Posted by Charlie on Aug 24, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Jeremiah 33,34; Psalms 74; 1 John 5
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
1 John 5:11-15
Observation
According to Max DuPree, “The first job of a leader is to define reality….” In other words, a leader needs to constantly remind his or her followers about the things that are important, and spiritual leaders are no exception. John has gone to great lengths in today’s passage to remind his readers that the goal of following Jesus is an eternity in his presence.
Application
I know I need reminding. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day grind that I lose perspective about eternal things. Keeping love as my goal and heaven as my focus are good reminders as I head into a fresh week.
Prayer
God, thank you for eternal life! I want to follow Jesus today and ask for your presence and help to live in ways that please you. Thank you that your Word says that when I ask according to your will you hear and I have what I’ve asked for. Please abide with me today, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: eternal life, eternity, leadership, love
Posted by Charlie on Jul 16, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 25,26,27,28; Hebrews 13
Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.
You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!
For your dew is a dew of light,
and the earth will give birth to the dead.
Isaiah 26:19
Observation
This is one of those passages that carries both a metaphorical and literal sense. God is speaking hope to a nation that has gone astray by declaring that they will be restored, but he also is asserting the reality of a future physical resurrection for all human beings. Long before we reach the teachings of Jesus and Paul, Daniel 12:2 reinforces this truth: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
Yesterday my daughter, Allison, made an amazing observation. She said, “Many people think because they’ve lived a generally good life they will be going to heaven. But,” she observed, “that presupposes heaven is a place where basically good people go. But what is heaven? Heaven is where God is. If a person has spent his or her entire life avoiding relationship with God, what makes them think they will want to be in the place where God is after they die?”
Application
God wired me to be a relational being. First and foremost, I’m made for relationship with him. In fact, he’s so committed to relationship with me that he personally paid the entire penalty for my violations of his commandments through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Jesus came, died, rose again, and lives specifically so that I can live forever in a close love relationship with God. That’s the entire reason Jesus came.
The most important thing all human beings need from day to day is hope. Today I cling to the hope of the Gospel. Jesus is precisely who the Bible claims he is. He provides salvation from ultimate death, deliverance from the powers of darkness, strength for living, and hope for a glorious future.
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the LORD has spoken.
Isaiah 25:8
Prayer
Father, thank you that my hope is real. Today I place the full weight of my trust in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: eternity, hope, resurrection
Posted by Charlie on Jul 12, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 11,12,13,14; Hebrews 9
Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’ Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are laid as a bed beneath you, and worms are your covers.
Isaiah 14:9–11
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27–28
Observation
Modern Christianity doesn’t seem to talk about judgment much. A lot of what floats around in the name of seeker sensitivity seems to focus on the feel-good components of spiritual reality and gloss over the more sobering aspects.
Isaiah and the author of Hebrews don’t pull any punches. The future king of Babylon is pictured at the time of his death, being transported from his pomp and splendor and welcomed to the realities of an eternity without God. It’s a gruesome image, and one people don’t like to talk or think about.
Application
Hebrews underscores the reality of a coming judgment. It also shines a beacon of hope based in the finished sacrifice of Christ—a tangible demonstration of the immense love of a God who actually wants to spend eternity with me. The reality of these eternal truths drives me to my knees. I want to know Him, and enter into the fullest possible place of relationship and rest he offers. I also want to guard myself from the possibility of missing the mark. Finishing well is a non-negotiable.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your amazing love and grace. Thank you for the hope you hold out in the Gospel through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Please grant that I might draw near to you and go deeper in my relationship with you. I seek you, not the gifts you might offer. You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: eternity, Grace, hope, judgment
Posted by Charlie on Apr 4, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Judges 19, 20, 21; 2 Corinthians 4
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
Observation
Paul faced affliction from a number of angles. He encountered persecution because of the message of the Gospel, and he also struggled with a number of physical ailments, which he had to press beyond as he worked and ministered.
Application
Last night I went to the fundraising dinner for My Father’s House and sat with a friend who, like me, struggles with chronic pain. We both have to press through light and momentary affliction to make life happen. It helps to know that these struggles are indeed temporary, and it is a great comfort to know that the things which are unseen are quite real, and eternal.
Prayer
Father, I hurt today. I don’t feel like doing anything, but I’m going to press on. Please comfort and help me today, and help my friend too. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: affliction, eternity, Pain
Posted by Charlie on Mar 26, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Joshua 23, 24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11
You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.
Josh. 23:7—8
Observation
As Joshua prepares to die he gives Israel a brief historical overview of the way God led Abraham out of idolatry, and reinforces the mandate to avoid even speaking the names of the gods of the nations they are dispossessing. The thing that struck me so strongly in this passage is the fact that God has indeed put eternity into the hearts of men, and we naturally seek to fill the God-shaped vacuum inside with some object of worship. Often that object of worship ends up being destructive, or demonic, or simply something that is other than the God who created all things.
Application
Every person still has a God-shaped void inside. I need to be careful because I am just as susceptible to embracing gods that are not God as any other person who has ever lived. Joshua made Israel make a choice: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15).”
Consciously renewing that covenant of who I choose to serve is not a bad idea. Today, as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Prayer
Jesus, you are creator, sustainer, and God Almighty. Today I acknowledge you and declare that I will serve and worship you only. Please lead me in your truth and teach me today. Please let the protection of your presence be over all that concerns me, and I will give you all the glory. Amen!
Tags: eternity, idols, loyalty, worship
Posted by Charlie on Mar 18, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Joshua 1, 2; Psalm 37, 1 Corinthians 3
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
Psalm 37:7-8
Observation
There are many triggers for anger. In the Psalm David talks about anger that results from observing the wicked. God reminds him that the prosperous way of the wicked is temporary, and that they will soon wither like grass.
Application
If I have a dragon to slay it’s anger. Mine mostly revolves around issues like my personal rights, and not handling disappointment well. David’s reminder to take the long look at eternity is a helpful step in processing today’s disappointments and violations of my perceived rights.
In essence Paul says essentially the same thing in 1 Corinthians 3. They were getting bent out of shape over which leader they looked to. Paul reminded them that in the big scheme of things they had it all because they belonged to Christ. “For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (1Corinthians 3:21-23).
Prayer
Precious Father, I lay down my personal rights to you this morning. Today is about knowing you, not about my convenience or comfort. Please grant me yourself today and let that be more than sufficient for a day of joy and fulfillment. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: anger, eternity, sufficiency
Posted by Charlie on Mar 17, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Deuteronomy 32, 33, 34; 1 Corinthians 2
Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this,
That they would consider their latter end!
Deuteronomy 32:29
Observation
God outlines the future of Israel in great detail in this song in chapter 32, and predicts the disobedience of his people and the disaster it will bring on them. He declares, “Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!”
Application
Back to the sowing and reaping analogy from a couple days ago, my farmer friends in Idaho understand the principle that it takes time for a crop to germinate and mature. If we humans did as well at understanding the ramifications of our thoughts, words, actions, and habits as we do with planting tomatoes in the spring, we’d have a better outcome in our lives. God wants me to be looking to his intended future for my life, and for me to be making the daily choices that will bring that latter end to pass.
Prayer,
Dear God, please help me to live wisely today, making the choices that will produce great fruit, both now and in eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: eternity, harvest, reaping, sowing
