Category Archives: Devos

Nov 19 2016
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Devos

I’m grateful to be a citizen of the United States… But I’ve got a citizenship that “trumps” that one…

citizenship-usa

I live in the United States and am extremely thankful for that! I’m also proud to be a Texan (got here as fast as I could). Deep within, however, my roots – my birthplace – is in Western Montana (Ronan, Montana to be precise – a little town in the Mission Valley of, at most, a thousand people or so). Grateful for my citizenship here and the freedoms I enjoy. But I’m often grieved today at the moral and spiritual climate of American culture! We, as a nation, have degenerated from the moral and spiritual legacy that once characterized our nation.

I was thinking about that – and my responsibilities as a citizen – when I read the following this morning during my time of devotions (I call it “coffee with the Lord”)…

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles [the unconverted – in this passage it refers to those who are not yet followers of Jesus – those who have not yet experienced “new birth”] honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (from I Peter 2:11-12 ESV)

You see, I have a citizenship that “trumps” my earthly citizenship – by the grace of God I’m a citizen of “the Kingdom of Heaven” or “the Kingdom of God!” I live my life here on earth as a “heavenly ambassador” (check out II Corinthians 5:17-20). I want to live in such a way that I am an attractive, winsome, representative for my Heavenly homeland and kingdom. I live in America, but I want the values that guide my life to be Heavenly values – God’s values! Believe me, I want I Peter 2:11-12 to be fulfilled in my life! And if you’re a citizen of the “Kingdom of Heaven” through “new birth” I bet you want to live that way as well!

Nov 16 2016
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Devos

Salvation is our Heavenly Father’s plan and provision… “He’s a good, good Father, that’s Who He is!”

good-good-fatherGood fathers deeply desire and love to leave wonderful legacies and rich inheritances for their children!

And in the words of a wonderful contemporary worship song, our Heavenly Father is…

“…A good good father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are!
And I’m loved by you
That’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am!”
(Chris Tomlin) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqybaIesbuA

Thought about that today when I met Him for my time of “coffee with the Lord!” You see, “salvation” is our Heavenly Father’s idea – His wonderful plan – His provision through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Please read over the following words from Peter’s letter to scattered refugees who had experienced persecution and all kinds of trials in the 1st century and relish the truth they express as it applies to you!

“All praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you,… pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay! And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine… Your faith is far more precious than mere gold! So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world… The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about it… And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit… It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.”

(From 1 Peter 1:3-12 New Living Translation)

What a wonderful legacy – what a wonderful inheritance – what a wonderful gift our Heavenly Father has provided and left us! “He’s a good, good father! That’s who He is! – And I’m loved by Him, that’s who I am” – And that’s who you are! Gotta tell you… I’m starting Thanksgiving early… and enjoying an early Christmas too! His plan and provision are incredible!!!

Nov 13 2016
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Devos

On Exemplary Leadership… Learning from King David

leadershipOnce again in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I was deeply impressed by the quality of King David’s leadership. There are good reasons that every king in ancient Judah and Israel was measured against his leadership. King David was the prototypical national leader! More than that, he presents an exemplary pattern for all kinds of leaders today! I only wish more leaders exhibited the qualities of leadership King David demonstrated!
Don’t get me wrong… David wasn’t perfect – in fact, he was a flawed person. His terrible sin in plotting the killing of Uriah and his moral failure with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, led to terrible consequences. But David, when confronted with his sin, confessed it and the record of his sincere repentance is documented in Psalm 51.
But what impressed me so much this morning was the leadership David exhibited in 1 Chronicles 28 & 29… Believe me, a worthy read!
In this passage David humbly expresses gratitude for God choosing him as a leader but also accepts the limitations that God has placed on his leadership. David readily accepts the reality that God desires for him to pass the baton of leadership on to his son, Solomon, and seeks to prepare him and the people for the transition of leadership.
Although one of David’s life-goals had been to “build a house for the Lord,” it is clear his vision will be fulfilled by another, and David accepts that reality. In fact he tells Solomon, “Be careful now, for the Lord has you chosen you to build a house the sanctuary; be strong and do it!”
Then David pulled out the rolls of detailed blueprints for the temple and said, “All this God made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, all the work to be done according to the plan.” Then he urged Solomon, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you! He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished!”
Finally the exemplary leadership of David is exhibited in the provisions he made for the fulfilling of this God-given vision! This is how the Bible describes it… “And David the king said to all the assembly, ‘Solomon my son, whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the Lord God! So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able… In addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I now give it…’
Then David challenged the people to follow his example in giving: He asked, “Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord? Then the leaders of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundred, and the officers over the king’s work… Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly!”
(From 1 Chronicles 28:1 – 29:9)
My prayer this morning… Oh, God give us more leaders like this – leaders who exhibit this kind of quality! And Lord, help me to be a leader who exhibits the kind of exemplary leadership David displayed!

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