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)