Coping With Evil

 I want to understand our world and not be clueless in a discussion.  I do not want to be gullible, drifting with every wind of opinion.  I do not want to be constantly looking for information just to confirm my I’ll informed opinions.  With anger, division, injustice, and evil present, and with the twisting of truth to justify an opinion, I want to constantly search for wisdom.

A Prayer For Today:  Thank you, Lord, that you see every detail of our lives. You know full well how evil and injustice run rampant among the rulers of this world. You know how gullible we can be when truth is distorted and misinformation is spread. Empower us to not worry, but trust in You. Help us to trust only in You, that You will make things right, bringing justice to the evil and wrong doing around us. (Psalm 37:1-7)

Simple But Not Easy (Bob Goff)

 “Faith is simple, but it’s not easy. The Bible describes faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”3 I like that description. We need to do more than just decide who our faith is in. We need to decide what our faith is actually about.” Excerpt, Undistracted by Bob Goff

I have what I think I know and believe stores in my head, but it’s not so easy to practice when I’m full of fear, feeling like a victim, or see others hurting greatly. When we don’t see God explaining everything g to us, I can get confused. I know enough to not be disillusioned but discouragement can set in.

Temptation 13

 

I often wonder if the temptations I encounter are of my own making or are they directly from Satan. But does it make much difference? I’ve had experiences when trials and temptations seemed oppressive, as if there was a cloud hanging low with doom and gloom warnings of tests to see if I would be faithful and obedient. As Dr. Sproul says, “Jesus was tempted to disbelieve God’s Word, to pit one part of it against another and to think that the Father was not telling Him the whole story.” I’m so thankful that His grace has been provided to hang in there with God’s Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit, despite the dark feelings and questions.

“The closer we are to God, the more the slightest sin will cause us deep sorrow.” - R.C. Sproul

His Baptism 12

 My take away from this reading was how much humility and love our Holy Creator has for us by becoming human and living among us.  The progression from leading the Hebrews by a pillar of fire and living in a tent among them, yo living as a human among us is mind staggering  but for Him to be executed as a sacrifice is even more mind blowing.His grace is overwhelming to contemplate and drives us to worship.  

“God’s grace is not infinite. God is infinite, and God is gracious. We experience the grace of an infinite God, but grace is not infinite. God sets limits to His patience and forbearance. He warns us over and over again that someday the ax will fall and His judgment will be poured out.” - R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God

Incarnation 11

 A college history professor I had at UNL began his semester course by explaining that he was a Christ follower and believed the incarnation to be absolutely true, as the Scriptures state. He went on to say that his belief in the incarnation filtered his view of history, welcomed any student’s questions after class, and would be respectful to opposing views.  That introduction has always stuck with me as a courageous way to communicate to a class and to communicate who he was.  He often held study sessions in his home with his wife providing snacks and coffee.  From all impressions, the professor was authentic in every way.  

 “If God is the Creator of the entire universe, then it must follow that He is the Lord of the whole universe. No part of the world is outside of His lordship. That means that no part of my life must be outside of His lordship.” - R.C. Sproul

The Living Way 10

 

How does seeing Jesus as a living person help? If Jesus’ resurrection want true, we would be wasting our time worshipping in church. All Christian service activities would become self serving promotions that we are good people trying to make a difference. Any effort to honor Christ as living would be foolish and ridiculous.

 “If the sight of Jesus bowing his head into that ultimate storm is burned into the core of your being, you will never say, “God, don’t you care?” And if you know that he did not abandon you in that ultimate storm, what makes you think he would abandon you in the much smaller storms you’re experiencing right now? And, someday, of course, he will return and still all storms for eternity.” - Timothy Keller, Jesus the King

His Heart 09

 Jesus’ resurrection changes everything about living today.  All the heartache, conflict, pain and suffering we experience in this life will be gone when we see Him.  All the joy, fulfillment and success we experience in our lives will pale in comparison to being in His presence.  I wonder if our choices today influence the joy we will experience then.  I do not think we are earning future joy, but I often speculate that the depth of our love for Him will influence the depth of our fulfillment when we see Him. 

 “On the Day of the Lord—the day that God makes everything right, the day that everything sad comes untrue—on that day the same thing will happen to your own hurts and sadness. You will find that the worst things that have ever happened to you will in the end only enhance your eternal delight. On that day, all of it will be turned inside out and you will know joy beyond the walls of the world. The joy of your glory will be that much greater for every scar you bear. So live in the light of the resurrection and renewal of this world, and of yourself, in a glorious, never-ending, joyful dance of grace.” - Timothy Keller, Jesus the King

He Reigns 08

 I often wonder if others would have critiqued my Christian life as nominal a few years ago.  I never said I was a half way follower, but it was if my faith was an add on to good things I was doing, living up to the expectations of good character and a good community person.  But after I’ve let Scripture soak in, I was wrong. Loving Christ and my loyalty to Him supersedes all other loyalties and affiliations.  He is King and I want Him to rule my heart, my will, and all other life issues.  My life is  it about me, but Him.  May He erase my narcissism and selfish views, replacing them with His wisdom and love.  This may seem radical, but it is the most sane way to live life.  

“Because we are all sinners, even the best of our economic, social, and political systems are corrupted by sin and perpetuate systematic injustices. Power itself does not corrupt. Rather, corruption clings to all of our hearts. Inherently selfish, we seek others who are like us to reinforce our power and prejudices against others.” Excerpt, Recovering Our Sanity by Michael Horton

“Jesus declares not that he has come to reform religion but that he’s here to end religion and to replace it with himself.” - Timothy J. Keller, Jesus the King

Victorious 07

 

We will worship him forever with the beauty of his scars in view. They are no defect to the eyes of the redeemed but a glory beyond compare.

Reflection Question

How many wake up calls does it take for someone to focus on Christ and Christ alone?  I’ve had several close up views when friends, students and their families, or close family members have faced death, tragedies, or crises.  Having spent a number of days in the hospital beside my life partner has been and is another challenge and wake up call.  Other issues become trivial and petty in comparison.  But Christ is in all things, allowing us to be sifted and challenges to trust Him beyond my natural abilities.  His grace is sufficient for the  reds of the moment, reassuring me that He is ever present.  The praying of many, the closeness of friends and brothers like you provide so much that no words can express.  What a day we will have when we are present with Christ along with those of every people group and language, worshipping the Lamb who was sacrificed for each of us.

“Jesus began his Church with Zealots and Collaborators who hated and feared one another, making them one by Hiscross and Spirit. His Church grew as Slaves became Pastors of their Masters. He made one new humanity out of Jews and Gentiles who despised one another.” - David Cassidy

Unstoppable 06

 The recent devotional readings have shown me how the disciples’ lives were changed after the resurrection.  Each one (other than Judas) was compelled to tell others about the risen Christ. Each disciple became an example of a changed life, leading others to follow Him, not themselves.  No political power, economic system, or evil force can ever stop the life transforming power of Christ from multiplying, not just adding a few here and there.  I do not want to be asleep while God is working right before my eyes.  I pray that we be sensitive to what God would have us so to engage others with the short time we have.  

“No tomb could contain what love was about to release.” - Bob Goff

1. How can you and I engage others in discussions, making them aware that Jesus is alive?

2. How does the Easter story ignite a fire of excitement in your heart  for Christ