Sunday, April 13

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed we always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” -- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I like old cowboy shows. My TV cable network has a channel entirely dedicated to westerns and cowboy shows. The more recently made westerns are pretty good, but if they are older and in black and white, they are even better. The characters are not very complex. The good guys wear white hats and are handsome, strong, are respected by everyone and they can shoot straight, even without aiming. The bad guys wear black hats and are mean-looking and conniving. The plots are simple and the ending predictable. And what is best, the good guys always win. If only life could be like the old cowboy shows.

But, life is not like that. Sometimes the bad guys wear white hats. Sometimes the good guys are looked down upon. And many times it seems, the good guys don’t win.

In this life, we fight our daily struggles. Sometimes it is the small, mundane things that seem to get us down. Sometimes it is the big, seemingly overwhelming giants of ill fortune that unceasingly dog us. Doesn’t really matter though. We wrestle with what life has dealt us, hoping that good will win over evil. But, in the end, sometimes the bad guy has won, or so it seems. This is sometimes hard for us to take because we think, we truly believe, we are the good guys and these things should not happen to us.

A prayer I heard long ago said that God will not give us more than we can handle. This is true. I also remember a saying that “what don’t kill you makes you stronger.” This is also true. Through our struggles, through life’s trials and tribulations, God is tempering us, making us stronger, preparing us for something. It is not for us to question His authority, but to willingly accept His plan. Our belief and trust in God must be stronger than our desire to wear the white hat and win every time.

Prayer: Dearest God, author of the book of my life, let your plan live out through me. I know that through my trials in life, you are by my side; walking with me and sharing my burden. In knowing this, I take my comfort. Be with me always and let me appreciate the responsibility of being your servant. Let life play out not the way I would like it, but the way you have planned for me. Amen.

Monday, April 14

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” -- Matthew 23:12

A couple of years ago, our pastor retired which left our pulpit vacant. Pulpit supply was filled by retired pastors and some of the members of the congregation. I was fortunate enough to preach on several Sundays.

After a service when I had given the sermon, I went to the back of the church to greet the parishioners. One woman with an eight year old in tow, seemed to have been greatly moved by the sermon. Her words to me were, “You must be filled with the Holy Spirit.” What a great complement. I was flying high. Pushing my luck, I asked her eight year old son what he thought of the sermon. He responded, “I think you are full of it too.” From the mouths of babes. Nothing can ground you like an honest comment.

We have all met people who have a slightly or not so slight inflated opinion of themselves. They are full of it or full of themselves. Whether it be their position in life, their job, their education, or any number of other inadequate reasons to think they are better than everyone else, they still think they are better than just about everyone else. Although we would never admit we could be like this too. And just for the record, we have all acted this way at some time in our lives.

We are not to build ourselves up, making us seem greater than we are. Humbleness does not come easy to us. It seems to go against our nature. But this is something we must strive to improve. Our successes do not belong to us. If we are successful it is because God has blessed us. It is not because of our doing. Let us not let our head swell too big to pop that halo we have given ourselves.

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, keep our heads and hearts in check when it comes to our opinions of ourselves. Let us never forget that all of our successes, all of our talents, everything comes from you. Let us be only grateful for all that you have bestowed upon us and use it for your glory. Amen.

Tuesday, April 15

“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” -- Acts 17:27

We have just come through a long, cold winter, a time of unforgiving weather and a lifeless landscape. However, spring gives us a hope of new life. Easter is a recent memory and thoughts of the resurrection offer us hope for our own salvation. Our body is renewed with the thoughts of springtime and summer being at hand. Our life has turned from the humdrum of a cold winter to the possibilities of life being experienced in the warmth of the summertime sun. We are rejuvenated and we have a new sense of purpose and hope.

Isn’t it funny how the seasons and the weather dictate our moods? During those winter times of cold and snow; of blowing winds and early dark nights, we feel more alone. Even with family and friends, those are times of inner loneliness. But with a warm summer day we have endless horizons and unlimited possibilities. We seem to have an inner tranquility that is as calming as the warmth of the summer sun. It is as peaceful as a Sunday afternoon. It is easy to see God in that bright summer day. It is accepting the presence of God because we feel it; the summer’s day is a visible sign and we feel that inner peace. God is with us.

But the truth be told, our feeling God’s presence on that summer day is a somewhat shallow belief on our part. We know deep down that God is with us regardless of the season and regardless of the circumstance. He has told us as much. If our core belief and our faith in Him is to be true, then we must trust His word. “I am with you even until the end of the age.” Let these words give us comfort, know that we are never alone.

Prayer: Dear Lord, let us draw near to you always. May our faith be deep enough to accept your presence during the coldest times of our lives. We know you are always with us and look upon us with favor so that we may be with you, even until the end of the age. Amen.

Wednesday, April 16

“But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence?’ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” -- Luke 23:40-43

Life insurance, do you have enough? They say that there are only two sure things in life - death and taxes. Since death is a sure thing, we want to protect our loved ones from financial burden once we have exited this world. To do that, we have life insurance. If we have enough life insurance it will ease the burden of our passing and allow our loved ones to live a more comfortable life once we are gone. Or so it is thought.

At one time, I sold life insurance. I wasn’t very good at it, but I needed a job and since there are only two sure things in life, death and taxes, I chose death for my short career in life insurance sales. One of the “angles” in selling life insurance was, after the insured passed away, we would to go the beneficiary and give them the life insurance check paid out as a result of the loved one’s death. That time was a perfect opening to talk to the beneficiary about taking out more life insurance on themselves. In their hand they were holding the tangible benefit of the life insurance policy. What better time to discuss their certain demise and the benefit to their heirs of more life insurance. They would have peace of mind and we would have a nice commission. (This is not the Great Commission discussed in Matthew.)

I was never comfortable with this sales approach. It seemed to be preying on the emotions of the family member. Although it was not dishonest, it just seemed to be tacky. Like I said, I wasn’t a very good salesman.

In our relationship with Jesus Christ, we are given a paid up, good forever, life insurance policy. The policy was paid for on the cross and the benefits can’t be beat. In life, we try to financially prepare our families for our death with life insurance. But what are we doing for ourselves to prepare for the inevitable? It is never too late to take stock and accept the savings grace God has already given you. Your life insurance benefits await. Will you be willing to claim yours?

Prayer: Lord, we long to hear the words “today you will be with me in paradise.” There are no sweeter words. Show me the way. Give me the strength. Be with me always as I wait to join you in your kingdom. We pray this to the God who died for our sins, in Jesus name, Amen.

Thursday, April 17

“…for your father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray, ‘Our father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” -- Matthew 6:8-13

Worry. Today, we have enough of it. Call it what you will, worry, stress, overly concerned, anxious, troubled, they all fit the bill. We worry about our kids, our parents, our job, money, health, the test we have to take in school, the price of gas, the lack of rain, am I going bald, and on and on and on. You pick the item and I will bet you have worried about it some time in your life. When the big things aren’t worrying us, we dwell on the small things.

So tell me, how did the thing you were worried about turn out? The negative outcomes of our worries that we imagine will happen, generally never come about. And when the thing that we are worried about never happens, we go on worrying about something new. It’s just human nature. We tend to fear the worst.

Did you ever turn your problems over to God? Here God, my plate is too full. I can’t deal with this anymore. Here, you take it.

Worry stifles our ability and capacity to accept what God has for us. Even our biggest fears, our biggest worries are surmountable with God. As Jesus told us, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes.”

Trust in the Lord. Let His kingdom come. Let His will be done. God will provide you with what you need, when you need it. Your worry will not change God’s plan for you. Trust in Him, have faith in Him. Live your life for God as if there were no tomorrow. If you are in the right place with God today, tomorrow will take care of itself.

Prayer: Merciful God, forgive us for our human frailty of worry. We tend to think we know what is best and try to rule the outcomes in our lives by hoping, wishing, and worrying. Our worry only confirms our need for your love. Lift the burdens of our everyday lives so that we can focus on your grace and mercy to live out life on your terms, not ours. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Friday, April 18

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” -- Proverbs 19:21

Living in the Upper Peninsula, I enjoy the changing seasons. The keyword here is change. When living in the Upper Peninsula the changing of the seasons is not always a certainty. For the past six months, we have not had a changing of the seasons. This past winter has gone on and on. It is probably the coldest, snowy winter we have experienced in quite some time. The winter seems like it will never end. We are teased with a warm day or two, only to lull us into thinking spring is just around the corner and then, old man winter hits us with another hard punch. I would like a change.

Many times in our life, we wish things could change. We wish for more of the good things and less of the bad things. Although we would like to be, we are never content. This, in and of itself, is not a bad trait, only a human trait. We are what we are.

God recognizes our human traits. He should know; he created us. Although we long for contentment in our lives, God has a plan for us. A plan that is unique for each one of us. Hard as it might be, we must trust in God for this plan to be carried out. We know that God does not change. And because He does not change, His plan for us is true, right, and good. The plan may not always be obvious and the plan may not always be to our liking. But if we believe in God, we will believe in the plan. Our trust must not waiver and our belief must be steadfast if we are to live out God’s plan for us. Is this easy to do? No, but we did not sign up for this for it to be easy; only for it to be good.

So winter may continue and our desire for positive change in our lives will also continue. But truly, nowhere will we find a better plan than the one that has been laid out for us by God. And in knowing this, we can find the truest, most deeply felt contentment to live out our lives as God’s servants.

Prayer: God, take me as I am with all of my human shortcomings. But let me know the contentment only you can give. Let your presence fill my heart. Let your plan live in me. And although it may be hard for me to realize at times, I know I must trust you for my eternal salvation. Give me the strength and guidance to live out your plan. In Jesus name, Amen.

Saturday, April 19

“’Do not be afraid.’ Samuel replied. ‘You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.’” -- 1 Samuel 12:20-24

Writing a devotion is kind of like being a teenager coming home well past your curfew. You have to tell your mother and dad some tale of why you shouldn’t be punished for being so late. In writing a devotion, you know you have done some things wrong, you have your sins, and you probably don’t feel qualified to advise others on how to live their lives, but now you must tell a story about being pious. But we know that living the life we should be living is hard. We are not always pious and we will sin again. Writing a devotion will not take care of future sinning. It is like the teenager trying to keep his curfew. He knows that curfew will be broken again.

We know that we have done some things that were wrong but we will undoubtedly do them again because we enjoyed the “sin.” We are human. When staying out past his curfew, the teenager was enjoying the sin more than he feared the punishment from his parents. Sometimes it is easier for us to just do something wrong and apologize for it later. I think we all do this more often that we care to admit. As I said, in writing these devotions you take on a pious approach, feeling I should be telling you all the good things about living righteously and gaining eternal life, but knowing full well, it is very hard to live up to what we should be doing or living up to what we should be. I have a hard time doing that myself, a very hard time living up to what I am writing for you.

But there is good news. God understands us. He understands us better than we understand ourselves. In taking the pious approach, we aspire to be something better, to be something God wants us to be. We will never reach that point, but working toward it allows us to be nearer to God. Just like that teenager, we will stay out past curfew. But if we work on it, we just may make it on time to get home, our eternal home in heaven.

Prayer: Lord, please accept us as we are but be patient with us as we try to follow the rules you have set down for us. Make us obedient to you. Let us live with the knowledge that you are the only salvation for our sin. Help us to live as you want us to live. We pray these things in the name of the one who will save us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen