics of personal destruction. And the political waters have been so polluted that we are no longer one nation, but a collection of warring tribes.

Moving from personal morality

We learn in Romans 13:4 one of the functions of governing authorities: They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 

Do they understand this protective role of government both nationally and locally?

What is the candidate’s position as regards the law of the land- the Constitution? Are they consistent in their willingness to operate under the law? Do they apply the law consistently or only when it is convenient?

When voting on a national level, one of the functions of the national government I to protect the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Jesus used kings as an example in Luke 14. Spoke of their wisdom in decisions of war and diplomacy

Does the candidate seem wise enough to make these kinds of decisions and courageous enough to follow through on them? Would you feel confident putting your safety and the safety of your family in their hands? Do they seem to be on the side of law-abiding citizens or criminals?

These are just a few issues you should take into consideration. Some other quick ones:

Do you think they will be good stewards of the taxes they collect?
Will they engage in a Robin Hood mentality of stealing from the rich to give to the poor?
Will they encourage people to covet their neighbor’s property?

Will they respect the fact that all government gets its authority from God?

3.      Finally, as voters, we have to put elections and governments in the proper perspective. God’s kingdom will not come through governments!

Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations conspire
    and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.”

⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ He rebukes them in his anger
    and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
⁶ “I have installed my king
    on Zion, my holy mountain.”

⁷ I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;
    today I have become your father.
⁸ Ask me,
    and I will make the nations your inheritance,
    the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹ You will break them with a rod of iron;
    you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise;
    be warned, you rulers of the earth.
¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear
    and celebrate his rule with trembling.
¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

We are those who have taken refuge in Him. We have elected Him King of our hearts and look forward to that day when He will make all things new. When every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Then justice will roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

God’s dwelling place will be among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away

Balancing Act

Daily Reading:  1 Corinthians 8-9

Scripture Focus: Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. (1 Corinthians 8:12)

Devotional Thought:  Paul spends much time in his letters convincing Jewish converts of their freedom from the law.  It must have been extremely difficult for those devout, law-following Jews to grasp that the grace offered to them by Jesus should replace their efforts to make peace with God through the law.  But Paul argues the other side of that scenario as well.  Eating food offered to idols has no spiritual significance under the new covenant, however, believers should be aware that doing so could become a stumbling block to the weak and should therefore abstain.

And so today it also goes both ways.  The church is made up of people from all different backgrounds, ways of thinking, and deeply ingrained beliefs that are secondary in importance to the core beliefs of the saved.  There is freedom in Christ, but we should never abuse that freedom or practice it in such a way that causes others to stumble.  On the flip side, those who are legalistic should be careful to not impose their personal convictions upon all other believers.

How do we accomplish this balance, and for what purpose?  The answer comes from Paul in chapter 9.  “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them… I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings,” (1 Cor. 9:19,22-23).  Who among us wants the guilt of causing another believer to stumble, or preventing a nonbeliever from coming to Christ?  We should, like Paul, consider our personal freedom of lesser importance than sharing the gospel and all of its blessings.

Jenny

Prayer:  Lord, help us to lay down our rights and our pride for the sake of making You known.  Give us the discernment we need to know when we are laying a stumbling block for a brother or sister.

Psalm of the Day:  1 When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3 The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. 5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? 6 O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water. (Psalms 114:1-8)

Do the Hard Work

Daily Reading:  1 Corinthians 7

Scripture Focus: But because of the temptation to sexual immorality.  (1 Corinthians 7.2)

Devotional Thought: I got myself in trouble once... (Yah, yeah, yeah... I hear you thinking, "Only once?")  Well the one time that I'm thinking about had to do with a young boy and his sister in the church fellowship hall.  She was picking on him and he came crying to his Mom.  I happened to be sitting there and piled it on: "What?  I thought you were a big boy!  Be a man!"  He went and hit his sister.  "Whoa!  I didn't mean that!  Just man up and work it out..."  Mom didn't buy it.  She wasn't too happy with me.

I recently read an article about the demise of masculinity.  The author - a female - bemoaned the fact that men were unwilling - or unable - to do the hard work of being a man.  It seems that conversation and relationships are being surrendered by 'emasculated' males, cowed by the current climate of political correctness.  Even intimacy is giving way to the three p's: porn, prostitution, and puppets!  That's not healthy.  It's neither good for men or women.

Paul wrote that intimate, monogamous relationships (marriages) are important because of the temptation to sexual immorality.  Being a man was not about having sex with as many partners as possible or about surrendering sexual satisfaction.  To Paul, being a man meant doing the hard work of remaining pure until marriage and faithful within marriage.  That sounds to me like doing the hard work of relationships. 

What does it mean to be a man?  Jesus, of course, was the perfect Man.  His manhood was expressed by doing the hard work of laying down his life for his bride - the church.  To be real men and women today, we need to do the hard work of relationships.

Prayer: Jesus thank you for being the example of the perfect man.  And, thank you for giving us the power to be the man or woman you created us to be.  Help us to live into that potential!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! 5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, 6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. 9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! (Psalms 113:4-9)

Dismissed without Prejudice

Daily Reading:  1 Corinthians 5-6

Scripture Focus: For what have I to do with judging outsiders? (1 Corinthians 5.12)

Devotional Thought: Recently I found myself in court with an anxious family.  It was for a preliminary hearing in a legal matter.  After discussion with the prosecutor and the defendant's counsel, the judge dismissed the charges without prejudice.  That sounds good, right?  Prejudice is bad, so without prejudice is good, isn't it?  Sadly, it doesn't work that way in court!  After asking the prosecutor we discovered that if a matter is dismissed without prejudice it can be brought up again.  If it is dismissed with prejudice, then it can never again be re-filed.  The judge had left the door open for judgment in the future!

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul wrote about judging someone in the church vs. outside the church.  Paul made it plain that at this time, we can't judge outsiders.  It's not that we can't say an action is wrong or right - for we have to be able to discern good from evil.  But, we cannot condemn sinners.  We dismiss their case without prejudice, leaving it up to God, whose ultimate judgment is in the future.

In the case of a human court, charges are dismissed without prejudice in order to give the state opportunity to build their case for prosecution.  With God, however, just the opposite is true.  The Bible says that God is not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  He dismisses without prejudice in order to give the defense time to build their case - for the lost soul to come to Jesus and have his or her sins forgiven!  "Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart" (1 Corinthians 4.5).

Amen!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that in your mercy you gave me opportunity to believe in Jesus and to receive him as my Savior.  Help me not to give up on anybody.  May my loved ones and friends respond to you in the time of decision.

Psalm of the Day:  1 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! 3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! (Psalms 113:1-3)

Totally

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9.22b: "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."  His life was totally taken up by the call he had received when he met Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Recorded in Acts 9).

Paul was willing to...

• Go Anywhere.  Paul's missionary work took him all around the Roman empire.  And the travels were not all that pleasant.  My friends Joe and Cheryl Young are like that.  They have placed themselves in God's hands, following his direction and have found themselves thousands of miles from family, friends, and familiar.  Why?  To save some...
• Do Anything.  Paul was willing to work at tent making, to teach daily in a secular meeting hall, to stand before hostile crowds and talk about Jesus, to gladly suffer rebuke, shame, even persecution for the cause of Christ.  What are you doing to advance the gospel?
• Be Something.  Paul didn't just do things.  He said he had become all things.  He was willing to become a fool for Christ, an apostle at the end of the procession, a prisoner for the gospel.  He was transformed by the Spirit into a new creation!  Am I becoming something, shaped by the Potters hands?
• Give Everything.  Paul told the Corinthians, "I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls."  Paul gave his position as a Jewish scholar and teacher.  He gave his reputation and comfort.  He gave up his friends and family to follow Jesus.  He knew the secret to the statement: "You haven't given anything until you've given everything."
• Reach Everyone.  Before Paul met Jesus he hated 'Gentiles' - non-Jewish people.  The only thing he hated more than Gentiles were Jews who liked Gentiles!  After he met Jesus, however, his whole focus changed.  He focused on reaching Gentiles!  It's easy for us to reach people like us, but Jesus wants us to reach everyone.  Will you include those not like you as you reach out?

How about you?  Is your life totally taken up by the call of Jesus?  Will you go anywhere, do anything, be something, give everything, and reach everyone?

Bluster or Blessing?

Daily Reading:  1 Corinthians 4

Scripture Focus: The kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. (1 Corinthians 4.20)

Devotional Thought: "Bluster, n - loudly boastful or threatening speech; syn.: babel, blare, cacophony, chatter, clamor, clangor, din, discordance, noise, racket, rattle, roar."  (Webster's dictionary) 

Looking at that definition, there is a lot of bluster these days, isn't there?  But the Bible says the kingdom of God is not like that.  The kingdom is not bluster, but rather blessing.

It is tempting to make the kingdom all about 'talk': preaching, debating, winning arguments... That is bluster.  Bluster theorizes about love, but lives to dominate.  It talks about holiness but lives under the dominion of sin.  It talks a big game, but wilts under pressure.  Bluster refuses to go out on a limb, to takes risks or to make sacrifices.  That's not the kingdom way of doing things.

When the kingdom of God is about power, things look different.  By the power of the Spirit, we can love others without conditions.  We are enabled to live holy and godly lives.  We can stand for Jesus when we face opposition.  We can testify, "In the name of Jesus rise up and walk."  The Spirit gives us power to be generous, to live free from addictions, to forgive the sins of others.  In power we testify to the life and resurrection of Jesus.  We love those not like us and treat others with dignity and respect.  We sacrifice our own personal comforts and causes for the sake of others.

I would rather operate in the power of the Kingdom, live by the power of the Holy Spirit - than to talk about it.  How about you?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me a part of your kingdom.  Help me to live out this kingdom life with power.  Forgive me when my talk doesn't match my walk.  IN the name of Jesus,  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. 7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. 9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. 10 The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish! (Psalms 112:6-10)

A Know Nothing

Daily Reading:  1 Corinthians 2-3

Scripture Focus: For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2.2)

Devotional Thought: In 1850's, the Know Nothing movement was born.  It was a nativist, intolerant, and anti-Catholic group that began as a secret society.  It later became a political party, but did not live long, dying out in 1860.  Those who adopt those kinds of views are destined to become not only know-nothings, but to become unknown as well.

Was Paul a know-nothing?  He testified to the Corinthians that he "decided to know nothing... except Jesus Christ."  Paul said that he did not depend on the effectiveness of human efforts - current methods of logic and debate.  He didn't rely on his great learning and superior knowledge.  None of that was good enough for Paul.  He came preaching Jesus: Jesus in weakness, Jesus in death.  It's not that the other things were without use and merit.  It's just that they were not powerful enough in and of themselves for the all-inclusive message of the gospel.  For Paul, the gospel of God was too important to depend on the methods of man.

So, in that sense, Paul was indeed a know-nothing, a know-nothing-but-Jesus!  Paul's message was full of the Spirit and power!  Lives were changed, brought from darkness to light, from death to life, from the power of Satan to God. They received a place among the holy ones of God! 

Paul's know-nothing approach was not narrow-minded and exclusive like the Know Nothings of the 1800's.  No, it was so wide, so broad, that it included all people - Jews and Greeks, male and female, slave and free.  Whosoever will may come!

What about you?  Are you a know-nothing?  A know-nothing-but-Jesus?  That's the only way the power of God will rest upon you!

Prayer: Father, I know that you have a work for me to do, a life to live.  Help me to set aside methods of man for the gospel of God so that Christ's power may rest on me.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. 5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. (Psalms 112:1-5)

Dear Sir or Madam...

Daily Reading:  1 Corinthians 1

Scripture Focus: To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours. (1 Corinthians 1.2)

Devotional Thought: I recently heard a friend complain about a negative email: "And there was no, 'Hey, how ya doin?' or anything like that.  It was just bang..."  Most of us are turned off by - or simply turn off! - impersonal or contrived communication.  I used to tell my staff members, "Whenever you communicate with somebody - even email or text - say something genuinely kind and personal.  A simple salutation works wonders!"

Paul gave careful attention to his salutation to the Corinthians.  With deliberate precision, Paul taught a lot of theology in these words, writing that Christians should be...

In Corinth...  Paul's address immediately reminded the Corinthians that they were, indeed, in Corinth.  As Christians we must never lose sight of our surroundings!  We are to be good neighbors and citizens.

In Christ Jesus... Not just in Christ Jesus, but sanctified in Christ Jesus.  The word sanctify simply means to make holy or set apart.  While living in the world remember who you are living for - Jesus!

In the Church... They were in Corinth and in Christ together!  Sainthood is not a solitary activity.  As a matter of fact, when we try to be saints without the church we have only a whisper of the influence that Jesus intends for us.  When people isolate themselves from the people of God, eventually they find that they are isolated from the company of God!

In prayer...   Paul 'accused' the Corinthians of calling upon the name of our Lord.  Would that accusation stick with you?  Would the evidence of your life convict you of being a woman or man of prayer?  Food for thought!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that while I am in you, I am also in the church and in the world, to make a positive difference!  Help me, therefore, to be a person of great prayer and faith and obedience.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (Psalms 111:6-10)

Armageddon Plan

Daily Reading:  Ecclesiastes 11-12

Scripture Focus: Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. (Ecclesiastes 11.1-2)

Devotional Thought: As Lana and I approached retirement, we would talk to our financial adviser about various doomsday scenarios.  He would laugh and tell us, "I don't have an Armageddon Plan!"  That is so true, isn't it?  We don't know what troubles may befall us.  We don't know "what disaster may happen on the earth."  So, what are we to do?

The wise man of Eccliastes had some unusual advice: "Cast your bread upon the waters..."  Wait, wait!  Cast it upon the waters?  Give a portion to seven?  How's that going to help me if disaster happens?

Jesus told a parable that illustrated how this works.  There was an 'unjust' manager who was getting fired.  He went around to the creditors of his employer and forgave their loans.  Then, when he lost his job, he was "welcomed into their homes."  Jesus was not commending the dishonest manager for dishonesty, he was simply pointing out that when we are generous, we will experience generosity.  It even works in this world's materialistic system.  How much more so in heaven!  Jesus then instructed, "Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings" (Luke 16.9).

Financial advisers may not have an "Armageddon Plan," But God does.  It's called generosity.  Then, "after many days"

we will find that we have received a "good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over!"  (Luke 6.38).

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the things that you have given me.  Help me to be generous today, just as you have been generous to me.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. (Psalms 111:1-5)

That's Blunt

Daily Reading:  Ecclesiastes 9-10

Scripture Focus: If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. Ecclesiastes 10:10

Devotional Thought: Have you ever heard the expression, “Work smarter, not harder”?  We could also say, “Work wiser, not foolishly.”  This is a modern-day version of what Solomon is emphasizing in Ecclesiastes.  Considered to be the wisest man in Biblical history, Solomon’s wisdom was given to him by God.  He has a lot to say about the behavior of fools compared to acting with wisdom.  One of the proverbial statements he makes is, “If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed,” (v10).

This imagery brings to mind a different New Testament passage.  In Ephesians 6, Paul instructs believers to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil,” (Eph. 6:11).  One of these items is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  How effective is a blunt sword?  About as effective as a blunt iron.  Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes may pertain to a literal sword or axe, but his advice is as figuratively practical as it is literally practical.

How does our sword become blunt?  When we neglect to sharpen the edge, by spending time with the Lord and seeking wisdom and spiritual discernment in the Word of God.  As believers, we wrestle against spiritual forces of evil.  We cannot expect to win battles with blunt swords.  We must recognize our true enemy and the nature of the war in which we fight.  We must be prepared to wield the sword of the Spirit, fighting the enemy with the Word of God, against which no evil can stand.  We also should be “praying at all times in the Spirit… keep[ing] alert with all perseverance,” (v18).  We need not fear our enemy when we arm ourselves in the Lord!

Jenny

Prayer: Lord, when we think of the power of our enemy, it sometimes seems overwhelming.  Help us to recognize our enemy and be prepared to stand against him.  Against You nothing shall stand!

Psalm of the Day:  5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. 7 He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head. (Psalms 110:5-7)

Finish Strong

Daily Reading:  Ecclesiastes 7-8

Scripture Focus: Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Ecclesiastes 7.8)

Devotional Thought: College football is upon us!  Many teams are starting their conference schedules this weekend, and there is a lot of trash talk going on.  I think, though, that boasting is better reserved for after the game than before.  Patience is better than pride.  Or, as it says in 1 Kings 20.11: "Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off." 

How many of us have started a project with grand plans and good intentions only to see our plans fizzle and our intentions fade?  "I'm going to lose 10 pounds!" we say to our friends who politely nod their heads in agreement but think, "Yea, right!"  If they're kind, they don't bring it up when we gain 5 instead!  "Today I'm going to get that garage cleaned out!  It's as good as done!"  That night, with the car still parked in the driveway, we say vow to do it tomorrow.

That's why the wise man said, "Better is the end of thing than its beginning."

Spiritually the same thing happens.  We have good intentions, but our follow-through is lacking.  I know many, many people who have had a good start with the Lord, and who have said to God, to themselves, and to others that they are going to serve the Lord with all their heart and soul.  But, when life happens, they fade away.  Somehow, the great beginning did not translate to a great ending.  The problem is that too often the boasting is done in the flesh.  The flesh cannot win spiritual victories for us.  We must live in the power of the Spirit.  Then, the end will be even better than the beginning!

Prayer: Thank you Lord, that "He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it."  Fill me, I pray, with your Spirit, and enable me to finish strong as I lean into your grace. Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  1 The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." 2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalms 110:1-4)

Worship God!

Daily Reading:  Ecclesiastes 5-6

Scripture Focus: Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (Ecclesiastes 5.1)

Devotional Thought: Doc Lail, a good friend of mine, recently loaned me Holy Fire Fell, a history of worship practices in the Church of the Nazarene by Dirk Ellis.  As the author reviewed the changes in worship style, he expressed our forefathers' concern over narcissistic worship - worship that is focused on us and our feelings.  Frankly, I think that condition is prevalent in churches and among Christians today.  We have made worship about us.  We want the songs to move our hearts, the message to meet our needs, even the length of the service to fit our schedules.

Worshippers in the days of Ecclesiastes suffered from a similar ailment.  They wanted worship centered around themselves.  The Teacher called it "the sacrifice of fools!"  He warned them, "guard your steps when you go to the house of God."  Our coming is not about getting our felt-needs met, nor is it about offering great and entertaining worship experiences.  We must "draw near [to God] to listen."

God has something to say to us, but it is hard for him to get a word in edgewise!  We are too concerned about what we are saying (or singing!) to hear what God is saying.  The Teacher warned against being rash with our words or hasty with our mouths.  "Let not your mouth lead you into sin...  For when words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear " (Ecclesiastes 5.6-7).

We have missed out on the meaning of worship if it is about what we have to say, or how we feel.  We need to guard our steps and our hearts when we go to the house of God!

Prayer: Jesus, you taught us that the Father desires worshipers who worship in spirit and truth.  May your Holy Spirit lead us to truly worship you, proclaiming your majesty and mastery over all!

Psalm of the Day:  26 Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love! 27 Let them know that this is your hand; you, O LORD, have done it! 28 Let them curse, but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad! 29 May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak! 30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the midst of the throng. 31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death. (Psalms 109:26-31)

Two are better than one

Daily Reading:  Ecclesiastes 3-4

Scripture Focus: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Ecclesiastes 4.9-10)

Devotional Thought: God has created us to be in relationship and community.  The wise man of Ecclesiastes saw the advantages of community and the disadvantage of being alone.  Two are better than one because...

They have a good reward for their labor. 

·        Attain. When two people work together on a task, they are able to more than double their output.  First of all, every job has an 'escape velocity.'  That is the amount of energy needed to get the job started.  One person may not be able to achieve that on her own.  But two working together can!  We need to attain momentum.  I recently started Momentum Ministries and it took a lot of work and encouragement from family and friends to get started! 

·        Maintain. when two are working together, they can maintain momentum better.  I have learned over the past 8 years of writing this devotional how important it is to have someone alongside me to write when I rest.  My daughter Jenny has served in that roll primarily, but many of you also have helped me when I needed to rest.  Uninterrupted movement is so important to progress!

They can pick each other up. 

·        Regain.  Inevitably things come along to trip us up.  There are times we can pick ourselves up and go on.  There are situations, however, when we are so broken and wounded that we are unable to do so.  If we are alone in such a time, then we will be disabled for extended periods, perhaps indefinitely. 

There is an adage that says wolves run in packs.  I don't think it is stretching the metaphor too much to say, "Christians run in packs..."  We need to stay together to stay productive and safe.  With whom are you running?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for those whom you have given me that travel with me on this journey.  Help us to help each other attain, maintain and regain spiritual momentum!

Psalm of the Day:  21 But you, O GOD my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name's sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me! 22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me. 23 I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no fat. 25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag their heads. (Psalms 109:21-25)

All Streams Run to the Sea

Daily Reading:  Ecclesiastes 1-2

Scripture Focus: All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full. (Ecclesiastes 1.7a)

Devotional Thought: Today, we begin to make our way through the book of Ecclesiastes.  Most scholars agree that King Solomon, the wise son of David, was the author of this book.  This book is part of the genre known as wisdom literature, and needs to be read poetically and understood metaphorically.  The author expresses his struggles in vivid language that are not to be read as settled fact.  Still, there is much to be gained in the understanding of truth.

I love what Solomon wrote in chapter 1, verse 7: "All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full."  I thought about some of the seas that never are full...

·        The sea of God's love.  God's love is a boundless ocean ready to receive one more sinner.  As the old hymn says, "Though millions have come, there is still room for one.  There is room at the cross for you."

·        The sea of God's forgetfulness.  Micah 7.19 says that God will throw our sins into the depths of the sea where they will never again be brought before the remembrance of God.  The blood of Jesus washes our sins into that sea!

·        The seas of obstacles.  The Hebrew children saw the Red Sea as an obstacle, but God saw it as an opportunity to display his awesome power.  God pours his grace and power into that sea which is never too full for us to cross!

·        The seas of possibilities.  Psalm 104:25 says, "Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great."  The mysteries and wonders of life are inexhaustible.  Life is an adventure in the infinite creativity of God!

Let's go down to the sea and see the mighty wonders of our God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the streams that flow through my life.  Some are good and pleasant while others are hard and sad.  Thank you that all of them end up in the ocean of your love.  Help me see the wonders of your mighty love.

Psalm of the Day:  16 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death. 17 He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him! 18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones! 19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around him, like a belt that he puts on every day! 20 May this be the reward of my accusers from the LORD, of those who speak evil against my life! (Psalms 109:16-20)

For the healing of Nations

Daily Reading:  Revelation 22

Scripture Focus: The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22.2b)

Devotional Thought: There is a lot of debate going on concerning the status of immigrants and refugees.  Fear, prejudice, terrorism, and irreconcilable cultural differences have made for a very divided world.  Though there is little agreement about the solutions to the problems, there is near universal consensus that the nations need healing.  Sadly, as long as there is sin in the world, there will be wars and rumors of wars; there will be power struggles and oppression; there will be greed and exploitation.

But, there is coming a day when sin will be erased from our existence.  We will live in a place of perfect beauty and love.  We will be like Jesus for we shall see him as he is!  And, there will be a healing of the nations.  That place is beautifully depicted in Revelation.

In the midst of the heavenly city, there will the River of the Water of Life.  On each side of that river, will be a tree.  It is the Tree of Life.  It shall bear fruit every month.  There will never be any lack.  In that place, delivered from want, from disease, from death, from separation, from sorrow, there will be perfect healing for the nations.

The word for nations indicates people who practice similar customs or common culture.  All those customs and cultures will be perfectly blended together in heaven.  We will not lose our identity, but we will rejoice together in the fact that Jesus can save a Spanish-speaking capitalist as much as he can save an English-speaking socialist.  Those who come from cultures subdued and formal shall worship alongside those who are boisterous and informal.  I believe that even Democrats and Republicans will get along in that place.  What a work of healing!

Prayer: Lord, in the early history of humanity, you spread mankind apart through diverse languages and customs.  But the day is coming when we will all be united in worship at your feet.  What a day that will be!

Psalm of the Day:  6 Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin! 8 May his days be few; may another take his office! 9 May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow! 10 May his children wander about and beg, seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit! 11 May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil! 12 Let there be none to extend kindness to him, nor any to pity his fatherless children! 13 May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation! 14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out! 15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth! (Psalms 109:6-15)

In with the New

Daily Reading:  Revelation 21

Scripture Focus: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. (Revelation 21.1)

Devotional Thought: My friend Fuad - manager and owner of Gold Star Chili in Bethel - told me that his store is scheduled to be rebuilt in 2019.  The process is simple: tear down the old one, build a new one.

Some things that have to be torn down or taken away before new things can come to life...

The first heaven and earth will pass away.  This world will not last forever.  This is nothing new.  Scientists have been telling us for generations that the universe is headed to oblivion.  It will either keep expanding until things are so spread out that it cannot sustain life.  Or, it will expand to a certain point and then start contracting until it draws completely into itself and 'dies' in the unimaginable pressure and temperature of its creation.

There will be a new heaven and earth.  This will be different from the first heaven and earth.  Will it be made using the same 'stuff' of today's world?  That depends.  Do you believe in evolution?  Can God use existing ingredients to make something new?  He can do what pleases him!  But, as I said, it will be different.  It will be eternal.  We are coming to "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" (1 Peter 1.4).  It is a "city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" (Hebrews 11.10b).

Prayer: Lord, I know that creation as we know it is on a timer.  One day - however far in the future only you know - this world will pass away.  help me to live my life so that I go to dwell in that new place with you forever and ever.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  1 Be not silent, O God of my praise! 2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. 3 They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. 4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. 5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love. (Psalms 109:1-5)