Daily Devotion Archives — Page 11 of 16

Today’s Word Is MISUNDERSTANDING … Plus Friday Humor

Fri-Feb-28-2020

Poor Leroy had fallen on hard times. He lost his job at the fertilizer plant, his wife had left him, his unemployment had run out, and he was evicted from his apartment. He packed what little he had in a knapsack, made a little sign that read “Will work for food,” and set off down the road on foot.

Toward the middle of the day, he came to a farmhouse. He was getting very hungry, and so he knocked on the front door. A woman answered, and Leroy explained his situation, and how he could do most anything and how hungry he was.

At first the woman wanted no part of Leroy, but he persisted. Finally she asked, “Can you paint?”

“Oh yes, ma’am,” Leroy said, “I sure can paint. I’ve done a lot of painting. Just let me show you.” The woman relented, found a can of paint and a brush and said, “You can go around back and paint the porch, and I’ll fix you some dinner.” Happily, Leroy went to work.

About 40 minutes later, Leroy appeared at the front door. “Are you finished so soon?” asked the woman. “Oh yes, ma’am,” said Leroy, “but I think you ought to know that it’s not a porch, it’s a Volvo.”

Misunderstandings can definitely create problems. I have dealt with many people who come to wrong conclusions about God because they do not understand his nature, his purposes, and his ways.

Isaiah tells us this about God’s “ways”: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

The Bible is best understood by someone who has made a commitment to Jesus as personal Savior. We make this profession of our faith based on our belief that God is a loving God, and that he provided a way for forgiveness, salvation, and freedom through the death and resurrection of his one and only Son, Jesus Christ. If ever there is a question about God’s ways and the events of our lives, we fall back on that basic belief, God is good and loving.

The story of Job in the Bible is one of suffering, as he loses his family and wealth, and thus falls into despair. How does anyone who experiences such tragedy interpret the ways of God? Well, in the process of trying to figure this out, Job has three friends who come with advice.

The first is Eliphaz (Job Chapter 4), who makes a long speech, essentially telling Job that he must be guilty of something because the innocent do not suffer such things. Job struggles with this idea, but contends that he can’t think of anything, and even if he could, it still doesn’t make sense. He wants to know why he was picked out for this.

Then comes Bildad (Job Chapter 8), who confounds Job further by asserting that God rewards good people, and therefore Job is mistaken about something. Job again mulls this over and is even more frustrated.

Finally, his friend Zophar (Job Chapter 11) gives Job a tongue-lashing rebuke, claiming all this happened because Job’s heart is not right with God.

Does any of this sound familiar? The problem with many people is that once something terrible and seemingly random strikes them, they abandon their basic assumption that God is good and loving, and has provided salvation, hope, forgiveness, and peace. Instead they assume that God is vengeful, capricious, and unfair.

To avoid adopting a misunderstanding of who God is and what he intends for us, we need to stick with that beginning assumption that brought us to Jesus. We should not come to the false conclusion that God does not love us. There must be another interpretation for the difficult events of life. We cannot let the enemy use them to lead us toward distrust and despair.

Ending today’s devotion this way seems to leave us hanging, with lots of questions for which a long discussion would be in order, but that is too much to cover today. Suffice it to say, in the long-run, sticking with our Father God, his Son the Savior, and the work of the Holy Spirit is the only approach that leads to life at its best … and certainly the only way that leads to life eternal. Like Job, we should continue the search and God will provide the answers.

Have a blessed weekend, including rest, family, and worship,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is PERSECUTED

The Steps of Christian Maturity
Beatitude #8
Persecuted for Doing What’s Right
Thu-Feb-27-2020

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:10-12) (Beatitude #8)

The 8^th Beatitude, unlike the other seven, is three verses long, because Jesus had a lot to say about what it means to be persecuted. It was the very thing that was going to end his life, being arrested, tried, convicted, and put to death for doing what was right. He knew it was coming. But it did not stop him from fulfilling God’s purpose and doing God’s will.

The night before his death, Jesus told the Disciples in the Upper Room, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you… “ (John 15:18-20b)

A reasonable expectation would be that if we do the right thing, people will appreciate it. Not always so. As the saying goes: “No good deed goes unpunished!”

The calling on your life to be a peacemaker is higher than you may think. It’s not just about solving disputes. There is a sense of “big picture” to it. You are building people. You are paving highways. You are seeking justice and mercy, spreading the love of Jesus. As you do the work of the peacemaker in your realm of influence, at some point someone is not going to like what you’re up to! You’re going to offend someone along the way! Guaranteed!

But when you get insulted, when you are not appreciated for your kindness, when you get told to “mind your own business” … there is one last step of maturity … and that has to do with how you handle being ill-treated. Jesus says to consider yourself blessed when this happens. Wow … It’s not very American to think of being persecuted as a blessing! But we must have the higher attitude of Jesus, even when people insult us, persecute us and falsely say all kinds of evil against us.

If your sense of identity and security comes directly from God, and you are reaching higher levels of maturity, then you will reach a point where the criticism really doesn’t bother you as it did in your earlier days. You will not be ruffled by it. You may almost come to expect it. In America people get offended easily, but not you. Remember, you and I are different than the world. Jesus said, ”You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world.” (John 15:19) Thus your response might even be to smile and take the criticism as an indication that Satan is upset because you are invading his territory!

Jesus is telling us as disciples that when we are doing the business of the kingdom, touching lives, making a difference … we will get insults, but must not let them shake us up. We just accept them as part of the package … we don’t get angry … nor do we try to over-analyze.

Jesus listed the issue of persecution as the last of the eight Beatitudes for a reason. He is saying that fulfilling your calling (Beatitude #7, being a peacemaker) is not the highest level of maturity. It is fulfilling your calling AND not being bothered by the criticism, not being angry or derailed when persecuted. What a peace there is when the insults don’t irritate you anymore.

Climbers know that as you scale a high mountain there is a place called the “fly line,” where annoying insects cease to exist. They can’t live or function above that elevation. May it be the same for you, as you grow forward in faith and operate at a high elevation, that you cease being irritated by opposition. Instead, you pray for those who persecute you, and you carry no anger or resentment. I suspect very few people in the church get there. But you can and should, because it is a place of peace and fulfillment.

Persecution, says Jesus, is a blessing … after all … if the enemy shows up to persecute you, it could be a clear sign that you are on the right track, doing something good, advancing the kingdom!

Keep on keeping on,

Chaplain Mark

COMMENT: The Beatitudes, like much of Scripture, have various levels of interpretations or points to make. This study is not meant to replace the things you have understood and believed about the meaning of these verses, but to add a new depth to their meaning.

NOTE: This is the last of the 8 Beatitudes. If you have not read the previous articles about each Beatitude, you should scroll further down and read previous days’ entries and catch up. This series has described the faith journey toward Christian maturity as spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The Beatitudes … Matthew 5:2-10 (NRSV)

2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Today’s Word Is PEACEMAKER

The Steps of Christian Maturity
Beatitude #7
Peacemaking – Becoming Partners with God
Wed-Feb-26-2020

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Jesus (Matthew 5:9) (Beatitude #7)

Buckle your seatbelt. This is a biggie! This is the central Beatitude regarding fulfilling your purpose.

A peacemaker is someone who has “gone into business” with God. If you are following the steps of Christian maturity in the Beatitudes … humility, release, genuineness, ready for more, merciful, and being purified … you are now to the point where you claim your purpose, your calling.

In the old western shows, you might see a sign in town called Smith Hardware. But when Mr. Smith’s son grows up and goes into business with his dad, Mr. Smith has his sign remade so that it says Smith & Son Hardware. The father is the founder of the business, but the son speaks for him by an impartation of the father’s authority.

This is what God wants for you, to be in business together with him … the Kingdom business … the peacemaking business … the God business. You have been told that God is with you everywhere you go, and you probably thought of this as a form of comfort and protection. It certainly is that, but it is far more than that. You are God’s transporter and presence in the places he wants to go. It is God & Daughter, or God & Son, heading into any and every situation to do Kingdom business!

It’s like this … when YOU show up … that means GOD shows up. When you walk into a room, you change the atmosphere. When you show up and say, “I’m here to help” … the clear implication is “God’s here to help!” … because you are his partner in the Kingdom business.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us …” – The Apostle Paul (2^nd Corinthians 5:20a)

Let’s talk about the “peacemaking” business. First, there is a difference between a “peacemaker” and a “peacekeeper.”

A peacekeeper is interested in peace and quiet … A peacemaker is interested in peace and progress.

A peacekeeper is willing to do anything to stop the disturbance. (Such as repeatedly solving the same crying child problem by saying: “Give him a piece of candy and he’ll be quiet.” … Which ends up being a temporary solution that is creating a long-term problem of another sort.) … A peacemaker is not willing to let a disturbance detain him or her from getting to the root of the problem.

A peacekeeper looks for options to appease certain people, which often serves to unfairly punish, frustrate, or alienate others. … A peacemaker looks for an equitable long-term solution that involves sacrifice and benefits on both sides.

A peacekeeper is sometimes afraid to confront selfish or unfair people. … A peacemaker “speaks the truth in love” to all parties. (Ephesians 4:15) These solutions may seem too hard to accept for one or both of the parties in conflict. Truth can very often offend someone.

As an example, think of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (8^th chapter of John). To her accusers he said, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.” And to her, he offered forgiveness, but then added, “Go and sin no more.” He was kind and yet firm with both parties and pointed them both to their better future. It takes “guts” to do that. If you watch the TV show “Blue Bloods,” then you can see that Police Chief Frank Reagan is the peacemaker.

The role of peacemaker is not easy, but it bears the marks of integrity, truth, and godliness. Such a person is stepping into the highest levels of Christian maturity, wisdom, and respect.

AND NOW … HERE’S THE WHAMMY … Once you reach this stage of Christian maturity, you are operating at full steam in the Power of the Holy Spirit. You have overcome the fear that Satan has used to hold you back from making a difference. And being unafraid of Satan’s tactics, knowing that he is already defeated, you can say with conviction and confidence … “I USED TO HATE IT WHEN SATAN SHOWED UP, BUT NOW SATAN HATES IT WHEN I SHOW UP!”

This is not a form of self-promotion. It requires maintaining that humility you started with in Beatitude #1. And it is a declaration of your determination to accomplish Kingdom business and to give the glory to God!

You can do it!

Chaplain Mark

NOTE: If you have not read the previous articles about each Beatitude, you should scroll further down and read previous days’ entries and catch up. We are discussing the faith journey toward Christian maturity as described by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.