Daily devotion

Changing the World

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.  John 7:18

We often say that we are trying to change the world while forgetting that the only one we really have a hand in changing is our own. Of course without God’s help we are not too great with even that. Knowing how to get started is for me the most frustrating part. Whether trying to change my use of critical words or my diet that will help me lose critical pounds I find that failure lurks around every corner.

Imported from phone 024

Back in Jesus’ day He found himself surrounded by people with all kinds of different heart issues. Some were following him only because they wanted to see what amazing thing He would do next. Some tried to entangle him with trick questions, hoping to get him arrested. A few really wanted to know more about God and genuinely wanted to hear what Jesus had to say.

The great thing is that Jesus got right to the point. His words shone like a spotlight, not only on that crowd but also on us. His words force us to ask ourselves the hardest question: “Who are we trying to impress?”

If we are only hoping to win popularity and acceptance from people and not from God then not matter how we try, we will fail. Our failure will not be that we miss changing the outward form and the material benefits of our efforts but that we miss out on the only one whose opinion really matters: that is the opinion of God. Once we can settle that issue then real change will begin. When God is glorified in our attitudes and actions, He moves all kinds of mountains and we will find an unexpected joy, just resting in Him. Who am I trying to impress? If my answer is Jesus; then His promise is to come and change my world today!

Rebuilding a Marriage

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

It often comes as a surprise to us that the enemy’s battle in our lives is not about our worship our prayer time or Bible reading; it is in our marriage (Or for singles their immediate family). The battle we fight is not only on the front lines, it is often behind the scenes. There was a wrestling match fought long ago by a man named Jacob that gives a perfect picture of one family’s struggles and ultimate victory.

1549108275992_image.jpg

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. Genesis 32:24

Previous to this night, Jacob had been a smashing success at everything he wanted to do. He had received His father’s blessing and had tricked his older brother into giving him the inheritance that belonged to the firstborn son. He had married the beautiful woman of his dreams (Though he was tricked into marrying her sister also). He had many sons, and daughters as well as servants and vast flocks of sheep and cattle. But despite his accomplishments Jacob was left alone in the battle of his life.

But before you start to feel sorry for Jacob you need to know that he was alone by choice. When facing the consequences of his earlier deceitfulness with his brother Esau Jacob’s first instinct was for self-preservation. He chose to give away all the blessings he had received. First he sent ahead all the many possessions and servants as gifts to Esau. Then he sent his wives and sons ahead of him with a message that they would be servants for Esau. Not even his beloved Rachel was spared in Jacob’s master plan. But a funny thing happened to him on the way his goal. God said, “Enough!” Jacob wasn’t going to go one more step till the selfishness that had governed his every choice was dealt with. The word tells us that after Jacob had wrestled all night that the angel touched him and weakened him. God saw to it that there would be no more self-important, self-reliant adventures in Jacob’s future.  When the sun rose a different Jacob went to humbly meet his brother and be reunited with his family.

The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.                    Genesis 32:31 ESV

Maybe in our efforts to rebuild our marriage or family relationships we have focused too much on the mechanics of christian disciplines and too little on reliance on God and on each other. So here are a few things to think about.

A) Be encouraged: Even though we feel alone: in reality God is still with us and though we cannot continue as we are, he will stay with us and struggle with us all through the night.

B) Go slowly: A little more limping with our family and a lot less racing ahead alone is a good thing.

 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die.  Genesis 33:13

C) Don’t give up: Though we have done a lot of harm by our selfish stubbornness in the past that doesn’t mean we should be push overs. When God was done struggling with Jacob he changed his name,

Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28

If we allow Him: that same God who has struggled against us will now struggle with us and with his help, we can deal with whatever lies ahead.

Invisible Things

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

In the storms of life when the shore is nowhere to be found we find ourselves stripped down to just three eternal things: faith,hope and love. God gives us these treasures: not as a prize to be received in heaven but as a light to guide us through.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13

If you are discouraged or even angry at circumstances that seem to be spinning out of control – trust in God’s promise. He loved us so much that He allowed Jesus to die on a very real cross for a world where men put nails through His hands and feet. When no one yet believed He died in Hope of resurrection. When no kindness was offered to Him He offered heaven to a thief and forgiveness to His enemies. When He drew His final breath He trusted His Spirit into His Father’s hands. How can we be afraid to follow Him? There is no stronger hope on earth than His word. There is no other path that leads to Heaven than faith. There will never be a reward more lasting than the mighty Love of Jesus Christ!