Don't Be Fooled

Satan is cunning and crafty. He is out to fool us, every one of us. Those days when we find ourselves justifying a behavior we know to be wrong, Satan is right there egging us on. He encourages wrong and celebrates evil. He is evil. We know that, yet we still fall into the trap he sets for us. There is no doubt he is over-the-top pleased with himself these days. Just think about the many ways he sets out to trick us into thinking we are right...when we are so wrong.

He has fooled society into believing that murdering babies is okay. More than okay, it is a good thing. Oh, how we will pay for falling for this ploy. Many of the people we admire, Hollywood types, promote and condone these murders. Let us not be fooled. Satan has done a job on them. They have a soapbox most of us don't have, but that doesn't make them right.

Jesus will return, we don't know when, but He is coming. "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:30-31) It will be hard to live through this time, especially for those who work against Him.

During times like today, even believers will find it difficult to be loyal. The lies will be attractive, and we may easily fall prey to the deceptions and falsehoods. But Jesus is coming, make no mistake about it, and He will right all wrongs. When He comes, there will be no doubt; and too late, all will see and understand and be filled with regret--all the nations of the earth will mourn.

Don't be fooled. Make straight your paths! No matter what you are facing now--how big the enemy looks--we know that victory is certain...Because He Died,

Suggestion: Use Psalm 91 to pray for the unborn babies and for their mothers. Psalm 91 has been prayed over our military as they face the enemy on the battlefield. This is a new battlefield, and one that needs our vigilant prayer.

Matthew 24:26-31 

Follow the Path He Made

Psalms 37:1-11

This Psalm is a favorite, notably the instructions presented in verses 3, 4, 5,, 7 and 8 respectively.

• Trust in the Lord and do good
• Take delight in the Lord
• Commit your way to the Lord
• Be still before the Lord
• Refrain from anger and turn from wrath

Practicing these habits will enhance each day. Without trust in God, we only have man to trust in---that's not nearly enough, nor beneficial. We all know that humans are lacking in the perfection department. We are not trustworthy on our own.  Only Jesus can cultivate this trait in us. Because He Died.

Because He Died, we can take delight in Him. We can enjoy how he loves, how he cares for us, and how he guides and protects us.

Doing anything on our own is not productive, nor wise. Even the smallest chore or concern, when shared with Jesus in prayer (or in your journal -- if you are like me), is submitted to Him, not relying on ourselves. He cares about all aspects of our life and each day. Because He Died, we have the freedom to live for Him.

This world is a loud place to live. The TV blares, our phones buzz, Facebook beckons, Instagram share pictures and twitter is alive with opinions. The most profound direction comes from quiet times with God. Daily stillness before the Lord.

The way to cultivate love is to refrain from anger and turn from wrath. This holds true in our family relationships, the workplace and when in public. Love is always the answer and is available Because He Died.

Victory!

Colossians 2:9-15

This is a passage you should read aloud - with great enthusiasm.  Despite what it might look like in your life on any given day, the battle is won - Jesus is the victor.  For  those of us who have accepted him as Lord and Savior, we are redeemed for all eternity.

Look at these promises:

• In Christ, you have been brought to fullness (v. 9)
• God made you alive in Christ (v. 13)
• He forgave you all your sins (v. 13)
• He has triumphed over all the powers and authorities by the cross (v. 15).

Ah, verse 15 - by the cross.  He didn't achieve this great victory with military might, or political power.  He did it by the cross.  

And he died on the cross so we can live.  As we have said many times in the Daily Bible Blast, we can't earn eternal life.  We all know that intellectually.  But, again and again, we try to earn it.  To impress Jesus with our good works so that he says, 'okay, Elaine, you're worthy.  I'm going to open heaven's gate for you now."

No, he said that He brings me to fullness.  He makes me alive in Christ.  He forgives all my sins.  He triumphs over all earthly authorities and powers.

It was not easy to be a Christian when Paul wrote this letter to the church as Colossia.  Persecution was a daily experience for them - jail, beatings, suffering.  And yet the church grew, and people came to faith daily.  

Are you experiencing suffering?  Physical, mental, emotional?  Take your burdens to Jesus - lay them at the cross.  He may not end your suffering, but he will give you the grace to endure it.  And, ultimately, he will come again, and "he will wipe every tear from your eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or paid, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4)"

Dear Lord, Lent is a time of reflection and thanks for what you did on the cross.  Thank you for the gift of eternal life.  Help me to rejoice in my eternal salvation, and to share that good news with others.  Amen.  

Freedom in Love

From Bondage to Freedom

¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 

The oldest child learns early on, the importance of leading by example. It is suggested many times that we be sure our little brother or sister is safe. Hold their hand when crossing the street and so on. Teaching young minds the right way of things is a valuable lesson so they don't have to learn everything the hard way.

The same holds true to those of us who mentor new believers. Sharing our life and also our mistakes can save them from painful times. Our faith journey was just that, a journey with lots of twists and turns, gullies and ditches. Probably still are today. How we navigated these challenges are good lessons to share. Even, or maybe especially, when we failed.

Believers are called to accept one another without judging even when our opinions are varied. So then, how should we deal with those who disagree with us? Paul's response is that all believers should act in love so as to maintain peace in the church.

Romans 14:19 (NIV) Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 

Because He Died...There in lies freedom from bondage.

Romans 14:13-23

Love Rescue Me

Midweek Meditation                                                                                Read Galatians 5:1-6

Love rescue me, for without You there is no hope. Before You set foot inside my heart it lay chained to sin and death. Now, bought by blood, won by wounds, I’ve been ransomed, and the end is set, safe, sure. Sublime, serene, certain. Yet, here I am. Here I am.

The chains are broken and the door ajar, but some days I have trouble leaving the cell. Other days I just exchange one set of shackles for another. It is so easy to confuse who I am with who I was, who You are with who I caricature You to be. And I don’t understand what I do. Love rescue me.

Yes, You rescued me! I am freed from sin, freed from law, and saved to serve. Help me cling to Your grace, embrace the freedom You’ve given me, and release to You the burdens You’ve claimed from me.

Putting myself aside, for peace and people, and their salvation will You work in me?  Yes, I know You will do it. Remind me that this faith expressed through anything other than love is for the birds. Lord, let Your love continue to rescue me.

                                                      Jon Gerckens

Chosen Treasure

 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 7:6)

I am in the process of moving. I sold my house, the place I called home for 42 years. Packing and purging has been my battle cry these past few weeks. I only want to take with me what I will use, what is truly important. When in doubt I have been asking myself, "Would you want to pack this up and move it again?" If I hesitate, then it must go. 

During this process I have come across items long forgotten; some in cute little boxes, others tucked away in closets. Upon examination, these things, photos, mementos from family vacations, refrigerator hangings (you know what I mean), and other one-of-a-kind items from years gone by, I pause and take a momentary trip down memory lane.

When I read the scripture verse for today in preparation to write about it, the last two words began to paint a picture for me. Treasured Possession reminded me of the discoveries I made as I prepared to pack up on my stuff. So many treasured possessions - but are they really treasures? 

To think, God considers me and you, His treasured possessions. And what does it mean? Jesus died for us so we will live. Because He Died, we are free from sin, shame, death and despair. 

There is a difference between having treasures and being treasured. If God calls me His Treasured possession, I can let everything else go.

What Did You Do to Deserve This? Nothing!

Midweek Meditation                 Deuteronomy 7:6,    Ephesians 2:6-10

Someone gives you a gift. Do you say, “I don’t deserve this, why would you choose me?” or “How much do I owe you for this gift?” Hopefully not. Hopefully your response is a simple, sincere “Thank you.”

Deuteronomy 7:6 –…The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

You have been given the most extraordinary gift - chosen by God and given His grace, the gift of salvation. You may wonder why…what did you do that was so extraordinary He chose you to be His treasured child? Did your hard work and kind acts earn you enough “points” to receive His grace? Absolutely not! There is nothing you can do to make God choose you and you can’t buy or earn His grace. Grace is a truly free gift.

It’s often hard for us to believe that God would handpick us for such gifts, but He did. Take time to think about that truth – though you did nothing to deserve it, God chose you and gifted you with His grace. Take that in deeply, believe it, own it…then respond to the Sovereign One with gratitude, praise, and joy!

Becki Bork

The Old Way Has to Go

And so I insist--and God backs me up on this--that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. (Ephesians 4:17-19 MSG)

Does this speak to you? Statistics prove that professed Christians and their behaviors are no better than those who profess to be 'nones', having no religious affiliation. Don't you find it staggering how we, who call ourselves after Jesus Christ, don't try to act more like Him? 

True Discipleship, "doing the things Jesus did and saying the things Jesus said", can't be taught too often. Jesus died so we have a better way to live. Jesus died so we can live forever with Him. This sounds so trite and just what one might expect from a devotion like this, but...truth is truth.

Examine culture today. Who do we idolize, follow on Facebook, pattern our lives after? If you are over forty, think about life twenty year ago. What made you happy? What disgusted you? Now look at today and ask those same two questions. If you are over fifty or more than sixty, the answers are even more stunning.

Paul taught the people that things must change. Behaviors of our past need to reflect Jesus' influence on us. No more following the crowd. It is time to get our priorities right. We need to put emphasis on the saying, "they will know we are Christian by our love." Adding, they know we are Christian by our actions and by hearing our stories. 

Ephesians 4:17-19

God's Wonderful Light

1 Peter 2:4-10

Have you ever been ashamed of something you've done?  I know I have, and it's the worst feeling ever.  You want to hide under the covers and hope that no one knows about your awful deed.....and the urge to berate yourself, over and over, is strong.  How could I do that?  I will never forgive myself.  Then there is shame that goes far deeper:  I'm not worthy of any love, any respect, at all.  I'm a worthless human being.

God's people experienced this emotion.  In I Peter 4, we learn about the culture of shame that the Jews experienced. When they broke God's commands (and yes, they did, and often, just as we do) they felt deep shame.  No amount of sacrificing, no amount of guilt offerings, could cover up their sins.

God had a better way:  salvation through his Son.

"Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  (v. 10).

All of our good works will be for naught without God's grace.  We all know that, but do our lives reflect that truth?  Do we beat ourselves up when we fall short of God's expectations?  Look at what Peter says in verse 6:

"the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

The way out of the culture of guilt and shame is through the Cross.  During this Lenten season, take time every day to thank God for the gift of his Son, Jesus.  Yes, ask for forgiveness when you sin.  And then rejoice in this gift of eternal life that you don't deserve; that you can't ever 'earn.'  And remember these words of encouragement and grace in verse 9:

You are a chosen people [yes, YOU!], a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

If you can, take in a sunrise this week.  (Especially if you can watch it over a lake or an ocean - truly a challenge in central Ohio). It is truly magical to see the arc of the sun burst over the horizon, and the darkness is erased by the bright light of the sun. Don't stay in the darkness - enter His light.