April 6, 2025

Job 15: 4 “But you even undermine piety and hinder devotion to God.” (NIV)

It won’t always be easy to be gracious and truthful, but it will always be right.*

Are you like Job’s friend Eliphaz? Are your expressions of rightness devoid of compassion? Eliphaz's words are the antithesis of “speak the truth in love.” In this case, is he even right? Is Job guilty of undermining piety and hindering devotion to God, just because he has shared his feelings about what he is going through?

Sometimes, being right is harder than being wrong. 

God has equipped us with emotions, and nowhere in scripture are we told to be ashamed of them. Some emotions, if not properly managed, can lead to sinful behavior, but the initial feelings themselves are not sinful. Neither do we find God condemning us for venting to him when emotions run high – if he did, the book of Psalms would contain a lot fewer chapters!

Helping a friend through an emotional crisis requires careful attention to the landmines and booby traps that lurk in our path. Is it possible to care about her feelings while still holding her accountable for her sin? Can we be gentle and firm at the same time? Can we be right without leaving him or her feeling devastated for being wrong? Pray for wisdom, discernment, and compassion so that God doesn’t say to you, as he did to Eliphaz, “I am angry with you . . . because you have not spoken of me what is right.” (Job 42: 7)

We, as believers, will often need to give up our “right” to be right, for the sake of others.*

April 5, 2025

Ephesians 4: 25, 28 Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully . . . He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. (NIV)

Good habits are easier to quit than bad ones.*

Often, people who are trying to break the cigarette habit find that they are more successful when they replace the bad habit with a good habit. It is important to find a positive behavior rather than turn to another addiction – like food or alcohol. The same is true of sinful behavior. It’s not enough to quit lying; instead you must fill the void with speaking the truth. Paul says that the one who steals must stop stealing and work for a living – which has the added benefit of allowing him to share with those in need. In fact, every sinful practice should be exchanged for the “contrary virtue.”*

Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Smoking isn’t just a bad habit – nicotine is an addictive substance. Withdrawal may be painful and medical assistance may be required. Likewise, for a new Christian, sin isn’t just a bad habit – it’s a lifestyle. Overcoming a sinful past may require giving up old friends (and finding new ones); looking for new places to hang-out (like church); and learning what the Bible says about right and wrong. Indeed, as one commentator suggests, a conscience has to be “created,”* and the Holy Spirit is the indispensable component in the process.

If you are a new follower of Christ, replacing your sinful behavior with a Christian lifestyle will not be easy. You will have setbacks but you will be forgiven. Avoid bad company and seek good influences; pray without ceasing; listen to wise counsel; and search scripture daily, allowing the Spirit to direct your path.

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 15: 57)

A continual awareness of God’s presence in the midst of our daily activities can keep our thoughts and actions habitually righteous.*

April 4, 2025

Isaiah 40: 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. (NIV)

Broken lives break the heart of God.*

God loves us. He loves us because he is love and because it’s the right thing to do. But his love for us goes beyond duty. He could be brisk and businesslike in his treatment of us and still fulfill his loving obligations, but he speaks tenderly as he opens up his heart to us. He feels us.

In this passage, God offers double comfort to Jerusalem, but the message continues (in verse 5) with words of hope for all generations: “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.” As God’s spokespersons, our interactions with the lost should be more than just dutifully sharing the gospel. The good news consists of facts and information, but at the heart of it is the heart of God.

Effective witnessing requires knowledge of the gospel but more important is knowledge of the Savior. Do you know him - or do you have a relationship with him? Is your heart touched by what touches his? Are you prepared for the risk of caring that much?

If we don’t care, how will we convince them that God cares?

God’s comfort is not a hollow, positive-thinking, “There’s-a-silver-lining-behind-every-cloud” kind of message. God always gives His people reasons for comfort.*

April 3, 2025

Jonah 4: 2 “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (NIV)

God is always consistent with Himself in His actions.*

In the wrong mouth, even the truth can be misused. This verse contains the words of Jonah – uttered in a prayer. They are a true and accurate depiction of the character of God. And clearly Jonah believed what he said because he confesses that he fled to Tarshish for this very reason. He knew that God would be merciful to the people there if they repented - and he was vehemently opposed to the idea.

In the words of Oswald Chambers, “A person’s own idea of God and His attributes may actually be used to justify and rationalize his deliberate neglect of his duty.”* In other words, we recreate God in our own image so that we can neutralize our sin. Have you ever heard someone claim that “God would want me to be happy” as they justify an affair and destroy their marriage?

But often, like Jonah, we misapply God’s true character. A quote, which supposedly was delivered by a man on his deathbed, sums up the attitude of many believers: “God will forgive me. It is his job.”* It is true that God forgives; and it is also true that we can never deserve or earn his forgiveness; but the forgiveness process requires some participation on our part. We can’t just ignore God until we’re ready to lie down and die and count on one facet of his nature to save us. As another writer observes: “We cannot isolate his attributes without creating a false god.”*

Man’s opinion of God does not define God; God defines God.*

April 2, 2025

Psalm 39: 1-3  I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth . . .” But even when I was silent and still . . . my anguish increased. My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue. (NIV)

A closed mouth gathers no feet.*

Often, when I read the Psalms, it feels like David lives inside my head. Like David, I have been in volatile situations where I have prayed, “Lord, help me to keep my mouth shut.” And then, suddenly and unexpectedly, out spews words that should not have been spoken by me, at that moment, with that attitude. What went wrong? Why didn’t God answer my prayer to suppress my unwise speech?

First, a reminder about God: he hears and answers prayers, but he doesn’t override our free will. I may have prayed for restraint but I didn’t really want it. In my heart, I knew that the people responsible for my frustration really needed to hear what I had to say. And my heart was wrong.

Of course, you have had similar experiences. What can we do to avoid a repeat performance? Don't wait until the heat of the moment to pray. Pray for wisdom and discernment: wisdom to know what to say; discernment to know when to say it. And pray for a pure heart. Because sometimes you should keep your mouth shut, and sometimes you shouldn’t. There will be rare occasions when you are the right person to deliver the message in that time and place – and you certainly don’t want to miss your chance!

I wonder how many times God was armed and ready to do battle on my behalf and I sabotaged his miraculous deliverance with my own mouth?*

April 1, 2025

Luke 14: 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” (NIV)

When we commit our lives to Christ, we are opening ourselves up to the most radical reconstruction possible.*

A few years ago, our church embarked on a building project for which we solicited pledges from the members of the congregation. Because those who committed to the project came through 100%, we were able to proceed with the plans. Another church began a similar campaign but had to scale back on their plans because the members were unable to pledge the goal amount. They knew it would be foolish to start a construction project without first securing the funding.

Jesus reminds us (in verses 26 and 27 of Luke 14) that following him is an expensive project. It could cost us our family or even our life. It may be daunting to think that we must be willing to give up everything in order to be his disciple – but even more so when we face the fact that everything is not enough.

Have you ever received a credit card bill that shows that you don’t owe anything this month? That in fact, your account has been overpaid and they owe you money? What if someone else had paid that balance for you? That is what Jesus does for us. If we are willing to give everything to him, he will pay off everything that we owe. Our everything may not cover the minimum monthly payment, but his everything pays our debt in full.

Count the cost. Then carry your cross and follow him. 

Jesus doesn’t ask us to choose him over the worst things in life. He asks us to choose him over the best things in life.*

March 31, 2025

Acts 2: 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (NIV)

Jesus was crucified for being who he really was.*

When it comes to sermons, Peter knew his audience and tailored his message accordingly. The setting for this verse is Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost. In town for the occasion were “God-fearing Jews from every nation,” who were surprised to hear the sound of the disciples speaking in foreign languages. “Amazed and perplexed,” they gave Peter just the opening he needed when they asked, “What does this mean?”

Peter proceeded to deliver a gospel message that would resonate with his Jewish listeners. His references to prophecies from Joel and David back up Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah, but he provides them with the most conclusive evidence of all: God has made him both Lord and Christ. And as soon as he spoke those words, they stood and began to sing Just As I Am. . . Well, not really. But the results were the same. “What shall we do?” they asked, and Peter told them (see verse 38).

It may seem that Peter was a little harsh with his Jewish listeners when he accused them of crucifying Jesus. Those particular Jews were probably some of the out-of-towners and so were not part of the crowd that cried out for the death of our Lord. It’s like trying to make me feel guilty for the way the Native Americans were mistreated in the early days of our country, or for importing Africans for the slavery industry: I didn’t do it! But I share in the blame if I abuse or discriminate against someone because of their race; and the Jews in Peter’s audience could not claim clean hands if they denied Jesus’ lordship.

Beware lest you find yourself in company with those who crucified the Lord. In Hebrews chapter six is a dire warning for those who have “tasted the goodness of the word of God” but who fall away. “To their loss,” we read in verse six, “they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” I do not want to be part of that crowd!

Behold the Man upon the cross, My sin upon his shoulders. Ashamed to hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers.*

March 30, 2025

Romans 10: 13-15 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? (NIV)

Those who have the ability to act have the responsibility to act.*

Everyone who calls upon Google Maps will arrive safely and timely at their destination. Is that a true statement? I think not. Aside from the fact that GPS programs are not infallible, just pulling up the address on your phone will not get you where you are going. You still have to follow the directions.

Similarly, merely calling on the name of the Lord will not save you. If it did, everyone who uses the Lord’s name in vain is on the way to heaven. Paul follows his quote (from Joel 2: 32) with directions for those who are giving directions to the lost. 

Calling on the name of the Lord is useless if the lost person doesn’t believe in the Lord. And the lost aren’t going to believe in the Lord if they have never heard of him. Furthermore, how will they hear if no one shares the gospel with them? Finally, who is going to preach the gospel unless they are sent to do it? The implication at this point is: being called is not the same as being sent. Being sent means you went!

As ones who know the way, our responsibility is great. Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, has commissioned us to make disciples of all nations. And it’s not such an unglamorous task - after all, verse 15 ends with a quote from Isaiah that proclaims, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

They aren’t responding to the gospel because we aren’t responding to the gospel.*

March 29, 2025

John 16: 22 “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (NIV)

A leader’s execution is not a usual recipe for heartening his followers.*

The world is full of joy-thieves: illness, death, rejection . . . Satan. Jesus’ words here, addressed to his disciples, refer to specific circumstances, but they offer us the same hope: joy that can’t be stolen.

In chapters 13 through 17 of his gospel, John records Jesus’ predictions regarding his betrayal and death – surely causes for sorrow – as well as his message of comfort and hope. His disciples may not have comprehended the future that Jesus was trying to prepare them for, but later they successfully navigated through the storm of grief to claim the promised joy.

We find no record that the disciples ever regretted their experience. Acts 4: 33 provides a snapshot of their actions and attitudes following their time with Jesus: “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”

Here, Jesus encourages his disciples by telling them that he will see them again, but it was a temporary physical reunion that he was predicting. Of course they would rejoice when they saw him again – alive. But Jesus doesn’t hand out joy that doesn’t last. In John 17: 13, Jesus prayed that his followers would receive “the full measure of my joy within them.” That prayer was answered when he gave us his Holy Spirit – himself – to dwell within us forever (John 14: 16). Before his physical departure from the world, he reminded us of our reason for joy: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 20)

Now there’s a promise you can hang your hopes on!

Oh, write that on every tombstone, “I will see you again.”*

March 28, 2025

Proverbs 30: 5, 6 Every word of God is flawless . . . Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (NIV)

God likes words. He spoke creation into being with words. Jesus is the Word made flesh; his celestial title is the Word of God. . . God commands us to use words: to read, write, preach, teach, sing, and pray.*

Every word of God is flawless, but every word I write has potential to cause God to rebuke me and prove me a liar. Sometimes I wonder, based on this and similar passages, why anyone would read anything that humans have written about the Bible. Shouldn’t the Bible stand on its own merits? Why do writers (myself included) produce books, articles, and devotions?

The Bible does speak for itself. It relays the word of God as he revealed it to the writers he inspired to pen it. But writers write for the same reason preachers preach: God called us to do it. If God didn’t want humans to help other humans understand his word, he would not have included preaching as a spiritual gift. Preachers and writers alike are motivated by Paul’s words in Romans: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Chapter 10, verses 14 and 15.)

I don’t stand in a pulpit to deliver my sermons, but I preach to my readers every day. I pray that I do not add to (or take away from) God’s word; that I will bless others; and that I will glorify God. Those are my responsibilities. You, my reader, have responsibilities, too. Your job is test the truth and accuracy of what I have written. I would not purposely mislead you but my word is not infallible. Read the scripture for yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you. And let me know if I’m wrong! Rebuke me if you must, but please don’t call me a liar!

Knowing the truth . . . is crucial to freedom from deception.*