Category Archives: Christianity

October 24 – Jesus And Me

John 9-10:21

Jesus told the healed blind man that He was the Son of Man. Jesus called Himself the door through which a person is saved. He said He was the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. And He said He has the authority to take it up again.

I hope you are reading about Jesus’ last days on earth with me. Hear Him tell you that He is the Savior, the Son of God who died for you. Get to know this One who loves you so. I can’t help but make it personal as I read through His Word. Jesus is my door to salvation, He is my Good Shepherd who cares for me in this life, who died to save me, and who lives today.

If you haven’t accepted what Jesus did for you, I pray you’ll do that today. If Jesus is already your Savior, I pray by reading His Word you’ll love Him more, and serve Him better.

When I read these verses I see my relationship with Jesus, my Door, my Shepherd, my Savior. He’s everything to me.

October 23 – Who But God?

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John 7-8

Things are starting to heat up for Jesus in these chapters of John. He is becoming well known, and with that came those who flat out thought he was lying, or demon possessed, or just plain crazy.

Some tried to put him on the spot in a very public way. The Pharisees especially tried to use His own words against Him. They believed there were so many reasons according to their Scriptures that proved Jesus could not be the Christ. But then Jesus said things like:

I know Him (God) because I am from Him, and He sent Me. (7:29)

For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. (7:33)

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, “From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” (7:38

I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. (8:12)

I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me. (8:18)

You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. (8:23)

If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. (8:42)

Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death. (8:51)

and the kicker:

Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM. (8:58)

Don’t miss what He is saying here. In no uncertain terms Jesus is telling us He is God. There have been other people claiming the same. But Jesus is the only one who can back up His claim with action, with undeniable proof that He is exactly who He says He is.

Many people, seeing and hearing Jesus believed He was the Christ. They said, “When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?” (7:31)

Others seeing the same miracles and hearing the same teaching didn’t believe. So to them Jesus said:

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. (8:24)

Who but God could do and say the things Jesus did? Who but God?

October 22 – Forgiveness From The Heart

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Matthew 18

There have been a couple times in my life when someone had felt the need to apologize to me for an offense I didn’t even remember. In fact, just yesterday some friends and I were reminiscing about the years we worked together, and they reminded me about a time when a co-worker had treated me unfairly. This particular woman had been a friend, but after the incident our friendship ended.

I’d been hurt and angry for a while, but eventually I let it go. I forgave her and no longer harbor ill-feelings toward her. And I certainly don’t dwell on what happened or hope she gets what I used to think she deserved.

In fact, until yesterday, I’d forgotten all about it.

I’ve heard people say “I can forgive, but I’ll never forget.” I’m not sure that’s forgiveness “from your heart.” (vs 35)

Don’t misunderstand. Forgiving doesn’t mean allowing yourself to continue to be mistreated. I may not socialize with the woman, (we don’t even live in the same state any more) but I want her to be happy. I might not want to put myself in a position to be hurt again, but I can pray for her.

Jesus wants us to forgive as we have been forgiven. And, although I think what this woman did to me was bad, it’s nothing compared to the things Jesus has forgiven me for. So I can forgive her from my forgiven heart.

And I can forget what she did because Jesus said He’ll never hold my sins against me, either.

My Precious Forgiver, I pray for the woman who hurt me so long ago. I pray that You would bless her, that she would enjoy fellowship with you from a repentant heart. I thank You that You have forgiven me a multitude of sins. May I pass it on, truly, honestly, thankfully because You not only forgave me, You removed my sins and promise to never remember them again. May I have the same memory loss toward anyone who sins against me.

October 21 – Transfigured For Me

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Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9:28-62

I was sitting here thinking about the Transfiguration, about Moses and Elijah coming from heaven to talk to Jesus about what was in store for Him in Jerusalem, and I had some questions. Jesus hardly needed a pep talk from two dead guys. Why this big production? Is there an application for today?

Then, as He often does, God gave me a nudge: Matthew Henry.

The Bible scholar suggests that this encounter with two of the most important Old Testament stars, wasn’t for Jesus’ benefit. God did this for the men closest to His Son, to reinforce the truth that Jesus is who He says He is, to strengthen their belief, because things were going to get pretty tough for them in just a few days.

God did this for me, too. When I read this account in the Gospels, I am encouraged that the One I serve is all-powerful. God Himself proclaimed once again that Jesus is His Son. Jesus is the one who died for me. I can trust Him. There is nothing that He cannot do.

October 20 – What Are You Waiting For?

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Matthew 16; Mark 9; Luke 9:28-62

“I’ll follow you, Jesus, but I need to wait until my dad dies.” “I’ll follow you, Jesus, but first I need to go home and say goodbye.” (from Luke 9)

Jesus said that no one who follows Him with one eye always looking back is fit for His kingdom.

What is your excuse?

“I need to pay off my student loans before I take on a ministry.” “I need to wait until my kids are grown.” “I’m young. I want to have fun first.” “Just let me get this next promotion at work, then I’ll get involved in church.”

The other day God spoke to me about taking up my cross – His mission – and following Him. I don’t remember Him saying anything about waiting until I’m at a different place in life. I’m pretty sure He meant for me to get busy today.

I want to be fit for the kingdom of God, a warrior in His army, His voice to lost souls. I want to follow Him with a determined focus. No excuses.

If God has laid a person or a ministry on your heart, I only have one question for you:

What are you waiting for?

October 19 – Defiled

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Matthew 15; Mark 7

The Pharisees were upset because Jesus’ disciples weren’t washing their hands before they ate. Jews had been taught for centuries that eating before carefully washing, defiled them. Now here were the people closest to Jesus breaking that tradition.

I like Jesus’ response: Neglecting the commandments of God, you hold to the tradition of men. (Mark 7:8)

Jesus went on to explain that the thing which defiles a person is what comes out of a sinful heart, not by what someone eats. What defiles a person is a heart fed on evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. (vv 21-22)

Too often we get hung up on the outward appearance. A person who wants to appear religious can go to church, may even give generously to charity, pray in public, or be quick to say, “Praise Jesus.” But that same person might be ingesting raunchy TV shows, ungodly websites and music lyrics, laughing at dirty jokes. Their conversation reveals their heart’s condition when they use the language, tell the jokes, and think nothing of it. They look like a traditional Christian. But are they truly living according to God’s commandments?

Jesus isn’t against tradition. But He does speak against holding on to tradition for tradition’s sake, and ignoring the Truth of Scripture plus nothing. Does a person raise his hands during the song service? Ok. Does someone pierce their ears, or nose? Ok. Does your church use the organ instead of a praise band? Ok. Do you prefer the NIV over the King James version of the Bible? Ok.

I think Jesus is asking us to look past the external and check our hearts condition before our Holy God. When you look inside yourself, do you see the holiness God demands of you?

Or are you defiled by what is there?

Dear God, Sometimes we waste so much time on the non-essentials. I think Satan loves when we debate music styles. Or debate the length of a woman’s hair. Or how often we should celebrate Communion or whether our denomination is identified in our church’s name. Satan must love it when we begin to sound like Pharisees. Lord, I pray that Your people will be more concerned about our hearts’ condition than about anything else. It’s what You said was more important to You. It’s what ought to be more important to us.

October 18 – A Dozen Donuts, Please

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John 6

I do not believe Scripture teaches that God “chooses” to save some individuals, and “chooses” others to send to hell. Quite the contrary, in fact. God so loved the world that… WHOEVER believes has everlasting life. God didn’t come into the world to condemn the world but that THE WORLD could be saved through Him.

But then I come across a verse like 6:65, “… For this reason, I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father,” and I picture God on His throne, pointing His scepter and saying, “I’ll take that one, and that one, but not that one,” like some guy picking out a dozen donuts.

Jesus had just talked about His role as The Bread of Life. He went into shocking detail that seemed like He was talking about cannibalism. But, He explained, the words He spoke weren’t about the flesh at all. They were words of spirit and life. He was describing who it is that are granted salvation. It is those who partake of the Bread of Life, who take Jesus in – all of Him.

Some look at this verse through a paper towel tube and see Mary, and Susie, and Bob. I think God would have us see The Way, not individuals. No one can come to Jesus unless it has been granted him from the Father, and in order for anyone to be granted access, that person… any person… must accept Jesus.

Jesus is reminding us there is only one Salvation. And only those who do it God’s way are granted access to the Son. God chose mankind to save. And He has spelled out His plan of salvation in great detail. It’s all about Jesus.

The choice to do it God’s way, or not, is your choice. To choose Jesus is life. To choose rejection of Him is death. It can’t get much plainer than that.

October 17 – Shaking The Dust Off

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Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9:1-17

Jesus’ twelve disciples were given power to heal diseases as He sent them out to tell people about Him. “Spread the Gospel,” He told them. “Heal their sick. But if they refuse to listen, don’t waste your time. Leave that place and go where hearts are ready to hear.”

I have a friend who changes the subject every time I want to talk about the Lord, or any time I give thanks to God. She has attended a few church services with me over the years. But generally speaking, she is closed to listening to anything about my love of Jesus.

Does this Scripture say I should just walk away from this friendship? Shake the dust from my feet and move on because she is not listening? I don’t think so.

There might be a fine line between sharing the Gospel with a lost world, and being obnoxious and pushing people further away. I don’t think this Scripture gives us an excuse to remain silent. I think it tells us to follow God’s lead, and be ready to speak to people whose hearts are ready to hear.

I don’t push my friend to talk to me when I feel the barriers go up. In a sense I guess I do shake the dust off those conversations. But I also look for the next opportunity to share the Lord with her. And I pray that God will continue to soften her heart and prepare her to listen sometime soon.

Because I don’t think that God, who is not willing that anyone die without Him, gave up on those cities that weren’t listening to His disciples at that time. And I don’t think He wants me to give up on my friend.

Father, I pray for your children today. May you give us a sensitivity to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Prepare the hearts of our friends and loved ones to receive You as their Savior. And may we be obedient to share the Gospel when You nudge us to do so. Help us not to waste words before it’s time. But make us eager to jump right in when You give us the opportunity. May souls find their Savior today when hearts are ready and we are faithful.

October 15 – Demons Among Us

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Matthew 8:14-34; Mark 4&5

Whenever I read the account of the demoniac in Gerasene I wonder what it had been like for that poor man. I wonder how long he had suffered from that mental illness that made him act like an animal, how long had he lived trying to hurt himself? I wonder about his mom. Did he have a wife who loved him, children who needed him? Were there lucid moments when he despaired of his situation?

How alone he must have felt in his demon possession.

I know people who are diagnosed with mental illnesses, and I am thankful for Christian counselors and medication that help them navigate through life. But I wonder if we don’t do them an injustice if we don’t recognize the spiritual component as well.

Is there a demon named Depression, one called Schizophrenia, another Anorexic or Bi-polar?

Hear me when I say I am NOT advocating exorcisms by priests or pastors. In fact, I don’t see anywhere in the Bible where that is called for.

And I am not advocating anyone go off their medication or quit seeing their Christian counselor.

What I am advocating is prayer for those in our lives who are battling mental issues. And perhaps identifying the enemy in their lives is an important part of that prayer.

Jesus heals. Jesus has power over any demon that is afflicting us. Do you believe it? Then pray believing.

alighttomyway

LOVING God's Word, LISTENING to God's voice, LEADING others to God's Son, Jesus Christ

Category Archives: Christianity

October 24 – Jesus And Me

October 23 – Who But God?

October 22 – Forgiveness From The Heart

October 21 – Transfigured For Me

October 20 – What Are You Waiting For?

October 19 – Defiled

October 18 – A Dozen Donuts, Please

October 15 – Demons Among Us