"You Are What You Eat" June 17 Readings: 1 Chronicles 20-21, John 18:1–24, Psalm 74:1–9, Proverbs 15:13–14

Today's Readings - 1 Chronicles 20-21, John 18:1–24, Psalm 74:1–9, Proverbs 15:13–14

Devotional - You Are What You Eat 

"You are what you eat."
"Garbage in; garbage out."

These are modern-day proverbs that draw life principles from our observation of everyday life. We see that people who eat well tend to feel good and be healthy, while those who gorge on the wrong foods tend to feel those effects. If the data we feed into a computer is garbage, the results we get from that computation will also be garbage. What we feed our bodies or our computers has consequences.

But what we feed our minds and our hearts is just as consequential. Solomon knew that nearly 3000 years ago and reminded us of the principle in Proverbs 15:14.

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

The discerning mind, the mind focused on knowing God's word, distinguishing right and wrong and doing the will of God, is going to seek out knowledge - not only general knowledge but specifically the knowledge of the God learned through his word.

But the fool, the one who is intent on going his own way, doing his own thing and living for himself, is going to feed on the foolishness of life. He will listen to the wisdom of the world instead of the truth of God.

These two people will both learn the truth of the principle of this proverb. Garbage in and garbage out. The mind that is fed the world's garbage will produce a harvest of sin and folly. The mind that is focused on Christ and on the word will produce a harvest of righteousness.

I know that I need to watch my diet and choose my food more carefully. But much more importantly, I need to guard my mind and my heart, focus them on the word of God and resist feeding them the refuse of this sinful world.

Father, may my mind and heart be your sanctuary. May I so feed on your word that I truly "become what I eat." 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

What do you feed your mind and heart?
Do you feast on God's word to build a healthy soul or do you feed on the garbage and junk food of the world?

"Jesus Prayed for ME!" June 16 Readings: 1 Chronicles 18-19, John 17, Psalm 73:25–28, Proverbs 15:10–12

Today's Readings - 1 Chronicles 18-19, John 17, Psalm 73:25–28, Proverbs 15:10–12

Devotional - Jesus Prayed for ME!

The night before Jesus died, just before he agonized in the Garden, before he was arrested and put on trial, Jesus prayed - he prayed for YOU! Yes, my friend, he prayed for you and he prayed for me. Think about that. In his hour of agony, of pain and of stress, when the most awful moment of history awaited him, he interceded with the Father on our behalf.

John 17 is the real "Lord's Prayer." The prayer to which we've assigned that name is the one he gave to his disciples to pray. It is the "Disciples' Prayer." But the prayer that reveals the heart of Jesus is John 17 - it shows what he really thought and felt. Verse 20 makes it clear that this prayer was not just for the men who were with him in the Upper Room.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”

He prayed for you and for me. Whatever you are going through today, whatever your pain, you can rest assured that you are infinitely loved by one who when hell marshaled all its forces against him and when the entire world was crashing around him, still his thought was to pray for you. That is an eternal and unshakable love. 

The list of blessings in this passage is long and wonderful, but there are two in particular that I would point out. There are two things that Jesus prayed that sometimes stand in slight contrast, even conflict with one another. First, in verse 17 he prayed, 

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 

Jesus prayed that we would be made holy, conformed to the image of Christ, that our sins would not dominate and control us but that we would become like Christ. What is the primary tool that God uses in that process? The Word - the truth of God that the Spirit uses to accomplish that work. The Word can be harsh and convicting as it calls us to repentance, to change, to abandon our sin and to become like Christ. But that we must do. The Christian life is a daily process of the Spirit working in us, through the Word, to make us more like Jesus. 

Along the way, there is something else that God wants for us. This is seen in verse 21. 

...that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Jesus wanted his disciples to walk in unity and in oneness. In fact, the unity of the Body of Christ was meant to reflect and demonstrate the unity that existed among the members of the Trinity.

To my shame, I have failed often in walking in the holiness of Christ, in the process of sanctification by the Word. But just as often I've failed in my relationships to reflect the divine oneness that Jesus Christ called us to demonstrate. I've failed more than I've succeeded.

But here's the good news. Jesus prayed for me! I know his prayers will not fail. The process may be slow and the answer may not be complete, but I know that God will answer and I will be all that God wants me to be, all that Jesus prayed that I would become! Jesus' prayer will be answered!

Father, I thank you for the confidence I have in Christ that one day I will be fully sanctified in Christ and that I will experience perfect unity in the Body of Christ. I thank you that this depends on the work of Christ in me!

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Jesus prayed for two things for us. It is certain that if Jesus prayed for these things, they will occur. He prayed that we would be sanctified - set apart and made holy for the purposes of God. He prayed that we would be united as one. What we know is that the prayers of Jesu will be answered! You will be holy and the church will be unified.

But how is it going today? How are you doing?

• Are you walking in holiness and purity before the Lord?
• Are you walking in unity or in broken relationships, grudges, and division?

"Bitter Folly" June 15 Readings: 1 Chronicles 16-17, John 16:16–33, Psalm 73:18–24, Proverbs 15:8–9

Today's Readings - 1 Chronicles 16-17, John 16:16–33, Psalm 73:18–24, Proverbs 15:8–9

Devotional - Bitter Folly 

Life can be pretty tough in this sinful world. We encounter hardships, tragedies, and disappointments regularly. But perhaps the greatest struggle comes when people do us wrong; when they treat us badly or hurt us deeply.

Psalm 73 was written for just such a situation. The entire Psalm has been about the general unfairness of life in a world where the evil sometimes prosper and good people are left to suffer. God's justice will one day rule every aspect of this world, but this is not that day. In this day those who walk with God can often experience terrible suffering and pain.

All too often, those who experience that pain find themselves angry and bitter over their suffering. Life isn't fair! How could he (or she)? I didn't deserve that! It's just not right. The unfairness of it all builds up in our spirits and we become angry. Eventually, that anger, if not properly dealt with, can turn to bitterness of spirit - the poison of the soul.

That is exactly what happened to the Psalmist here in verses 21-22.

When I became embittered
and my innermost being was wounded, I was stupid and didn’t understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward you.

Because his spirit was wounded, he became bitter. The result of that is expressed in stark terms - "I was brutish and ignorant." That is not a compliment, of course, but it is accurate as a description of the embittered person. When I allow bitterness to overcome my soul, several things happen.

• I end up punishing myself for the sins and wrongdoings of another. 
• I allow that person to control my future even as he or she has damaged my past. 
• I lose the capacity to enjoy life and to grow spiritually. 

There are many more effects I could mention. To put it simply, bitterness is foolish and self-destructive.

It also, according to verse 22, turns us into animals. An animal reacts on instinct to situations. He does not think or consider what is best. When we are bitter, we react like animals, controlled by our anger and hate rather than by the love of Jesus Christ.

The Psalmist makes it clear what the solution is to bitterness. In verses 23-28 (looking ahead to tomorrow's reading) he describes how he sought God and found refuge in him. Verse 28 sums it all up.

But for me it is good to be near God;

    I have made the Lord God my refuge,

    that I may tell of all your works.

 Instead of resorting to bitterness, which is self-destructive and stupid (according to verse 22), look to God for strength, joy, comfort, peace and love. 

Father, I thank you that you there with me even when others treat me badly or life is hard. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Is there any area in which bitterness, anger, unforgiveness and grudges have created spiritual bondage in your life?
Confess and forsake any bitterness.

"In Enemy Territory" June 14 Readings: 1 Chronicles 14-15, John 15:18–16:15, Psalm 73:11–17, Proverbs 15:5–7

Today's Readings - 1 Chronicles 14-15, John 15:18–16:15, Psalm 73:11–17, Proverbs 15:5–7

Devotional - In Enemy Territory 

Notice two verses from our readings today, one in John 15, and one in Psalm 73. It is easy to forget that we, as Christians, live in hostile territory. This world is not our home. American Christians have too long been lulled to sleep by a society that was at least nominally supportive of our values and beliefs. We are just now waking up to the reality that we live in enemy territory and are loyal to a kingdom distinct from any in this world.

John 15:18-25 makes it clear that it is the norm for God's people to be hated in the world. Jesus tells his disciples that he was hated and that they would receive the same treatment if they served him. If we walk in Christ and in his ways, we will face hostility, ridicule, and disdain from this world. That is just part of living for Jesus in a world that is living in rebellion against him. Look at verse 19.

 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. 

We get bothered at the first sign of any suffering in the name of Christ. Perhaps it ought to cause us more consternation when we do not suffer. Perhaps that is a sign that we have become too much a part of this world, shaped by its values and walking in its ways. We fit in so well the world hardly sees the distinctions that would make it reject and hate us.

In Psalm 73:11-12, the Psalmist asks a question. Why do the wicked act as if there is no God? They live their lives as if the God of Heaven does not see what they are doing and does not know their actions. They live their lives to please themselves and forget that there is a God to whom each of us must answer.

That is the other side of the John passage. We live in hostile territory and can expect to face suffering and disdain in the world. But the world must be reminded that there is a God in heaven to whom they must answer. So, while our sufferings in this world might be increasingly strong, they do not compare at all to the sufferings in eternity of those who forget God and live their lives as if he did not exist.

Father, I thank you that you have brought me into your kingdom. May I live for you regardless of what anyone in this sin saturated world thinks about it or says about me. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you seek the approval of the people of this world or the pleasure of God over your life?
Remember that friendship with the world is enmity with God and loving God often means rejecting the ways and values of the world.
There is an undeniable and inescapable conflict between the ways of this world and the ways of God.

"Abiding" June 13 Readings: 1 Chronicles 12-13, John 15:1–17, Psalm 73:4–10, Proverbs 15:3–4

Today's Readings - 1 Chronicles 12-13, John 15:1–17, Psalm 73:4–10, Proverbs 15:3–4

Devotional - Abiding

I love Christmas trees. A couple of years ago I struggled through the Christmas season because we were traveling and decided not to get a tree! Christmas without a tree? The house was so bland. Decorating the tree, packing on the lights and ornaments, is one of my favorite parts of the season.

But the trees we get have a problem. They have been severed from the roots. They are nice and green when we get them, but as the weeks go on they begin to turn brown and brittle, and the needles begin to fall to the ground.

There is a reason for this, a pretty obvious one. It has been cut. The roots are severed. Even though it looks good for a while, once it is disconnected from the roots the process of death has begun. The tree cannot survive without connections to the root.

Jesus used an illustration like this, except that he used a vine and its branches. A branch that is attached to the vine will bear fruit and produce grapes. But if the branch is not attached to the vine there will be no fruit and no life - like my Christmas tree.

Jesus is life and life flows from him. When we are properly abiding in Jesus Christ his life will flow through us and we will see the fruit of Christ produced in our lives and through us in this world. But, as Jesus made clear in John 15:5,

"...apart from me you can do nothing."

It is a truth we all too often forget as we try to do the best we can for God, relying on our own strength, power, and resources. It is the power of Jesus through us that produces Christlike fruit in our lives.

So, what does it mean to abide? Of course, it all begins with being born from above, with putting your faith in Christ and receiving his salvation. That connects us with God. But the abiding Jesus spoke of here also includes a daily walk of seeking him (starting here, with the Word and prayer is a great beginning) and walking in him. Relying on and trusting him for all things is also crucial.

But what is most important is that we realize that the measure of the Christian life is not what we do for Christ on our own, but the fruit that he produces in us.

Lord, prune my life and work in me that I might bear much fruit as I abide in Christ and he reproduces his life in me.  

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Are you abiding in Christ daily, trusting him and seeking him constantly? 

"When Your World Explodes" June 12 Readings: 1 Chronicles 10-11, John 14, Psalm 73:1–3, Proverbs 15:1–2

Today's Readings - 1 Chronicles 10-11, John 14, Psalm 73:1–3, Proverbs 15:1–2

Devotional - When Your World Explodes 

Jesus, the night he was betrayed, hours before he died, gathered his disciples together and gave them his "Farewell Discourse" (John 14-16) which gave them the spiritual resources needed to handle the turbulent and terrible days that lay ahead. With Romans 8, Psalm 23, 1 Corinthians 13, John 3 and several other passages, it is among the breathtaking Himalayan peaks of Scripture. It is almost a shame to read it all in one day!

The sermon's first words border on the absurd. "Let not your hearts be troubled." In the next 24 hours, they would watch Jesus be arrested, tried, convicted, sentenced, beaten, condemned, mocked, tortured, paraded to Golgotha, and nailed to a cross. Well, to be honest, they wouldn't watch it because they would flee in fear. But their lives would be shattered completely as Jesus died on the cross in agony. Their world was about to explode. For Jesus to tell them not to be troubled by that is ridiculous.

Or it is miraculous. Either Jesus' words were cruel or he had provided all his disciples needed to walk in peace even when their world had been blown apart. What were these resources?

First, Jesus told them that he was going to prepare a place for them - one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible. People assume that Jesus is in heaven working on a home improvement problem. But he was going to the Cross when he said that, not to Heaven. He was going to the Cross to prepare a place for us in eternal Heaven. You have an eternal home that nothing in this world can shake because of what Jesus did on Calvary. Take heart, my friend. No matter how bad the storms, you have a glorious future ahead regardless of how difficult the road is that lies ahead.

Second, Jesus let them know that he was all they needed. "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (14:6) Jesus is not the means by which we attain these things. He IS these things.

Third, Jesus assured us that in his name we could pray and the Father would hear and respond to our requests. What a blessing that is. God, the Creator, and Sustainer of the Universe hears my prayers when I pray in the name of Jesus. He hears and he cares. (14:13).

One of the most common themes throughout the entire sermon is the present ministry of the Holy Spirit - the comforter, our counselor, our Helper sent from God. When Jesus left he would be sent to the disciples. Jesus makes the remarkable point that we are actually better off having the Spirit in us than having Jesus with us.

Jesus sums it all up this way.

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful."

Father, thank you for providing all I need to have peace in this troubled world.

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

What situations or circumstances in your life are troubling you?
What are the promises and resources in this chapter that can help you in those circumstances?

"When the Bible Is Boring" June 11 Readings: 1 Chronicles 6-9, John 13:21–38, Psalm 72:11–20, Proverbs 14:33–35

Today's Readings - 1 Chronicles 6-9, John 13:21–38, Psalm 72:11–20, Proverbs 14:33–35

Devotional - When the Bible Is Boring

Okay, let's admit it. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9 we've been reading the last couple of days are not exactly the most riveting and soul-stirring portions of scripture. When my soul is discouraged, when my heart is heavy, I seldom think to myself, "What I really need is to focus my heart and soul on the 'begats' and find the blessings there."

There are portions of the Bible that are a little boring. I hope you will not pick up stones to stone me for saying that.

Of course, there are some nuggets woven into the genealogical records that people have found interesting. The most notable, of course, was the story of Jabez' prayer in 4:10, which may be one of the most overblown teachings on prayer ever! It's an interesting story and a reminder that God answers prayer, but it may not be the central teaching on prayer that some have made it out to be.

Reading through these chapters can become wearisome. If you read every word of these 9 chapters, God bless you. I tend to skim! People who get through the infectious skin diseases and mildew of Leviticus can find their commitment to read through the Bible bog down in these chapters. I am guessing that in all the "favorite scriptures" testimony services in history the genealogies of 1 Chronicles have never been identified. as a person's most favored text.

But do not mistake the lack of excitement these chapters provide to mean that they have no meaning or purpose. There is an important lesson to be learned from this passage, one that is buttressed and reinforced by the detailed genealogies of these chapters.

The Bible is not a book of fables and fiction. "It doesn't matter if God really created the world." "It doesn't matter if Moses really parted the Red Sea." "It doesn't matter if Jesus really walked on water." Even, "it doesn't matter if Jesus really rose from the dead." All that matters to some people is that the Bible tells great stories with good morals. It teaches us about God and helps us understand life better. Does it really matter if all the stories are really true?

Yes, my friend, it does. The Bible is not a religious Aesop's Fairy Tales! It is a record of the work of the sovereign God in human history. Every major act of God is grounded in history. Stories are not introduced with "Once upon a time," but with "In the year that King Uzziah died." It's not "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away," but "this was the time of the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria."

The Bible isn't a history textbook, but it is rooted in solid, accurate history. God really created the world. Adam and Eve were really the first humans. Moses really led the people from Egypt. David really fought Goliath and Elijah really faced the false prophets. Jesus really was born of a virgin in Bethlehem, lived in Nazareth and ministered in Galilee. It's a true story.

That's why the genealogies matter. These are not fictional characters in a movie of the week. These were flesh and blood people who lived and died, and through whom God worked his redemptive plan. The genealogies will never be exciting reading, perhaps, but that does not mean that they are not crucial Scripture. They matter. They remind us that God worked in history to redeem real people like us through real people like them. The Bible rests on a solid historical foundation.

Father, I thank you that your Word is not fiction or fairy tales, but the true story of your work in history to redeem sinners and bring us into your kingdom. Thank you!

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you trust the word of God in everything it says?
As you skimmed through this genealogy and the stories in it, consider the blessings that can be gained.

Thank God for all his word...even those parts that are laborious and lack excitement.