A New Day
(NRSV) Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
For the next few devotionals, I intend to focus on how we can strengthen our walk with God. It seems the new year provides the perfect opportunity to renew our commitment to love God with our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Micah was one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. As you remember, being labeled a minor prophet was due to the small volume of work produced as compared to prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. But the smaller amount of work makes his contribution no less significant.
I have looked for justice for most of my seventy-three years, but I have to say the idea has been elusive. Yet this scripture calls out to me, beckoning me to treat others justly, or fairly, even if I am not treated that way myself. How do I accomplish such a goal?
Firstly, by remembering that treating others justly is a requirement of God. I like to remind myself, and others, that God’s requirements are not suggestions. They are more akin to rules by which we should live.
Secondly, I acknowledge the fact that while man often lives according to what is right vs wrong, God’s measure is good vs evil. What is the difference? Right and wrong are moral values that are subject to change based on culture and even the passage of time. Good vs evil are spiritual values defined by God and are thus unchanging.
He has told you, oh man, what is good. Choose good.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Intentional Discipleship
When I was eight years old someone gave us an album by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans titled “Jesus Loves Me.” One of the songs was “The Circuit Riding Preacher” and it included a poem by Edgar Guest. The poem, “Show Me” was revised as follows:
The Circuit Riding Preacher said these words one day,
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day,
And I’d rather one walk with me
Than merely show the way.
For the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds
And to see their good in action
Is what everybody needs.
Lord, I can learn to do it if they let me see it done,
I can watch their hands in action
But their tongues too fast may run.
And the sermons they deliver may be very wise and true
But I’d rather get my lesson by watching what they do.
For I may misunderstand them and the high advice they give
But there’s no misunderstanding how they act and how they live.
I loved this poem and tried to live it. In 2023 I have to say I was not always successful, but I tried.
As a pastor I taught Wesley’s Three Simple Rules: Do no harm, do good, and keep the ordinances of the Church. Simple, yes. Easy? Not always.
But we are never alone as we navigate this life. When Jesus left this mortal plane, he promised a Helper, or an Advocate, and so we have the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live according to the precepts found in the Holy Bible, embodied in the writings of John Wesley, and the creed found within this simple poem.
Looking for a New Year’s resolution? Today I encourage you to recommit your life to, as Ray Vander Laan says, “follow so closely to Jesus that the dust of His sandals covers you.” Don’t settle for just being a Christian—be an intentional disciple.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Standing in the Gap
(NIV)Neh 4: 12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
It has been years since I heard anyone use the phrase “standing in the gap,” which is another way of describing intercessory prayer. When we approach God on behalf of someone else, we are interceding for that precious soul. Just as Nehemiah stationed people armed with spears to stand in the gaps in the wall surrounding Jerusalem so that the rebuilding of that structure could continue, we are commissioned to keep the enemy at bay with our prayers so thst our brothers and sisters in Christ can be victorious.
What tools do we need to intervene for someone else? We arm ourselves not with spears but with the preparation of the gospel of peace as found in Eph 6. We put on the helmet of salvation which protects our minds from thoughts that would bring us down. We put on the breastplate of righteousness which protects our heart. We have no righteousness in and of ourselves, but through Jesus Christ we are made whole.
We put the belt of truth around our waist, we pick up the shield of faith and the sword we use is the very word of God. And, this last piece of equipment is vital—we put on the shoes of peace so that wherever we walk we leave footprints of tranquility.
It is then, and only then, that we are ready to stand in the gap.
I leave you with one final thought. When you pledge to pray for someone, you have made a sacred vow. Don’t allow distractions to keep you from fulfilling your commitment. Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage. And know, believe and understand that your prayers make a difference.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Redemption, Salvation and Deliverance
(NIV) Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(NIV) Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Promises made, promises kept. Isaiah was written between 739 and 681 B.C., hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, but God has never been limited by time or space.
I picture God sitting in the middle of a wheel, a wheel of time. In my mind I see Him looking to the left and He sees creation. As he shifts His gaze He sees the Garden, and God witnesses the fall of man before it ever occurs. Remember, because God is omniscient nothing ever surprises Him.
Then I see the Father, our Father, witness Jesus being nailed to a cross, not for anything He did, but in recompense for our sins. And I know, believe and understand that through Jesus alone I am redeemed, I am saved, and I am delivered.
During this Advent season, as we experience the hope, peace, joy and love found only in Jesus, may we be aware of and thankful for promises made and promises kept.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
God Will Take Care of You
(NRSV) Isaiah 41:10 do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
I awoke this morning singing the old hymn “God Will Take Care of You,” an old gospel song that I remember being popularized in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s by gospel quartets.
Little Rock had their own quartet in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, The Venable Quartet, who had a daily TV show and I seem to recall them singing this song, but admittedly my memory has grown somewhat dull so it could be I am not remembering accurately. But there is one thing I hope I never forget, and that is God’s love and protection over His children.
There are many scriptures assuring us of God’s love and care for us. If you are going through hardships of any kind, I encourage you to seek out relief in God’s Word. The more we read about God, the more we understand His nature and His character. When we steep ourselves in the Scriptures we come to the knowledge that God really does care for us and will never leave us without hope.
1 Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through ev’ry day,
O’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Seeking Holiness 