Dark Angel of Light - Himalayan Heights – June 30 Readings: 2 Corinthians 11:5-15 – False Apostles

2 Corinthians 11-12: God is Strong in Our Weakness

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  2 Corinthians 11:5-15

The Corinthians were Paul's problem church. In chapters 11-12, he defended his apostleship and shows us the value of weakness and humility.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 17-18, Acts 5:1–31, Psalm 78:26–32, Proverbs16:12–14

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Dark Angel of Light 

In Genesis 3, when the Serpent tempts Adam and Eve, it uses (abuses) the words of God to do so. When Satan tempts Jesus he quotes (misquotes) Scriptures in the attempt. Our enemy is a "scholar" of God's word who uses it freely. The problem is that he always twists it.

In 2 Corinthians 11, we are told about false teachers in the church of Jesus. Guess what. They don't preach from the Bhagavad Gita! Like Satan, they use and abuse God's word and the people of God need to be wary of their presence. 

Almost every Scripture that speaks of the end times warns us of the proliferation of false Christs (who would claim to be God’s new representative on earth), false apostles (claiming new authority over God’s church), false prophets (claiming new revelation to add to or clarify what God’s perfect Word already says) and false teachers (who lead God’s people astray by twisting truth for their own reasons – generally money and power). We are duly warned that such will always be within the church (yes, that is right – INSIDE the church) trying to lead God’s people astray from the inside.

But this spirit of antichrist was already at work in the church of Corinth. There were those who had come in among the brethren there and tried to undermine Paul’s authority and call the gospel of grace he proclaimed into question. It was the presence of these men, these false apostles, that caused Paul to deal so harshly with the Corinthian church. He was worried that they would follow the lies into spiritual destruction.

Wouldn’t it be great if liars and deceivers wore signs and marked themselves clearly? I was reading recently of a well-known “evangelical” writer who has now compromised on pretty much every doctrine and moral standard that we hold dear. Yet he never says, “I’ve left the faith and am no longer a Christian.” He continues to maintain that he is both a Christian and faithful to God’s Word. He is pleasant, a great writer, charismatic (in the personality sense) – seems all around like a nice guy. But his doctrine is increasingly poisonous. Wouldn’t it be nice if he admitted his doctrinal deviation? 

That is not the way of false teachers, false prophets, false apostles or false Christs. Paul addressed this in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. He begins by describing those against whom he contended, in verse 13

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”

The false teachers play dress-up, make-believe. Verse 14 explains the reason for this.

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

He makes this conclusion in verse 15.

“So, it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”

Satan is not a hideous creature with grotesque features – like he is presented in fiction. He is aa being of light who presents his ways as beautiful, wonderful, and happy. “God wants you to be happy,” he whispers as you try to decide whether to do the right thing or not.  “It’s all about you.” “Just follow your heart and do what you feel is best.” Satan whispers sweet things to us and tells us what we want to hear.

It is all a masquerade. His purpose is to kill and to destroy. From the beginning of time, his strategy has been to lie to God’s creation and to get us human beings to choose what is wrong instead of choosing obedience. By shining his lying light on us, he induces us to choose the wrong path and bring the consequences of sin in our lives.

We must be deep in the Word of God and sensitive to the Spirit of God so that we can identify these false workmen who would lead us astray from the inside.

Father, help me to be a proclaimer of truth and righteousness, to identify and expose those who would lead the Body of Christ astray.

Think and Pray:

Do you assume that every person who quotes God's word is a true man or woman of God?
Do you exercise discernment, judging teachings against the clear teachings of God's word or do you just accept what you are taught and assume that there is no such thing as a false teacher?

A Different Gospel - Himalayan Heights – June 29 Readings: 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 – A Different Spirit

2 Corinthians 11-12: God is Strong in Our Weakness

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  2 Corinthians 11:1-4

The Corinthians were Paul's problem church. In chapters 11-12, he defended his apostleship and shows us the value of weakness and humility.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 15-16, Acts 4:23–37, Psalm78:19–25, Proverbs 16:10–11

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:   A Different Gospel   

Oscar Wilde said, "Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit." That may be so, but Paul opens 2 Corinthians 11 with a heaping helping of it, demonstrating that can be an appropriate form of holy writ. He employed sarcasm liberally in Galatians as well, for much the same reason. The Corinthians were, to Paul's amazement, turning aside from their true loyalty to Christ and embraced those who preached a false gospel about a false Jesus.

Verse 4 spells it out clearly. "

For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!"

One of the frustrations of any pastor is how easily people will accept false teachings and how they sometimes struggle against the truth of God's word. Paul was amazed and disheartened at the way the Corinthians embraced falsehood.

In these next two chapters, Paul will assert the validity of his own apostleship and warn the Corinthians about those who would lead them astray. He also gives us some powerful insights about true ministry. But as we read these first few verses, as we see Paul express his astonishment at how prone the Corinthians are to being led astray, let us remember this important truth.

Jesus warned us, Paul warned us - just about every book of the New Testament warns us that the church would have wolves among the sheep, deceivers seeking to lead astray the people of God. There would be false Christs, false apostles, false prophets, false teachers, and false brethren. These would be inside the church, claiming to be true believers, claiming to preach the true gospel, but their hearts would be false and their intent would be to lead believers astray and to prey on them.

Too many Christians refuse to believe these Scriptures. If someone claims to be a believer, they refuse to believe anything else. They refuse to hold them up to the light of biblical truth and discern whether they are true or false.

Consider this. We are described often as sheep. Sheep live in a world of spiritual predators who seek to make a meal of them. If sheep refuse to be on guard for the wolves, to stay under the protection of the shepherd, they become prey. They are meals for predators. Christians who do not ground themselves in the word of God and keep a watchful eye for those who are false are in danger of becoming prey for the spiritual predators who are all around us.

As we work our way this week through 2 Corinthians 11-12, we will learn more about how to spot those who are false and those who are true.

Father, guide us in the way of truth and protect us from those who are evil. 

Think and Pray:

Are you a faithful student of God's word so that you can identify those who are false?
Do you have a grasp on discerning true and false teachers? 

In the Presence of God - Himalayan Heights – June 28 Readings: Psalm 23:6 – Goodness and Mercy

Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Psalm 23, focus on verse 6

David was a shepherd in his early years. In this great song of praise, David considers God as his shepherd and reflects on what that means. Each verse is a gem.

Each day this week, meditate on this psalm. The highlighted potion will be our focus verse.

1  The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 13-14, Acts 4:1–22, Psalm 78:12–18, Proverbs16:7–9

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Dwelling in God's Presence    

It is easy to approach familiar scriptures with our assumptions and miss the actual point of what they are saying. Psalm 23:6 is a case-in-point there. We assume that it promises two things. First, it promises a life filled with good things, and second, an eternity in heaven's glory. The first is true, if you understand good things properly and the second, while true, is not really the point David is making. Permit me to explain.

He says that "goodness and mercy" or "goodness and faithful love" will follow him all the days of his life. David would never claim that he expected a life of ease, free from enemies, opposition, or hardships. He had people trying to kill him, betray him, and usurp him all of his life. When he spoke of goodness, he wasn't thinking of an easy life, but the experience of God's goodness and faithful love day by day.

We have promises from God that this world will hate us, that it will oppose us, even that it will, at times, persecute us. Sorry, I didn't mean to start your day with depressing words, but that is what God's word says. Repeatedly. You do, however, have the promise that regardless of life's circumstances or what Satan throws at you, God is for you and his goodness and faithful love will pursue you. He will never leave you, even in the darkest night. Hold on to that!

David also said that he would dwell in God's house forever. That is almost universally taken as an expectation that he would go to heaven and dwell there forever and ever. Certainly, David is with God today and will be with him forever. But when he spoke of God's house, he wasn't thinking of his eternal home, but of the tabernacle, the dwelling of God here on earth. He was declaring that despite whatever trials he had gone through, he was going to return to God's house and dwell in his presence, worship him, give him offerings, and fellowship with him. This was his declaration of his intent to walk with God every day of his life.

We have a great hope awaiting us one day, that when this world's sufferings are over, we will see Jesus face to face. Heaven is real and it is our ultimate hope. But our commitment today should be much more than just getting to heaven one day. It should be walking daily in the fullness of the Spirit and dwelling in the presence of God - every day of our lives.

Father, help me to know your goodness and faithfulness every day and to walk in your presence, no matter what is going on in this world. 

Think and Pray:

Are you focusing your life on the goodness and faithfulness of God, or are you panicking over the things of this world?
Are you dwelling daily in God's presence? 

Before My Enemies - Himalayan Heights – June 27 Readings: Psalm 23:5 – God’s Table

Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Psalm 23, focus on verse 5

David was a shepherd in his early years. In this great song of praise, David considers God as his shepherd and reflects on what that means. Each verse is a gem.

Each day this week, meditate on this psalm. The highlighted potion will be our focus verse.

1  The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 11-12, Acts 3, Psalm 78:5–11, Proverbs 16:5–6

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:   Before My Enemies  

When David spoke of enemies, he was not making anything up. From the wild animals of his youth, attacking his sheep, to jealous King Saul, to schemers and betrayers, to is own sons, David was always under attack from those who sought his demise. It was a rare day when he did not have an enemy attacking him.

Over and over again, God demonstrated the reality of Psalm 23:5 to him. God provided for him bountifully regardless of his enemies. The most powerful man in Israel sought David's death, but King Saul could not find him. Twice, he stumbled into David's clutches. Throughout all of it, God worked to place David on the throne of Israel. His son Absalom later led a rebellion and David had to flee for his life. But God worked to restore David's throne.

Verse 5 is a shift in this Psalm, in which David switches metaphors. Having been talking about shepherds and sheep until this point, he suddenly begins focusing on the idea of entering the house of God. This is not the eternal house of God, but his Temple, his presence.

The picture in verse 5, is of God welcoming us into his house so that we can commune with him and worship him. He lays out three blessings that come to us when we are in God's presence. First, we dine in the presence of our enemies. When we walk with God, our enemies cannot stop the blessings of God in our lives. He provides and blesses and uplifts in spite of what they do. Second, he anoints our heads with oil. This refers to showing hospitality. When someone entered a home, they would be refreshed by being anointed. In Middle Eastern (and African) cultures, drinking beverages together is a key aspect of friendship and fellowship. In Africa, we sit together and drink a strong form of tea called ataya. We sit and drink ataya and talk and laugh - some of my favorite moments during my trips. God fills our cups to overflowing and we fellowship with him. Drinking ataya takes time, and so does coming into the presence of God.

Think about it, my friend. You are welcomed into God's presence through Christ. God anoints you with his refreshing Spirit and he fellowships with you, filling your cup! You have the right to enter the "house of God" (not the church building, but his presence) and have fellowship with him - until your cup runs over!

Thank you, Father, for welcoming me into your glorious presence. You sustain me before my enemies, you anoint my head with oil and you fill my cup to overflowing as we fellowship. 

Think and Pray:

Do you take the time to regularly fellowship with God?
Do you enter God's presence so that he anoints you with his refreshing grace and fills you to overflowing?  

When Darkness Falls - Himalayan Heights – June 26 Readings: Psalm 23:4 – In the Valley of Death

Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Psalm 23, focus on verse 4

David was a shepherd in his early years. In this great song of praise, David considers God as his shepherd and reflects on what that means. Each verse is a gem.

Each day this week, meditate on this psalm. The highlighted potion will be our focus verse.

1  The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 9-10, Acts 2:42–47, Psalm 78:1–4, Proverbs 16:2–4

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:  When Darkness Falls 

There is a giant cloud of dust making its way from Texas across the South and up toward the Atlantic Coast. It originated in the Sahara Desert in Western Africa, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, and is now giving fits to allergy suffers in the Eastern United States.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it? What is next in 2020? We were humming along through a relatively mild winter when we begin to hear about this virus in the Wuhan province of China, which eventually shut down the world. Then there were reports of something called murder hornets making their way into the USA. Murder hornets? Really? It seems as though every day brings a new disaster of some sort. This has been quite a year, hasn't it?

With all that is going on, with the virus and other issues, the worst things are the trials that have been going on in the lives of so many people I know. Illness. Disease. Family issues. Financial challenges and uncertainty. It has been a rough time.

The Psalmist spoke of going through the "darkest valley" - literally the "valley of deepest darkness." We know it more commonly as the "valley of the shadow of death" but the word death is not present in the original text. David was not only speaking of those times when he faced death but when he was sinking in dark waters of discouragement and depression.

David said that in those dark times he feared no danger because he knew he was not alone, not abandoned. The rod and staff of the Shepherd comforted him. The shepherd used those tools to guide the sheep. Even in our dark nights, when we are discouraged and blue, our Shepherd is guiding us with his rod and staff, leading us along to right paths to those places of quiet waters and green pastures.

When the world goes crazy, as ours has, we can depend on our shepherd. In the darkest night, he lights the way. When our hearts are heavy, he sustains us and brings joy. His rod and his staff comfort and bless us.

Small children are often afraid of the dark. I noticed, though, that they never seemed to afraid when I held their hands. They seemed to trust me to handle whatever might come. Our Shepherd is the one who holds our hands in those deep valleys of life, when darkness overwhelms us.

Father,  you are our light in the darkness, the one who takes our hands and walks us through the valley of deepest darkness. 

Think and Pray:

What does this verse say about your Christian life? 

His Way Is Best - Himalayan Heights – June 25 Readings: Psalm 23:3 – Righteous Paths

Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Psalm 23, focus on verse 3

David was a shepherd in his early years. In this great song of praise, David considers God as his shepherd and reflects on what that means. Each verse is a gem.

Each day this week, meditate on this psalm. The highlighted potion will be our focus verse.

1  The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 7-8, Acts 2:1–41, Psalm 77:12–20, Proverbs16:1

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: His Way Is Best   

You realize, of course, that when the Bible describes us as sheep, it is not a flattering portrayal. There are two particular aspects to sheepitude (yep, I just made that word up) that are unfortunate. First of all, just about every predator in the animal kingdom has a taste for lamb chops. Whatever animals are out there looking for lunch will love a sheep every time! That leads to the second problem. Sheep have no natural defenses against predators. Some animals are fierce and can fight their way out of trouble. Others are fast and can flee. God equipped animals with all kinds of odds protections - venom, quills, the "aroma" of skunks, the ability to hide or blend into surroundings. Sheep have none of that. They are slow and have no ability to fight back.

That is why sheep need a shepherd. A shepherd's duty is to lead the sheep along pastures where they are safe, where they can find water and food, and where predators cannot easily attack them. When Psalm 23:3 speaks of our Good Shepherd leading us along the right paths, we often think of lists of rules we must follow to walk on the straight and narrow path. Of course, Christians must obey the word of God, but that is not what "he leads me along the right paths" is primarily about.

Though they were not original with him, I first heard these statements from Henry Blackaby. As Christians, we must come to believe that God's word is always truth, his will is always right, his way is always best. How often do we question whether God has our best interests at heart? No, of course we do not do so out loud, but in our hearts we know what God wants, what the word says, but we dither and question and vacillate about following God's will.

When Abram was told to take his son to the mountain as a sacrifice, he got up early the next morning and left. He obeyed God and he did so immediately. Was his heart breaking? Of course it was. Did he want to do it? No, not even for a second! But he knew that the Shepherd was leading him in right paths. He knew that there was never a better way to live life than in obedience to what God says.

Do we believe we can improve on God's word? Do we think that we can modernize, update, and revise God's ways to make him more relevant? No. God's word is always true - it is inspired and perfect. God's will is always right; he will never lead you astray. God's ways are always best. You simply cannot improve on what God has for you.

The Shepherd will lead you, when you follow him, on the right paths. They may be hard, rocky, difficult, at times, but you can know that there is no better way for you to live than in full trust in your Shepherd who leads you on the right paths.

Father, thank you for being a God we can trust in all things. May we never doubt your word, your will, or your ways. 

Think and Pray:

Do you truly believe that God's will is best for your life, that his word is absolute truth?
Do you walk in obedience to him or do you entertain the hubris that you can somehow improve on the way things are stated in God's word?

Recharged and Renewed - Himalayan Heights – June 24 Readings: Psalm 23:3 – Restored

Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Psalm 23, focus on verse 3

David was a shepherd in his early years. In this great song of praise, David considers God as his shepherd and reflects on what that means. Each verse is a gem.

Each day this week, meditate on this psalm. The highlighted potion will be our focus verse.

1  The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 5-6, Acts 1:12–26, Psalm 77:4–11, Proverbs15:30–33

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Recharged and Renewed    

I sometimes think that my life is about cords - charging cords to keep my electronic toys charged and ready to go. Trying to sort my cords, manage them, avoid tripping over them, and keep them from getting tangled into a mess no one can sort. I have cords here at my desk, cords in the kitchen, cords in my car, cords by my bedside, and cords by my living room chair. It is frustrating, at times.

But there is a reason for all of these chords. My phone needs electricity. My computer needs electricity - that should be plural. My tablet needs electricity. My Fitbit needs electricity. So many of the things I depend on during the day require power to function. When the power gets low, I get blinking lights, warnings, and finally, the battery goes schplunk (a Hebrew word I just made up).

Just like my electronics, my soul needs recharging. That's why I try to encourage our church family to get in the Bible and spend devotional time. It isn't some sort of religious deed you perform to check off your list and get a gold star from God. This world drains us. It sucks the life, the spiritual life, right out of us. We are tempted and tried, seduced into worldly thinking, sinful ways, and into a life of compromise and pointlessness. We need to be recharged daily.

This coronavirus time has been hard on all of us, but I talked to a friend today and told him that it has left me feeling drawn. Of course, there are some family issues that most of you know about with my parents both being on hospice. I told my friend that it feels like I'm living in a movie, not in real life. It's hard to describe - not really depression, but constant weirdness!

When life is coming at us as it has been coming at us, we need our souls renewed - daily, hourly, minute-by-minute. Psalm 23:3 tells us how this happens. "He renews my life." We know that in a slightly different wording that says essentially the same thing. "He restores my soul." I need to find a plug for my electronics to connect them to the power source. Our power source is Jesus. We read the Bible, not just to gain information or to perfect doctrine, but to connect with Jesus. We pray, not to tell God what to do (he already knows) but to connect our souls with the Almighty.

It is when we connect with our Shepherd that we are renewed and recharged. In this world, we need that more than ever.

I thank you, Father, for renewing my soul and bringing hope and joy to my life when I seek you. Help me to love you and seek you more.                   

Think and Pray:

Are you renewing your soul on a constant basis?
Are your devotions a religious duty or a time to connect with the Almighty and be renewed? 

In the Midst of the Storm - Himalayan Heights – June 23 Readings: Psalm 23:2 – Peace and Quiet

Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Psalm 23, focus on verse 2

David was a shepherd in his early years. In this great song of praise, David considers God as his shepherd and reflects on what that means. Each verse is a gem.

Each day this week, meditate on this psalm. The highlighted potion will be our focus verse.

1  The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 3-4, Acts 1:1–11, Psalm 77:1–3, Proverbs15:28–29

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: In the Midst of the Storm     

We were in seminary in Dallas when, around Labor Day in 1979, Hurricane David made its way up the Florida Coast, threatening the town my parents lived in, Tequesta. I called them to see how they were doing. My dad, always the smart-aleck, answered the phone. When I asked him how they were surviving the storm, he asked me innocently, "What storm?" He went on to tell me that the sky was blue and there was not so much as a breeze there in northern Palm Beach County.

Of course, they were in the eye of the hurricane. They'd been battered but when the eye was over them, all was calm. A few minutes after my call, the eye passed and the Category 5 storm began to display its wrath again. They were safe in the eye of the storm, but only in the eye.

When we read our focus verse for today, verse 2, we can come away with a mistaken idea. Our Good Shepherd causes us to lie down in green pastures and leads us beside quiet waters, but that does not mean that everything in our lives is going to be easy. In fact, if you read the Bible from start to finish, every great servant of God walked through firey trials on a regular basis. God intends to use us on the front lines of battle, building his kingdom in the midst of the sin and darkness in this world. There will always be storms raging around us as we walk with Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

We are not promised freedom from these trials - just the opposite. Our Shepherd gives us peace and contentment in the midst of the storm. Jesus is the eye of the storm. When you walk close to him, when you serve him, your spirit can be at peace and at rest regardless of the circumstances of life. The green pastures are the sustenance he gives our souls even when life is a bleak desert. He gives us quiet still waters for our souls to drink from even when life's storms rage all around.

We simply have to stop thinking that circumstances control our lives. Jesus is love. He is our peace. He is our joy. He is all we need. He is our quiet place of rest and our gentle waters for our souls.

Jesus is the eye of the storm - stay close to him!

Father, I thank you for the sustaining grace of Jesus Christ who forgives, loves, heals, and restores. 

Think and Pray:

Do you expect that living for Jesus will give you a life free of pain, stress, and hardship?
Do you walk close to Jesus, staying in the eye of the storm? 

Our Good Shepherd - Himalayan Heights – June 22 Readings: Psalm 23:1 – All I Need

Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Psalm 23, focus on verse 1

David was a shepherd in his early years. In this great song of praise, David considers God as his shepherd and reflects on what that means. Each verse is a gem.

Each day this week, meditate on this psalm. The highlighted potion will be our focus verse.

1  The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 1-2, John 21, Psalm 76, Proverbs 15:25–27

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:  Our Good Shepherd   

Familiarity breeds contempt, they say, but in biblical interpretation, it more often breeds carelessness. When we know a passage as well as we know the 23rd Psalm, we may assume that we know what it is saying without looking deeply at its meaning. David the shepherd used his work as a youth to describe the work of God as a Good Shepherd of his sheep. We must take care that we understand what David said and not simply make assumptions.

As Christians, we would not think of practicing theft. Unfortunately, we often take promises from God's word that do not belong to us. There are many precious promises made in this chapter - provision of needs, guidance through dark and difficult times, dwelling in the presence of God. None of these promises belong to us until we fulfill the condition in the very first line.

The Lord is my shepherd.

It is only those who are part of God's flock, who have been saved by grace through faith, who can claim these promises. It goes beyond that, though. These are "Lordship" promises. These blessings come to those who yield their lives to Christ and walk in obedience to him. It is when the Lord is your shepherd that you do not want, that you lie down in green pastures and drink from quiet waters. Those who walk in rebellion against Christ, who do not submit fully to the Lordship of Christ, have no right to lay claim to any of these promised blessings.

A good shepherd makes sure his sheep have what they need. Toward the end of his life, David said, "I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread." I look back over the years and we have never had a lot, but we have always had enough. God has blessed us in so many ways. He never promised me that brand new Lincoln Navigator I've sometimes coveted, but he has provided cars for us in ways that made it absolutely clear we have a good shepherd.

Charlatans fill the airwaves with false promises of abundant wealth from God to those who "have faith." They twist Scripture to get there in the most heinous ways. Paul testified that he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances - when God provided abundantly or even in times of want. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," he said, referring to enduring whatever life through.

Still, we have a shepherd, a Good Shepherd. When we walk with him and obey him and listen to him, he will take care of us. It is one of the most exciting aspects of the life of faith, watching God provide for us in ways we did not expect. He is amazing, truly a Good Shepherd.

Father, I thank you for shepherding me through life. All my mistakes, all my failures, and yet you are still a Good Shepherd every day. Praise your name. 

Think and Pray:

Can you claim these promises, these blessings? Is the Lord your shepherd? Or are you walking in rebellion against him?

Can you remember times when your Good Shepherd has provided for your needs? 

Living the Way of Christ - Himalayan Heights – June 21 Readings: Colossians 2:8-15 – Triumph

 

Colossians 1:15-2:15- Christ in You, Your Hope of Glory

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Colossians 2:8-15

The Colossian church was beset by heresy, one we do not know specifically. All we know for sure is that it hit at the heart of the Gospel and elevated other things above Jesus. Paul told them our faith was all about Jesus. He exalted Jesus and told them that Christ in them was their hope of glory.

Again, read the entire text of Colossians 1:15-2:15 every day, then focus on our featured passage during this week. This week, we exalt Jesus!

Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. 9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 28-29, John 20, Psalm 75:7–10, Proverbs15:23–24

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Living the Way of Christ

Colossians 2:8 holds a special place in my heart, perhaps a place of shame or embarrassment? I attended a Baptist college that had drifted into serious liberal teaching and I was constantly at odds with my professors. I took a philosophy class and was bombarded with teachings I thought were contrary to the word of God. After taking the final (and knowing that I'd done very well on it), I turned it over and wrote an essay to my professor about what I actually believed. I began it with this verse. "Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ."  The professor returned the exam a day or two later, looked me in the eye, and just shook his head.

I am not sure that my brash act was wise, but Paul did warn the Colossians that worldly wisdom could not bring them the wisdom of God. In fact, the philosophies and traditions of the world were more likely to bind them into spiritual slavery and deceit than to bring them into freedom.

It is not education, worldly wisdom, philosophy, psychology, science, human tradition, or any other earthly endeavor that can bring us to God. Paul confronted the heresy with one truth - it is Jesus who we need. He is wisdom and he is forgiveness and he is freedom.

This section culminates with the greatest irony of history. He speaks, in verse 15, of Jesus as a great general, disarming the "rulers and authorities" who he publicly disgraced and triumphed over. This is picture from Roman war practices. A conquering general would parade the defeated foe through the city to shame them and to receive the praise of his people. Think about it. We live in a world where sin seems to be winning, where the tide of evil is rising and many are trumpeting the death of Christianity and the church. They are wrong. Jesus has defeated Satan and all the forces of darkness and has ALREADY brought them to shame. They have been defeated. The world cannot see it yet, because it lives under the deception of Satan's lies, but the enemy is conquered and disarmed and shamed by our Savior. One day, evil will be cast into the Lake of Fire and Jesus will stand supreme.

Here is the irony. How did Jesus do this? He didn't use an army. He didn't fight Satan with his ninja skills or duel him with a sword. He laid down his life and died on the Cross. By his death on the Cross Jesus TRIUMPHED over darkness, over death, over hell, and over Satan. IT IS FINISHED.

Jesus is like no other. Worldly philosophy says conquer. Jesus says give yourself. Worldly philosophy says demand what is yours. Jesus says deny yourself and take up your cross. He did everything like no one else and he triumphed.

Father, I thank you for your Son, who triumphed through his death. May I follow him by denying myself and taking up my cross. 

Think and Pray:

Are you more tied to worldly philosophy or to the way of Christ?
How would your life be different if you lived the way of Christ every day? 

Living by Grace - Himalayan Heights – June 20 Readings: Colossians 2:4-7 – Rooted and Built Up

 

Colossians 1:15-2:15- Christ in You, Your Hope of Glory

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Colossians 2:4-7

The Colossian church was beset by heresy, one we do not know specifically. All we know for sure is that it hit at the heart of the Gospel and elevated other things above Jesus. Paul told them our faith was all about Jesus. He exalted Jesus and told them that Christ in them was their hope of glory.

Again, read the entire text of Colossians 1:15-2:15 every day, then focus on our featured passage during this week. This week, we exalt Jesus!

I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ. 

6 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 26-27, John 19:28–42, Psalm 75:1–6, Proverbs15:20–22

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Living by Grace    

We disagree on all sorts of things in the church of Jesus Christ - that is why we have so many denominations. We disagree about church structure and leadership, about baptism and the Lord's Supper, about many doctrines. There is one thing all true believers agree on and that is that salvation comes by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our works. It is all of God, all of Christ, not by our works. We cannot save ourselves.

Once we are saved, though, many people are under the impression that everything changes. The Christian life is about me "doing my best" to be a good, moral person, to fight against sin, to try to be like Jesus, to be the best person I can be. No wonder so many Christians fail so miserably and live in spiritual gloom and defeat.

Paul says something startling and important in verse 6, "just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him." The way we receive Jesus is the same way we walk in him. We are saved by grace and we grow in grace. Once we are saved, the Spirit makes us alive and begins to build in us the character of Christ. We respond in faith to the gracious work of God in us, but we are as dependent on the power of God for Christian growth as we were for salvation.

We are not talking about passivity here. We must respond in faith, in obedience and commitment to the Spirit of God within as he guides us according to the word of God. We must simply recognize that from the moment our lives our plant, throughout the process of growth, until our faith is harvested for eternity, it is the work of God and the power of God that enables us, that motivates us, and that strengthens us. He is able!

The Christian life is not about me "doing my best" but about me giving myself completely to Christ so that he can accomplish his work in me and through me.

Father, I pray that my life will be far more than what I could have done, far more than my best. May I be your vessel to accomplish YOUR best. 

Think and Pray:

Is your life a vessel for the work of Christ?
What is God doing in you today? 

Our Hidden Treasure - Himalayan Heights – June 19 Readings: Colossians 2:1-3 – Hidden Treasures

 

Colossians 1:15-2:15- Christ in You, Your Hope of Glory

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Colossians 2:1-3

The Colossian church was beset by heresy, one we do not know specifically. All we know for sure is that it hit at the heart of the Gospel and elevated other things above Jesus. Paul told them our faith was all about Jesus. He exalted Jesus and told them that Christ in them was their hope of glory.

Again, read the entire text of Colossians 1:15-2:15 every day, then focus on our featured passage during this week. This week, we exalt Jesus!

For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. 3 In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 24-25, John 19:1–27, Psalm74:17–23, Proverbs 15:18–19

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:  Our Hidden Treasure   

In his book "The Weight of Glory" C.S. Lewis said,

“He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.”

That line has been adapted and quoted often. Jim Elliott is often quoted as saying, "He who has Jesus and many things has no more than he who has Jesus alone." Cliches are often trite, but this one actually speaks a deep truth. Colossians 2:3 says that all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Jesus Christ.

The Colossians were caught by a heresy, probably an early form of Gnosticism, that claimed secret knowledge known only to an elite few. The faith was being twisted into a search for hidden mysteries and arcane knowledge. That isn't Christianity. We search for one thing - to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and to grow in him.

Too often, we present Jesus as the key to other things. Come to Jesus to find health and wealth - we all know that is wrong! Still, we present Jesus as the pathway to contentment, success, happiness, peace, a whole assortment of earthly things. But Jesus is not the key to all of these earthly treasures, Jesus IS the treasure. He is our joy. He is our peace. He is our life.

Oh, yes, there are many great blessings that come to us when we know Jesus, but we must remember that he is the treasure we seek. He isn't the map to our treasure, he is the treasure itself. Some in Colossae were seeking to use Jesus to find treasure, to find earthly things to fulfill them and give them joy. Paul reminded them that he is our everything.

When you have Jesus, you have every resource you need to face every trial, to overcome every obstacle, to endure every persecution, to resist every temptation, to accomplish every work God sets before you. He is every treasure, every blessing we need.

Thank you, Father, for the treasure of your son, Jesus Christ, who is all we need. 

Think and Pray:

What does this verse say about your Christian life? 

Christ in You, Hope of Glory - Himalayan Heights – June 18 Readings: Colossians 1:24-29 – Christ in You

 

Colossians 1:15-2:15- Christ in You, Your Hope of Glory

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Colossians 1:24-29

The Colossian church was beset by heresy, one we do not know specifically. All we know for sure is that it hit at the heart of the Gospel and elevated other things above Jesus. Paul told them our faith was all about Jesus. He exalted Jesus and told them that Christ in them was their hope of glory.

Again, read the entire text of Colossians 1:15-2:15 every day, then focus on our featured passage during this week. This week, we exalt Jesus!

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church. 25 I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 22-23, John 18:25–40, Psalm74:10–16, Proverbs 15:15–17

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Christ in You, Hope of Glory     

It is likely that the heresy taking hold in Colossae was some version of Gnosticism, in which mysteries and secret knowledge became the focus of the faith. Growth was not about coming to know Christ more fully but about learning new secrets that were revealed only to the inner circle. Paul made it clear that our faith is not about secrets and mysteries and hidden knowledge known only by the inner circle. We are not a secret society.

Still, Paul uses the word mystery here, and elsewhere, almost in a way to aggravate and irritate those who claimed to have secret knowledge. There is only one mystery that matters, Paul says. He uses that term several times in his writings, and as he says in verse 26, it refers to truth that was not revealed in previous ages but has now been made plain to the saints of the church age.

The mysteries that Paul speaks of are truths that were not revealed clearly in the Old Testament or even clearly during the life of Jesus, but were made plain to the Apostles by the Holy Spirit, and especially to Paul. And every time he mentions the concept of mysteries, there is one common theme - Jesus Christ.

Here, Paul refers to one of the greatest of mysteries, the idea of the indwelling glory of Christ in us as believers. Jesus is not just a teacher who gives us great ideas to live by. He doesn't just give us motivational ideas,. By his Holy Spirit, he indwells us and changes us from the inside out, filling our lives with the glory of God.

That is your hope, my friend, that Jesus Christ dwells within you and is at work in your life, by the Spirit he sent. That is glory!

Father, I praise you for the life-changing power of your son who dwells within me. Thank you for being a personal God who works personally in us, 

Think and Pray:

What does it mean that Christ dwells in us and works on us from the inside out?